And as interesting as this was, it didn't help her with the current situation.
"That proves nothing." Eva left the question of the Kyren and their control of the mist for another time. "The Trateri don't have wings and that ridge wouldn't be easy to cross. Getting from here to there would be a struggle."
Not impossible, but the Trateri weren't as comfortable in the mountains as they were the Lowlands. Eva couldn't see a hunting party scaling near vertical hills and then risking limb and life to descend the equally steep other side.
They'd seen red backs before. The beast wasn't rare enough to warrant such a trip for a simple trophy. There was much easier game between here and there.
Sensing their resistance, Eva gave them a challenging look. "Of course, if you're that worried, you can always return to camp with me and see for yourself."
Polaris and Theo traded a look.
"Search the camp. That should prove their innocence or guilt. If they did this, you'll find evidence."
And if they did?Polaris challenged.
Eva took a deep breath, knowing the gamble she was taking. "Then they aren't the people I thought."
And Eva would have much bigger problems than the alliance with the Kyren.
Polaris's gaze was contemplative.Very well then. We accept your offer.
Eva's exhale was shaky. She didn't know whether she should feel relieved or terrified. Although none of the people she was familiar with seemed the type to do this, there was no way to truly know. People were complicated and all too often you didn't realize how badly you'd misjudged someone until far too late.
There weren't only her friends to consider. The ones she was truly worried about were those who'd arrived with Lion and Rain. They were unknown entities who weren't yet familiar with all the rules. She had no idea what they were capable of.
That's what scared her.
She was taking a risk assuming they were as honorable as other Trateri she knew. That their clans wouldn't ruin things for the rest.
I hope you know what you're doing,Polaris warned.
Sebastian draped his nose over Eva's shoulder in a silent show of support.
"So do I," Eva said, reaching up and patting Sebastian's velvet soft nose.
She really hoped this didn't blow up in her face.
Polaris snorted and brushed past them.
Are you sure you know what you're doing?Sebastian whispered.
Eva shook her head. "Not a clue."
All she had to go on was her gut feeling, and it said this wasn't done by the Trateri.
Eva stepped back, frowning as something crunched underfoot. She shifted back, lifting her foot to see what she'd stepped on.
What is that?Sebastian asked as Eva bent to get a closer look.
"It's a bug."
A dead one, now that its carapace was crushed. She studied the ground to see if there were more.
Do you think it's important?Sebastian asked when Eva still didn't move.
"Hard to say."
Eva's history with bugs was a little tumultuous. The last time a curious insect had found her, it had tried to turn her friends into living wood sculptures. Since then, she hadn't been able to look at them the same way.
