Evvy shook her head and let the rider swing her up behind him. “I try to behave myself in front of you, Luvo,” she explained. “I don’t want you confusing me just now.”
As her soldier carried her to the princess, Briar stood in the wagon’s bed. “I’ll ride or I’ll bust,” he told his companions. They would not leave him behind, either. Jimut nudged the horse closer, until Briar could grab the saddle horn and swing his weak leg over the animal’s back. After that it was easy enough to place his good foot in the stirrup.
Evvy soon returned on a horse of her own. Her smile was grim, but pleased.
“Were you rude?” Briar asked sternly.
“Not exactly,” she replied. “I said I’ve been fighting in this war ever since Snow Serpent Pass, and they can’t call me a child when I can make horses and men fall. And Rosethorn said that if we lost, Melonam would be the emperor’s next conquest. So here I am. Children fight all over the world, and Her Highness wanted to keep me safe!”
“She knows His Highness and Rosethorn and Briar all care about you,” Jimut said with reproach.
Evvy rolled her eyes. “I know that. But nobody’s let me be a child since my mother sold me. Can we just drop it?”
Briar hid a grin behind his hand. The only time anyone got to protect Evvy was when Evvy wanted protection; he knew it very well. Once she got her hackles up, it was best to stay out of her way.
One of Jimut’s friends arrived with a packhorse whose saddle had been arranged to carry Luvo as well as belongings. Evvy tucked Luvo into the open seat on the saddle, then helped Jimut arrange packs around him. As soon as their wagon was emptied of everything but bedding, the driver headed toward the rear of the supply train. Jimut closed in on Briar’s left, Evvy on his right. Together, with Luvo on Evvy’s free side, they trotted up the road to find Rosethorn.
Briar glanced back at Melonam. The four-headed god to the north side of the gate had turned around to show Briar a naked green bum with four cheeks. The god was bending over to ensure that Briar got the message.
“Do you see that?” Briar demanded of Jimut, pointing to the god.
Jimut looked. “The walls? Those are paintings of the god Shidong, king of the winds and doors and patron of the town. Surely you have seen him before.”
Briar said nothing. He doubted that Luvo would think the god’s behind was unusual in any way. He wondered if Rosethorn could see it. He wasn’t about to ask her, that was certain. He would not risk being tied once more to a sickbed while his friends risked their lives against Yanjing.
“Good, you’re still with us,” Rosethorn said when they reached her. “I was worried that medicine wouldn’t work and we’d have to leave you.”
“As if you could,” Briar retorted.
Parahan, just ahead of them, looked around. “You have something that heals faster than ordinary medicines?” he demanded, scowling. “Why has it not been used on the wounded we left back there? We’ll turn around right now!”
Souda put her hand on her brother’s arm. “Perhaps Rosethorn has a reason,” she said quietly.
Rosethorn met Parahan’s glare. “Do you truly think I would not have used it if I’d had enough of it? The ingredients are rare. I don’t have enough to heal a hundred wounded. I must use it sparingly. If Briar stays with us, he can keep plenty of mages and warriors alive with his own medicines and knowledge. Ask your healers if they can do better!”
Souda kicked her brother. “Go scouting if you have forgotten these realities, my dear,” she counseled. “Have a gallop. Ride with the general for a while. Soon enough you’ll have plenty of things to occupy you.”
Parahan growled under his breath and rode off. Souda sighed. “He always gets silly before a major battle, Rosethorn.”
Briar looked to the west, where hills rose a mile or so off. Those were the leading edges of the Drimbakang Zugu, whose white-capped peaks gleamed in the distance. To the right the grassland was striped with charcoal streaks where it had been burned. Buzzards rose from the carcasses of horses and humans alike. Among the bodies and the burns he saw blast craters, the marks of the Yanjing empire’s zayao.
The smell was unspeakable. From the condition of the dead, Briar guessed they had lain in the open for at least five days. The cool nights would slow the decay, but the sun and the scavenger animals would speed it up again. He noticed that Rosethorn was holding a handkerchief to her nose.
They soon left the scene of the fighting that had taken place here and rode steadily all day, stopping only to rest the horses and to grab cold meals. The road moved deeper into the hill country as they drew closer to the Drimbakang Zugu and Garmashing. Twice they passed massive temple fortresses. Their gates were closed and barred. The general sent messengers to speak with the temples’ commanders, but the army itself continued north.
They halted ten miles from Garmashing. General Sayrugo called the commanders and the chief healers, including Rosethorn, to a meeting in her tent, along with the leaders from the eastern and western tribes and temples. The rest of their army camped on a hillside that overlooked the road. Sentries were posted everywhere around the camp, together with mages who could sense the presence of spells.
Evvy stuck by Briar as he brewed their supper tea. Jimut, who was keeping an eye on them, brought a pot of noodle-and-dumpling soup for all of them to share. He joined them, but he was the only one. Evvy heard him tell Briar that he didn’t mind not having more company. Everyone could see that Evvy needed quiet.