The Wind's Call (The Broken Lands #4) - T.A. White Page 0,3

There was likely only one person or being who wouldn't alarm the horse. Her owner.

Eva shifted back toward her burrow. Maybe she hadn't been spotted yet. She could try to hide and hope they passed her by.

Before she could act, a tall, thin man pushed out of the trees. His face was like a horse's, long and thin, with wise eyes. His hair was long, and bound back from his face in a complicated tail. His forearms were muscular. His clothes were strange, not like those of the men of her village. He was young, not much older than Eva.

Trateri.

Stories of the barbarians had been pouring in all winter. They seemed intent on conquering the surrounding lands and already had a reputation as monsters.

Eva sucked in a harsh breath, wishing she could turn invisible. She'd heard what they could do to people and it wasn't pleasant. Better to have died by beast than to have happened across one of these men.

Why couldn't she have left the mare behind?

"Caia, I've been looking for you all night, you daft horse." Despite the anger those words should suggest, there was none of the emotion in his voice.

"Come on, let's go. The warriors want to get moving."

The mare squealed a challenge and paced in a circle.

"None of that now. Hardwick would have my head if anything happened to you."

The man frowned, finally noticing Eva where she still crouched. Surprise and shock chased across his face as his mouth dropped open and he looked from her to the horse and back again.

Eva's grip tightened on the knife as she braced for attack. She moved slowly out of the burrow, not wanting to be trapped with it at her back.

"You took care of Caia last night, I take it," the man said in a tone not unlike the one he'd used on the horse.

Eva didn't answer, watching him carefully, poised to run. She doubted she'd be able to outrun him, especially if he rode the horse. She might be able to lose him in the underbrush though.

"Are you lost?" he asked, concern in his expression.

The question pierced the haze of panic.

"I can help you if you let me." He was careful to remain where he was, his movements slow—the same way Eva would have approached an easily spooked animal. "Where is your village? I can take you there."

"I'm not going back," Eva snarled. "I won't let you take me back."

He made a calming motion, chancing a step forward. "Alright. That's fine. I won't force you to do anything you don't want."

Eva ducked her chin slightly as she considered whether she could trust that statement. People, not just men, lied all the time. Sometimes they thought it was for your own good. Sometimes they did it so they could hurt you. It was rarer when they told the truth.

Which category did he fall into?

"Ollie, have you found her yet? The warband leader is getting impatient," a man called as he stepped into view. He was different than the first one, his bearing dangerous. A sword was attached to his belt and he carried a bow in his hands. A warrior where the first man wasn't.

He froze upon catching sight of Eva. "That's a woman."

"I can see that," Ollie said, irritation coloring his tone.

"What's she doing out here?"

"I was getting to that before you interrupted like a tender-footed daisy."

The second man blinked dumbly at Eva before giving Ollie a befuddled look. Strangely, the interchange calmed Eva somewhat.

"We should probably return her to her village." The second man leaned toward Ollie, his voice dropping to a semi whisper.

"She doesn't want to go."

The second man arched an eyebrow and glanced at Eva. "You want to come with us instead?"

Eva considered the two before regarding the horse standing placidly at her side, one ear flicking. The gray wasn't alarmed. She trusted these men. Animals, in Eva’s experience, were excellent judges of character.

"Alright, I will," she said, straightening.

Surprise filled both men's expressions as they glanced at each other.

"You're explaining this to the warband leader," Ollie said. "Right after you explain how Caia managed to escape in the first place."

The second man sighed and rubbed his neck. He beckoned Eva with his fingers. "Alright, you, let's go. Our camp isn't far but we should get back before our leader gets any more upset with us."

Eva hesitated for one last second. Had she made the right choice?

"We won't hurt you. I promise." Ollie shot her look of encouragement as he took hold of the