Zshurii's Song (Snippet 2)

A story fragment from the Eastsong Cycle

(Read Zshurii’s Song, Snippet 1)

Zshurii and Cactus were first from their company to make the short, moonlit walk to the creek. The burbling stream snugged close around the hill under which they had made camp. Without prompting, Cactus walked alongside her, doubtless hoping for another bite of biscuit. “I do not think anyone enjoys our rations as much as thee,” she teased him softly. When he tried nuzzling her shoulder, though, she only patted him. Maybe if she could live off grass, like him, she could be more generous. But she had to exercise some responsibility with her foodstuffs.

At the creekside, she let Cactus drink his fill first while she stretched her limbs to the fingertips. They always took turns at streams and watering holes, she and the horse. It made them both less anxious to know the other stood watch, especially when they were on their lonesome.

Looking about, she could discern shadowy figures several dozen paces upstream, on opposite sides of the creek. The silhouette on her side accompanied a horse, too, but the person on the south bank had the look of a sentry. Hand resting on the hilt of his scimitar, the soldier stood still except for the whimsically crooked crest of his helm, which turned to and fro.