Chapter Nine
Coon
They left long before the others awoke and set a course due south, using Renken’s compass to help guide the way as the clouds kept the stars hidden from view. Atty led the way, with the two men alternating positions to watch their rear. The going was slow, but the small hand torches they carried helped to light the way.
Once they were what Atty estimated was a mile away, they turned east again. Almost immediately, they noticed a difference in their surroundings.
“Tell me I have nothing to fear,” Paxton commented softly. He motioned at the glowing eyes peering at them from the brush.
“Unless it rushes out and tries to bite you, you have nothing to fear,” Atty told him.
Renken chuckled. “Relax,” the man added. “So far, most of what we’re looking at is the best news w
