Ollie was his opposite in all ways. Tall, but with a leanness that belied his strength. He had to be to handle those horses who liked to test boundaries. He was easy, where the head herd master was harsh. Friendly, where the other man was taciturn.
His hair was a dark chestnut that reminded her of a bay, and he had a long face that always resembled the horses they tended.
Ollie was the reason Eva had this life. He hadn't just escorted her back to the warband he was with the day he discovered her. He'd advocated on her behalf and convinced them to let her help him care for the horses—many of which were wild and unbroken—stallions and mares they'd captured during a journey to their homeland where the horses roamed free.
Once they'd reached the main body of the Trateri army, he'd convinced Hardwick to give her a place among those caring for the herd. This was something that normally would have gone against the other man's instincts, to let a person, background and character unknown, care for his herd. The Trateri, in some ways, treated their horses better than they did their children. If you were caught neglecting or abusing a mount it would be taken from you and the offender shunned. To be accepted by the head herd master meant a chance at a new life for Eva.
Eva muttered a thank you as she sank onto the stump beside Ollie and Hardwick, digging in with relish. There were eggs and meat in the bowl along with a grain she couldn't quite figure out. Not that it mattered, the concoction was delicious, and more importantly—filling.
Ollie reached up and plucked a piece of grass she’d missed from her hair, holding it up to show her. "Have you been sleeping outside again?"
She slid Ollie a guilty look as she paused in her chewing. There was no sense in denying it. The evidence was scattered all over her clothes and hair.
The groan he made was long-suffering as Hardwick looked on silently. "We gave you the tent for a reason. It's considered an honor to be gifted a tent of our clan."
Yes, she was aware.
The Trateri placed significance on the strangest things—like a tent offered to someone the rest of the Lowlands didn't want. The act signaled an acceptance of her place among them—that she had value and was now considered a part of the clan.
Eva was honored. She really was.
She'd be more grateful if they stopped trying to get her to use it. Sleeping with the horses made her feel safe. At least with them, she had dozens of four-legged guardians who were so attuned to their environment they would recognize a predator's approach long before her human senses did.
There was also the small fact no one had shown her how to set up the tent.
She'd do damn near anything for the two of them. Except sleep in that infernal contraption.
"I had a reason this time." Eva flashed Ollie a guilty smile.
He arched an eyebrow. "You always have a reason."
This was true. Eva might not challenge him or Hardwick directly, but she had her own methods for getting her way. Neither man had pushed too hard, letting her act the way she saw fit.
She glanced at Hardwick. "Brighid was restless when I did my rounds last night. Thought I'd stick around and make sure she had company through the night."
Spring was trying to sink its claws into the Highlands, which meant one thing for them. Foals.
Brighid had looked ready to drop for the last week or so, and Eva had thought it likely she might foal overnight. She'd been right.
"Any problems?" Hardwick asked.
Eva scraped up the last of her breakfast, savoring the last spoonful. "Nothing I couldn't handle."
Which didn't mean the night had been easy. The birth was Brighid's first and it hadn't been without its complications. A horse's birthing process was surprisingly fast, especially when compared to that of a human. When Brighid had passed the hour mark of labor and there was still no sign of the second hoof of the foal, Eva had known something was wrong.
The knee of its front leg had gotten lodged against the mother’s pelvis. It had taken some doing, but Eva had gotten the second hoof into the right position. After that, the birth had gone off with little difficulty.
Eva rubbed her neck, reminded of how much the effort had taken out of her. Her back and legs ached. She didn't mind the pain. The successful birth and the joy of watching the mare and foal bond had been worth every moment of uncertainty and work.
Hardwick's grunted. "I'll check on her."
She nodded. Eva had expected nothing less.
The three Trateri from earlier waited across the campfire, bags at their feet.
Noticing where her gaze had gone, Ollie lowered his voice, "Our new apprentices. They're from Rain Clan. Jason, Delia, and Quinn."
"We've met," Eva said.
