Teres

- The plains of western Arcness were as barren of life as the plains of Tarantaise had been.

Two things. One, is there any place in the world besides towns that are inhabited? Douglass makes it sound like the world is more or less empty except in small pockets here and there. Two, plains are not devoid of life. There are birds, insects, rabbits, foxes, badgers, etc. It's filled with all kinds of animals. Not to mention a myriad of plants and grasses and other flora. (I'm taking a little bit of liberty here with what kind of animals exist in this world compared to ours, but from what we've seen so far, it seems like mundane creatures do exist.)

- Then there is a flashback to Timozel asking “where they are going, and how [Jack] plan[s] on getting Faraday to Gorkenfort.”

That is still a stupid name. I will never believe otherwise.

- Jack then looked at him as if he were a “muddle-headed youth”.

Take your condescension and shove it up your ass, Jack.

- After all, every “Lady” needs her “Lord” next to her and frets when he is away.

Because capable women don't exist in this world, I guess. *growls and grumbles*

- Hmm, why can Jack stay on his feet without much trouble, while Yr falls constantly?

I wish she would transform into her cat form and make Jack carry her. And by 'carry her', I mean perch herself on top of his head and dig her claws in until they meet bone. Also, isn't Yr wearing nothing but Timozel's cloak? And she's going to go into a town like that? Being a cat in this case would actually be beneficial for her in more ways than one.

- Jack waves ahead, “his voice showing signs of terrible strain”

Oh, poor you! Maybe if you hadn't run everyone ragged and actually let them rest you wouldn't be as exhausted as you are now. I get that they're on a time-crunch, but I'm pretty sure well-rested people can travel farther and make up the few hours of sleep over a group resting for ten minutes and then being forced to keep walking.

- For a moment, the Goodman and Goodwife look at each other with amazement, then the Goodwife “shrug[s] prosaically” (?)

'Prosaically': in an ordinary, straightforward, even boring way. So...she just shrugged. I suppose this is to indicate that she chose a mundane gesture rather than, say, used interpretive dance. (For real, though, I have no idea why that's even there.)

- Then she smiles, because “this strange beast with the body of a man and the head of a white stag [is] her friend”.

STILL FUCKING CREEPY.