Page 33 of A Lick of Flame

She chokes out a laugh. “Don’t tell me that you’re superstitious.”

“I’m not, but we’re about to go through the most dangerous section of the Hourglass and the most perilous part of our journey.”

“You said we’ll be through in no time.”

“It’s short, but…” I shake my head, clenching my jaw in frustration. “You’re right, it’s going to be fine. There is no one lying in wait.” I look down at the ground again, looking for fresh tracks, and find none. Of course, they could have come from the other side and be lying in wait to ambush us right now. Thieves, vagabonds, and out-of-work mercenaries lurking in the shadows. Or fae, looking to capture humans. Or a tribe headed this way. Anyone headed this way. We would be sitting ducks through the valley. I wish we were through already.

“We could go over the mountains.” She looks up at the snowy peak of the highest section.

I shake my head. “We’d add at least two weeks to our travels. We’re ill-prepared to make such a journey. I mean, we don’t have enough food. Not for us or for the horses. It’s hard going in the mountains, with freezing temperatures. There’s a good reason most risk the center of the Hourglass instead.”

I hear a titter from behind us, and we both turn in time to see the squirrel. We saw him when we arrived here just before darkfall yesterday. The critter grabs the piece of bread I left out for him. I smile at the little creature. My heart feels lighter.

“You were right, he’s back again.” Maya sounds delighted. “It’s a cute little thing. I wonder what he’s doing out here.” The squirrel shoves the whole piece of bread into his mouth.

“Trying to survive, like everyone else.” We watch him scamper off.

“That little morsel you left will help, I’m sure.” She smiles at me.

I nod and point. “There is a grove of trees up in that mountain, just out of view. The squirrel lives there with his squirrel family.”

“How do you…?” She smiles. “You know things because you’re a beastfae. I thought you didn’t have your powers.” She frowns, looking suspicious. It’s like that with Maya; just when I feel we’re connecting, she pulls back.

“They seem to slowly be coming back,” I say as I mount my horse. “It’s a good thing…no, a great thing. Only it’s so hit and miss I can’t really trust them. Thing is, my powers will give us a fighting chance if there is trouble.” We start out at a brisk walk.

“You say coming back, not that they are back.” Maya takes up her reins a little more than normal, perhaps sensing danger. It’s that, or she’s feeling my nerves.

“Yes, it’s just a matter of time. At least, I hope so.” I shrug. Magic is not an exact science. It doesn’t obey normal rules. It has its own mind about things. Although, I’m pretty sure if I keep working on connecting with animals, on restoring the balance, that all will be well. For now, I can make a very light connection. I still have very little influence over animals, though. It’s nothing like it used to be. It seems that only in life-or-death situations do I have a very basic grasp on that side of my powers.

Without having to discuss it, we reach a section that is decent going, and we pick up the pace.

“There it is,” Maya says in a hushed voice. “It is narrower than I expected.”

“That’s it alright. There is only enough room for three or four riders to be abreast of one another. There are initially sheer cliffs on either side. Then the terrain changes. It widens up a little. The cliffs turn into rocky slopes with boulders and ledges and shallow caves.”

“The perfect place to set up a trap.”

“Yes,” I whisper, my hand instinctively resting on the hilt of my sword for a moment or two. “Unfortunately, sound travels down the valley. It’ll alert anyone down there that we are coming.”

“Shouldn’t we walk, then?” Maya’s eyes widen.

I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter; they’ll hear us, regardless. It’s better to get through this part of the valley as quickly as possible.” I urge Copper into a steady lope, and Midnight follows suit. The horses are feeling fresh after their oats and a good rest.

Midnight tosses his head and fights against the bit, but Maya keeps her seat, holding him steady.

“Just remember what we discussed: if something goes wrong, you run. You turn, and you go. If we are captured, you don’t know me,” I say as we enter the narrow valley between the cliffs.

Maya nods. “Understood.”

I pull up my hood, covering my head and ears. If we ride into a family or some common folk, I don’t want to scare them…or incite them, for that matter.

“Stay alert,” I say. “Let me know if you see anything suspicious, even if you think it’s nothing.”

“I will.” Midnight continues to toss his head, wanting to run. Maya handles him well, ignoring his antics.

It doesn’t take long before the narrow gully opens up. I’d almost forgotten just how many hiding places there were in this section.

It all looks clear, which is the only consolation.

---