"We're just sleeping on the ground?"
I was as irritated as Sinense was appalled, but I was irritated with her. Had she slept through that part of the itinerary? Blocked it from her memory?
"Yes." This was the fourth time she'd ridden up, unaware of something we'd discussed the day before or deciding that wasn't the way we should do it. Her ideas were reasonable...on some other world.
"What about snakes and those lizards? I heard one of the soldiers say that they looked for heat at night."
"Put your horse's blanket down first, tuck your quilt around your feet, and you'll have Mara on one side and Eliza on the other. We've got over a hundred people with us, and we're sleeping in the middle. Any self-respecting snake or lizard will have left the area before we bed down. Was lunch okay?"
"It was good. Tadzi's food always is, even out here. We eat better here than I ever did back home."
"How's your butt?"
She reddened. "It's my legs this time. It took all of our lunch break for me to walk straight, and now I'm back on this beast."
"So a lot better than your first ride."
"I guess. Unless things get worse, I won't need Doina's poultices tonight like last time."
She pulled up and dropped back. At least for a while, though embarrassing her slightly might be an excellent way to limit these. We were camping about a mile past a village partway to Bacea. We brought our own food and drink. Otherwise, we'd strip that village of all their resources if we stayed there, just in the soldiers drinking ale and such. I wasn't sure what supper was, but Realm and nobility would eat well, even if the soldiers had little more than dried meat and hunks of cheese. I really didn't know...that was all handled by the quartermaster.
This was perfect camping weather, coolish days and cooler nights, no clouds in the sky, and the usual slight southeast breeze. Great sleeping weather, though I'd bet that even with Mara and Eliza warming her body, we'd get an earful in the morning.
We didn't get much commentary with breakfast. Sinense seemed happier than I expected. I was, too. Oana had slipped away from Cornelia and snuggled in with me for the night.
Zoe looked a bit ragged but was still game enough to give me a bright smile when she saw me watching her. Another week and she'd be officially marriageable. We'd make sure that would happen when she was ready. What else could we do for her and her mother and brother?
It wasn't quite sunset when we rode into Bacea Keep. A quiet ride, all in all, and I could relax. Hopefully, the ride to Suata would be the same.
YOU ARE READING
Wherever I Am
Fiksi IlmiahCollege-age Kevin Covali and his family have lived on his uncle's estate for the last year instead of in the city. When he and his sister Allie are attacked on the road home from school, he finds out that there is more to his family than he ever sus...
