This bug seemed innocuous enough. It's coloring a dull brown so that it blended with the dirt. It was probably why Eva hadn't noticed it before stepping on it.
"Are there insects that live at this elevation?" Eva asked, unable to put it out of her thoughts.
How should I know? Kyren don't eat bugs. They're beneath our notice.
"Short sighted of you." Eva gave him a pointed look. "How did ignoring the bugs work out for you last time?"
Sebastien's head reared back, an affronted look replacing the curiosity from before.
Polaris looked back at them.Are you two done? Daylight is wasting.
Sebastian trotted past Eva.Just for that, I should make you ride Polaris or Theo back.Maybe then you'd appreciate me.
"I appreciate you. I simply don't want your ego to get bigger than your wings can support."
The human has a sharp tongue. She does a good job of keeping you in check,Theo said.
No one asked for your opinion, Theo,Sebastian snapped.
A reluctant smile lifted Eva's lips, the banter distracting her from the viciousness of the red back's death. Sometimes you needed a bit of light heartedness to avoid getting lost in the darkness.
Enough stalling.Polaris took off into the sky.
Theo followed him, grumbling to himself.I can't believe I'm voluntarily agreeing to meet and mingle with humans. What has the world come to?
Sebastian fidgeted as Eva set her foot in the stirrup and sprang onto his back. As soon as her butt touched the saddle, he was off, racing after the other two Kyren.
They climbed, arrowing over the ridge and heading for the small camp ensconced in the valley.
Smoke from the campfires rose in small streams next to a village of tents that had tripled in number since her departure. Rain Clan and Lion Clan colors abounded, making it easy to see which tents belonged to each clan.
It was another reminder of how far out on the limb Eva had ventured.
They certainly didn't waste any time making themselves at home,Sebastian observed.
"The Trateri are nomads. Their tents are designed to be put up and broken apart at a moment's notice in the event they encounter danger. They wouldn't have even needed two hours to get settled."
This held particularly true for warbands—which both those two groups were.
If anything, Eva was a little surprised they'd put up their tents at all. Normally, they wouldn't have, preferring to pick up and go in an instant.
It was another sign they planned on an extended stay.
Trateri pointed at the sky, a crowd forming in front of the temporary camp. They looked at Eva and the Kyren like a pack of starving revenants. She could practically see them licking their lips in anticipation.
Polaris and Theo's desire to circle the camp and head for the hills was mirrored by Eva's own.
"Maybe Orion was right. A few more days—or weeks—getting acquainted with the Kyren couldn't hurt matters," Eva said, having a change of heart.
The Trateri had a handle on things. Did they really need her here?
Too late. Polaris won't let you back out after all that you said.Sebastian banked.Besides, Caia spotted us.
Sure enough, the mare broke into a dead gallop, mirroring the trajectory of Sebastian's flight. Jason sprinted behind the mare with a furious expression.
Caia shadowed Sebastian as he descended, the two racing for a brief moment. Neither content to let the other win.
Eva held on, laughing at the jolt as Sebastian's hooves touched land. His wings snapped close to his back as he pounded forward.
