hair, her fingers moving on to play over the deepening wrinkles in his forehead. “How?”
“A very long story.” His smile turned to a frown of concern. “And you? They said you might be ill.”
“Just a small ruse.” She shrugged and giggled. “I had to go on an adventure with my new friend.”
“Dai Shin!” Vaelin turned at the sound of Tsai Lin’s voice, finding him pointing to the eastern horizon. Squinting, Vaelin managed to make out the silhouette of a lone rider who promptly vanished a heartbeat later.
“Gone off to tell his friends all about us, I assume,” Nortah said. He wiped a rag along the length of his sword before sliding it into the sheath on his back. “Sister,” he said, inclining his head at Sherin. “Good to see you again.”
It took Sherin a moment before her brow creased in recognition. “Brother Nortah. It seems I am beset by not one but two ghosts today. You are supposed to be dead, are you not?”
Nortah spread his hands. “A long-settled misunderstanding.”
“You cut the Battle Lord’s hand off, as I recall.”
“I did, and later served under him in the Liberation War. The world is ever a place of contradictions, don’t you find?”
“Contradictions,” Sherin agreed, casting another glance at Vaelin. “And lies.”
“To your mounts if you would, honoured ladies,” Sho Tsai said, preparing to resume the saddle. “That scout will be hastening to bring word of our presence to his kin. We need to be many miles south before nightfall.”
“You have my leave to depart,” Sherin told him. “As for myself and the Princess . . .”
“You will mount up and ride!” Sho Tsai snapped. The set of his shoulders told of a reluctant harshness, but one he wouldn’t shirk. “Or I will have you bound to your saddles.”
“We are not here on some mad jaunt,” Sherin shot back. “Our mission is of great import.”
“And what exactly is your mission?” Vaelin asked, watching Sherin turn to the Jade Princess in exasperation. The ancient woman gave a tight smile accompanied by a fractional shake of her head that seemed sufficient to still Sherin’s tongue.
“There is no time for this.” The captain hauled himself into the saddle. “You can explain yourself when we make camp.” He stared down at her, matching her defiant glare with implacable determination. “Now, Honoured Grace of Heaven, please resume your mount and follow me.”
* * *
◆ ◆ ◆
They reached the riverbank by dusk, Sho Tsai insisting they push on until the sun had almost fully dipped below the flat line of the horizon. He organised an even tighter perimeter than the night before, fully half the company standing watch with crossbows primed. Tsai Lin was also set to keep a close watch on the river.
“Order any passing boat to heave to,” the captain said. “We’ll get the ladies and foreigners aboard, then lead the Stahlhast away whilst they make safe passage to Keshin-Kho.”
As the Dai Lo bobbed his head in acknowledgement and hurried off towards the riverbank, Vaelin noticed how the Jade Princess’s gaze tracked him. Her eyes were narrowed in a shrewd appraisal that contrasted greatly with the near-childlike manners she had exhibited so far. He watched her move closer to Sho Tsai, asking a question in a voice too soft to hear. There was a palpable wariness to the captain’s nod of response, though she seemed satisfied, the warm smile returning to her lips as she touched a hand to Sho Tsai’s armoured forearm. This time Vaelin was able to catch her words: “He is a credit to you. The Servants of the Temple chose well.”
Sho Tsai merely nodded again and moved on, snapping out orders forbidding any fires to be lit. Consequently, the evening meal consisted of hardtack and dried beef. The Jade Princess and Erlin maintained a softly spoken and cheery conversation throughout the night, which contrasted with Sherin’s stern and unyielding silence. She sat opposite Vaelin, moonlight catching the outline of her face but features unreadable in the gloom. He could, however, feel her anger and took some small comfort in the fact that it wasn’t directed entirely at him. Sho Tsai had attempted to question her on the nature of her mission only to receive a curt and loudly spoken response: “It doesn’t matter now.” She hadn’t said a word since.
“This is worse than the supper I had with Mother after she caught me with that stable hand,” Ellese muttered.
Vaelin heard what may have been a laugh from Sherin, albeit a very small one.