Chapter Nine
Chekwe woke Hunter with a kick to the ribs.
“What?” Hunter groaned.
Chekwe hushed him. In the gloom of first dawn Hunter could see Chekwe’s finger pressed to his lips. Hunter came alert, his hand silently finding the hilt of his sword.
“What?” he mouthed.
“Drums,” Chekwe whispered.
Hunter strained to hear for a few moments. The beat, when he heard it, was so low he could hardly hear it over the beating of his own heart.
“They’re not close,” he whispered. “Must be miles away.”
“Not good though,” Chekwe grunted.
Hunter sat up. “What’s so bad about drums?”
“Not from around here. Smallclan goblins don’t use drums. That’s greatclan mojo.”
“I thought the greatclans lived on the other side of the Saw,” Hunter said.
“They do. But they’re on this side now. That’s why it’s n
