“Bad dreams last night. Change of diet, maybe.”

Ramus went to say something but Nomi clucked her horse on, cantering forward until she was riding side by side with Beko.

Change of diet, Ramus thought. Or the map I made, the parchment Ten sold us, the place we're going, the thing we may be going to see. Yes, bad dreams are understandable. He only hoped that this day would pass without his having another nightmare. He would do his best not to close his eyes for too long and allow one in.

SPRINGTIME IN MARRAKASH was often quite warm, but today was more like summertime, the sun beating strongly against the subtle southern breeze, a combination that made the air light and sweet. Ramus stripped off his jacket and hung it from the saddle, and soon after, Ramin was the first of the Serians to take off his leather tunic. The others followed suit, and by mid-morning they were riding in their undershirts.

Ramus could already see an order developing amongst the riders. Ramin and Noon were obviously good friends. When they were not chatting, they rode in an easy silence, each of them guiding one of the packhorses with casual care. Ramus suspected that they had been chosen to lead the horses because they were closest to the animals, and some of their chat seemed to be directed to the horses as much as to anyone else. Though Ramin's appearance was intimidating, there was a gentleness about him that Ramus liked. It made him easy to talk to, and the big man's good humor was always infectious.

Konrad was serious but affable, and he usually rode behind Ramin and Noon. Lulah would ride behind him, and she was the one Serian that Ramus had not even had a chance to fathom. She said so little, and when she did speak he always felt excluded, as though she was talking only to her comrades and never to him and Nomi. He had attributed her solemnity to the studded eye patch that must have such a story to tell, but he realized that conclusion was too hasty. Just because she displayed a terrible wound did not mean that she had been any different before receiving it. Maybe she was simply mistrustful. After all, she had been hired to protect Nomi and himself on the voyage, not make friends with them.

Rhiana usually rode up front, either alongside Beko or a few lengths in front of or behind him. They seemed to change the lead regularly. Rhiana had boasted most kills out of all of them, and looking at her tall, imposing figure and honed physique, he could well believe that she could fight when called upon to do so.