Page 82 of Wind Rider

“Jenna, I understand your point, though I must say that I do not agree with it.” Adira spoke up as they watched Nik hurry toward Brother Joseph. “But you are very young, and you have not had to worry for your next meal and be terrified for your safety for decades.”

Jenna stopped and faced the older woman. She put her hands on her hips and shook her head. “No. You cannot use my youth as a way of justifying that.” She pointed back at the village. “I’ve known hardship. My mother died. My father raised me—a father with Moon Fever. He was killed in front of me. I watched Tribesmen sink arrows into him as he tried to save me. Then I was enslaved. Not as long as you, but I’ve known captivity, and I’m telling you that believing you’re better off—safer—if someone else takes care of you and makes decisions for you is a step back into captivity. Not for me—never again for me.”

“Then we shall have to agree to disagree,” Adira said before she walked away, disappearing into the line of Earth Walkers following them.

“Is it immature of me to say that I’ll remember that Adira is fine with following orders as long as she thinks she’s being cared for next time I need an unpleasant job done?” Sora asked.

Mari held her response as Nik jogged back to them, his face grim.

“Father John told him the unchaste blind woman is not to be listened to, and that our Pack is doomed because we allow women to rule us,” Nik said.

“‘Allow!’” Sora almost spat the word. Her gray eyes found the backof Brother Joseph, and she looked as if she would like to push him off the trail to the white water that raged far below. “We are Moon Women! No one ‘allows’ us to lead. Weareleaders.”

“And our men are not silent, subjugated shells,” Mari said.

“They are also not doomed to a terrible death because they will not see,” Dove said. “Pity them, Moon Women, and then release them from your minds. You cannot save people who do not wish to be saved.”

“Dove’s right. Let’s leave this place and these people to their ways,” Mari said.

“And to the consequences of their ways,” Sora added.

“And to the consequences of their ways,” Mari agreed.

“If Antreas doesn’t join us tonight, I’m going to take them all down,” Danita said grimly.

Mari put her arm around her friend. “You won’t have to. Do you really think Bast would be here beside you, relaxed and happy, if Antreas were in any danger?”

Danita grinned up at her, looking relieved and youthful. “Moon Woman, you are absolutely right. As long as Bast is fine, so am I.”

The Lynx punctuated Danita’s comments by purring contentedly.

CHAPTER 14

SIX MONTHS IN THE PAST—WINTER CAMP OF HERD MAGENTI—VALLEY OF VAPORS

River loved the winter camp. Of course winter had its dangers, and she would never underestimate the power of the elements, but it was difficult to worry much about snow and ice when Herd Magenti was snug and secureand warm.The Valley of Vapors was River’s favorite place in all of the Herd’s wide territory. The trek to get to it was always treacherous, and this year had been no exception. As they traveled through the narrow passage of the Quachita Mountains it had begun to snow, almost trapping the rear half of the Herd, but once they were through the pass and into the mountain valley, everything was green and growing again as the vast system of hot springs kept the valley perpetually verdant.

This was the only place in the Herd’s territory that they inhabited any of the ruins of the long-dead ancients. Here the lofty marble and stone buildings that fronted several of the steaming springs were cared for lovingly by members of Herd Magenti who were not Riders. Those who had never been Chosen by a horse could decide if they wanted to live the nomadic life of a Wind Rider and move from camp to camp, or if they would rather remain at one of the Herd’s large campsites, keeping it in working order, planting and harvesting crops, and generally living a comfortable but stationary life. One of the most popular sites forpermanent habitation was the Valley of Vapors. Herdmembers who lived in the valley year round kept vegetation cleared from the regal columns and high ceilings of mysterious, beautiful buildings that had been converted to stables and living quarters for the Herd to wait out the winter.

The valley wasn’t big, just barely large enough to hold the five combined branches of Herd Magenti, but no one minded being crowded. It was like they passed the winter in a bubble of springtime, surrounded by life-giving waters, while they slept inside marble palaces of the past.

River sat at the edge of one of the reservoirs that bubbled up from the side of the eastern ridge that framed the valley, her feet dangling just above the steaming water. She lazily braided her long, dark curls into one thick plait, smiling to herself about how the rising mist from the hot spring caused escaping locks of her hair to curl around her face. The humidity of the springs annoyed some of the girls and had them complaining about what it did to their hair, but since she had been a child River had embraced the thick riot of her black mane as beautiful and she loved that the springs gave her a halo of curls—whether she tried to tame it or not.

Once in a while she’d dip a toe into the aromatic water, but not for long. The thermal springs that heated the valley and drew an entire Herd through treacherous mountains were life giving and healing, but they were also so hot that they had to be diluted by the nearby lake water to be bearable to the touch.

“I thought you’d be here. Scoot over. This isn’t justyourfavorite place.”

River scooted over, but she also leaned down and flicked hot water at her sister.

“Don’t be immature,” April said, sitting beside River.

“You’re sounding more and more like Mother,” River said.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“I didn’t mean it as one.” River butted her sister with her shoulder, and both girls laughed.

“Who’s working out today?” April lifted her hand, squinting against the bright winter sunlight at the muddy scene below them.