“Water,” he repeated.
“Now, now.Mind your manners.”
He looked up at her with as much indignation as he couldmanage.
She shrugged.“You know me.Stickler for rules.”
“Please.”
She reached beneath his head to rummage through his pack,which he only now realized was serving as his pillow, and pulled out awaterskin.He tried to sit up off the floor, but he lacked the energy to workthrough the pain—instead, she reached down and gently lifted his head, bringingthe waterskin to his lips.She poured slowly, pausing to let him swallow andbreathe.The fur of her hand was very soft.
“Does my squire need further aid?”she asked, tossing theskin over a battlement.
“Rations.Please.”
She dug into her own pack and tossed him a few cuts ofsalted meat, including a bag of walnuts and several dried apples.He attackedthem like a starving animal.
“Gods,” she said, sitting back.“You make a pig seemmiserly.”
He gnawed furiously at the meat, only barely chewing itenough to swallow.He had never been so ravenous in his entire life.Even theworst of his uncle’s training sessions hadn’t left his body quite so desperatefor nourishment.It was only when he started on the third apple that he noticedwhat should have been obvious.
His hands were freed.
He looked down at them, surprised.He felt as if he’d neverhad the privilege of locomotion before.He flexed his fingers, twisted hiswrists, and went through a few mnemonic movements.The more he ate, the more alanguid feeling of power returned to him, deep in the fabric of his muscle.
It felt good.
It made him feel strong.
“I can lift heavy,” Zaria said, suddenly.Her eyes focusedon his hands.“I mean—what I’m sayin’—all the broken machines, right?Stonedoors and whatnot.You need some gallant knight for the heavy lifting, frailhuman that you are.”
He stopped chewing.
For a moment, they watched each other.
“And your casting,” Zaria added, nervously.“It’s quitefancy—lifts the skirt rather well—but in the heat of battle, the point whereevery moment counts, you need some solid steel at your back.Simple and true,that is.”
He nodded, licking salt off his lips.
“And—and you barely know how to lace your boots.”She pattedher chest.“Me, myself, I can tie rope, I can dress wounds.I know plenty ontactics.I should be the one leading this expedition, really.”
He feigned the casting motion of a spell.She flinched away.
“Mutual dependency,” she said, her hand wrapping around heraxe.“That’s all I’m saying.Trapped this far in the earth, harried by monstersand thralls ...well, there’s nothing for it now, between us, butcooperation.Right?”
“It would be smart,” Isaac said, his hands still raised.
“Aye.Brilliant, actually.”
“I agree.”
Her hand was still on her weapon.“Do you?”
“Sure.”
“Good.Great.”
“Thanks for saving my life, by the way.”
