Years of traveling to remote corners of the world had taught Markhor how to prepare for extended stays in inhospitable environs. He unloaded supplies from the car, which included packs of food with extended shelf life—survival food that was meant for the avid explorer.

Dai She didn’t appreciate the foresight. “Blech! What kind of drivel is this? Viktor eats better from the roadside.”

Markhor chewed a strip of teriyaki-flavored beef jerky thoughtfully before answering. “It might not taste like much, but it contains everything you need to live for a long time.”

Dai She snorted. He waved a chubby hand at the room. “Why do you think anyone would have abandoned such a decadent mansion?”

“I’m not sure it’s been abandoned. The door was closed when we arrived, and it opened freely, meaning someone’s been using it. The crates that are still intact are positioned with the open ends down, which indicates they might be used as seats. The mattresses, while thin and stained, don’t show signs of dry rot. And … ” He looked upward. “There are no cobwebs.”

Dai She, who was sitting on a cot, shifted uncomfortably. As he followed Markhor’s explanation, he became mad at himself for not observing the obvious. “Then why are we here? What if the owners return? No doubt they will be armed.”

Markhor opened the door and peered into the darkness. A gentle desert breeze curled inside and cooled the shack. Gazing upward at the awe-inspiring display of stars, he said, “I’m playing the odds. This terrain has been rougher than I anticipated and has slowed our progress. We need a place to stay for the night, and whoever uses this place doesn’t live here. I figure the odds at seventy-thirty in our favor that we will get a good night’s sleep and be on our way in the morning, and no one will ever know we’ve been here.”

He walked outside and Dai She called after him. “Where are you going?”

He poked his head in quickly, startling Dai She. “To feed our falcon friend. I think it’s best that we keep him alive.”

The sound of a car motor didn’t wake them. It was the sound of breaking glass. Dai She rolled off his cot, falling with a loud thump. Just as he hit the floor, a rough hand clamped down over his mouth before he could cry out.

“Quiet!” Markhor whispered roughly, his mouth pressed close to Dai She’s ear. “We have company.” He released his hand slowly as the wild look in Dai She’s eyes returned to normal.

“Who is it?”

“Vandals, from the sound of it. They’re having a bit of fun with our car. It will be only a matter of minutes before they work up the courage to barge in here.” Markhor quickly crossed the room and gathered the few items they had brought in with them.