"You've killed their forward advance team. That's bought us a little time," Darius pointed out. "We can afford a day or two before we move on."
"Unless they send another mythological after us," Hanna said with a sweet smile.
"Sure would be nice if the Kyren could call some of its buddies to come get us," Ghost mused softly.
"That's not likely to happen," Fiona said. "Wishing and dreaming is for Lowlanders. Not us. We make the best of the circumstances we encounter."
There were several low-voiced assents to that statement.
Everyone looked to Darius and Caden for their orders.
"If anybody is interested in my opinion, I think moving would be wise." Reece's sour voice drifted on the air.
They all glanced around, looking for the pathfinder and not immediately locating him. It wasn't until Caden spotted the faintest movement when Reece shifted, that he saw the man.
Reece had lain down in a small depression, his drab pathfinder garb blending in with the longer grasses, making him difficult to see until he moved.
"That is what I'm here for, after all," Reece continued acerbically.
"Are you spying on us now?" Darius asked.
Reece snorted. "As if I care about the inner workings of Trateri politics. I was here first. You lot were the ones who decided to have an important conversation next to my napping spot."
Fiona made a small sound of amusement as they watched the other man rise, dusting stray pieces of grass and dirt off his clothes before aiming his eerie colored eyes at the rest of them.
"Since you've inserted yourself into the conversation, what is your advice?" Darius challenged.
Reece tilted his head. "I shouldn't have to insert myself anywhere, general. You should be setting a good example for your warriors and consulting me on these types of decisions. Unless you care nothing for the alliance your warlord struck with my people."
"Your people agreed to lead us to Highland villages," Roscoe pointed out. "Nothing was said about being up your ass on every little thing."
Reece fixed the man with a long stare. "Yes, we agreed to provide our services so that you lot wouldn't stumble into one of the many dangerous places up here and unleash more mayhem on the Highlands than absolutely necessary. We can't very well do our job if you won't let us." His stare moved to Darius. "I'm surprised at you. My cousin spoke highly of you. She seemed to think you made good use of the tools in your arsenal."
Darius lifted an eyebrow at the implication Reece was being ignored because he was an outsider. "The difference is, I trust these people. You—not so much."
Reece shrugged. "Fair enough, but it's an oversight that's bound to get you killed one day."
Hanna stiffened, her face going cold as her hand gripped the hilt of her sword.
"Relax, warrior. I'm not going to do anything to your precious general," Reece said, his sardonic smile not quite reaching his eyes. "The main thing you lot should know about pathfinders is we take an oath not to cause intentional harm to those we guide. Until I return you to your people, you're in my care. I take my vows rather seriously. All of us do. We're not going to compromise our honor on the likes of you. Besides, my cousin would strangle me if anything happened to the herd mistress. She's taken a liking to the woman for some reason."
"Why is that?" Caden asked, finding his interest engaged.
Reece's frown was thoughtful as he studied Caden. "Who knows? But if I had to guess, it's because she finds her honorable, even when it's to her own personal detriment. It's a trait I'm sure Shea would empathize with since she carries the same weakness."
Caden made a considering sound. Was that what it was? He could definitely see the basis of such a statement. Eva was quiet and unassuming until one of those she considered hers was threatened. Then she became as dangerous as the small, fire-breathing fox she'd rescued.
Reece regarded the rest. "So, until we make it to our destination and back again, consider yourselves safe."
"What do you suggest?" Caden asked.
Reece stared at him for several tense seconds as he debated whether to pick up the gauntlet Caden had thrown.
Caden waited. Impress us, pathfinder. If you can.
Reece's lips widened, his smile containing a hard edge. "Moving on would be best. There's a plateau to the west that would be a good place to rest. It just so happens there's a small city called Slig that should have several healers to help with your injured."
"How far?" Darius asked.
