Page 28 of Sun Warrior

Rose took the pup from O’Bryan and held him out to Isabel. “Just remember not to hold him too tightly or too loosely. Treat him as you would a human infant. Let him know he’s safe with you.”

Isabel nodded. “I understand.” Moving slowly and carefully, she took the pup and then cradled him close to her chest. Sora watched her lookdown at him as the pup looked up at her. He lifted himself, putting his little paws on her chest and sticking his nose on Isabel’s chin, sniffing and then licking her as Isabel began to giggle.

Sora glanced around them and saw that everyone was watching Isabel. She thought she saw looks of disgust cross a few of the Earth Walkers’ faces, but mostly Sora saw curiosity, even some longing. She shrugged mentally—well, they are baby animals, and babies are hard to resist.

Sora handed the little girl puppy back to O’Bryan, but not before petting her silky black fur and staring into her bright, happy-looking eyes.

“Are your burns less painful since I put the aloe salve on them, Rose?” Sora asked, feeling much more confident as a Healer than as a puppy holder.

Rose nodded. “They are. Thank you.”

“Good. That means Lydia’s burns will be more bearable, too.” She raised her voice and called, “We’ve rested long enough. The birthing burrow isn’t far from here. Next time we stop it will be for the night.”

“May I carry the puppy for a little while?” Isabel asked Rose. “I’ll walk with you and O’Bryan if that’s okay.”

Rose nodded. “I suppose. But show him to Fala first so that she knows he’s safe with you.”

“Of course,” Isabel said before crouching down with the puppy held carefully in her arms. Shyly, she began talking to the adult canine. “Hello, Mother. I’d like to carry your baby, and I give you my word that I will be careful.” She held the puppy out so that the Terrier could sniff him, which she did, and then Sora was surprised to see the black canine sniffing at Isabel, too. Isabel held very still—Sora didn’t think the girl was even breathing. Then the canine licked Isabel’s hand and yipped once before padding to Rose’s side.

“Did I do okay?” Isabel asked Rose.

Rose actually smiled at the girl. “You did. Fala trusts you to keep her pup safe.”

“He is safe with me! I promise you he is,” Isabel said.

“I’ll help Sarah and Lydia up,” Sora said. She called to one of the older Earth Walkers who she knew would be able to follow the trail to the birthing burrow. “Jancita, please lead.”

Jancita bowed respectfully to Sora. The older woman moved stiffly—as did many of the Earth Walkers. Several of them were coughing continuously, and Sora wished for what seemed like the thousandth time that Mari had stayed with them. Mari would know whether the coughs were because, like Sora, their immune systems had been overtaxed and they were sick or the smoke had injured their lungs, or were they coughing because the women had taken in too much water from their Channel swim and were now at risk for pneumonia?

Sora tried to keep her expression neutral as she helped the two Companions to their feet. The sisters were in bad shape and getting worse. Lydia’s burns were serious, worse even than the wounds that covered Rose’s back. Sora had spread the aloe gel liberally on the ugly, weeping burns, but she could do little else for the girl until they got to shelter. The other sister, Sarah, had an ankle that was going to need splinting, medication for pain, and a good, long rest.

We’re all going to need a good, long rest,Sora thought as she turned away, coughing and scratching at her elbow crease. She wiped her mouth again, and her gaze traveled over the ragtag group. The other two Companions, Sheena and O’Bryan, had minor injuries. But they wereCompanions,and soon they would know exactly where the Weaver Clan’s birthing burrow was located.Mari, what were you thinking when you let them come with you?Sora sighed. She knew what Mari had been thinking. She was a Healer, just as her mother had been. It was in Mari’s blood to help people.

“I’ll take the lead now. Thank you, Jancita.” Sora touched the woman’s arm, and she fell back with the group. Sora looked over her shoulder, cleared the phlegm from her throat, and raised her voice so that they could all hear her. “I’m going to walk faster. I know it’ll be hard for you to keep up, but it’s close to sunset and we cannot be caught in the forest after dark.”

Grimly, Earth Walkers and Companions picked up the pace, limping and staggering but keeping up with Sora.

Sora focused on continuing forward and on being irritated about how terrible she felt. Her eyes burned. Her stomach ached. And, worst of all, her skin felt hot and tight and itchy. Goddess, shehatedbeing sick!

“You look angry.” Sora jumped as O’Bryan’s voice came from close beside her. “Sorry,” he added quickly. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“I just didn’t know you were walking so close. I would have thought I’d have heard you, what with all those little creatures you’re carrying around.” She cocked her head as she studied him. “Are you a midwife for canines?”

O’Bryan’s bark of laughter startled the puppies he was carrying tucked under his shirt, and he had to cuddle them quiet before he answered Sora. “No, nothing like that. I’m just a Tribesman, and canines, especially babies who are still so vulnerable, are important to us.”

“Oh. Hm. I suppose that makes sense.…” She paused and then added, “And I’m not angry. I’m sick, which is highly annoying. And I’m worried,” Sora said, and then wondered why she felt the need to explain anything to this Companion.

“Worried about what?” he asked.

She snorted. “Let’s see—” Sora held up her hand, ticking off fingers. “The forest is on fire. There are a bunch of wounded people with me—some of them wounded pretty badly. I have no idea when or if Mari is going to return. I don’t have the supplies I need at the birthing burrow. I don’t have the food I need at the birthing burrow. And I’m leading our enemies into the heart of our Clan. There are other, lesser things that are worrying me, but those are the biggies.”

“Would you like to carry a puppy?”

Sora looked at O’Bryan closely, wondering for the second time if perhaps he was simple. “Why would I like to carry a puppy?”

His grin made him look boyish. “Whywouldn’tyou like to carry apuppy?” Before she could protest, he lifted one from under his shirt and handed her to Sora.

She took the puppy, realizing as she peered up at Sora with her shining black eyes that she was the same little girl she’d held before. “So, you’re back,” she told the pup. The little girl Terrier opened her mouth and yipped happily at Sora before half rolling, half flopping on her back and exposing her fat belly. Sora looked at O’Bryan, one brow lifted in a question.