“I’ll talk to them. What possessed them to get into it now, I can’t imagine. I thought they had more self control. We could be attacked at any time, as they know, and they’re—”

Tohon coughed.

She chuckled. “Sorry.”

He raised a hand to show no offense taken, and glanced at Shai. But Shai had nothing to say; he was more concerned with stifling the signs of arousal in his own body, because it was difficult not to pay attention to the whispered encouragements, the moans and groans. Whew! He bent his knife to the wood and shaved away a rough bump.

“You are a whore,” said Tohon.

“A hierodule,” corrected Zubaidit without heat. “A whore takes coin. I serve the goddess, and give freely in the act of worship. Eridit’s all right otherwise, it’s just she’s got a compulsion to get every male she meets chasing her ass. It’s cursed tiresome. Anyway, she’s one of Hasibal’s pilgrims, so don’t think this is part of the Devourer’s worship.”

Ladon staggered out of the darkness, tying closed his jacket. “Aui! I didn’t know anyone could be so flexible!”

Tohon and Zubaidit broke into laughter. Shai covered his eyes just as Veras, in the nook, came to climax on a series of rising yips. Everything seemed very hot. He ached.

Edard stomped into the light, bow in hand. “I’m of a mind to send you three back to Olossi. Could you be any stupider after what we’ve already been through? Eh, Ladon?” He raised his voice. “Eh, Veras? As for you, Eridit, you deserve a whipping.”

“Promise?” came her bright voice. “I can tell you just the way I like it.”

“What the council was thinking I don’t know, since you two lads are as worthless as any rubbish I’ve stuck my foot in. I guess your clans paid them off, eh? Eridit at least is useful as a spy, and for impressing the cursed savages, and for that matter, now we know she can shave every cursed soldier in the enemy’s army until they beg for mercy and surrender. Get your ass in here, Veras. You can’t even report for watch duty on time, too busy getting your sword sheathed.”

Veras hurried in, wiping his mouth. “Shut it up, you canting ass. She sheathed you a few days ago, didn’t she? You angry you’re not enough for her?”

Tohon scratched at his ear, he and Zubaidit exchanging a glance.

“Don’t give me any of your piss, Veras. You were given explicit instructions when you volunteered for this expedition. I’m in charge.”

“Bet you wish I was like Shai, here, and never said a word, eh?” He mumbled a rude word under his breath.

Eridit sauntered in, wearing a cotton shift that left little to the imagination and loose trousers slung low around her hips Hu! Even knowing she strutted around that way on purpose, he could not look away.

“Is it my turn?” asked Tohon.

Zubaidit grunted with choked-down laughter.

“Ouch.” With a rueful grin, Eridit got her hair twisted up and fixed with a comb, then lowered her hands to splay on her hips as she surveyed the unhappy fireside scene. “I earned that, didn’t I? Sorry. I should have known better.”