Tobias started to open his mouth, but shut it firmly under the weight of Jo's scowl and looked away.

"You'll keep that information to yourself, of course."

The magician's gaze came back up and met her eyes steadily. "Of course."

J'jali Attar, Jo wished. "Good. Until the end of the heat, Honored Magician."

"Yes, until then, Honored Guard."

Jo ( Read more... )

***

The caravan guards lingered over the remains of their midday meal, sheltering from arid afternoon heat in the dark of the tavern. Five of the battered and dusty mercenaries sat together at the end of a long table; one of them leaned back against the cool mud-brick wall while studying a piece of parchment.

...have heard several reports now ( Read more... )

***
After leaving Nerses to his family, Jo made her way through the dusty afternoon crowds back to the caravansary.  In the broad central yard, she found the rest of the guards in her company practicing group drills.

"Hey, Jo!"  Captain Sanidann waved her over when he spotted her.  "You done with that job?"

( Read more... )

***The brightening sky woke Jo early.  She lay on the raised platform of the caravansary cubby for a moment, gathering her wits for the day.  Her squad slept around her, their blankets spread out to cover most of the ledge jutting from the pocketed caravansary wall.  Quietly, she rose and rummaged through packs stacked nearby for her gear and tea ( Read more... )