60
Aihi
Aihi shivered beneath the unremitting downpour; her lizard hide cloak gave little protection against the relentless wind. Ahead, Masanori balanced the limp and groaning Hidekazu in the saddle.
Water dripped from the ends of her hair, plastering strands to her face and obscuring her vision. Hard travel beneath the Goddess’ wrathful storm would hinder Hidekazu’s recovery, but if they delayed, they might be caught. They couldn’t know for sure that Taniya’s transformation tricked Barame until they reached Meishoken and boarded a ship to Tajida without being stopped.
And they couldn’t return to Nagasou without the Dragon Eye’s power in tow.
Lightning cracked overhead. Bright flashes snaked through the clouds, often too close for comfort, just like the doubt Aihi fought off with eve
