The caravan would probably follow at the rear of the army and camp beside it tonight. She faced the same danger she had before—that the news Rozea’s favorite had run away would inspire an entire army to search for her.

Yet there was a new danger if she stayed. Rozea might mention her favorite’s amazing powers of healing to the wrong person. Emerahl might find herself facing curious priestly visitors.

She cursed.

The door flap opened. She looked up to see Rozea regarding her. The woman moved to the opposite seat, her expression serious.

“It seems the enemy has found another way through the mountains. The Circlians are rushing to stop them.”

“Will we go too?” Emerahl asked, keeping her voice weak.

“Yes, at a distance. We don’t know if the Pentadrians intend to ambush the army. I don’t want to end up in the middle of a battle.”

“No.”

“You rest now,” Rozea said soothingly. She lifted the door flap, revealing lines of ordinary soldiers, to Emerahl’s relief. “I doubt we’ll have customers tonight. It sounds as if the army will march all night. We’ll catch up with them tomorrow—ah, there’s Captain Spirano.”

She leapt up and climbed out. Emerahl turned onto her back and listened to the sound of marching. It went on and on. By the time it had stopped she was sure hours had passed.

The girls fell silent, probably taking the opportunity to sleep without the constant rocking of the tarn. Emerahl heard the guards challenge Rozea to a game of counters. She listened for a while, gathering her courage, then sat up and used the damp towel to clean her face.

As she stepped out of the tarn, Rozea looked up.

“You look better. How do you feel?”

“Much better,” Emerahl replied. She moved over to the table and looked down at the game. “Counters. You would not believe how old this game is.”

The guard playing Rozea moved a piece. Emerahl chuckled. “Bad move.”

The man gave her a hurt look. It was the same guard who had “rescued” her from the deserter she had thrown out of her tarn during the ambush.

“What would you have done?” Rozea asked.

Emerahl looked at the guard. “It is his game.”

“Go ahead,” he said. “Win it for me, and you can have half the takings.”

She laughed. “Rozea won’t let me keep it.”

“Of course I will,” the madam said, smiling. She moved the man’s piece back to its former position.

Emerahl met the woman’s eyes, then looked down at the board. She drew a little magic and sent it out. A black counter slid across the board and flipped on top of another.

The two guards jumped, then grinned at her. “Clever trick, that,” the friendly one said.

“Yes.” Rozea was staring at the board. “Very clever.”

“Yield?” Emerahl asked.

“Can’t say I have any choice,” Rozea admitted.