Jason looked like she had struck him across the face. It was an uncomfortable feeling being the one doing the hurting, even if everything she had said was true.
This time when Eva stepped past him, he let her go and didn't follow.
Alone with her thoughts, she had time to take in their surroundings. Their day's journey hadn't managed to find a way around the lake. As a result, they had been forced to make camp for the night on its bank. Tomorrow they would follow its length again in the hopes they could find a way past.
The water's tide had gone out, leaving part of the banks exposed. Branches and the bones of large beasts stuck out of the muck and the mud like skeletal fingers.
To their right was a large cliff, small traces of shrubs and grass clinging to its side. Eva caught a flicker of white, realizing after a moment of staring it wasn't the only one. A herd of mountain goats stood on impossibly thin ledges so high above that Eva was afraid for them.
They, like the rest of those in this land, lacked the sense not to go places that might kill them.
"Dinner," Fiona said as she stared up at the goats with Eva.
"Only if you can catch them."
Fiona shrugged. "That part's easy. Shoot one through the heart and it'll fall off the cliff."
"Shattering every bone in its body when it makes contact with the ground," Eva pointed out. "Not sure about you, but I prefer my meat without splinters of bone."
Fiona frowned. "So picky. Do they teach all Lowlanders that?"
"Yes, we imbibe the trait with our mother's milk," Eva said, unruffled by the insult. Ollie and Hardwick sent worse jabs her way on a daily basis and got a kick when she responded in kind. It was part of the lifestyle. You gave as good as you got.
Fiona threw her head back on a laugh.
"Commander, we're ready for the hunt," Roscoe said from their side. As usual, Eva found Ghost a few feet away from his friend, impatiently waiting.
Fiona lifted a hand. "I'll be right there."
He snapped a sharp nod before he ambled toward Ghost.
Fiona tilted her head at them. "Can I convince you to come with us?"
Eva shook her head. "No, I have things to do here."
Not to mention she wasn't the best hunter, equally inept with both sword and spear. She could skin a rabbit with the best of them, but she preferred foraging over hunting.
"You sure?" Fiona asked, her expression skeptical.
A shadow passed over them from above, drawing both women's eyes.
"I'm sure," Eva said.
Fiona shook her head as she walked off, waving over her shoulder. "Suit yourself."
Alone, Eva moved through camp, pausing to check on the string of horses. Caia pulled loose with a whicker of greeting. Jason had learned quickly not to keep the gray tied too tightly, or risk upsetting the entire herd.
Eva moved through the string, greeting a few of her favorites, including Caden’s piebald stallion. Unlike his serious master, Nell could always make Eva laugh with his goofy antics. Watching him and Caia jockey for position went a long way to soothing some of Eva’s tension from the day.
She had to admit—Jason was doing a good job, picking up the slack Eva couldn't help but drop due to her preoccupation with Sebastian.
The Kyren landed at the base of the cliff, content to keep to himself. Eva caught a glimpse of Ajari perched on a ledge high above, his feet swinging over the edge as he watched the water.
Eva hesitated, knowing she should check in but wasn’t able to bring herself to walk in their direction. She’d had enough mythologicals for one night. She needed sleep and time before she could deal with them again.
Instead, she headed to the fire and found a small rock to claim as a seat, unsurprised when moments later Ollie settled beside her and handed her a bowl filled with seared meat flavored by whatever herbs or plants they'd encountered during their journey that day. Tubers cooked in the same fashion were the only nod to vegetables for the night.
Eva was grateful all the same.
