Isaacshrugged.
“No,”she said.“I found it dead one morning.Neighbors butchered it for supper.”
“Oh.”
Sandblew in from beneath the tent.The air was hot and swirling.
“Comeon,” said the second boy, tugging her back.
“Whywere you in his tower if you weren’t his son?”
Isaaclay back on the bedroll, feeling dizzy.
“That’senough,” Zaria said.She leaned over, nearly dragging the tent with her.“Onyou go.If you get stuck on the climb, just sit tight, and we’ll be like tocross paths.Otherwise, this is a farewell.”
Thesecond boy nodded, dragging the girl away.She was beginning to weep again.Slowly, the sound of footsteps faded into the distance.Isaac tried toconcentrate on breathing.Despite the heat rubbing against his skin, he feltchilled and feverish.His skin was glossy with sweat.
“Drinkup,” Zaria said, handing him another bowl.“Meat and fluid.Suck it down.”
“Canyou cook it, at least?”
“Drinkthe fucking stew.”
He did.He made an effort to swallow three more batches of thethin, salty broth, and every finished bowl seemed to help his mind pierce thedizziness.
Berith.The blood.
Hegazed through the entrance of his tent, anxious.
“Right,”Zaria said, feeling his forehead.“Still looking pale.You’re staying on yourback until the morrow, at the very least.”
“Z.Where’s my father?”
Shelooked down at him.Blood caked through her spotted fur.
“Hesaid—” Isaac tried to sit up, felt the world spin around him, and fell back tothe roll.“He said he was running out of energy.Has he ...?”
“There’sbeen no sign.”
“Howlong have I been out?”
“Couplehours, at least.”
Hetried to sit up again.Her hand pushed him down.
“I needto find him.”
“You’rein no condition.”
“Idon’t care.”
“Well,I fucking do,” Zaria said, “and I’ll give you worse than Soren if you keepacting fierce about it.”
Therewas nothing else he could think to say.“Please.”
“ByOerin’s cock, you’re just itching to hurt yourself, aren’t you?”
He keptlooking at her.
