Page 26 of Sun Warrior

“Davis, don’t be hasty—” Wilkes began, but Mari cut him off.

“Why don’t you let him make his own choice? Do you not respect him as a fellow Tribesman?” Mari asked.

“I do,” Wilkes said. “But he is young, and this decision does feel hasty.”

“Nik, tell Wilkes how long I’ve complained about Thaddeus.”

“Well, let’s see.” Nik considered. “For as long as he’s been your mentor.”

“See,” Davis told Wilkes. “Not hasty. I ask that you respect my choice.”

Wilkes nodded slowly, sadly. Then he turned to Claudia. “And you? What is your choice?”

“I don’t know enough yet to make one,” Claudia said. “So, I’m going to stay with the Tribe for now.”

“That’s fair,” Nik said. “If you change your mind…”

“Well, I don’t know where to find you,” Claudia said with a smile. “But you have given your word to return.”

“And I will,” Nik assured her as he met Wilkes’s gaze steadily.

“All right,” Wilkes said. “That is what I’ll report to the Council. But, Nik, you should consider one more thing. You are the best bowman in the Tribe.”

Nik moved his shoulders. “Yes, I know that, Wilkes. I’ve been the best bowman in the Tribe since I passed sixteen winters. Why should I consider something I’ve known for years?”

“Because what youhaven’tconsidered until now is your future as Companion to the Tribe’s Alpha Shepherd. Laru choosing you changes everything,” Wilkes said.

Nik drew a long breath and then let it out. “You see, that’s the biggest problem I have with the Tribe. Before Laru chose me, I was still the best bowman in the Tribe—the same person I’ve been for twenty-three winters. Only now that Laru is by my side, I’m suddenly seen as worthy to lead?” He shook his head. “Father said I would understand if I was ever made a Companion. Well, I’m a Companion, and I still don’t understand. No, I’m going with Mari.”

Wilkes bowed his head briefly in defeat, and when the Warrior met his gaze again Nik saw a sadness there that hadn’t been before as the man rappelled up the tree. Wilkes disappeared into the boughs and the sky opened. The rain that had been threatening all day poured like ropes from above.

CHAPTER 7

“What are they?” Sora stared into the squirming mass of grunting, wriggling little creatures that O’Bryan was trying to tuck back inside his shirt.

He looked up at her and grinned. “They’re Terrier puppies!”

“Oh, Goddess.Morecanines?”

“Sora, are you telling me you’ve never seen a puppy?” O’Bryan asked, looking at her as if she’d just said she’d never seen sunlight.

“Did you hit your head escaping from the fire or are you just simple?” Sora frowned at him. “You know very well that I’ve never seen a puppy before. Well, unless you count Rigel, and I think of him as more creature than puppy.” Her frown deepened and she pointed her chin to where Captain was sitting beside Sheena. “Are they going to get as big as that giant version of Rigel over there?”

O’Bryan laughed heartily. “No! Rigel and Captain are Shepherds, Leader canines. These little guys are Terriers, or Hunter canines. They’ll only get about as big as Fala.”

“The little black canine who’s resting over there with Rose?” Sora asked before having to turn away to cough. When her gaze found O’Bryan’s again, he was watching her contemplatively. “What?” She did nothing to hide the annoyance in her voice.

“Are you okay? That cough sounds bad, and you look, well, pale except for those bruises. Did someone hurt you?”

Sora had a sharp reply ready—something about it being none of a Companion’s business what was what with her or any other Earth Walker, but O’Bryan’s expression was honestly concerned. Her sigh ended in another hacking cough, and she had to force herself not to scratch at her skin, which was feeling tight and strange, especially at the creases in her elbows and wrists. “I was attacked yesterday. I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“If I’m not, are you ready to step up and be Healer for all of these people?”

“I’m pretty sure you and Mari are much better at that than me,” O’Bryan said.

“Well, then I’ll rest when everyone has been treated, fed, and safe. Now, you were explaining to me about these baby canines.” She nodded at the knot of puppies he was carrying. “They’re going to look like that little black creature with Rose, and not like Rigel?”