3
Hot sand rubbed at her face. Orla rolled to her side, moaning. Her entire body ached, but it was not the pain of battle, it was the pain of overtaxed body muscles after a body combat session at the gym. She opened her eyes, squinted at the bright sunlight, and immediately recalled what had just happened. She jumped to her feet, searching for Lorcan.
Behind a small sand hill, Lorcan drew himself up, squinted his eyes groggily, and registered the situation. He swung around, catching sight of Orla, and grinned. “Are you okay?” he asked, glancing up and down her body.
Orla nodded. “You?” She turned him around, checking him over.
“I’m fine.”
From behind a small shrub on their left, Roy and Mori stood up, taking inventory.
“How are you guys?” Orla asked.
“We’re fine,” Mori responded.
