“Caravans are few and far between,” Nyx said. “So hitching a ride isn’t much of an option, but we might run into one. Bakkie isn’t much good anyway. Easier to spot than a group of people in dusty burnouses.”

But Kage knew that Nyx was wrong about that. Groups of people were very easy to spot at a distance. What she must have meant was that they no longer presented just two targets. Now they were six—seven counting the Ras Tiegan girl. On foot, it was less likely they would all be taken out at once. The others would serve as decoys, letting Nyx and her boy escape. Kage sometimes wondered if this strange woman knew she was so transparent in her self-preservation.

Ahmed asked Kage to help clean out the bakkie’s cistern of bugs. They collected them into jars and packed them away for seasoning up meals later on. It was easy enough work, and she enjoyed crooning to the insects as they worked.

Their newest member, the arrogant little Ras Tiegan girl, was standing behind the second bakkie, hopping from foot to foot on the hot sand. She had not brought proper shoes. She and Eshe were arguing. They had been arguing all week, ever since Nyx pushed the girl into camp and announced she was coming with them. Kage still didn’t understand why, and each day they traveled with her, her unease grew. Ras Tiegans were not trustworthy people. She hadn’t slept properly since the girl joined them. All her dreams were murky with blood and the ominous purring of Ras Tiegan-talk.

“We’re three days out from clan Shafiori territory,” the tatty little magician, Eskander, said. Kage had already learned to despise the sound of her voice. “They’re a typical Khairian border clan. A little more settled than most, and they take bugs in exchange for water, mostly.”

“Mostly?” Nyx said.

“Well…” Eskander said, fiddling with the ornate hilt of her useless pistol. Kage couldn’t understand why Eskander’s assassin companion let her carry it around as if it were a real weapon. “They take blood and slaves too. But who doesn’t really?”

Kage stiffened at the mention of slaves. “What kind of slaves?” she asked.

Eskander seemed to notice her for the first time in days. Her eyes narrowed. “Oh. Not Drucians. Your kind don’t last long up here. They mostly prefer Nasheenians and Chenjans, when they can get them. Chenjans get fewer cancers.”

“Let’s hope we have enough bug power to be persuasive,” Nyx said. “Kage, I might have you hang back when we get close. Just in case we need a quick exit.”

“Oh, they aren’t violent or anything,” Eskander said hurriedly. “They won’t give you any trouble.”