In the Waste Places
Ku-Aya sensed the hyenas slinking all around her and her little herd of goats, although they were careful to stay out of sight. Hunger was rousing them earlier every evening, making them bolder. She changed her staff to her left hand to hold her sling ready in her right. Three more hills until they reached home. Too far. She whistled and little Ur-Tur nipped at the slowest goats, goading the herd into a faster trot.
Then a flash caught the corner of Ku-Aya's eye, the last of the sun glinting on metal. Someone, a man in armor, was walking along the river bank. Where was he going at this hour? The sun was nearly down.
"Hey!" Ku-Aya shouted, but the sound ended in a yelp of alarm as the hyenas saw her momentary distraction and lunged out of the shadows. Ur-Tur hurried t
