Page 92 of Wind Rider

“Nothing,” Death said.

“Nothing?” Thaddeus shook his head, confused.

“Yes. Nothing. As I said, donothing.Those who refuse The Cure will die. Let them. Do not waste time or resources on them. Simply herd them into that fetid penned-off area and let them die. It is the natural way of things, isn’t it?”

Speechless, Thaddeus stared at him.

Ralina thought,This will do it. Children have been infected. Nursing mothers have been infected. Even petty, angry little Thaddeus must understand now just how dangerous this creature is—and just how much we must work together to try to defeat Him.

But as a feral smile began lifting the corners of Thaddeus’s thin lips, Ralina realized how very wrong she was.

“It is, my Lord. Why bother with those too weak to save themselves and too stupid to understand the power that there is in The Cure.” His gaze slid to Ralina and she refused to look away—refused to cower before his appalling callousness.

Death clapped Thaddeus on the back. “Yes! Good man! You understand. Begin separating the sick from those who are uninfected, or who are taking The Cure. Put the sick in the pen. The rest, if they have sworn loyalty to me, may find shelter among the trees, though not for long. Soon we will be on our way.”

“The boats!” Thaddeus said darkly. “That bitch and Nik destroyed what they didn’t steal.”

“Then set the Tribe to repairing them.”

“Yes, they can be repaired, and I believe in time, but it will take too long to build more.” Then before Death could comment, Thaddeus’s slick smile widened. “But we won’t be taking everyone with us—so we won’t need many more boats. And don’t your Reapers know how to build rafts?”

“I have said from the beginning that you are a quick learner, Thaddeus. You understand. Yes, repair the damaged boats. Yes, my Reapers are expert raft builders. I will command Iron Fist to set the People to building. Now, go. You have much to do.”

“My Lord!” Thaddeus bowed, sent Ralina a sneering smile, and then hurried from the platform.

“Storyteller! I am pleased that you were here to witness the beginning of what will be a grand new adventure.”

“I cannot tell you how pleased I am, too,” Ralina said.Because knowledge is power, and I need all the power I can get if I am to rid the world of you.“My Lord, may I be granted leave to go, now?”

“To care for your Companion, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Then you may take your leave. The sun is setting and I find I am hungry for more than rabbit.” Death snagged the wrist of the girl who’d been feeding Him, and pulled Her onto His lap. “But return to me tomorrow at the same time, and when you do—be quite sure you bring your Companion.”

“Yes, my Lord.” Ralina bowed and exited—her stomach tight with fear.

I will not let that monster harm Bear. And I don’t know how, but I’mgoing to stop Him. I swear it by the Sun and by the memory of what used to be our glorious Tribe.

***

The sun was setting when Antreas finally rejoined the Pack. They were camped on the bank of the Umbria, east of the ruins of the dam and a huge bridge that was broken but still semi-intact—so that it looked like the skeletal remains of a long-extinct monster.

Brother Joseph had left immediately after they’d arrived at the campsite. No one had been sorry to see him go.

As the sun sank below the horizon Danita began pacing and staring down the darkening trail while Bast groomed herself close by. About halfway to the campsite Bast had suddenly stopped, yowled as if she’d been in pain, and even limped for a little while, though Danita couldn’t find anything wrong with her paw. Dinner had been made and eaten, and the Pack congregated in small groups as they worked on weaving projects. The boats were docked nearby. All seemed well with them. Only one paddle had been lost, and there were several extra, so it was easy to replace. The Mother Plants had survived the white water well—very well. They, along with the rest of the cuttings, seedlings, and young plants had been thoroughly drenched in the crossing, soaking them all with life-giving water. Relieved and full of fish stew seasoned with the very delicious almond butter Sora had managed to trade for, before Father John had closed the market, the Pack—except for Danita—had settled contentedly for the night.

Bast’s head suddenly went up, and she coughed at Danita several times. The big feline rubbed against the girl’s legs before speeding silently down the path and disappearing.

“Is it Antreas?” Mari asked. She’d been keeping a close eye on Danita since Bast had had her limping spell. Mari had no doubt that Antreas was well, and would catch up with the Pack soon—the fact that Bast had recovered quickly and been so relaxed all evening was testament to the fact that her Companion remained safe. But the phantom soreness of her paw had been worrisome.

“Oh, Goddess, I hope so. I can’t imagine what’s taking him so long! The boats were here when we arrived hours ago.”

“Hey, he must not have joined them on the boats, which means he had to travel overland to catch up with us. He’s fine. Bast would be the first to know if something were wrong.”

“But what happened to her paw earlier? I swear I couldn’t find anything wrong with it.”

“Maybe it was nothing. Maybe she twisted it. Or maybe Antreas smacked his hand against something and Bast felt it. The two of them are awfully close. But she settled down fast, and I don’t believe she would have if he’d been really hurt.”