What is that? Sebastian asked as Eva bent to get a closer look.
"It's a bug."
A dead one, now that its carapace was crushed. She studied the ground to see if there were more.
Do you think it's important? Sebastian asked when Eva still didn't move.
"Hard to say."
Eva's history with bugs was a little tumultuous. The last time a curious insect had found her, it had tried to turn her friends into living wood sculptures. Since then, she hadn't been able to look at them the same way.
This bug seemed innocuous enough. It's coloring a dull brown so that it blended with the dirt. It was probably why Eva hadn't noticed it before stepping on it.
"Are there insects that live at this elevation?" Eva asked, unable to put it out of her thoughts.
How should I know? Kyren don't eat bugs. They're beneath our notice.
"Short sighted of you." Eva gave him a pointed look. "How did ignoring the bugs work out for you last time?"
Sebastien's head reared back, an affronted look replacing the curiosity from before.
Polaris looked back at them. Are you two done? Daylight is wasting.
Sebastian trotted past Eva. Just for that, I should make you ride Polaris or Theo back. Maybe then you'd appreciate me.
"I appreciate you. I simply don't want your ego to get bigger than your wings can support."
The human has a sharp tongue. She does a good job of keeping you in check, Theo said.
No one asked for your opinion, Theo, Sebastian snapped.
A reluctant smile lifted Eva's lips, the banter distracting her from the viciousness of the red back's death. Sometimes you needed a bit of light heartedness to avoid getting lost in the darkness.
Enough stalling. Polaris took off into the sky.
Theo followed him, grumbling to himself. I can't believe I'm voluntarily agreeing to meet and mingle with humans. What has the world come to?
Sebastian fidgeted as Eva set her foot in the stirrup and sprang onto his back. As soon as her butt touched the saddle, he was off, racing after the other two Kyren.
They climbed, arrowing over the ridge and heading for the small camp ensconced in the valley.
Smoke from the campfires rose in small streams next to a village of tents that had tripled in number since her departure. Rain Clan and Lion Clan colors abounded, making it easy to see which tents belonged to each clan.
It was another reminder of how far out on the limb Eva had ventured.
They certainly didn't waste any time making themselves at home, Sebastian observed.
"The Trateri are nomads. Their tents are designed to be put up and broken apart at a moment's notice in the event they encounter danger. They wouldn't have even needed two hours to get settled."
This held particularly true for warbands—which both those two groups were.
If anything, Eva was a little surprised they'd put up their tents at all. Normally, they wouldn't have, preferring to pick up and go in an instant.
It was another sign they planned on an extended stay.
Trateri pointed at the sky, a crowd forming in front of the temporary camp. They looked at Eva and the Kyren like a pack of starving revenants. She could practically see them licking their lips in anticipation.
Polaris and Theo's desire to circle the camp and head for the hills was mirrored by Eva's own.
"Maybe Orion was right. A few more days—or weeks—getting acquainted with the Kyren couldn't hurt matters," Eva said, having a change of heart.
The Trateri had a handle on things. Did they really need her here?
Too late. Polaris won't let you back out after all that you said. Sebastian banked. Besides, Caia spotted us.
Sure enough, the mare broke into a dead gallop, mirroring the trajectory of Sebastian's flight. Jason sprinted behind the mare with a furious expression.
Caia shadowed Sebastian as he descended, the two racing for a brief moment. Neither content to let the other win.
Eva held on, laughing at the jolt as Sebastian's hooves touched land. His wings snapped close to his back as he pounded forward.
For an elusive second, Eva felt like they'd sped up. Caia and Sebastian each reaching deep as they competed to see who was better.
At some unspoken signal, the two slowed, almost in tandem. Their gallop turning into a canter and then finally a trot as they circled back around to the place where Jason waited, glaring.
"Have fun?" Jason asked Caia. His gaze rose to Eva's. "Next time, you take her with you."
The mare snorted, ignoring him. She crowded Sebastian, reaching her nose out to attempt to put it in Eva's lap.
Sebastian moved under Eva as Caia whuffled and snorted.
Eva rubbed her nose, bending forward and dropping a kiss onto it. "I missed you too."
While Caia was distracted, Sebastian dipped his head and nipped at one of Caia's forelegs. Sensing the danger, the mare screamed a challenge and danced out of the way before his teeth could do damage.
Being herbivores, horses had flat teeth. The real danger in a bite from them lay in the strength of their jaws.
Kyren, on the other hand, had the same power in their jaws but also teeth suited to carnivores. Sharp and pointed like that of a predator.
A bite from them was no laughing matter. It could do serious damage, even in play.
"Enough," Eva warned in a low voice.
Kyren and mare ignored her. They threw their weight against each other, jockeying for dominance as they tried to push the other out of the way.
Jason snickered as Eva slapped at them.
"Wait! Not while I'm on your back!"
Eva lifted the leg in danger of being crushed out of the stirrup and draped it over Sebastian's neck. She thumped her fist against Sebastian's shoulder, furious. What did this idiot think he was doing?
The other dumb ass wasn't any better. Eva shoved Caia back as the mare attempted to bump Sebastian again.
"A little help?" Eva shouted.
Jason strolled over to the mare, reaching up to grab her halter and forcing her to give the other two room.
Eva's chest heaved with exertion as adrenaline ramped up her emotions. It felt like she'd fought a battle and barely come out the winner.
These two were going to be the death of her. Seriously. They couldn't have at least waited until she was no longer in harm's way?
Ungrateful brats. See if she supplied either of them with treats for the next few days.
Even now, they weren't content to let things lie. Eva caught Sebastian's sneer as he tried to get a rise out of Caia.
Sure enough, the mare shoved forward, acting like one of those warriors who loved fighting almost more than they did life. Willing to issue a challenge for even the smallest of insults.
Jason's hold brought her up short.
Caia tried to toss her head, only for Jason's grip to tighten. He patted her on the neck making soothing sounds.
Eva took the opposite course, having no intention of soothing either party. In her mind, they were both to blame.
Her glare carried a threat. "Go ahead. Keep testing my patience and see what I do to you."
Mare and Kyren settled down, as if they hadn't just behaved like small children fighting over a toy.
Gradually, Sebastian's stance eased. Caia still looked indignant, but she didn't fight Jason any longer. She looked away from Eva, pretending she didn't see her even as her tail flicking gave away her indignation.