The riders were still on the road when the sun came up.
Nell saw them from the lee of the column. They had not moved in the night. Their horses stood side by side across the Keep road, heads low, and the grey cloaks hung still in the windless air.
Dace came out from the rock with the water skins. He looked down the track for a long time. Then he handed one skin to Nell.
“One mouthful, on the hour,” he said. “Same as yesterday. Count it.”
“Yes, Sergeant.”
Nell lifted the stone from the ground. It was heavier than it had been the day before, or she was more tired. She held it against her chest with both arms and did not look at the riders again.
Hesper was already on her feet. She looked at the road, and then at the drop on the left side, and then at Dace.
“Where should I walk?” she asked.
