Page 277 of Hunters and Prey

Wrapping my arms around my torso, I started to make my way towards the square.

I’d just passed the first house, a small meditation hut, when the door opened right next to me, making me jump about a foot.

A form emerged.

I stiffened, staring, but when she turned, holding a bundle in her arms, I relaxed.

It was Zarat.

You’re still here, I sent, smiling. I thought you’d be back in the mountains by now. Meditating in your cave.

She smiled back at me, sending a pulse of warmth I felt to the ends of every finger and toe.

Tomorrow,she sent. I had to see how our newest intermediary fared, after we shoved her into the water on her own.

I smiled, clicking at her softly.

It was… interesting,I began.

I was about to say more, but she held up a hand.

Go tell your husband first,she suggested.

Her smile widened, growing more mischievous.

…I think he might murder me if I kept you apart from him for more than a few seconds longer than we already have.Holding out the bundle in her arms, she added, I only wanted to give you this. You’ll need it. Especially for your feet. It’ll be colder and wetter once you get away from the buildings.

I took the bundle of cloth from her, and realized it was a robe, along with some sandals and what looked like thick socks.

Thank you,I sent.

Good travels, Tortoise,she sent, smiling as she retreated back into the hut.

Good travels,I sent back.

The door shut with a soft click.

I set the bundle on a long stone bench, not far from the front of her house. Pulling the thick robe over my head, I sat down long enough to roll my feet into the fuzzy socks one by one, then stuff them into the sandals.

Feeling immediately better, and almost like I was wrapped in a blanket, I began to walk.

IT FELT LIKE A MUCH LONGER walk to their house than I remembered.

By the time I could see the hill up ahead, my light was sparking with impatience, flickering around me in ripples and waves, making my stomach hurt.

In subjective terms, it felt like I was only gone for a few days.

Really, it felt like one day… if a very long, tiring day, where a lot happened.

Here, however, I felt the passage of time differently.

Moreover, I could feel him now.

I could feel him more and more, the closer I got to him.

By the time I walked up the last big hill to their house, it was difficult to keep my light from his. I worried about how much I was pulling on him, and whether I’d be able to leave him alone until a reasonable time of morning.

I wondered if I should go riding.

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