Chapter Nineteen
IT’S A RUKH THING
Although the sun had yet to rise, Tam was already at work in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
On the other side of the marquee, two pairs of eyes shone in the light of the coals. One glanced at the other as Rosheen’s consciousness started to rise. Her face moved fitfully, as if already half aware of the leathery strap-tree frond that covered it.
Gento and Cobar grinned in anticipation.
Tam shook his head.
The Rukh ducked for cover as Rosheen leaped from her bed, whispered her sword to hand, and sliced the frond in two. The halves caught alight. Slowly they drifted downward.
Breath’s design! she swore.
Gento slapped Cobar’s shoulder.
As the flaming fronds landed, she threw her blanket over them, but seconds later two smoldering holes appeared.
“C
