“Vel,” the man whined. He was tall and thin, with dark freckly skin and bronze-brown hair. “Can’t you get Hill to do this? You know I can’t sit still.”

Vel grinned, his eyebrows dancing. He held a needle and fabric in his hands and his fingers flew. “You said you wanted to flip a coin. You flipped a coin. Besides, this builds character.”

A man sitting at Vel’s side snorted. He was identical to the gangly Dale, down to the last freckle. “Yes, Dale. Do grab some character for the road.”

An imposing man with a thick dark beard harrumphed from his too-small stool beside the fire. “I still don’t like it.”

“Agreed, Judah.” Dale held his fingers out. “Would you care to take my place?”

“Not that, idiot boy.” Judah pointed a meaty finger at Brella. “I still don’t like that Brella’s leading transport.”

“I still don’t care.” She faced him, eyes narrowed in silent challenge. “We made a plan. You know the rules, Judah. Majority decision.”

Judah crossed his arms over his sizable chest, hunkering low in his chair. It creaked. “Doesn’t mean I have to act pleased about it.”

“Aw.” Brella’s smile was cold and mocking. “I’ve displeased you. I’m so very torn up about it.”

“Umbrella, stop.” Dale’s twin was stiffer than his brother, hands folded in his lap and feet planted firmly on the gnarled wood floor. “I voted in your favor because you said you could keep your temper in check.”

Brella glared. “I can, Hill.”

“And I’ll be there as well.” Vel held up a handkerchief half covered in colorful embroidery. Scratch couldn’t see much in the limited light, but there seemed to be a bird among the stitching. “I’ll keep her calm.”

“I don’t need anyone to keep me calm, thanks.”

“All right,” said Vel evenly. “Then I’ll keep you company.”

A man Scratch hadn’t yet noticed rose from his chair and came to sit by Brella. He was small and slender, with cunning green eyes and hair like a red fox’s.

“Are you all right?” He placed a comforting hand on Brella’s leg. “You don’t have to say yes.”

“Generous of you, Leverett. Then, no.” She grinned at him weakly. “I’m not looking forward to the next few weeks if I’m honest.”

“If we’re lucky, it won’t be that long.” He squeezed her thigh. “You’ll be good there.”

“It’s not me I’m worried about.”

The door flew open with a bang. Nearly everyone started, including Dale, who, in his flinching, unspooled a rainbow of thread.

Brella frowned. “Of course you wouldn’t settle for a reasonable entrance.”

The woman in the doorway smiled, casually pushing a lock of shoulder-length wavy hair behind her ear. Her skin had a healthy golden glow, and freckles dusted her face and arms like spice on toast.