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I could feel nervous, palpable, waves of uneasiness from the men flanking me.

"I will not need you, you may back away from me," I said.

In concentrating my focus on what was to come, I must have been a little spooky because the two each took several steps away from me. I could feel their eyes on my back as they retreated. One stripe for every Stepping Stone, I mused. And then, because I had been ungodly prideful then, yet one more for each again.Thinking of it brought my focus back to the mantra and I began its course once more. The conversation - in proportion to expectation - grew louder. To me it was a buzzing background beneath the words flowing in my head. I brought my head up and looked at Dhras. The guards behind him became more acute as they stepped forward. I held his gaze as he nodded - almost hesitantly, I noticed - and a man stepped toward me from behind. The sharp tug at my back was soon coupled with a slow spread of warmth. One Stepping Stone. to learn of the path.The second, then the third followed quick, and the rush of warmth spread to the whole of my back. This was so very different from the first time. Perhaps I had learned something in the interim. The first time I had been stupid, but also arrogant, in a similar position. But that was war. Such measures are forgiven under those circumstances.

My eyes never left Dhras. He was laughing to a sultry, raven-haired woman with glittering-eyes at his left when I smiled. The laugh died off of his face and the crowd hushed, looking to see his reaction. His mirth evaporated as he nodded harshly. Four. A nod. Five. I stepped from Stone to Stone in my mind. Letting the words rush like a torrent, no pause. Six. I must have been losing blood, because a tingling sensation started to gather on my toes and fingertips. I dared not look down, but my gaze did shift to Malachi. His bearded chin rested on a palm, engrossed, as he observed. His narrowed gaze and stiff posture invited no conversation from those around him. He is a dangerous one, I thought. My gaze shifted to Lakash. That man looked as if he had eaten something contrary. His tankard, half-full, dangled from his fingers as he stared open-mouthed at me. He is weak, I thought. My lack of spectacle seemed to put a wrinkle in Dhras’s entertainment. He nodded one final time in such a way that.

Seven. My gaze turned back to Dhras. Eight. To smell the flowers. Nine. To eat on the journey. Ten. Eleven. Twelve. Thirteen... and so on.

* * *

Darkness lightened until I came to on my belly. I was in a room of some sorts. that was shaking. I’m in a wagon, I thought groggily. I took a breath, trying to confirm what I suspected. The scent of Zhura’s spiced wood was in the air - which meant I was back in their wagon. The driver of the team hit a particularly nasty bump, and I caught myself from rolling. Something on my back gave a sharp tug. I am in bad shape, I thought. Perhaps I should learn to keep my damn mouth shut. There was a fuzzy, pleasant feeling that dominated my awareness. I had something in me for the pain apparently. There was a dull ache from back there, but I could not see the damage of course. Light bandages wrapped around my ribs, so I had been tended after passing out.

I hoped I hadn’t been too much trouble to Zhura and Shiza. I had been their charge after all. We hit another bump, and the driver cursed from the other side of the wood paneled wall. The window shutter was closed tight - probably against the dust and to let me sleep. At least, I hope they were that generous. I could hear horses on the road as well, but I wasn’t about to move for fear of tearing open any dried scabs. I will have to be careful with these, I thought. This much scar tissue will have to be exercised as it heals so that it doesn’t pucker up and inhibit me.

The back door of the wagon opened, and a figure pulled herself through the opening. Zhura, by the sound of her movements.

"You are conscious, yes?" Her voice sounded angry.

"Yes, I apologize for being unable to turn to face you, but-"

"Shut up, Dog," she hissed. "You are a foolish man." The door shut and her bulk sat heavily on the bunk to my left. "What do you think is going on here? You think this is a game?"