eyes. "Cheyne, why not? This is what you have come all this way for," she said groggily.
"Because Javin's in danger somewhere behind us." He crawled out from under the thick covers and found his boots. By now, the whole lodge had awakened and Frijan had lit a candle with an ember from the fire.
"What is it? Intruders?" she whispered, looking out the window toward the riverbank.
"My father…" Cheyne began.
"I will go with you," said Claria, rising and folding her bedding.
"No. Please. I don't-"
"Need help? Really?" she interrupted fiercely.
"I don't want to worry about you, too. Please. Please," he begged her, holding her hands in his, Maceo's ring a cold reminder of their different paths. "It may already be too late."
"Then I will go," another voice added. "My nose can find them in the dark."
Cheyne turned and saw Yob looming over him in the eerie light of the low fire. His big jaw was set and he had found a spear.