Page 47 of The Champion

“Aye, but you do. You envy my friendship with Stryder.”

“Hardly.”

Zenobia gave her a knowing look. “Shh, kateena, you can’t hide those thoughts from me. You fear what you feel for him.”

“How do you know that?”

“Your feelings are so strong that they speak even when you don’t.”

Before Rowena could respond, Zenobia turned pale. “Falsworth,” she breathed.

Her dress unlaced, Zenobia ran to the tent flap and pulled Stryder back inside. Her face was panicked, her eyes unfocused as she grabbed a handful of Stryder’s tunic.

“Falsworth is next to die,” Zenobia breathed. “Tonight or tomorrow.”

“He’s not here.” Stryder scowled. “He was supposed to come, but he hasn’t arrived. Is he dead already?”

Zenobia tilted her head as if she were listening to something no one else could hear. “Nay. He lives. But there is evil all around him. He must be found.”

“I’ll send Raven and Will to his lands.”

“It won’t save him,” she breathed as if she heard something else. Zenobia clenched her eyes shut and winced as if she felt some inner pain. “The hand of Fate can never be altered. He will die and you...”

She looked up at Stryder as if something terrified her.

“What?” Stryder asked. “Zenobia. Tell me what you see.”

“I can’t,” she whispered. “It’s all shadows and darkness. I can’t tell what it is.”

A tic started in Stryder’s jaw. “Raven! Fetch Will. I want the two of you to head to York to warn Falsworth.”

The youth nodded, then ran to obey.

Stryder started out of the tent.

“It won’t save him, Stryder,” Zenobia warned.

“Maybe not, but I have to try.”

He left the two women alone again.

Rather skittish of the woman now, Rowena let the awkward silence stand between them.

“Could you lace my back?” Zenobia asked, turning around.

Rowena quietly assisted her.

“You don’t have to be afraid of me, Rowena.”

“I’m not afraid of you...exactly.”

“You know not what to make of me.”

“You are rather… different than anyone I’ve ever known.”

Zenobia laughed. “But you appreciate oddity in others.”

“To a degree.”