The caravan traveled for four days northwest, stopping only to wait out the unbearable times of heat under lean-tos quickly constructed from bits of tents. The caravan’s destination looked no different from the path they took—sparse desert plants scattered about dry desert soil. All animals stayed hidden from the large procession of outcasts, Great Beasts, and livestock. When Zayla finally told them they’d reached their goal, the thought of having to set up all the tents again didn’t even bother Lilau.

A flurry of activity later, and the outcasts vanished to sleep away their exhaustion in their newly reconstructed tents. The first day went quietly. The second day, Lilau awoke to a sound which sent a chill down her spine—the cry of a raptor.

Makotae picked up on her fear. Radai’s Great Cat says it’s a messenger hawk sent from one of the other camps. Information on who settled where, perhaps?

Maybe.

Makotae’s answer was non-committal. The routine affairs of the camp held little interest to him, or the cats. If she wanted details, she’d have to ask Radai.

Radai saved her the trouble. Not long after the hawk’s arrival, he showed up outside of her tent with breakfast in hand.

“The other camps have settled in with no problems,” he said, rushing in and sitting down as if he lived there.

Lilau raised an eyebrow and sat down across from him. “Hello to you, too.”

She took an offered bowl. Strangely, his sudden appearance didn’t cause her muscles to tense. Perhaps he had done this so much, she’d become used to it. Was that possible? She pondered the idea as they ate. Radai practically swallowed his food whole, a feat considering they were still eating dense balls of travel rations. He fidgeted as Lilau finished hers. For his sake, she quickened her pace.

“None of the camps ran into City patrols,” he said as soon as she swallowed the last bite. “Which is unheard of.”

“But it’s good, right?”

“Maybe.” Radai paused, as if waiting for her to ask him to elaborate. When she stayed quiet, he forged ahead. “The camp who sent the hawk thinks it’s a bad sign. That the City knows our movements and wants us to feel safe, let down our guard so they can attack.”

A familiar itch returned. The feeling of eyes on her back and raised hackles. It was like coming home. “So we have to stay on alert, or are we moving again?”

Lilau’s muscles twitched at the thought. They’d stiffened overnight, and more work guaranteed severe soreness.

“I’m not sure,” Radai said. “Moving doesn’t seem like the answer. If the City kept up with our movements the first time, there’s a good chance they’d continue.”

“Only if our camp told others.”

Radai locked eyes with her. He frowned, but stayed silent. Withholding information from his fellow outcasts clearly didn’t sit well with him, yet he gave no argument. After a moment, he looked away and sighed. “I’m terrible in a fight. If the City attacks, I’m hiding behind you.” He grinned and stood up. “In the meantime, I have a messenger hawk to take care of.”

Another chill. “Bring me with you.”

“Huh?”

The request surprised Lilau, too. It slipped out before her logic caught up. She hesitated, collecting her thoughts. “I… want to learn how to take care of it.” Not the whole truth, but enough for now.

Radai stared, then shrugged. “All right with me. You know my allergy to work. I’ll accept any help I can get.”

Makotae stood up with a huff. The Great Cats want my help hunting. We need to build our stock back up. But if you need me to stay with you, I will.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

She couldn’t hide the truth from Makotae. No. I need to get over this fear. It serves no purpose other than to make me weak. The messenger hawk can’t harm more than a rabbit. I have to get over this, and if you’re there, I’m afraid it won’t happen as quickly.

Not everything must happen quickly.

If the City might attack soon, it needs to be.

Very well. I am here whenever you need.

I know.

Makotae trotted from the tent.

“Is he not coming as well?” Radai asked.

“No. He’s on hunting duty.”

“Ah, I see. Well, let’s get to it, then. I need to set up the hawk’s resting area and examine her before the hunters get back. Once she smells food, there’ll be no touching her until she’s had a good meal and a nap.”

Lilau didn’t want to touch it at all. Nonetheless, she followed Radai from her tent, out of the loose cluster of trainee tents on the eastern edge of camp, to the center where Zayla’s shelter stood.

Radai’s tent, far duller and smaller than Zayla’s, sat a small distance behind. Lilau had never asked why Radai lived near Zayla. She figured someone had to. Now, she wondered. “Do you live near Zayla because you’re the hawk keeper?”

He laughed. “That’s what I convinced Leader Zayla of, anyway. It’s the best place to give the messenger hawks a calm resting area. It’s partly true. Mainly, I wanted to be in the safest part of camp.”

“How’s it safest? Wouldn’t any attackers aim for the leader’s hut?”

“Sure. But it’s still in the center, and still high on everyone’s list of what to protect first.”

“Smart.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Survival is important and you’ve figured out how to increase your odds as best you can.”

“Oh. I guess so.”

They both went silent as they entered his tent.

Lilau smelled it first. A dusty, sharp scent. It collided with her, growing larger until it was big enough to cover an eagle as big as a forest tree.

“You all right?”

Her focus snapped back. Radai looked at her with concern. “No. Yes. I’m fine. Just reminded me of something.”

“Right. Still want to help?”

“That’s why I’m here.”

Radai shrugged and turned toward the hawk at the center of his tent. A sturdy pole stuck out of the ground, another short pole lashed to the top to make a perch. The hawk, much smaller than the monster in her head, sat on top. Dusty brown feathers covered most of its streamlined body. Deep black claws mirrored deep black eyes. Those eyes locked onto Lilau, shrewd intelligence shining from them.

Lilau pushed the ember in her core further down. Her Spirit Sight was under control, and she wanted to keep it that way.

Radai talked low and slow as he approached the bird. Lilau relaxed a little as its gaze shifted to him. He touched the hawk gently, describing each motion as he did, and describing what he was looking for.

In an instant, Lilau was back in time, to a memory in what felt like a different lifetime, staring down a pack of Great Wolves as Mara taught her how to care for them. Her failure at connecting with the wolves had led to them nearly attacking her. Lilau’s heart sped up. She swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth as she tried to focus on Radai’s words.

“And that’s about it.” He backed away from the hawk and stood beside Lilau. “Would you like to try? Alee here is very relaxed and used to people. Lucky for you, really. She rarely nips.” He motioned toward Alee, expectant.

So much for not touching it. Lilau frowned. As much as she wanted to get over her fear of raptors, she hadn’t thought this through. Perhaps she should tell Radai she’d changed her mind.

Alee fluffed and chirped. Lilau jerked back, gaining a confused look from Radai.

“Did the guards have a hawk with them?” he asked.

It took Lilau a moment to realize what he meant. “No. Before that.” The words slipped out, something that had been happening a lot around Radai lately.

“How long before?”

“In the mountains.”

“Oh.” Radai fidgeted with his hands. “I’ve only seen Great Eagles from a distance. That scared me plenty. With all the essence being drained from their land for so long, I’ve heard they’ve gone mad. Attacked a hunter group who got too close. They… didn’t fare well. I’m sorry. We should leave.”

“I wanted to be here. Alee is barely the length of my forearm, a far cry from a Great Eagle, I can assure you. I shouldn’t be afraid of her. Being afraid is pointless and weak.”

“Seems healthy to me.”

Lilau stared at him.

“Well, I mean… nevermind.” Radai sighed. “But, if you’re scared of her, it will make her jumpy, which will make you jumpy—”

“Which will only end badly. I know. What I don’t know is how to get better.”

“Couldn’t Inalia help with that?”

“She heals bodies, not minds. She’s quick to dismiss any discomfort not caused by real danger to the body.”

“I suppose that’s true. I’ve certainly got a few earfuls for my work intolerance.”

Lilau laughed despite herself, causing Alee to cock her head. Another chill rushed down Lilau’s back, but this time it brought irritation. “Besides, I think your ‘intolerance’ is just what I need. Weren’t you afraid when you first cared for hawks?”

“Uh… I suppose so. That was a long time ago.”

“Too long to know how you got over it?”

“Hmm… I think I understand. It has been a long time. Most Cat Tribe children are around Desert Hawks before they can walk, but Hawk Masters start apprentices off slow, just in case.”

“So you do remember.”

“Vaguely. You’ll have to approach this like a child. You okay with that?”

She glanced at Alee and gritted her teeth. “Yes.”