It wasn't her preferred method, but when dealing with animals you sometimes had to communicate on their level. Humans were rather similar in that fashion.
"I threw my own people away. Not the other way around. If anything, that makes me a tagalong." Eva smiled at him, the expression not quite reaching her eyes. "Please be sure to get it right next time."
Gawain's eyebrow lifted in cool amusement. Respect moved through his eyes before it was gone again, leaving behind only watchfulness.
Roscoe slapped his thigh and let out a bark of laughter. "I'd listen to her, Lion. Or not. It'll be more amusing that way."
Van's cheeks creased in a slow smile. "I'll consider myself warned."
Despite his assurance, Eva had a feeling this wouldn't be the last time she'd have to correct a Trateri's perception of her.
"I won't hold my breath." Eva moved toward Caia and swung onto her back. Once settled, she looked down at Gawain and Van. "We should get moving. The Kyren aren't big fans of being kept waiting and we have at least an hour's fast ride ahead of us."
The sooner they arrived, the sooner the headache that was them would be gone.
She could hardly wait.
"There's no need for an escort if you're in a hurry, little tagalong," Van said. "We have scouts in our party. I'm sure we can find our way."
Roscoe scoffed. "Not a chance."
Van sent him a mild look. "Are you afraid we'll try something? If I didn't know better, I'd say you and the Anateri commander view us as enemies."
Roscoe made a tsking sound. "Wouldn't that be nice. Then we could kill you and this whole mess would go away."
Eva fought to keep her agreement off her face.
Van lifted a lip in disdain. "In your dreams, puppy."
One corner of Gawain's mouth twitched as if in full agreement.
Roscoe and Van stared each other down, tension transmitting into the air around them. Eva unconsciously held her breath, her gaze moving between the two in concern.
Drake's gaze turned watchful. Catching Eva's eyes, he tilted his head in an unspoken request for her to put distance between herself and the two warriors.
Eva's face remained blank as she guided Caia away with the pressure of her knees, keeping her movements casual so as not to spark something between the other two.
"I don't like being treated as an enemy by my own side," Van said with a roguish smile that did nothing to hide the threat inherent in his warning.
"Then I guess you should be careful not to act like one," Eva said, losing patience with all the grand standing. "While here, you play by our rules. Understood?"
Van examined her, his thoughts veiled.
Gawain stepped forward. "We've got it. It'll be as you wish."
They'd see about that.
Eva clicked her tongue at Caia, the mare's head bobbing as she started forward. Eva left the others to follow—or not.
At this point she wasn't sure which of those options she preferred.
A short while later, Eva watched from her vantage on Caia's back as the long train of horses and riders wound their way along the path. Slabs of giant stone made their passage nearly untraceable as they worked their way over the uneven footing.
The path was perilous. One of the biggest reasons Eva had chosen it.
Trateri these people might be, but she still didn't fully trust them. And judging by the fact Drake and Roscoe hadn't disagreed with her decision, they didn't either.
Of all the methods to enter the valley, this was the least used—and the most dangerous. It was also easily monitored. Perfect for deterring unannounced future guests.
