Lupi 04 - Night Season

shovels; before the last horse was lovingly rubbed down, the captives were escorted, one at a time, to the freshly dug latrine pit.
    Cynna went first because of her supposed status as their leader. She didn’t object. The guys could stop along the trail and empty their bladders if they had to without slowing everyone down—or treating the entire company to a view of their freezing backsides.
    When she returned, she took her rations to the side of the cave designated for her party and sat. She was too tired to be hungry, but she chewed the jerky and journeycake methodically, washing down each bite with water, knowing she needed the fuel. So did the little rider.
    That made her tired eyes water again, dammit. She thought of Cullen and how much the baby meant to him.
    Gan came back from the latrine next and ate in grim, hasty silence. Sure enough, she hadn’t quite stuffed the last bite in when Chulak called her. The Ahk had decided Gan would do for a servant—or slave—and had been giving her chores at every stop. Cynna had protested, but Chulak was, as usual, massively indifferent. The little one was strong and hardy, he said, unlike the humans; she could do her share of the work.
    Her share included anything the Ahk didn’t want to do—encouraged by a kick or blow if she balked.
    Daniel came back next and settled beside Cynna. He looked ill, but smiled at her. She wanted to tell him to quit doing that. She knew he hurt. “Eat,” she said instead, handing him one of the journeycakes.
    He looked at it and sighed, but dutifully broke off a piece and put it in his mouth.
    Moments later, Steve joined them. “And to think I used to like mountains,” he said glumly, ripping a bite off his jerky with his teeth. “Rock climbing, anyway.”
    â€œYou do the pitons and belaying and all that?” Cynna asked. He nodded, his mouth full. “Well, there’s just one mountain left, and we’re on it.” She finished the last of her journeycake and eyed the jerky. It was her least favorite component of the meal. Oh, well. She popped it in and started chewing.
    â€œYou memorized the maps that well?”
    Cynna shook her head, chewed some more, and finally swallowed. “I’m a Finder, remember? If I can Find mountains, I can Find not-mountains. I think we’ll be off this one sometime tomorrow.”
    â€œI didn’t know you could Find something as general as mountains, much less not-mountains.”
    â€œMost Finders can’t.” Finding the generic rather than the specific involved doing multiple Finds simultaneously—not easy, but she hadn’t had much else to do other than avoid falling off her horse. She flashed him a grin, only a trifle forced. “I’m good.”
    â€œMore to the point, maybe, is where will we be when we come down from the mountains?” Daniel said. “I know Edge geography generally, but not with the kind of specificity that can tell me where I am now. Other than in Ahk territory, obviously.”
    â€œThat, I can’t tell you. Not for sure. But I think we’ll come out in Leerahan, maybe close to where it butts into Rohen.”
    No one said a word, but they all exchanged glances. Leerahan was one of the big sidhe estates. Rohen was another. Rohen was also where Cullen had gone, snatched up by what he’d thought was a communication charm. Or so they assumed. All they really knew was that he’d vanished.
    It was possible, just possible, that he’d persuade the Rohen liege…what was her name? Theil. That he’d persuade Theil to come to their rescue. Even if he did, the sidhe would have to find them, and if they did, they’d probably insist that Cynna Find the medallion for them.
    Better them, though, than Chulak. Better anyone than Chulak. Edge would be in deep shit if he managed to form a bond with the thing and started remaking the realm to suit him.
    Cynna realized she was feeling less exhausted. Almost alert. “You think there’s some drug in these journeycakes? Or maybe some kind of recuperative magic?”
    â€œThey sure taste nasty enough to be good for you.” Steve had finished eating. He pulled out the deck of cards Cynna had long since ceded to him, and began shuffling.
    Gan looked over from where she was scooping up horse shit and glared. Cynna hid her smile. “Better not start the poker game until Gan can join us. Should be soon.