Novek hadn't enjoyed a restful afternoon of basking in the sun like this in quite a while. Ten out of ten, would be chased into the outer wilds more often, no notes. Siya was also enjoying the time, but was clearly unhappy they'd run out of the various scrav and bridge bug meat. With Ellie returning with food later, Novek didn't think it was wise to be caught up hunting away from camp when it wasn't urgent, so the kit would have to cope for the day.

  Nat and Moira had offered to continue standing watch after Novek's nap — so he was off the hook until later that evening, when his night-vision would be best utilized. Nat was taking it seriously — he had started out on top of the rocks for the improved sight lines, but was currently up in the tree with the two clackaw — who apparently found his antics entertaining. Apparently his Talent made it trivial to climb up and down, he could just stand on the air like stairs. Ber were so — wait, does it count if it's a Ber Skill in use by a Human? He might have to add an addendum to his usual commentary.

  Lyn was out near the treeline talking to Moira — who was also keeping watch with Nat. This whole disembodied voice thing was confusing to say the least. Nat had offered to help them into the tree, but Lyn had insisted they wanted some time to talk to their friend alone. Novek got it — Lyn and Moira had apparently been chat partners for years and suddenly there was this third wheel making it awkward. He could tell that Nat didn't understand, but the kid had basically grown up in a hospital — that he didn't understand social interaction was basically a given.

  Not that Novek hadn't spent his time productively. Basking he might be, but he still had small projects suitable for working by hand as he laid in the sun — though he made sure to keep below the grass line, to avoid being spotted from the road. The workbench he'd crafted and a number of his nicer tools were unavailable and presumed lost — he could potentially try to retrieve them later, but who knows when it might be safe. They'd likely be taken long before he had time to return — so instead, he focused on things he could whittle, carve, or assemble without needing to clamp them in place with a vice.

  The current project was batches of explosives suitable for use in traps, bolts, or throwing — mostly for him, but potentially by any in the group. Novek had shown Nat a few of the smaller devices when he'd come down for a break earlier. Novek had suggested he consider taking a few into his Talent, where he could place them undetected in areas that had already been checked, or even — if he was willing, in pockets or bags of would-be aggressors. The kid had said he'd consider it — so Novek considered that progress. That had led Novek to think about the issue in a way that might make it more palatable for Nat — and he'd settled on fuses. The issue with Trant had been having to watch, or at least stand by — with a fuse, Novek thought he might be able to convince Nat to set it and walk out of sight to avoid the discomfort of watching the results of his actions.

  So then, fuses. He was working on a few variants — trying to identify what might be the most flexible, using the least resources, without risking an unintended activation. A small percussion fuse with a locking pin to prevent accidents, that could be activated with a slap or contact switch had been easy to create. He was currently working on a wire pull, but getting it to ignite was problematic. He might just make the wire trigger the percussion fuse and call it a day. The charges were reliant on Ellie's spare black powder, so they weren't that damaging by themselves, but depended mainly on what was wrapped around them — or how they were used. Explosive bolts that would detonate when, or after, they stopped suddenly in armor or flesh were common and reliable — so he made a dozen. Without more powder he was forced to switch to bolts with sharp blades running down their length that would lacerate on entry — or if caught.

  Replacing his knives wasn't an option at the moment, unfortunately. While Moira could generate heat sufficient to smelt, he didn't have the time or inclination to try to find and smelt bloom iron. Soot was just so convenient in that regard — he was a bit envious. He was lucky that he could use wood for most of his work — even relatively soft wood suited him, as he could reinforce it moments before it saw use. He wished he had access to the resources of his mercenary company — but this was just how it went, when you were freelancing. He'd make do.

  Eight of the cutting bolts was all he had the metal for, so he finished those and then changed projects again, this time to replace his spent flares from Ceress's stock — those had worked well, but he thought that a broader spread would be more useful. He'd have to think on how he'd accomplish that later. Two hinged leg-breakers with wood instead of metal for the bars was all he had time for, as Nat yelled down from the tree that the coach was on the way back.

  So, if anyone nearby had sharp ears, they knew that now. And Novek hoped that it was actually Ellie, and not some other coach as bait. It was probably fine, but Novek couldn't help but need to check himself, so he bounded up the rock to check.

  Moira's voice whispered in his ear as he landed. It's her, Novek. I checked — the signature on the healing bone is visible to me.

  “But is it only her?”

  Ah. That, is a good point. What can you see?

  Nat appeared to Novek's side, briefly in stone form before he resumed moving.

  Novek crouched on the rock, and pointed. “Okay, quick lesson on standing watch. Even if we think this is Ellie, let's be sure she's alone and not held hostage. A gun could be held at their back from within the cabin. So, we look for posture in the driver — do they look natural, or awkward? Is the silhouette the right size and shape — are they looking around nervously? Next, look at the horses. If Ellie was nervous, the horses would be, too — even if they can't see what's going on. Are those the same horses? The same blankets? Those could be taken off the dead, but you check for bloodstains, tears, and such. Then look at the coach itself — any new damage? None of these things are sufficient on their own, but you look for that, and more. Look for yourself, what story do your eyes tell you?”

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  “I can barely see that far, but Ellie — no, the driver — is relaxed, holding the reins with one arm. No, not relaxed — tired. Clothing looks right. Horses look right. The blankets are off, but maybe it got too hot for them? I couldn't see damage to the coach unless it was major, but it looks the same — though it's got a bunch of stuff tied to the top.”

  Novek grinned. “Good, keep in the habit of not using the name you're expecting — it's a good one. It can help keep your mind from falling into assumptions that make you ignore other problems. Now the real question is this — you've looked at it, taken it in. Don't think about it, just answer fast — does anything feel wrong?”

  Nat started to think about it then caught himself, “No. It feels fine.”

  “Your ‘gut’ is the more important sense you have — it's all of your other senses, wrapped up into a conclusion. Always listen to it. Now, Moira, can you tell Lyn that Ellie's back?”

  Will do.

  “I'm going to stay up here and cover the approach with a crossbow. Nat, you should probably get down, since you move faster on the ground, if it turns out to be necessary.”

  “Sounds good.” Nat then vanished from sight — he was clearly getting used to using his Talent more naturally — instead of it needing to be called out.

  The coach pulled off the road and headed for the rock formation — Ellie's voice rang out, “Ho, the camp!”

  Novek responded in kind, “Ho, the coach!” Then as the coach pulled around the back, “Mission success?”

  Ellie looked up at him, “Mission success. The maw shall be pleased — vittles have been acquired.”

  Novek hooked his crossbow to his bandolier and rotated the thick leather, sending it to his back. Then he jumped down to the ground — to a small, irritated looking kit.

  Crap. “Ah, sorry, Siya. I forgot how tall it was.”

  Siya stared at him with those green eyes for a few seconds, then the kit turned and walked away, headed to the cart. Novek would have to race Ellie to handing out the food, if he wanted the opportunity to make it up to the kit.

  Nat had left the remaining two clackaw in the tree when he'd gone down to talk to Novek. Now that he was on the ground, it occurred to him that he'd forgotten them up in the tree in his focus on standing watch, and they likely had no idea where he'd vanished to. Whoops — he'd go back up in a few minutes, after the coach was situated, if they didn't come down. He decided that the best apology for suddenly stepping away like that was to have some fresh tea brewed. They were getting a little low on fresh water — since the prior location had fresh water only a few meters away, it hadn't been a concern, but there was no stream nearby and the small barrel they had was over half empty. It would easily be enough for the evening, but having to be concerned about water was new to Nat, and he spent a few minutes thinking about it in the abstract. Oh, well — maybe Ellie had brought more.

  Novek was already helping unload the coach — Nat couldn't make out his commentary, but if his tone was any indication, he was pleased.

  Siya was proudly walking, head held high, teeth locked on to an enormous sausage. He came and sat down by Nat next to the aetheric fire, and curled up around the meat. A few seconds later and Nat could smell the slightly acrid tang that he associated with Siya eating quickly. It was more like curling around and absorbing the food, and Nat found it disturbing to watch, or listen to. He'd sometimes hold onto the kit, and couldn't help but have a flash of anxiety that the kit might accidentally eat pieces of his hand somehow. Rational it might not have been, but watching the meat dissolve sent a small shudder through Nat, so he turned away and focused on the tea.

  Oh, right, cider too — Nat raised his voice enough to be heard, “Ellie, did they have any cider? We're out of the pear.”

  Ellie's head poked out, down beneath the cabin, “No, but I did get a few skins of fresh fruit juice — are your friends still here?”

  “They are, just up in the tree.”

  “Huh. Well, come grab some, and maybe ask Lyn what they'd like to cook for dinner. I'm exhausted — pull anything else you need out of the coach, while I tend to the horses, then I'm going to take a nap — or maybe even turn in early. I've got to be off pre-day to head back towards the mill, for Tanner.”

  “Sure thing. Oh, did you happen to get any water?”

  “No — you had my only suitable barrel. I don't usually go wilderness camping with my passengers. But I can fill up at the mill — and they'll have some nice cactus pin casks, if we need a spare.”

  Nat prepared to respond, but was interrupted by the two clackaw descending from the tree to land next to him. They immediately began making their namesake sound, loudly, with a sense of excitement.

  Nat, your feathered friends are apparently back, and they brought a few extra friends along.

  Half a minute later, seven additional black and white feathered bodies landed on the ground within a few meters, and the din became too loud to hear anything else over.

  Ellie pursed her lips and waited for the noise to die down — a minute later, it had not. Nat looked back and shrugged apologetically, making the universal gesture for ‘what can I do?’, which was met with an answering shrug, followed by Ellie climbing into the cabin, placing two waterskins and some fruit on the running board, then closing the door.

  Novek came around the side to see what the fuss was — saw the birds, and in a reaction similar to Ellie's, turned and walked back to the other side and his crafting materials.

  Nat retrieved the skins and the fruit, and returned to brewing the tea, as well as pouring the juice into two cups. Pomegranate and ressenberry? Nice.

  And a bigger one — same species. Be careful.

  A final clackaw, well over twice the size of the others, but bearing the same coloration landed next to Nat, facing him. It looked him directly in the eyes, then gave a polite head bob. “Hello. I am looking for a Sil'ther'tha — Silverpaw. Also, I was told there is tea?”