Page 121

“I came to make you an offer.”

The market noise around them seemed to recede. Kesta looked toward the Red Basin caravan. Two blue-painted water wagons stood just inside the gate, their tanks large enough to supply Ash Camp for days. Beside them, guards unloaded sealed crates carrying markings she recognized as medical transport codes. Rath had arranged the scene deliberately.

“An offer involving what?”

“Water. Medicine. Work worthy of your training.”

Dreven’s expression hardened. Kesta heard his breath change beside her, but he said nothing. That mattered. Rath waited as though expecting him to interrupt. When he did not, Rath’s gaze sharpened.

“Somewhere more private?”

Kesta looked toward Dreven. Not for permission. To see what he thought.

He understood. “Council chamber.”

Rath smiled. “Neutral enough.”

“No,” Dreven said. “Ash enough.”

That almost made Kesta laugh. They crossed the market together. By the time Kesta entered the council chamber, word had already begun moving through camp. Pela arrived carrying the water ledger. Sera entered with Nethra close behind. Keth stationed himself near Dreven rather than behind him, while Tavi found a place against the wall and made a very poor attempt to appear as though he had legitimate business there. Rath brought only one guard.

The guard placed a sealed medical case on the council table. Rath did not open it immediately. Instead he looked at Kesta.

“You have been working in Ash Camp’s infirmary.”

“Yes.”

“With equipment old enough to vote in several dead governments.”

Tavi looked offended.

“The scanner has personality.”

Rath ignored him. “Your healer sterilizes sutures for reuse.”

“Sera sterilizes almost everything for reuse.”

Sera’s silver-gray eyes narrowed. “Including unwelcome visitors, when necessary.”

Kesta kept her face carefully neutral. Rath smiled. Then he opened the case. The effect on Sera was immediate. Six ampoules of broad-spectrum antibiotics lay inside shock-resistant packing. Beside them rested sterile clotting mesh, a compact bone-regeneration cartridge and two sealed injector heads compatible with Kesta’s field equipment. Kesta’s professional instincts took over before pride could stop them. She leaned closer. The antibiotic dates were good. Very good. Recent manufacture. Her gaze flicked toward Dreven. He saw it. More current imperial supplies.

Another piece of the same puzzle.

Rath tapped one ampoule with a claw. “Red Basin has access to supply routes Ash Camp does not.”

“Imperial routes?” Kesta asked.

“Sometimes.”

“Stolen?”

“Frequently.”

“Conveniently vague.”

“Accurately vague.”

The phrase reminded her enough of Keth that Kesta nearly smiled. Rath noticed. He sat.