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“I’m sure your wife would like some help. Females are demanding little creatures.”
The faint bitterness in his voice made Celenk give him another look. Something Naffon had said had made him think that Kalpar wasn’t interested in females, but that sounded as if it were based on personal experience. However, he knew better than to ask any questions given Kalpar’s forbidding frown.
“Since I’m always happy to help my wife, I’ll take you up on that. Is there a more direct route back to our house?”
“You could ride further down this road, then cut back cross country along the tree line. That will bring you out on the far side of your farm.”
“I think I’ll go that way then, see some more of the property.”
And cover more area for Marshall’s device. The thought made him uneasy and perhaps it showed because Kalpar frowned at him before shrugging.
“If you want. I don’t think you can get lost.”
“My survival skills haven’t deteriorated that far,” he said dryly, and Kalpar flashed a quick smile at him before he rode off.
Celenk continued down the road, really more of a trail than a road, but didn’t turn off when he reached the line of trees Kalpar had indicated. They followed a narrow creek back towards his house, but he kept going along the road, determined to reach the far end of the property. Once the survey was completed, he would be free of his obligation to Marshall and perhaps, just perhaps, he could figure out a way where he and Lottie could be together.
He passed another abandoned farmhouse, this one barely standing, before reaching an even narrower wooded trail like the one that ran to his house. Curious, he started down it, welcoming the thick shade under the trees. The clouds had moved on and the day had turned hot and sunny.
The trail ended in a small grove. A surprisingly well preserved cottage was tucked to one side, but he was more interested in the well next to it. It was still working, the water cold and refreshing. He drank, then pulled up another bucket for his horse. As he did, he thought he saw a flash of yellow in the woods behind the house.
“Hello? Is someone there?”
The unmistakable sound of a safety being released came from behind him and he froze.
“Who the fuck are you and what the hell are you doing on my property?”
“I’m Celenk and I work for Temel. Who are you?”
He kept his hands out as he turned slowly, his tail lashing. He wanted to know who he was dealing with before he went on the attack.
“Who I am is none of your fucking business. Get the hell off my land.”
A massive, scarred Haldan male stood behind him. He was missing his warrior braid, his dark hair cut close to his head, but he was still unmistakably a warrior. Celenk might be able to take him, but it would be close, especially with a weapon pointed at his head.
“I thought this was Temel’s land.”
“You thought wrong. This is my land.”
The male’s eyes flicked behind him for a second and he remembered that flash of yellow.
“Is there someone else here?”
“Don’t make me tell you again.”
“Fine, I’m going.”
It wasn’t until he had his foot in the stirrup that he realized he must have reached the furthest farm, which meant this must be S’kal’s brother. Once he realized that, he would see a faint resemblance, although this male was much more brutal looking.
“You must be H’zim.”
The hard face didn’t even flicker. H’zim just gestured at the path back through the trees with his weapon.
“Go.”
“I’m going.”
The back of his neck crawled as he rode away, sure that the weapon was still aimed at him, but despite his hostility, H’zim hadn’t done more than growl at him. Although a good brawl might have helped ease his guilt over living a lie.
