I needed to get closer.
Dropping to a crouch, I inched forward, breathing in the moss and pine needles that coated the forest floor. They muffled my slow footsteps.
Each soldier carried a huge sword and a bow with a case of arrows. They looked dirty, with rough skin and hair. One had a mashed nose ringed with fading bruises.
The one Ruru’s horse had kicked?
My fingers twitched toward my knives. I could throw one, just one, and sneak away in the chaos. He deserved it after what he’d done to Ruru. What he might’ve done.
But then they’d know an armed enemy stalked them in the woods.
Gritting my teeth, I watched as they took turns pissing against trees while another skinned a rabbit and strung it to a spit.
They weren’t worried about others seeing them. They probably assumed there was no one out here who would dare ambush them.
We could. We just don’t have the time,I silently promised them.
I eased backward, pushing down on my sword hilt to keep the sheathed tip from colliding with anything.
But then my boot landed on a twig.Crack.
I froze.
Gods damn it. Maybe it was quiet enough. Maybe they won’t see me. Hold still. Blend with the shadows. Don’t move. Don’t breathe.
“See anything, Mormont?”
Shit.
I sank closer to the ground, ducking my face under my hood.
Footsteps crashed through the brush, wandering left and right. Searching.
My heart hammered. Running was the wrong thing to do. They’d hear me immediately, spot me a moment later. Then I’d learn how good their aim was with a bow. I’d be no better than the rabbit that was now serving as their dinner.
But the impulse still flooded my veins.
Someone sighed loudly, only a few feet from where I was curled against some rocks.
“I don’t see anything,” Mormont called back. “And I’m fucking starving,” he muttered under his breath. “Waste of fucking time...”
His footsteps slowly receded, back to camp.
I shuddered, slowly sipping cool air. I waited long enough that I could smell their meat cooking. Then I slithered back. And back. Once I could no longer see the light of their fire, I rose to my feet and hurried as fast as I dared.
East. East. Up the hill a bit. A horse snorted, and I nearly whimpered with relief.
Aiden darted out the moment he saw me. “What happened?” He grabbed my arms. “You’re shaking. What did you see?”
“Border patrol. West. Eight of them.”
Aiden swore and released me. “Tell the others. I’ll ready the horses.”
We were packed and mounted within minutes. Ozlow wasn’t thrilled at being ridden again so soon, his extra grunts and huffs voicing his displeasure.
I rubbed his damp coat and whispered promises of carrots and apples. The Four only knew when I’d be able to make good on them.
I twisted in my saddle, keeping a steady watch on the western woods. I kept waiting for a shout, a blaze of torches, the thunder of hooves, but none came. They must’ve been as desperate for a fire and a hot meal as we were.
