ALEK WOKE TO THE NOISE of the birds clattering over the roof of the house they slept in. He shifted in the narrow cot bed, twisting to lift the curtain a little and peered out; the sun had just started to rise. With a yawn he sat and slipped his boots on, the other men snoring when he ducked out the back door with a towel.
'Going for a swim?' Loushka appeared silently around the corner as he walked toward the river.
'Yeah. A moment's peace before the day begins would be nice.'
They continued to the water's edge; the dirt-track wide enough for Loushka to walk alongside him.
'Missing Cat?'
'Yes, but it's good to have time with just the guys, like we used to.'
A sound behind them caused them both to turn, and Kerak sauntered up with the languorous grace of a lion. Alek greeted the griff
