Sumi frowned at his unexpected answer that made no sense whatsoever. “I don’t understand.”

The humor faded from his gaze. He took a deep breath before he explained. “Since Darice’s last name is also Hauk, he uses my given name. As do all members of my immediate family.”

“But you don’t like it?”

He gave her a droll stare. “If you were named Dancer, would you?”

She smiled. “I guess not. But it strangely suits you.”

He stiffened at something she’d intended as a compliment. “Now, mu tara, you insult me.”

Did he just insult her in turn? “Mu tara?”

“My lady.” And with that he left her alone.

“I didn’t mean it as an insult,” she called after him. But he didn’t respond or come back.

Grimacing, she pushed herself up and reached for the water and cloth he’d left behind. She washed as best she could, but it wasn’t easy.

She’d just finished when Thia entered the tent with a small bowl of fruit. The young woman sat down beside her and placed the bowl on the ground between them.

Thia screwed her face up at the bowl’s contents. “I know it’s not much. Darice spilled what he had and that’s all that’s left. Uncle Hauk and Darice are now foraging for more and better. But he wanted me to bring this to you to tide you over until their return.”

“Thank you.” Her gaze dropped to the blaster strapped to Thia’s hips. “Is there trouble?”

“Not yet.”

“Meaning?”

Thia rose to her feet and stepped back to eye her warily. “I’m thinking you must be an assassin who was sent after my uncle.”

She froze at the girl’s assumption. “Why do you think that?”

“Because of the way Uncle Hauk’s been acting since he brought you here. While he’s always cautious, he’s even more so now. Instead of sleeping last night, he walked the perimeter, heavily armed.”

That was impressive, especially given how alert he was without sleep.

Sumi dropped her gaze to Thia’s weapon, and wondered how proficient she was at its use. “Yet he let the two of you hunt this morning. Alone.”

“And insisted I be armed and extra vigilant while we did so.” Thia glared angrily at Sumi. “Just so you know. You hurt him and I will kill you. Without mercy or hesitation.”

There was a sincere ferocity in her tone that belied the girl’s years and innocent appearance.

Sumi remembered what Hauk had told her about Thia’s mother. “Were you there when your mother died?”

Thia stiffened. “How do you know about my mother?”

“Your uncle told me.”

Her eyes shimmered from unshed tears. “No. I wasn’t there. Had I been, I would have killed my stepfather myself.”