\u201cI see,\u201d Anselm said, his voice abruptly grave. \u201cThat does put a new spin on things.\u201d He stood and raised his voice. \u201cKorolev, come over here for a moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
A thin, boyish man with hair so pale it was almost white set down the buckets he was carrying and came over. He glanced toward Phelan, Marin, and Neve with a curious look before turning his attention fully to Anselm. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGet two of the others and sweep the area outside of camp, all sides, the ravines and flatlands both. Report back as soon as you\u2019ve finished.\u201d<\/p>\n
The other man blinked, but nodded, as if he\u2019d decided arguing wouldn\u2019t gain him the explanation he craved. \u201cOf course.\u201d He hesitated a moment, then asked, \u201cShould we split up to cover more ground?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Anselm said. \u201cNow go, and be quick.\u201d<\/p>\n
Korolev nodded and darted off, the buckets forgotten in his haste. Phelan shoved himself to his feet and went to retrieve them, frowning.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot to judge, but shouldn\u2019t you have sent more of them if you\u2019re sending them? They\u2019d cover more ground.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anselm shook his head slowly. \u201cI imagine that whatever attacked Cariocecus is biding its time. My men will find traces of the perpetrator, but likely not the perpetrator himself\u2014or herself.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou sound awfully certain of that,\u201d Neve said, edging closer to Marin, who didn\u2019t look much steadier than she had before they\u2019d seated themselves.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf whatever attacked him was hanging about, they\u2019d have hit your borders by now like a hammer. No. Cariocecus was a warning. They want you frightened and not thinking clearly.\u201d Anselm smiled faintly. \u201cThey think you weak, which is an advantage to us. They don\u2019t know that you don\u2019t frighten easily.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phelan set the buckets down near the fire, a shiver creeping down his spine. Perhaps no one knows us as well as they think.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cI see,\u201d Anselm said, his voice abruptly grave. \u201cThat does put a new spin on things.\u201d He stood and raised his voice. \u201cKorolev, come over here for a moment.\u201d A thin, boyish man with hair so pale it was almost … Continue reading