"They have bows made for their size. I will have one made for you. It will be slightly bigger than that of a child of five seasons."
"Really?" I twisted in his grip. "I'm that bad?"
Batu flicked my braid over my shoulder, his features not yet visible in the dark morning. "You will learn, Moonbeam."
A little too close for comfort, I stepped back. His arms dropped.
"You really think I need to know?"
"You will be hunted."
"Why?"
"For your blood. For your blessings. For many reasons," he said.
I shuddered, and this time, it wasn't the morning chill.
"Do not be scared, goddess," he reassured me. "I am here." He moved away, towards the six horses grouped together a short distance away.
I watched him go, not at all convinced he could stand between me and armies of those who sought me. Of all the places to be lost …
I was starting to stress out. Bad. "Batu, I need to … stretch." His uncle had clearly never heard of yoga, and I doubted Batu had either.
"What is this?"
"I'll be by the stream." With some resignation, I chose a boulder to use as cover while I went to the bathroom and used leaves for toilet paper. I once thought peeing in a bucket was bad, but it now seemed like a luxury.
The lack of modern amenities added to my frustration and fear. I went to the stream, washed my hands, discarded my heavy over tunic and began a slow yoga routine to help my poor aching muscles as well as my frantic mind.
The bubbling brook distracted me from my misery, along with the gentle routine I used to perform with my aunt in her backyard. She had been a diehard yoga practitioner. I started out doing it to help me recover from hangovers and ended up taking a class four times a week the last two years of college.
College. What a waste. At least I don't have to worry about repaying my student loans.
Pushing the thought aside, I concentrated on my practice. I was pleased my body cooperated and closed my eyes. The first rays of dawn soon warmed my face. I continued with one of my one-hour routines, needing the temporary escape from my situation.
I still didn't understand Carter's purpose in sending me to the Old West, aside from un-creating Taylor. The importance of Flowers in history was also lost on me, and I hoped she was doing well. Batu seemed to think she would be safe, though I wasn't certain yet I trusted him with everything. He took my physical safety to heart but I had no other real influence on him. For all I knew, he took her somewhere and killed her the way he had everyone else we'd met.