He froze upon catching sight of Eva. "That's a woman."
"I can see that," Ollie said, irritation coloring his tone.
"What's she doing out here?"
"I was getting to that before you interrupted like a tender-footed daisy."
The second man blinked dumbly at Eva before giving Ollie a befuddled look. Strangely, the interchange calmed Eva somewhat.
"We should probably return her to her village." The second man leaned toward Ollie, his voice dropping to a semi whisper.
"She doesn't want to go."
The second man arched an eyebrow and glanced at Eva. "You want to come with us instead?"
Eva considered the two before regarding the horse standing placidly at her side, one ear flicking. The gray wasn't alarmed. She trusted these men. Animals, in Eva’s experience, were excellent judges of character.
"Alright, I will," she said, straightening.
Surprise filled both men's expressions as they glanced at each other.
"You're explaining this to the warband leader," Ollie said. "Right after you explain how Caia managed to escape in the first place."
The second man sighed and rubbed his neck. He beckoned Eva with his fingers. "Alright, you, let's go. Our camp isn't far but we should get back before our leader gets any more upset with us."
Eva hesitated for one last second. Had she made the right choice?
"We won't hurt you. I promise." Ollie shot her look of encouragement as he took hold of the gray's halter.
"And a Trateri is only as good as his word," the second man said, his face serious.
Eva took a deep breath and nodded before ducking into her small burrow for the backpack. It wasn't much, but it was all she had left of her former life.
She hoped this new one was better than the last.
CHAPTER ONE
