Zshurii's Song (Snippet 13-2)

A story fragment from the Eastsong Cycle

(Read Zshurii’s Song, Snippet 13-1)

The Danuh below muffled the cacophony of the wider battle. In a prolonged moment of eerie calm, Zshurii tried to settle her breathing sufficient to think straight. Fresh river air scoured her lungs; it filled her nostrils with a crisp alluvial aroma. Conspicuous in its absence was the pungency of horse scent.

The riparian smells reminded her of the full canteen corded to her waist. Her insides felt like camel jerky. Her free hand raised the leather pouch and squeezed a thin stream of warm water down her throat. A few heart-pulses later, she’d already guzzled half the contents.

Then the reprieve was over. Anntica rose to her full height beside Zshurii. Dark hair cascaded all askew from the back of the commander’s helm. This close, Zshurii could see primitive horse and bison figures etched into the dome of leather scales.