She stared at him as if he’d slapped her, but he didn’t have time for this. The plan was set in motion, and he wouldn’t compromise it now. He had to count on Silvie’s loyalty to him.

He grabbed one of the mules’ ropes and tugged the beast behind. “If you decide I’m worthy, then bring the rest of the water with you. If not, then run back to the village.”

“Johnis . . . please!”

He ignored her and headed for the gap that led down to the canyon floors. The stallion navigated the rocky ground easily, but Johnis slowed its pace, silently begging Silvie to run up behind him and swear her allegiance as she had once before.

And she did, trotting her own horse and the two mules down through the pass, sending stones rolling loudly as she rushed to catch up with him.

Silvie pulled up behind him and fell in line. “Fine, you have my decision; are you satisfied?”

He looked back and forced a grin, though he felt more like crying, swamped with desperation at what he was leading her into. “It’s your call, Silvie. I’m only doing what I have to do, with or without you.”

She waited a moment before speaking again. “Don’t kid yourself. You need me.”

“Do I?”

“You do.”

“Then it’s a good thing you’re not letting me run off alone to get my head chopped off, isn’t it?”

“You’re not yourself, Johnis,” she said quietly.

He hesitated, then spoke strongly, as much for his own benefit as hers. “You’re wrong.”

The setting sun was hidden by canyon walls when they reached the sandy floor and headed out toward the desert, where their course would turn south.

South . . . after the Horde.

“Permission to ask a question, your Almightiness,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

He didn’t answer.

“I understand your fear of running out of lake water, but these mules don’t exactly run like the wind. We’re on a scouting trip after the Horde. Don’t we need to run like the wind?”

“We do. And we will. As soon as we get out of the canyons.”

“Then why not stake the mules here and go?”

A clatter of rolling stones echoed through the canyon from the cliffs behind them. They looked back and saw the group of fighters hurrying down the pass to catch them.

“Because the water’s for an army,” Silvie said with more than a little wonder in her voice. “You’re bringing an army.”

“I am.”

“How . . . ?” She didn’t bother finishing the question. “You don’t need an army to scout. What kind of impossible scheme have you thrown together?”

“Be at my side, or leave me now, Silvie,” Johnis said, staring into her eyes. “But if you stay, promise not to undermine me.”