Page 29 of Winter's Echo
Good friend? Who spoke like that?
Captain Marson glowered at his men. “You’re awake for that?” he asked them in a mix of doubt and disgust. He looked over at me. “Do we need to be awake?”
I didn't bother looking up. The cloud cover was thick. I hadn't seen the moon for days, but I knew in my bones that the others had a good stretch of sleep left before they needed to wake.
“You can go back to sleep,” I told him honestly. “If your men can keep from whispering like children in corners, then maybe we canallrest before we start.”
My not-so-subtle dig made a few of them mumble apologies, and with a huff, I rolled myself back into my blankets and ignored Nicco’s low chuckle from across the hollow.
I willed myself to sleep, knowing I wouldn’t get deep, restful sleep, but I managed to doze off. As expected, when I got up andprepared to move out, I was irritable and grumpy. Somehow, the dark-haired mercenary laughing at me every time I glared at him seemed to be the source of all my anger.
I watched the soldiers coerce the wagons out of the trees, and I went on ahead to find the trail.
The wind from yesterday had died down, the snow was falling gently, and it was truly peaceful to look out over the snow-covered land. Not a sound could be heard except the gruff orders from behind me, but in front, the land stretched out in a blanket of white.
“Pretty.”
My heart was in my throat.
“Could you three please make some noise before you sneak up on people?” I demanded as Larana’s lips twitched.
“It wouldn’t be sneaking if we made noise.”
“You don’t need to be sneaking up on me.” My curt tone made her smile.
“Nicco says you’re the only one we need to sneak up on.” She looked down at me. Why was she so tall?
I straightened, pushing my shoulders back, but I was still several inches shorter than she was.
“Nicco says more than his evening prayers,” I grouched. “I’m not your enemy. Stop scaring me half to death by appearing out of nowhere.”
She jerked her thumb over her shoulder. “I walked up from behind.”
“Well… don’t.”
I knew that I sounded unreasonable, but I didn’t care. I scanned the snow in front of me again and closed my eyes.
The gray sky had paled to a bluish gray, but the clouds were still too full of snow to allow me any sign of the sun.
I turned to look for the captain. Spotting him with the horse, I walked over to him.
“You need to leave the wagons and the horses in Skallfen,” I said bluntly. “It’s a three-day journey from here if the weather stays the same.” I didn’t give him a chance to speak. “It won’t. This is a rare day for this time of year. I figure we’ll have two days like yesterday if the weather stays clear today.”
“So enjoy it while it lasts,” he said with a hint of a smile.
“Basically.” I took the reins of the horse. “What’s his name?”
The captain looked at the horse and me. “Horse?”
I scoffed as I turned around, urging the horse to come with me. “Sounds right.”
I walked past Baxley, who looked like he was choosing to walk today. He had a large bow across his back.
“You hunt?” I asked him as I passed.
“Of course.”
“Snow rabbits are fast, almost impossible to spot. Their red eyes give them away. If you see any, shoot to kill.”
