“I’ll tell the others,” Shea told him.“Thanks.”
She walked over to Cam and James first andcrouched next to them.
“We’ll be moving again momentarily.”
James protested, “We just stopped. Everyoneneeds more time.”
“You can rest when you’re dead. If we takeany more time, the villagers will catch up,” Whiskey said over herhead.
Shea looked up, not too surprised to see hehad followed her and was watching the other two with a stone-facedexpression.
She hadn’t expected his help and didn’t knowwhether to thank him or hit him where it hurt for interfering.
To her surprise, James didn’t argue, but gaveWhiskey a nasty look and started helping Cam to his feet.
Shea stood and said just loud enough for Daneto hear her, “Dane and Witt, I want you on the rear watching fortrouble.”
“You want us to drop back a little? See if wecan thin the herd a bit?” Witt asked.
Shea thought about it. The suggestion wastempting, but Dane’s ammo was running low, and they might need itif things got worse. It would also make it difficult if Sheadecided it would be better to hide and misdirect theirpursuers.
“No. Stay close. Just let me know if youthink they’re gaining.”
Shea let the two strangers take the leadsince there was really only one way to go. She dropped back so shecould walk just in front of Cam and James.
“Shea, how did you know we were in trouble?”James asked.
“I didn’t. Elder Zrakovi sent me because youwere late and mist was sighted in the upper reaches. He knew youwouldn’t make it back before it covered your path home.”
Shea picked her way over the uneven trail,checking for snakes and other dangerous animals.
“I’m not surprised you ran into trouble,though.” She stood on a rock and reached back to give Cam a helpinghand up. The trail was becoming more difficult. At some time in thedistant past there had been a rock slide. Picking their way throughmeant having to climb up and over the large boulders blocking thepath. “Edgecomb’s got a bit of a reputation.”
“Would have been nice to know that before weleft,” James said.
Shea grinned. It wasn’t a particularly nicegrin. More a baring of teeth. “I would have, had you bothered toconsult me before taking off.”
“My father’s been after you to put togetheran expedition to Edgecomb for months.”
“And I’ve been telling him it’s too dangerousfor months. Now you know why.”
Shea jumped down and turned back to catch Camif he fell. James supported him as Cam sat and then slid the restof the way.
“You should have explained this to myfather.”
Shea put her hands on her hips and caught herbreath, before looking up at James as he made his own descent.
“Whether your father and you like it or not,I’m a pathfinder,” she told him as she caught him when he startedto slide. “I’m not required to justify my decisions to you.”
Shea checked on Cam. He didn’t look so good.His face was pale, and he was panting from exertion while she andJames’ were barely winded.
“What set the Edgecombers off?”
“I don’t know.”
Shea gave James a look that said exactly whatshe thought of that response.
“I really don’t,” he said defensively. “Onemoment they seemed amenable to establishing a trade partnership,and then the next they were dragging us out of our beds in themiddle of the night.”
