In the morning the sky was clear again, the storm having passed in the night. The trees that thinly wooded the hills around us were torn up by it, with broken branches lying all around, and there were chunks of hail lying about for long stretches. But the air was already warming again, and the sun was bright on the horizon as we gathered our things and prepared to go.
Raneld’s ankle had swollen up some, and he limped heavily as he packed his bags. He regarded it with a frown and a low curse. “This will slow me quite a lot. We’re not on any particular timetable, but it’s still vexing.”
I had a sudden thought pop into my head. “I’m not limping,” I offered, doubting my sanity even as I spoke. “Remain human when I shift and I can carry you, if you like. Assuming you can ride bareback.”
He b
