Zshurii's Song (Snippet 3)

A story fragment from the Eastsong Cycle

(Read Zshurii’s Song, Snippet 2)

Zshurii, in a weak moment, snuck Cactus one final bite of biscuit, and they started back to camp. Just then, the first hint of predawn light appeared over the nearest hill to the east. The insects’ nightly song had entered its final refrains. It was time to gear up for the work ahead.

“Strange that the realm has come to all this, don’t thou think?” she asked aloud. If Cactus had any insight, he didn’t share.

At the horse line, she tugged on her fingerless bison-leather gloves while Cactus nipped at blades of grass and waited his turn. The rest of the company was moving about now, amid the low murmur of conversation. But Zshurii kept quietly to the tasks at hand and let her mind meander in bygone days.