Hanna cocked her head as her lips curved. "I like her. She's no pushover."
Fiona smirked. "You should have seen her defending her herd from a pack of bandisox. Her horse was just as fierce. I’ve never seen anything quite like it."
Horses weren't considered predators. Most didn't have the temperament for it. Some were vicious, yes, but they were the exception rather than the rule. That didn't mean they were helpless. Their large size and deadly hooves meant they didn't need claws or fangs to kill.
Caia preferred fighting more than most—especially when Eva was threatened. She'd make a good war horse if she could tolerate anyone other than Eva and Hardwick on her back. Where other horses might have reared or taken off at the first whiff of bandisox, a rodent-like creature that grew to monstrous size in the forest of the giants, Caia had waded in with hooves flying. Eva had had no choice but to follow suit in defense of her friend.
Laurell gave Eva a considering look. "Did you train her that way?"
"Hardwick does most of the training," Eva said. "I help out where I'm needed."
It wasn’t exactly the truth, but Eva doubted Laurell would believe her even if she shared.
Laurell didn't look quite convinced at her explanation but she let it go.
While they'd been talking, Fiona had finished divested herself of her clothes, her lean, muscled body flexing as she lowered herself into the steaming hot water with a low groan and a look of bliss on her face.
"There's nothing better than a hot bath after a long day's ride." Fiona sank into the water until it reached her collarbone.
Laurell wasted no time following her, leaving Eva and Hanna standing on the edge.
Eva eyed the pool with a hint of reserve. Did she really want to go in? Reece had struck her as capable, but she'd seen a vicious edge to him too. Who was to say this wasn't an elaborate prank? For all she knew, the water might turn her into something monstrous or boil her alive. Stranger things had happened in these lands.
The place was rife with stories of hapless humans wandering into somewhere they didn't belong only to die or emerge changed.
"Since the two idiots tested it for us, I'm assuming it's safe," Hanna observed.
"Assumptions more often than not lead to careless mistakes that result in death," Eva said.
Hanna looked at her like she'd finally done something interesting. "Very true, but no one ever claimed glory without taking a few calculated risks."
Hanna began disrobing.
"I'm not really interested in glory," Eva muttered, not really meaning for the other woman to hear.
"Everyone is interested in glory," Hanna responded without looking at Eva. "The form it takes might differ from person to person, but everyone wants respect and to be admired for their accomplishments."
Hanna slipped into the water after the other two.
"You should hurry. We don't have this spot to ourselves for long," Fiona said, leaning her head back. "Before long the men are going to be down here waiting for their turn."
Fiona nodded at the spot next to her. "Get in. I know you have to be sore after a day pent-up in that wagon."
As if to remind her, Eva's bruises throbbed, her muscles sending up a signal that they'd had a long day too. A hot bath suddenly seemed worth every bit of risk.
Eva shrugged out of her clothes, leaving them behind as she slid into the water. She wasn't self-conscious about her body. As far as she was concerned all women had basically the same parts, just in different shapes and colors and a year of taking care of horses had made her almost as lithe and muscular as the warriors.
Eva let out a small gasp of pleasure as the heat loosened tired muscles. The water was this side of scalding and almost decadently blissful. Fiona had been right. This was well worth the risk.
"Does anyone know where we're going?" Laurell asked.
Fiona shrugged. "Somewhere north. The pathfinder seems to think it is rough country. He said to beware of beasts. Evidently, strange things live up there."
Laurell snorted. "Pretty much the usual then. This whole damn land is strange."
"As long as she does what she needs to do and gets us the alliance, who cares where we're going," Hanna said, her mysterious eyes locked on Eva.
Eva met her gaze with an expressionless face. If she thought Eva was doing this so the Trateri could procure mounts from the Kyren, she had another thing coming.
