by T. A. White
He pushed Caia away. "Where is your second mount?"
Eva pushed her chin at a string of horses where her other mount waited with the rest of the secondaries. It was customary for the Trateri to travel with two or more horses. When the first tired, they would switch to the second so the first could rest. It was one of the reasons the Trateri were seen as such a threat in the Lowlands where a rich man might own one horse, but rarely two. It allowed them to cross the long distances necessary to crush those who opposed them in less time.
Caden's expression didn't thaw. If anything, impatience filtered into it. Eva fought the urge to roll her eyes, making her way over to the string and pointing out her mount. You would think she wasn't a herd mistress with the way he was acting.
Her second mount was another mare. Unlike Caia, this one wasn't built for speed and wasn't particularly beautiful either, but she was sweet and easygoing.
Eva was more than happy with that. One arrogant and vain pain in the ass was about all she could handle.
Blossom was shorter than many of the others—more a pony than a horse—with thick legs and a thick coat. She was staid and almost seemed placid unless carrots or sugar cubes were involved. Eva had a feeling she'd been a Lowland pony at some point before someone had either offered her in tithe or the Trateri had simply taken her.
Either way, she was Eva's now.
"Good choice," Caden grunted grudgingly.
"Thank you," was her short response.
She didn't need the praise. If there was one thing she knew, it was horseflesh. Blossom might not be much to look at, but Eva was willing to bet she'd outwalk any of these pretty Trateri horses up a mountain pass. She came from sturdy stock. What she lacked in speed and grace she made up for in determination and stamina.
Eva waited expectantly for Caden's apology. None came.
Instead, he looked expectantly at Jason who'd shadowed the two across the pasture.
Jason startled. "I've already been inspected."
Caden raised an eyebrow. "And now you'll be inspected again."
Jason's gaze moved between Eva and Caden before scowling. Eva was just as confused. The Anateri commander had to have better things to do than make sure the two of them were adequately prepared for the journey.
Caden’s expression was implacable as he calmly stared Jason down.
Wait. He wasn’t doing this because of Jason’s comment about her not being trusted, was he? Eva shook her head, dismissing the thought. Couldn’t be.
Jason whirled to lead the Anateri commander toward his mount and pack. Eva tried not to react, knowing how it felt to be singled out and not wanting to add to Jason's situation. The other man already disliked her, there was no reason to make it worse.
His shoulder bumped hers on his way past.
Caden stopped next to her. "Wise throwaways don't challenge warlords."
Eva didn't react. "I didn't challenge him. I did exactly as he instructed and pointed out a piece of information he didn't know."
His head moved back a little as he examined her, his eyes narrowing. She thought she might have imagined the slight twitch to the corner of his mouth as he said, "Touché."
She blinked as he moved past her.
Did her eyes deceive her? Was the commander actually capable of humor?
She shook her head. Impossible. And if he was, he certainly wouldn't share it with her.
Though, she couldn't help but wonder why he'd felt the need to check over Jason's pack. Surely, he was too busy to bother with two lowly herd masters, one an apprentice and the other a herd mistress sans the herd. Could it have been because of the way he'd seen Jason treat her?
She shook her head as she moved off. One thing she was certain of was that Caden definitely shared no liking for her.
*
Hardwick lifted his head as he gently set Sebastian's leg back down. “You were right. Rest, coupled with a standing wrap at night, would be the best form of healing for him.”
Sebastian was surprisingly docile as Hardwick straightened with a groan, not even trying to nip the other man despite giving him the side-eye.
“A week without travel would be best,” Eva said grimly.
“You’re not wrong,” Hardwick agreed. They both knew that was a futile wish, much as they’d like otherwise.
Sebastian, having had enough of the human standing next to him, nipped at Hardwick, who dodged out of the way before the Kyren could close his teeth on flesh.
The commotion from the far side of camp distracted them from Sebastian’s antics. They looked over as a wagon that easily dwarfed any she'd ridden on rumbled into view.
"Now that's a sight you don’t see every day." The herd master sounded impressed despite himself.
She could see why. The contraption looked like it was the monstrous, slightly-deformed child of a metal beast and a Trateri wagon. Broader and bigger than any wagon Eva had seen before, it belched smoke as it clattered and rumbled up the hill, assisted by a team of eight horses.
“Where did they get something like that?” Hardwick asked.
"The pathfinders, of course. They have all sorts of weird contraptions locked in their Keep. They agreed to let us borrow it.” Darius stopped next to them, shading his eyes as he watched the strange conveyance rock toward them. “Well, herd mistress, what do you think?"
"It's definitely big enough." That was an understatement.
She didn't know how something that heavy would make it across the rough terrain.
"It is that." Darius didn't sound happy, more like resigned.
“How does it work?” Eva asked.
“It burns coal which generates a steam that make the wheels turn,” Reece said from a few feet away. “It does most of the work, but the horses help.”
None of them looked any wiser for the explanation.
He rolled his eyes. “It works. That’s all you need to know. Your throwaways have been shown the basics of how to run it.”
The pathfinder started for the wagon beast with his hands in his pocket.
Under his breath, Darius said, "This is a nightmare."
Eva didn't react, certain she wasn't meant to hear that. Darius flicked a glance toward her, but was too skilled at controlling his expressions to let any of the irritation she was sure he felt show.
"I'm so happy we could accommodate," he said, watching her carefully.
Somehow Eva doubted that. The charm and ease with which he spoke would have lulled anybody else into complacency. Not her. She could see the calculation in his gaze, feel it in the way he studied her. This man was a slippery one. He'd lure you in and then stab you in the front. Of that, she had no doubt. He wasn't in the habit of being straightforward.
Eva would have to be doubly careful not to get on his bad side. She had a feeling you would be there and not even know it until it was too late.
"I can see that," Eva finally said with a stiff smile.
"It meets with your approval, then?" he asked expectantly.
Eva's smile was a little more natural this time. The general wanted to get on the move. She could understand that. "With some adjustments, I imagine so."
He raised an eyebrow, inviting her to expand.
"It'll be a constant struggle for him to keep his balance. That could stress his leg as much as walking," Eva began. "The roads are likely to be rough and once we leave them it will get even bumpier."
No one could argue with that. The Highlanders were many things, but they cared little for formal roads. Most were worn paths of dirt from where people had traveled back and forth often.
"We could create some type of sling," Hardwick proposed. "Keep him off his leg in the interim."
Eva nodded. "That should work."
Darius, to his credit, didn't allow any of his impatience to show as he nodded. "Do what you can. I want to know the second you're finished."
He took one last look at the wagon and shook his head. "Ferrying horses over land. Never thought I'd see the day
."
"It's not a bad idea," Hardwick said when Darius had gone. "Before long, I'm sure he'll be seeing the benefits. Something like this could mean transporting our mounts over long distances and arriving fresh to battle."
"You'd need twice as many horses for every single horse transported. Seems like a waste of energy to me," Eva pointed out.
Hardwick shrugged. "If anybody could work out the logistics, it'd be him."
"You have any idea how we're going to do this?" Eva asked.
Hardwick peered at her. "You're the expert in winged horses. I thought you'd tell me."
Eva thought she spotted a hint of smile as he walked toward the wagon.
"Seat of the pants it is," she called to his back.
Caden stepped into her path when she started to follow Hardwick.
"What are you doing here?" Eva asked
"I'm keeping an eye on things," he informed her.
"Well, do it from over there. Unless you know how to create a sling so the Kyren doesn't hurt himself further," Eva challenged.
He gave her a small smile that almost, but not quite, reached his eyes before he stepped aside. "I wouldn't dream of doing your work for you."
Eva pressed her lips together to keep her tart response to herself. The look she cast his way was suspicious. Why did she feel like his statement contained a hint of mockery?
"I might know how to do it, miss," a man with faded red hair offered from the side of the wagon. He eyed her uncertainly, almost flinching when he noticed Caden at her side.
The newcomer wasn't Trateri. That much was obvious. Lowlander. Definitely a throwaway.
"You're not needed," Caden said flatly.
The stranger jolted. "Of course. Sorry to interrupt."
"Wait," Eva said. "What did you mean you might know how to do it?"
He hesitated, his gaze flicking in Caden’s direction. It caught on the crest of the Hawkvale which Caden wore over his chest. The man's face paled further when he realized who he was addressing. The Anateri were highly respected, but they were also feared.
None feared them more than a throwaway.
"Answer her question," Caden rumbled.
Eva glared holes in him, wanting to kick him for his rudeness, while knowing she'd never dare. Since she couldn't do that, she stepped in front of him, bringing the focus of attention to her.
She smiled at the other man, the expression unfamiliar and forced. "Please, continue. He won't hurt you for speaking."
At least Eva fervently hoped he wouldn't.
The man waited several seconds as his gaze went to the menacing presence radiating from the Anateri behind her. She didn't need to see to know that Caden probably looked very much like a killer just then.
"We used something similar to lift doxen rocks out of the pits," the man finally stammered out. "The canvas the Trateri use for their tents might have a similar elasticity."
"You can build this?" Eva questioned, wanting to be sure.
The man's eyes finally left Caden to focus on Eva. He ducked his chin once.
"What's your name?" Eva asked.
"Kent, miss."
Eva smiled at him. "Then please do so."
Kent ducked his head in a nod and hurried away.
Eva started to follow when Caden's hand on her upper arm stopped her. His touch felt like a heated brand, warm and possessive.
"Never step in front of me like that again." His voice was low and lethal as he spoke into her ear. "You will not like the consequences if you do."
His words felt like a bucket of cold water poured over her head, reminding her in no uncertain terms exactly where she stood with him. She was little better than a throwaway. Stray too far from her assigned role and she'd be shoved back into it.
Eva's breath stuttered out of her, unable to ignore the small curl of fear at the inherent threat. Caden hovered for several more seconds, perhaps waiting for a response. Eva had none. Her words felt locked in her chest, her throat tight with repressed emotion.
Caden muttered a small curse before stalking away.
It took more willpower than she wanted to admit to continue forward, to force her lips to stop trembling. Collapsing would be easy, but she prided herself on never taking the easy route.
She only wished she had a way with words and was the sort of person who had a snappy comeback, but she wasn't. She was the sort who let someone say what they would while she ignored them and pretended everything was happy and safe in her world.
Her distress must have still been written on her face because Ollie's eyebrows snapped down, his gaze landing on Caden's retreating back, correctly guessing the cause.
"Everything alright?" Ollie asked.
"Yeah, everything is fine." It was too. She'd forgotten for a moment. She wouldn't make that mistake again.
"You sure?"
She nodded. Her smile when it came, was a little more real this time. She needed Ollie to believe her. To do that, she needed to believe it herself. The last thing she wanted was for him to challenge the commander. There would be no competition; Caden would squash him like a bug.
"Just nervous. I've never attempted something of this magnitude," Eva said.
Ollie let it go, nodding slowly. "While we're getting this sorted, why don't you go see what you can do about convincing the Kyren this is a good idea."
Eva nodded, grateful to excuse herself.
*
Hours later, Eva and Ajari stood next to Sebastian at the base of the ramp. The glare Sebastian sent her way didn't need words to decipher. It clearly said he thought she was crazy to think he would allow this indignity.
"Everyone worked hard to make this work since you're being unreasonable and won't let us postpone a few days," she told him. "You're not going to let them down, are you?"
His ears flattened against his head as he showed her his teeth.
She interpreted that to mean, ‘watch me’. Or maybe it was a threat. Who could say?
She knew it. He was going to be difficult.
Now that his presence was known, he drew eyes wherever he went. Which meant they were being watched by pretty much everyone present.
Stakes were high. Eva, whether she liked it or not, was being judged by how well she handled the Kyren. Fail here and it would set the tone for the entire journey.
"Or you could stay on the ground and let everyone watching know you're afraid of that little box," Eva pointed out.
The Kyren narrowed his eyes at her as she affected a nonchalant shrug.
"It's your choice," Eva told him before walking up the ramp and into the wagon.
It appeared sturdily constructed and she'd been assured it would support the Kyren's weight. It had better, or this whole plan was dead before it began.
Ajari tilted his head at the Kyren when it snarled a protest. "You're the one who picked her. If you have a problem with the way she talks to you, take it up with her yourself."
Eva smothered her small chuckle at the exchange. It was good to know some things remained the same even if the species changed.
Ajari moved past the Kyren, shrugging. "I don't know what you should do, but I suggest you figure it out before the mice get anxious."
Ajari joined her at the top of the ramp as they both waited to see what the Kyren would do.
"This will be an interesting trip," Ajari said.
"You're coming with us?"
"How do you think you will maintain communication with him if I don't?" Ajari asked mildly.
"He's been able to express his needs and desires so far without speech," Eva observed, watching as Sebastian put one hoof on the ramp only to step back a second later.
Ajari made a small sound—agreement or disagreement, Eva couldn't tell which.
"Why are you coming really? Is it to learn how the mice react?"
His unsettling eyes focused on her. "How very perceptive of you."
Eva studied him. That wasn't really an answer.
"You said it had to be m
e. Why?" she asked a question that had been on her mind since the meeting with the Trateri leaders. "What makes me so special? And don't give me your circuitous logic."
"My, how brave the mouse has gotten in such a short time," Ajari mused. "At least when her hunter is at bay."
His gaze shifted to focus on the human male standing to the right of Sebastian.
"Caden isn't hunting me," Eva said.
"Little mouse, I am a predator. I know when another is stalking its prey," Ajari said. "And that man is stalking you."
Eva was quiet as she soaked in his words.
"No argument?" Ajari asked, sliding her a sidelong look. "Perhaps you're more perceptive than I gave you credit for—or perhaps you’re enjoying the chase. The mating rituals of mice are so strange."
Eva opened her mouth to respond but closed it when the Kyren placed a hoof against the ramp again. She held her breath as he followed it with his other foreleg and then the rest of his hooves until he had all four legs on the ramp. He took hesitant, mincing steps up it, acting like a cat dancing across hot coals, his wings slightly unfurled and his eyes wide, the white showing around the edges.
The wood creaked ominously under him before he lunged to the top. Eva and Ajari flattened themselves against the wagon wall to avoid being bowled over. Eva ducked just in time to prevent herself from being whacked in the face by the Kyren's wings.
Finally, he was all the way in the wagon. Eva stepped to the edge and peered around the wagon's side. "He's in."
Hardwick, Ollie and the rest of the men, including Jason, set to work raising the netting that would fit under the Kyren's belly, supporting his weight and helping cushion him against any bumps.
"You might want to step aside for this," she warned Ajari.
She had a feeling they'd seen the last of Sebastian's cooperation, and Eva didn't want to be responsible for the Trateri's diplomatic liaison to the Tenrin being harmed.
Ajari made an impossible leap up to one of the wagon walls, balancing there easily.
He smirked at the look of wonder on Eva's face. "The Kyren aren't the only ones whose bodies have evolved for flight. I may have lost my wings but I’m still one of the Tenrin."
Eva shook her head before stepping around to face Sebastian. She carefully explained what they were about to do, coaxing him to place his legs where she needed them.
