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They didn’t include me in their shifts, and yet they might as well have since I lay there wide awake. It had been a long time since I’d had people sleeping close to me. Palla and I had split our accommodations once we began showing an interest in men. Her more than me, which surprised given her experience. But then again, Palla always was brave. I just hadn’t found anyone that made me want to be vulnerable.
Hearing all the rustling and even susurration of breaths proved jarring. How could anyone sleep?
A turn of my head and I glanced over at Oriz, who’d lain down across from me. Did he rest or lie awake as well? What was his story? He’d not said much all evening. I didn’t trust him.
Daisy and Jord took the first watch, Daisy back against a wall facing the door, Jord leaning right on it. The wind still whistled. I took that as a good sign because if I could hear it, then the sand must not have muffled us under its weight.
I must have dozed off because I woke suddenly and heard a half-snort…from me. Lovely. At least I didn’t have drool on my cheek. I lay still for a moment, listening. The wind had stopped, and the silence pressed ominously.
Something was wrong.
“Mooo.”
“Did you hear that?” Daisy asked.
“Whatever it is, it’s outside,” stated Yaanik with a hint of worry.
Thud.
“Sounds like it’s trying to get in,” huffed Daisy.
“Then let’s oblige. I’ll open, you chop.”
That was when I acted, pushing to hand and knees. “There will be no chopping. It’s the corshmels. The storm must have passed, and now they want their evening treat.”
“We should tie them up so they don’t wander.” Yaanik put his hand on the door.
I didn’t offer to help. I rarely had contact with animals, and besides, I was pretty sure a lady of my standing didn’t get involved with those kinds of chores.
Despite my words with two of the giants, Jord remained snoring on the floor. A glance at Oriz showed him facing the wall. Pretending to sleep, or had all the noise truly not woken him?
The door took a bit of shoving to open, a ridge of sand having to be forced out of its path. I sat cross-legged in the entrance as the stale air refreshed. My location provided me with a bit of sport, watching as the two giants kicked up puffs of sand trying to catch the reins of the corshmels milling by the road. They had stuck close by, but that didn’t mean the stubborn beasts were about to willingly obey the giants.
Eventually, they had the reins for two of the beasts, no sign of the third. They walked them back to the hut, which had even more of its structure uncovered. The far corner was now exposed, and I pointed to a ring still embedded in the stone. “Tether them on that so they don’t wander.”
The corshmels only cooperated when Yaanik dropped a handful of savory herbs the beasts liked to chew. When the giants reentered the house, they left the door open a crack, and Yaanik sat down by it. Jord gestured to my corner.
Go back to sleep? Doubtful. While I’d done much to overcome my fear of the desert at night, now that I’d rested, it returned to nag. I sat in my nest of blankets and did my best to concentrate on how I’d get the King to spend time alone with me. Vapid or smart? Which would engage him more? Should I be strong and independent or the kind that giggled and clung?
Rumble.
The stone floor shivered slightly. Please tell me I’d imagined it. I glanced at the two giants keeping watch. Both stood and stared at the ground suspiciously.
The tremble came again, and I shoved to my feet. Outside, our rides had some honking distress to relay. The abrupt silence by the tethered beasts didn’t bode well.
“I’ll check the animals!” Yaanik went charging out and returned seconds later, shaking his head. “They’re gone. Something dug right under and took them.”
“Sand lizards,” I muttered. Kind of surprising. The King sent out regular patrols to keep them from getting close to the capital.
“Must be a pretty big lizard,” Yaanik stated.
“They vary in size, but they all like to eat meat. They attack by tunneling from below. Despite their size, they can be fast and tricky.” I described only to realize I might have said too much. A glance at Oriz showed him unmoving still.
“They sound like fun,” Yaanik exclaimed.
“What’s fun?” asked Oriz, who’d finally woken.
Daisy pulled her axe. “The real question is, are they good to eat? I would kill for something fresh.”
