Veras, oiling harness, looked up. “Shut up, Shai. Bai knows best.”

She smiled, stroking a blade. “Neh, let him talk. You’re grown voluble, little brother. I like that. But remember. If we succeed, then even if we die our lives are an insignificant sacrifice compared to those who will suffer if we don’t fight. Maybe brave children are clear-sighted enough to know what crucial part they can play.”

“Think of what a tale it will make!” said Eridit, from her seat on a log.

Shai turned away in disgust. He would have taken the children and walked away, but he had no idea how to get back to Olossi, and he had no idea how to feed them. He was just afraid to take charge. It was easier to let Zubaidit and Tohon make the decisions.

He covered his eyes with a hand. What was he, after all? Just the useless unlucky seventh son, accustomed to taking orders from his elders.

“Hsst!”

Bai leaped to her feet, a knife in either hand. Veras dropped the harness and drew his sword. Eridit took in a sharp breath.

Ladon rattled out of the trees. “Patrol coming.”

Bai nodded coolly. “Take positions.”

Eridit ducked under the awning, crouching at the front. Pulse galloping, Shai grabbed a spear and stood, as if guarding prisoners.

Veras and Ladon took cover along the fallen trunks, one on each side. Ladon had his bow ready; Veras propped his supply of javelins beside him. Bai tied a belt of knives around her middle, checking each sheath. Tohon remained hidden.

Bodies pushed through undergrowth. A pair of men appeared at the edge of the clearing.

“Who’re you?” one demanded.

“The hells!” Bai answered. “Who are you?”

“Just passing through. Where you headed?”

“I’ve no pressing need to tell you where I’m headed.” The cheap tin medallion worn around her neck caught the firelight and winked.

“Heya! You headed to Walshow, maybe?”

“Come out of the shadows and I might be willing to talk.”

“Sheh! You cursed lackwit.” This compliment, delivered by a second voice, was directed at his comrade. “I only see two.”

“And an awning that might be concealing more, and logs for cover. When did you get to be such a fool?” The first man whistled. Branches snapped and vegetation rustled as an unknown number of confederates approached. “We can make it a fight, or we can join forces. Up to you.”

“Depends on who you are,” Bai said. “I might be going to Walshow, or I might not.”

“We might just escort you there.” A dozen soldiers filed out to take up positions around the clearing’s edge. Veras, flushed out, rose slowly with a javelin in hand. Men stiffened. Hands gripped weapons. Shoulders grew taut. Every man wore a tin medallion around his neck, just like the ones they’d taken from the corpses of their former captors.

“I’m willing to travel with you,” said Bai, “but I have a few conditions.”

“Not sure you’re in a position to give conditions, verea,” said their leader mockingly. He was a burly man with a scarred forehead and hair cropped against the skull.