Wild Born: Chapters 12–15

Four horses cantered along a faded trail bordered by low, scrubby bushes.

Olvan had stressed that at any point throughout the process, Rollan could renounce his rewards and take up the green cloak instead.

From the top of the rise, Rollan looked down with the others at a rustic settlement. A few dirt streets crisscrossed the imperfect rows of adobe buildings. People bustled along with a few wagons, horses, and a handful of dogs.

“I see why Amaya is dubbed the New Lands,” Meilin said.

Tarik pulled up in front of the largest building in town, a dingy white two-story structure with an amber tiled roof.

“Some former Greencloaks hold grudges.”

He watched a group of surly, squinting men go out of their way to walk a wide circle around the Greencloaks.

An older man leading a laden mule paused to consider them, one fist on his hip.

“Do they still own this trading post?”
“They do,” the man replied. “It’s the most successful emporium hereabouts, which frees them from minding the day-to-day operations.”

“I was trying to be discreet. Apparently that isn’t how things are done here. I need to see Monte and Barlow on official business. The orders come straight from the top. You’re not doing them any favors by getting in the way. We’ll return in force if necessary. They might as well get it over with.”

The man sighed in resignation.

“Come on out,” Conor offered.
When the raccoon didn’t comply, Conor looked around the corner, but didn’t spot it anywhere.

The huge man glowered at Monte.

“I see we have some seasoned veterans of...what? A week?”

Barlow’s barking laugh subsided, but his heavy shoulders kept heaving.

Zhong is under attack. The Wall has been breached.

“The laugh was a little much, Barlow. And you explained too much at the end, Monte.”
Barlow considered him soberly.

“If this is a ruse,” Barlow finally declared, “it’s excellent work.”

He repressed a proud smile.

She was not particularly close to any of her companions, and could not help feeling that to praise the magnificence of this wilderness would somehow diminish her and her homeland.

Monte talked ten times more than necessary. Full of jokes, stories, and idle prattle, he spoke with anyone who would listen. Barlow didn’t seem to mind—in fact he made an effort to ride near his friend, chuckling as Monte yammered about nonsense and memories.

Monte talked ten times more than necessary. Full of jokes, stories, and idle prattle, he spoke with anyone who would listen. Barlow didn’t seem to mind—in fact he made an effort to ride near his friend, chuckling as Monte yammered about nonsense and memories.

The panda liked to play sedately on her own, but showed little interest when Meilin tried to initiate simple games of fetch or catch.

As Essix let out a cry of warning, Barlow reined in his horse and lifted a hand.

“Many Amayan tribes are peaceful and fair-minded, even generous. We planned our route to avoid the most dangerous ones and only touched the fringe of Raven lands. They must have spotted us when we crossed the valley.”

Derawat looked quick and wiry, perfect for the type of competition he had described.

“I’ll face him,” Meilin announced.
The three men looked so taken aback that Meilin tried not to feel insulted.

Tarik gave a curt nod. “I won’t argue with that. Win our freedom, Meilin.”

She showed him three subtle feints, and he committed hard to defend the third.

You don’t really think that’s all it is, though, do you? I know you’re nice, and you were raised in sheep pastures, but you can’t be that oblivious.

“That pressure you feel is called a conscience,” Conor said, holding Rollan in a steady gaze.
“I wouldn’t know about consciences. My mother didn’t teach me much before she abandoned me.”

“We could probably take shelter against that precipice up ahead,” Conor said, pointing. “It’s angled to provide some overhang, so the rain can’t fall straight on us..."

The falcon acted as though nothing unusual had happened, flying away once she had eaten. Rollan accepted her nonchalance with relief.

Vegetation became increasingly sparse—small, warped evergreens clinging to life in meager patches of soil.

As they traversed a section with a dizzying cliff to the left and a sheer rock face to the right, Rollan tried not to think about what would happen if his horse stumbled.

In the afternoon, they reached a precarious stretch where the horses could not pass.

This animal was older than nations, and somehow that long history seemed woven into its majestic presence. This was not a creature you stole things from—it was a creature you revered. Rollan glanced at his companions, who stood awestruck.

Arax’s ears twitched. He gave a snort, and his forelegs stamped restively.

“Yes, I see. I sensed uncanny presences. I recognize them now. They are different than when we last met. Briggan and Essix. Their time has come again.”

“Their hate has fermented. They can’t be destroyed, not permanently, not while our order remains. Bad things happen when our kind come together in anger. Better for us to remain apart in our own realms. None claimed my talisman in the previous war, and none will claim it now.”