He sheathed the dagger, and they ran together toward the herds.
Amyu’s eyes poppedopen, staring at the night sky. Her heart racing, she lay still for a long breath.
Joden’s breathing was soft and regular against her shoulder. He didn’t stir.
Something had woken her, something… she turned her head slightly, taking in their quiet camp.
Rafe and the others lay in their own bedrolls, still asleep. Fylin and Soar kept watch, their weapons at the ready, but they showed no signs of alarm. Neither did the horses, or the cows.
Amyu drew a deep breath, and let it out slowly. A dream, perhaps. Nothing more.
She closed her eyes, settling back, willing herself back to sleep. They’d leave in the morning, and seek out the Warprize and Master Eln. It would be a long day, and she should rest. She focused on Joden’s breath. In and out, in and out…
Her heart slowed to its normal rate. Her breathing eased, and she fell back into sleep.
Simus roused, half-asleep,as Snowfall sat up, letting their blankets fall back. He grumbled, fumbling for them and for her.
“Power,” she whispered. “Someone’s using the power.”
That brought him up, alert, sword in hand. “Where?” He demanded.
“Not close,” Snowfall rose, reaching for her armor. “And further south, deep in the Plains.”
Simus stood, considering. “Who?”
“I don’t know,” Snowfall shook her head, the beads of her weaving jangling softly.
“A threat?”
“Maybe,” she pulled on her leather trous. “I will stand watch.”
Simus sighed, and reached for his own trous.
Cadr was gratefulwhen they finally stopped to make camp. Lightning Strike kept them at a steady pace the last few days, but wouldn’t call a halt until the sun was past the horizon. Cadr agreed with pushing on, but his aching ribs were just as happy to dismount from his horse.
“We’ll risk a fire,” Lightning Strike said as they started to pull saddles from the horses.
“I can help with that,” Rhys offered.
“We’ve enough fresh meat,” Gilla frowned, looking around for her warcats. They’d disappeared into the tall grass. “We can hunt tomorrow morning—”
All of the warcats’ heads emerged from the tall grass, all facing the same way: south.
Lightning Strike’s face went pale and he turned, wide-eyed, toward the south.
As did everyone else around them.
Cadr frowned, looked around as well, but there was nothing to see. Gilla and Rhys looked just as puzzled.
“What?” Gilla demanded.
Rhys shrugged, but Sidian answered her, his voice distant and distracted. “Power,” he said. “A flare of power.”
“Someone just used magic,” Lightning Strike whispered.
“Like the sacrifice?” Gilla asked, shading her eyes.
“No,” Lightning Strike said. “Not that strong, but—” he cut off his words. “It’s gone.”
