CHAPTER 26
“They’re back.”
Penrys twitched awake at Zandaril’s nudge. She could smell dawn in the air and the birds had started their aubade, but there was still very little light. She rolled out from under her one blanket and her cloak and pulled on her boots.
Wan Nozu and Tak Tuzap crept out of the woods and joined them, under the shelter of the rock ledge. They were tired, but she could see from their grins that they’d been successful.
“We did it!” Tak’s boast was whispered but intent, and Wan Nozu looked down upon him indulgently. Penrys could feel just as much excitement from the young man as the boy, and she bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling at them and offending their pride.
Zandaril pulled cold meat and bread from his pack, courtesy of their hosts in Lupmikya, a
