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Maps lay open on the long table in the war alcove. Shadeclaw stood at the head, finger on a charcoal line that marked the eastern trees. Silvershadow traced circles where water broke the sand. Vexor, Shale, Flint, and Needle leaned in, gear strapped, eyes clear.
"Report," Kai said.
Shadeclaw lifted his chin. "The left flank was quiet," he said. "Tracks of so sand lizards and so dune hare. No heavy prints. No ash. No cut grass woven by hands."
Silvershadow tapped the right flank. "Here we found a wide bend where sothing large slid through the brush, maybe two or three nights ago," he said. "The path is old now. The trail goes north and fades on rock. Could be a great snake. Could be a log pulled by two beasts."
Vexor grinned. "Logs do not bite."
"Stay simple," Kai said. "We will not jump into the shadows. But we will prepare."
He pointed. "We draw a ring of watch posts here, here, and here. Three stones high at each post. If a watch sees dust lines on the horizon, knock the top stone. If you see more than dust, throw the top stone and make a signal. Alka will see the flash. She will make a pass."
Alka’s shadow crossed the mountain as if to say, "I will."
Kai went on. "We cut two shallow false burrows in the north slope where sand ets root. If we need to fall back, we pull a short wall across the true entry and lure any rush into the pits. No spikes. We take prisoners if they are not wild beasts."
Shale nodded. "We can dig both by nightfall."
"Do it," Kai said. "Lirien, after lunch send two braces to the east walkway. I want no slips if we run fast with loads."
Lirien, who had co to the doorway to listen, raised a hand in agreent and left to get the work started.
"Signals," Kai said. "One long call on the horn ans to gather. Two short ans eyes up, sky threat. Three calls ans sand threat. No horn at night unless you see torches on the ridge."
Needle raised a finger. "What about the dead flat area to the south. It looks easy. It is not. A man can walk and still be lost while he walks."
"Silvershadow will walk it," Kai said. "Only him. Alone. He can lt in his own shadow. He will map three new safe lanes with small rock stacks at ankle height. He will mark each stack with two cuts. No one else goes out that way without him."
Silvershadow bowed once. "I will be back by dusk," he said.
"Go now," Kai said.
Silvershadow was already gone.
Kai set both palms on the map and pressed down as if to press the whole mountain into the table. "Last point," he said. "Dreams are not plans, but I listen. Azhara dread of drums. If there are drums, there are ranks. If there are ranks, there is food and water behind them. If there is food and water, there are wagons. Wagons are slow. We will see dust first. Watch the line between the two small dunes here at sunset. It holds light like a bowl. It will show dust sooner than other places."
Vexor grinned again. "We will watch the bowl."
"Good," Kai said. "Eat one more ti before you go out. Then take your posts."
They broke cleanly. Shadeclaw went to the ridge. Vexor, Shale, Flint, and Needle took lanes to their marks. Kai watched them go with a feeling in his bones like a door set firm in its fra.
The rest of the day went in the blink of an eye. The sun bent low. The stone of the mountain shone like old iron. Kai stepped to a quiet alcove and closed his eyes.
He opened the soul line. "Ikea."
The reply ca at once, soft and bright. "Kai, I am alright."
Kai smiled. "Good. Any tracks."
Kai heard her talking about her day. It was like he was experiencing everything: a low fire, a neat roof, a walking stick leaning on a trunk, a white dress with dust at the hem, a woman who looked tired but firm.
"I see enough," he said. "I will open this line again at dawn. If you feel watched, move your location. I will co to you as soon as possible."
"You are kind, and brave," she said. "Tonight, I will miss your touch..."
He took a breath. He had not expected that. "I will miss you too. Stay safe."
"I will," she said. "Good night, Kai."
He let the soul thread dim and end. He stood still for a mont and listened to the wind below the ledge. It had changed a little. A higher note had entered it.
In the evening he found Luna and Miryam in the training ring near the west wall. Luna had tied her hair up. She stretched her legs and rolled her shoulders. Miryam lay on her back, counting stars as if they were sohow calling to her.
"Ready," Luna said.
"Ready," Kai said.
They worked for an hour. Simple drills. Footwork on uneven stone. Short bursts of speed with clear stops. So aura blast. Luna took to the rhythm like she had been waiting for soone to give her a drum. She slipped once, cursed in a small voice, then laughed and did it again until she did not slip.
Miryam clapped each ti Luna finished a set. "Again," she shouted. "Again."
At the end, Luna’s chest rose and fell fast. Sweat shone at her temples. She leaned on the staff and smiled. "I will be sore," she said.
"You will be proud," he said.
Night ca. The hall filled again with voices and bowls. The four male ants found a place near the door so they could run if a horn blew. Alka settled on the top ledge and tucked her head under one wing. Lirien checked the new brace one last ti and wrote a small note on a slate for the morning crew. Akayoroi spoke with Shadeclaw in low tones about the night watch. Naaro sat with her back to the wall and her face toward the entry, at ease and ready.
Luna placed a hand on Kai’s knee under the table and touched his Anaconda once. He covered it with his own hands. She stopped.
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