The Great Pursuit by Wendy Higgins

Author:Wendy Higgins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2016-12-15T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter

26

Chun had never had a keen sense of direction, and he was quite certain that he’d lost his way. In Toresta, the common direction was up the mountain or down the mountain—it wasn’t as difficult to discern as these flat stretches of Zorfina with its dry ground and patchy foliage. In a sickening moment, he wondered if the Lochlan men, Paxton and Harrison, had fooled him.

“I am hungry, Baba,” his daughter said in a weak voice, calling out from his wife’s lap on the next horse.

“I know, sweet one. We all are. I’m certain we’ll find a camp soon.” But that was a lie.

“I think I see something,” Chun’s brother said. They stopped and stared at the horizon. He was right. Three black-clad figures on horseback were headed straight for them at a quick pace, sending up plumes of dust in their wake.

Chun’s heart raced. They hadn’t encountered a single soul on their journey. What if these were outlaws? More evil Lashed? Or simply haters of foreigners? Chun held an arm out to his wife and waved her back.

“Get behind me.”

His wife quickly obeyed, turning her horse, but when she faced the opposite direction she and his daughter let out screams. Chun turned to see three more figures draped in black on sleek horses, all with bows and arrows aimed at them and definitely within shooting range.

Chun shuddered and told his family, “Raise your hands in peace.” His wife, daughter, brother, and two nephews did as told. The figures slowly advanced as the other three rode up from the side.

“Torestan, jes?” one of the riders called to them. A woman.

Chun nodded and sputtered in universal Euronan, “Yes. We are peaceful.”

The people circled them, and Chun couldn’t help but take in their feminine figures, in such contrast to the male warriors in Toresta. Their hair and faces were covered in black cloth, showing only their striking, light eyes. These were them, the Zandalee. He remembered three of them from the day they’d ridden in with Paxton. He let out a ragged breath.

“I recognize you from the camp in Kalor,” the woman said. Chun nodded.

“We have been seeking you,” he said bravely.

Several of the women made hissing sounds that prickled the hairs on his neck.

“Why?” asked the same woman who’d spoken before.

“T-two men . . .” Chun swallowed. “Two Lochlan men, Lieutenant Harrison Gillfin and your traveling fellow, Paxton Seabolt, they sent me. The camp you saw—it is run by the one who creates the beasts and plans to attach Lochlanach. We came to warn you and seek refuge.”

The woman’s eyes enlarged. She turned to the other riders and spoke to them in Zorfinan, translating. Several murmured the names Harrison and Paxton. The woman looked at Chun. “How do I know you are not lying? That you are not on her side?”

He outwardly shook now. Their bows gleamed wickedly. “Paxton . . . he said he hunted with you, and that . . .” His cheeks warmed at this next part of

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