The patroller woman raised her eyebrows at this broad claim but grinned indulgently.

Dag walked to the bedside and smiled down, adopting a cheerful tone. “Now, I know you had six broken ribs at least. I ask you, is this the time for speeches?”

“Only a short one,” wheezed the young man. His hand found Dag’s and grasped it. “Thank you.”

Dag’s brows twitched, but he didn’t argue. Such sincere gratitude shone in the young man’s eyes, Fawn warmed to him at once. Finally, somebody seemed to be taking Dag at his worth. Saun turned his head to peer somewhat blearily at her, and she smiled at him with all her heart. He blinked rapidly and smiled back, looking a bit flummoxed.

Dag gave the hand a little shake from side to side, and asked more softly, “How’re you doing, Saun?”

“It only hurts when I laugh.”

“Oh? Don’t let the patrol know that.” The dry light in Dag’s eyes was mirth, Fawn realized.

Saun sputtered and coughed. “Ow! Blast you, Dag!”

“See what I mean?” He added more sternly, “They tell me you haven’t been sleeping. I said, couldn’t be—this is the patroller we have to roll out of his blankets by force in camp in the morning. Feather beds too soft for you now? Shall I bring you a few rocks to make it more homelike?”

Saun held a hand to his bandaged chest and carefully refrained from chuckling. “Naw. All I want is your tale. They said”—his face grew grave in memory, and he moistened his lips—“they found your horse yesterday miles from the lair, found the lair, found half your gear and your bow abandoned in a pile. Your bow. Didn’t think you’d ever leave that on purpose. Two rotting mud-men and a pile of something Mari swore was the dead malice, and a trail of blood leading off to nothing. What were we supposed to think?”

“I was rather hoping someone would think I’d found shelter at the nearest farm,” Dag said ruefully. “I begin to suspect I’m not exciting enough for you all.”

Saun’s eyes narrowed. “There’s more than that,” he said positively.

“Quite a bit, but it’s for Mari’s ears first.” Dag glanced at Fawn.

Saun slumped in apparent acceptance of this. “As long as I get more sometime.”

“Sometime.” Dag hesitated, then added diffidently, “So…did they also find the body I’d left in the tree?”

Three faces turned to stare.

“Evidently not yet,” Dag murmured.

“See what I told you? See?” said Saun to his companions in a voice of vindication. He added to Dag through slightly gritted teeth, “Sometime soon, all right?”

“As I can.” Dag nodded at the two from the other patrol. “Did Mari say when she’d be back?”

They shook their heads. “She left at dawn,” the woman offered.