Shyla worked on translating a section of the scroll until the pain in her head forced her to return to her sleeping mat where she proceeded to toss and turn, unable to find a comfortable position. Perhaps some hot tea… No, she wouldn’t waste water. Besides, they didn’t have any lava stones or fuel to heat the water. And tepid tea was…well, tepid. She added lava stones to her wish list along with decent sleeping cushions and extra furs and blankets and fresh meat and vegetables. Perhaps she could buy some from the monks.

Lying on her back, she was staring at the ceiling when she sensed Rendor outside her room—that really was a handy skill! Shyla lowered her shield. He’d brought her a water skin and a couple rolls of jerky since she’d missed second and third meal. Not wishing to disturb her rest, Rendor debated whether to leave them next to her door or to set them inside on the table.

“Come in, Rendor. I’m awake,” she said, raising her mental barrier again.

He swept the curtain aside. “Did I—”

“No, you didn’t wake me.” She sat up. “Thanks for bringing food and water, but I don’t need it.”

“Yes, you do,” he said, stepping into her room. “You haven’t been eating or drinking as much as you should. How can you function properly without sustenance? People are relying on you.”

He’d noticed. “I don’t—”

“Have a headache? Aren’t hungry?”

Now that he mentioned it, the dull ache flared to a sharp pounding, and her stomach rumbled. Loudly. At least he didn’t gloat. “How did you know?”

“I’m observant and can count.” He handed her the skin.

She took a couple sips of water, but it tasted bitter.

Rendor crouched down beside her. “I know you think you’re helping the others by not taking your full share, but you’re not. You’re making all the decisions. Important ones that shouldn’t be made when you’re weak and dehydrated.”

The desire to grump at him pushed up her throat. But he was right and she had been skipping meals. So she gulped down a few more mouthfuls of water and chewed on the dried jerky.

When he stood to leave, she suddenly didn’t want to be alone. “What time is it?” she asked between bites.

“Around angle three hundred.”

“Have you gotten any sleep?”

He hesitated. “Not yet. I wanted to talk to Jaft and Elek about joining my team before their shift.”

The two men had been acolytes when they’d volunteered to help Shyla rescue Banqui and then they joined the Invisible Sword after she’d woken the power of The Eyes. “Good choices.”

“I need strong men. Water is heavy.”

“Are you taking the cart?”

“No. That’s too difficult to conceal and the water jugs are too awkward to carry. I’ve another idea.”