Clanless (Nameless #2)(12)
Eva pulled a thin knife from her waistband and made quick work of Joshua’s kill. The animals cooked on a spit over the fire, the red flames licking the meat as if they too were starving from a long day’s hike. Dripping fat sizzled in the fire. Zo’s mouth watered and her stomach rolled with hunger.
Exhausted, they all stared at the fire in a daze until Joshua broke the spell of silence. “If it weren’t for my sling, we’d all go hungry tonight.” He stretched out his legs as he leaned against a tree with his arms tucked contentedly behind his head. “It’s a good thing Gryphon left me to take care of you girls.”
“Yeah, I’m sure the fact that you were unconscious had nothing to do with it,” said Eva with a harmless grin. Tess snorted then rolled into another fit of giggles.
“That’s it.” Joshua jumped up and attacked Tess with wiggling fingers, stealing her breath with hysterical laughter. Zo might have joined in were the circumstance different. Still, she allowed herself a smile. “Be quiet, you two.”
Joshua looked thoroughly chastened and slightly embarrassed, as he remembered they weren’t the only ones on this mountain. He ruffled Tess’s hair and settled back into his spot against the tree—only he slipped and his hand came down on a sharp rock.
“Ouch!” He sucked the wound to keep the slow stream of blood from running down his finger.
“Don’t use your mouth.” Zo dug into her medical satchel for ointment and a thin strip of dressing. “It’s like you want an infection.”
She took his hand in hers and dressed the wound, making sure to quiz Tess on the proper herbs to help with this kind of minor wound. He didn’t really require a blessing of healing, but in the interest of teaching Tess, Zo held Joshua’s injured hand and repeated the words of the blessing. She waited for the warmth to surface on her skin and for the energy of her touch to transfer into Joshua’s wound … but it didn’t.
Zo knew she wasn’t herself, but to not be able to produce any energy? This wasn’t even a serious injury.
She looked up to find everyone around the fire staring.
Josh asked, “Are you all right?”
Zo smiled. “Sure, kid.” She turned to Tess and said, “This is the perfect kind of wound for you to practice on. Why don’t you do the blessing?”
Tess knelt next to Joshua. She studied him with such a serious expression, Zo had to force herself not to laugh. “I’m going to give you a healing blessing. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but it will help you get better much faster.”
Joshua gave Zo an “Is this kid serious?” look. He pursed his lips together, and managed, “I would like that very much, young healer.”
Tess swatted his arm. “Be serious.”
“Go ahead, Tess,” said Zo.
Tess wrapped her fingers around Joshua’s hand, closed her eyes, and sang the blessing. Zo usually kept the melody soft and to herself. Not Tess. She sang out the ancient words, the melody carrying great power.
When the simple song ended, Zo pulled Tess into her own lap and hugged her. “You’re getting really good, bug. Mother would have been proud.” She cleared the emotion from her throat and let Tess hop off her lap. Their mother would have been proud. She should have been the one to teach Tess the healing songs. Not Zo.
“We need to discuss our defenses,” said Eva, pulling out three knives: one from a sheath at her back, one at her hip, and one small knife strapped to her calf beneath her pant leg. “If we’re attacked, we need a plan of action.”
It was such a Ram thing to say, but Zo had to admit that Eva was right. “You’re the ones with the Ram training.” Zo gestured toward Eva and Joshua. “Be my guest.”
Joshua frowned. “Usually we start by listing our assets. You know, what we have to offer the group. Then our liabilities.”
Eva nodded. “I have three knives that I know how to use better than a spoon or fork. Like all women of my clan, I know how to fight. Beyond that, I’m determined to reach the Nameless and find Stone, and I’ll do anything to make that happen.”
“Good,” said Joshua. “And liabilities?” It was easy to see the boy’s training surface. Zo wondered how many of these lessons came directly from Gryphon, his mentor.
“I’m pregnant and prone to sickness in the mornings and sometimes at night. Nothing too bad.” Eva fidgeted. “I’m also desperate.” She laughed a little at herself and stared back into the fire.
Joshua leaned over to Tess and whispered, “Her desperation might hinder her judgment. Her honesty is a sign of trust. A compliment.”
Tess nodded, as if she were mentally taking notes.
“I’ll go next,” said Joshua. He pulled out a small shield, a sling, a bow, a quiver of arrows, and a knife. Gryphon had packed him a bag of supplies before their escape. No extra clothes, only weapons. “I’m decent with the bow and knife, but I can hunt small game better than most with my sling. I’m stronger than anyone here.”
Eva opened her mouth to protest, but must have thought better of it. It was easy to overlook Joshua’s size and only see the thirteen-year-old boy, but the kid likely had them all in weight.
“I’ve also been apprentice to Gryphon, and he’s probably the best Striker the Ram have ever seen.” The boy’s chest was so full of air he might have lifted off the ground. “As for liabilities, I don’t do well on night watch, and I need to eat a lot to be full. I have no idea where we’re headed, and I’m inexperienced in fighting in real life.”