Eva nodded, resisting the urge to check her bag again. She'd done so three times already.
The herd master looked over the Kyren and grunted. "I'll be up to check on you in a few months. We're driving some of the herd up there. Fallon wants me to find and breed a few mountain horses with ours to see if we can produce a mount better suited to this climate."
"Smart," Eva said.
He looked at the Kyren again and shook his head. "You're wasted on them. If you ever change your mind, I’ll take you back."
Eva's smile was small and tentative. "I never got to thank you for everything you've done for me."
He waved her words away with a grunt. "Didn't do it for any other reason than you were useful." He reached back and pulled out a set of reins, the colors and weaving of the leather distinctive. They were of Hardwick's own design using materials from the Earth clan.
"Thought you could use a pair," he rumbled. "If they'll let you use them."
Eva took them, her eyes wide and admiring. It would have taken him days to create this. She'd never seen him give a pair to anyone, despite the begging and cajoling of more than one warrior. Even Ollie had never gotten a set.
"I can't accept this—" she started.
He clapped her on the shoulder. "It's the least you can do since you're ruining all my carefully crafted plans. Do you know how hard it is to find decent herd masters?"
Eva was struck speechless at this confirmation of Shea's prediction.
"Take care of the runt. Jason shows promise if you can force him to get his head out of his ass," Hardwick instructed.
She'd asked Jason to accompany her to the herd lands. Somehow, he'd grown on her over the trip. Leaving him behind had felt wrong, and she had a feeling she could use his help. The man had proven he could be an asset.
Those accompanying them would ride the Kyren until they met up with the group making their way back toward the Keep. There, they would hook up with them, choosing their mounts. The injured would be escorted back by several Kyren while those who could travel would accompany Eva the rest of the way to the herd lands.
"Well, take care." Hardwick walked away on those abrupt words, but not before Eva caught the slightly reddened eyes and sheen of wetness.
She hesitated before throwing herself at his back, wrapping her arms around him and leaning her head into his shoulder blade. "Thank you. If I could pick my father, it would be you."
A sniffle escaped him before his voice came, thick and clogged. "Don't be daft. You're mine whether there's a drop of blood between us or not. You remember everything I taught you, when they start getting unruly. And for Rava's sake, use the tent. I spent a lot of time gathering the best materials for you. Don't make my hard work go to waste."
A sob tried to escape as Eva nodded against him. She hadn't thought this would be so hard. This goodbye was ripping out her heart.
He pushed her away. "No more of this. This isn't the end. As your adopted people say,ouvea auntou ani. Farewell until our paths cross again."
He patted her head awkwardly, giving her time to rub the tears away. "Now get with you."
Eva's smile was more watery than normal as she walked toward the Kyren.
Are you ready?Sebastian asked.
Eva nodded.
The fox had already scrambled onto Sebastian’s back, curling into the small cradle the Trateri artisans had created for him. By the way he yipped and pawed at it, she could tell he was pleased, especially when he settled into place with a happy grin.
Eva started toward him, stopping when a familiar form next to Orion caught her attention.
Caden finished strapping his pack to the new saddle the Trateri artisans had created based on what they'd used during their first trip. This one was better, taking into account the Kyren's wings and unique musculature.
Her lips parted in surprise. "What are you doing?"
He shot her a look, his lips barely tilting up on the ends. "What does it look like?”
Eva blinked dumbly at him, almost afraid to hope. There had to be some other explanation for this. He couldn’t be coming with them.
She shook her head slightly, her lips parting as her eyes found his.
