Gevren had given them two jars of mineral honey, and one had cracked before they reached the end of his valley.
The leak was small. Ysabet discovered it because Pip followed the pack with unreasonable devotion and would not be distracted by clean clay. When she set the bag down, a shining line ran across the wrapping.
Chaska touched it, tasted before thinking, and made a face.
“It’s mostly stone.”
“We did ask for food Pip could eat.”
“I know. My mouth has registered a complaint.”
They stopped under a thorn beside the road. Suth rested on the lowest root while the elk browsed beyond her. Ashaun stood watch until Ysabet reminded her that a seated person could also see the path. She sat without answering.
The damaged jar could not be trusted in the pack. They transferred its contents into a small lidded cooking pot, using a clean strip of wood. Pip supervised every movement. Ysabet let it lick the jar only after checking the break for loose splinters.
