Page 31 (1/2)

"The eracious host," Rosethorn explained

"Well, then, we shall make accoirls who had taken charge of the pack ani the ride leader’s eye was on thesters led the animals off to the stables Only those who held the reins to the cats’ horses, the shakkans’ bearers, and the horses Rosethorn pointed to, the ones with the , waited and followed as the ride leader showed them to their roo they wanted to keep with the served now, if you wish to eat There are tables by the fountain, or youthe food here," Briar said "We’ll take supper with the rest of your cohed She wanted a nap, but she also wanted time to herself, to think about what Parahan had told her She hadn’t had a moment alone with Briar and Rosethorn since they had ridden away from the palace She had hoped to talk to the spells on the walls? If they were Trader listening spells, that wasn’t so bad But what if they were imperial ones?

Rosethorn said, "Rajoni, I saw a stream outside the walls Is it safe for me to meditate there?"

"This area is very safe," the ride leader assured them "We only ask that you be inside our walls by dark, e close and lock the gates for the night We leave at dawn"

Evvy and Rosethorn went inside to inspect their roouard stones, Evvy set the cats up in a corner of the main room by the entry She filled a shallow basket with dirt in which they could relieve themselves, fed them from the sealed jar of cooked pork scraps the palace servants had left for her, and put down several dishes of water Constant travel hadfor her companions When she went to set up her own bedroll next to the cats’ place, she discovered that Briar had returned with food

It had been a long time since the rice she’d had at dawn Evvy did her best not to slop the bowl of chicken and le She thought she ht die happy when she saw the plate of spicy seht

"I love Trader food!" she cried

"Do you knohen I don’t particularly want to eat, all I have to do is watch you devour whatever is before you and I feel hungry," Rosethorn remarked

Evvy and Briar carried the e tubs and did their share of washing up in thanks for the meal By the time they returned to their chambers, Rosethorn had left in search of her meditation

"I’ll be back," Evvy told Briar and the cats in Chaone "Unless you want to co Actually you should"

Briar, who had picked up one of his shakkans, looked at her with suspicion "Go along where? I thought you would want a nap"