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“And I am preserving my commander’s opportunity to answer badly for himself.”

That did make her smile, although only briefly. Lina’s knees softened beside her.

Kesta tightened her arm around her waist. “Easy.”

“I’m fine,” Lina whispered.

“No, you aren’t.”

“That sounded almost affectionate.”

“It was a diagnosis.”

Lina’s mouth moved weakly before her eyes closed again.

Kesta stopped walking.

Ahead of them, Dreven stopped almost at the same moment. He turned, silver gaze moving first to Lina and then to Kesta.

“We need a break,” Kesta said.

He studied the surrounding ridges before answering. His jaw tightened as another distant cry carried from somewhere beyond the rocks.

“We are exposed.”

“And Lina is going into shock.”

Dreven came back toward them, his stride eating the distance quickly. He crouched in front of Lina without touching her and examined the splint, the sweat dampening her hairline, and the uneven rise and fall of her chest.

“How long?” he asked.

Kesta knew immediately what he meant. “Ten minutes.”

His eyes lifted to hers. “Five.”

“Ten.”

“Six.”

Kesta stared at him. “You just negotiated upward by one minute.”

“Yes.”

His face remained completely serious.

She narrowed her eyes. “Seven.”

Dreven’s mouth shifted slightly at one corner. “Done.”

Keth coughed into his fist.

Kesta looked at him. “Something amusing?”

“Nothing worth losing my remaining horn.”

Dreven gave him a flat look before turning toward the nearest overhang. He directed two fighters to scout the ridge and another to watch the southern approach, then waited while Kesta helped Lina beneath the shelter.

The mineral deposits above them gave off a faint green luminescence that softened the harsher red moonlight. Kesta lowered Lina onto a folded cloak and knelt beside her. She checked the splint, found the pulse at her ankle again, then removed one of the broad-spectrum injectors from her pouch.