Fourteen
The next thing Cathal knew, he was on the ground, his back against a tree, and it was dusk.
His head buzzed. He examined his body, and found no injuries, although there were signs of pressure under his armpits. But he still felt drained, and when he moved everything responded slowly.
He groaned.
“You back?”
Brice stepped next to Cathal, the lad’s trace strong.
Cathal took a breath and focused on his surroundings. They were in trees, a couple of trunks back from the open land in front of that fence.
“There was a warth, earlier. Kept back quite a way, didn’t pay us any attention. It’s gone now, otherwise I thought you might…you know, want fresh food or something.”
The words washed over Cathal. His stomach churned.
he managed. He pushed out, past Brice’s rich trace, and co
