thirsty?” All at once a thought—perhaps a memory—snapped through my head like a lash across my mind. Shadows were thick, only the flicker of golden light from a few lanterns danced across the mossy stones of a feed barn. Keep low. Keep down. He’d flog me with his belt if I stepped out of line of his command. He was already in a piss-poor mood since I snuck away to join his march. “You look thirsty. Have you been lost in the wood?” My stomach backflipped. I whirled around, yanking a small whittling knife from my belt. I was met with dust-covered cheeks, messy soil-brown braids, and dark eyes
...more
