Lissie had barely poked her head under the swords when Riley grabbed her and asked, “You passed, right?”
“No. It wasn’t a test. I did not ride the Wind, though.” Lissie could not look her friend in the eyes. All she could see was the fire’s flare.
Cora pulled at Riley’s shoulder and said, “She needs more training. They say we can’t make it through the cave without her riding.”
Dahla followed Lissie through the narrow opening and said, “We all need more training. That’s what life’s for, every day. Best teacher is the road.”
Riley rounded on the Dust Woman. “You’re giving up on her?”
“I’m just giving her up to her destiny. If she comes back, I’ll teach her.” Dahla smiled at Riley, patting her hand.
Lissie turned to leave and said over her shoulder, “I just need some air.” She made her way to the horses. Peach is always a comfort. Her noble steed’s golden pelt shone in the starlight.
At least I can ride him, even if I can’t ride the Wind.
There was no comfort to be found. Only more friends, more questions. Alexander grinned at her, ducking out from behind the piebald horse next to Peach. “What was it like in there? You must tell me everything. Every detail. I’m writing a play, you see.”
“Everyone this side of the Bandinette knows you are writing a play.” Lissie stared at Peach’s mane under her hand. She did not want to meet his ravenous gaze just yet.
“You can’t blame me for taking an interest in such an important moment of your young life,” Alexander said.
Lissie pulled the mane into her fist, twisting the hair between her fingers. “If you are so interested, you should interview the other Dust Women. I don’t know enough to answer.”
Alexander’s voice rose into a whine. “They won’t talk to me! I tried!”
Lissie’s mouth twisted into a smile against her will. She imagined Alexander, in all of his frippery, speaking to the Dust Women. They were the most important people on the Plains, two hundred and four hundred years old. They would barely talk to each other.
When Lissie didn’t respond, he continued, “Just a few details. I could see the outside. Broad strokes. Were there artifacts?”
Cora’s voice cut through his prying. “They told me Terndowns has been infected. No, that’s not the right word. My mother has not put up quarantine, and they have refugees.” She walked up, swinging her hips. Lissie wondered if her mother taught her to walk like that. Her friend’s voice was despondent, but Cora still made an entrance.
Lissie nodded. “I’m glad someone was able to See. Wind moves a lot faster than horses.”
“We have to go now! There are people dying in cages. I know my mother. I know she’s doing everything she can for them. We need to do what we can.”
“You don’t understand, I can’t do it!”
Riley ran up and said, “You did it once. You saw me, you told me you saw me training with Tlaso. That was a day’s ride from where you were.”
Lissie felt the pressure of all their eyes, all their need pressing in on her. She turned from them and watched the two muscled Nomads carrying Mother out on her litter.
The shriveled woman’s shawls and blankets flapped in the constant breeze. One of them flew away, as she was carried past Lissie. Mother’s eyes glittered in the darkness, and in her mind Lissie heard the word, “TRY.”
Lissie shut her eyes hard against the tears.
She felt hands on her. They were trying to turn her, hug her. They were always trying to hug her. She blinked and batted her friends away. “Everyone says the journey will teach me, learn as you go. Leap. I’m not just risking myself, here! I’m risking all of you. I’m risking all of the infected!”
Cora looked back at the dome of swords. “Maybe we can take that apprentice girl.”
“She’s twelve! You’re taking me. I’ll just have to trust everyone. Maybe you’re all right. Things will just change.” Lissie was glad she wasn’t staring into a fire now. She thought she would explode into flames just looking at Peach’s fur in the moonlight. The horse snorted, and Lissie let go of the mane and turned to her friends. “If I fail, the kingdom is right where we left it. What do we have to lose?”
“The Ellium Company is in Gallia. It’s wine season. I’m missing out on stomping grapes. If I die in a cave with you, it will certainly be more interesting than dying of drink.” Alexander’s eyes sparkled, and Riley shoved him.