They followed the landmarks the young man had given, and before dusk, they spotted the encampment. The steppes seemed an odd place to hide, given the open land, yet the barrenness and lack of road meant only locals would come this way, and Tyrus doubted they'd turn in the supposed slavers. He said he wouldn't be surprised to learn the locals had been trading with them.
They found a place for the horses to drink and graze and left them there. Then, as the sun dropped, they surveyed the situation.
The camp was quite literally in the middle of nowhere. Meaning sneaking up was nearly impossible. No rises to hide behind. No trees to climb. The occupants had even cut down the long grass in a wide swatch surrounding the camp. There weren't, however, any obvious guards posted beyond the low fence.
"The sun has dropped low enough that I can slip through the grass," Gavril said. "I cannot get close enough to see past the fence, but I'll be able to hear inside, and ascertain the likelihood it contains shadow stalkers."
"Can your sorcery detect them?" she asked.
"I mean I can listen for them."
"They don't make any sound unless they're screaming."
"Yes, Keeper, that is the point. If I hear nothing, then I will know it is shadow stalkers."
"Why? If it was slaves instead, would they be allowed to roam freely? Talk among themselves? Plan their mutiny?"
He gave her a hard look.
"As much as I'd prefer to stay out of your bickering," Tyrus
said, "Moria has a point. Slaves are kept bound and gagged until they reach their destination beyond our borders."
"Thank you. Now, Kitsune, if you have no magics for detecting shadow stalkers, might I remind you that I can detect them."
"You didn't notice the one hiding in that boy."
It was her turn to give him a hard look. "Because it was hiding. As soon as it manifested, I sensed it."
"Yes, and as soon as it manifested, I saw it. And you cannot get close enough to detect them because you glow in the dark like a lantern, Keeper."
She pulled up her hood. He reached out and tugged a lock of her pale hair. She scowled and stuffed it in.
"I am still better suited for sneaking up at night," he said.
"Through this grass?" She shook a handful of the golden stalks. "That boy spotted Daigo coming before he spotted us."
"Again, Moria has a point," Tyrus said. "You are too dark for this task, Gavril." Gavril opened his mouth to protest as Moria shot him a satisfied look. "And Moria is too pale."
"What?" she said.
"The mission, then, goes to the one who can best blend with the grass. Which would be me." He shucked his cloak. "Thank you both for pointing that out. Now, if you insist on following me part of the way to watch my back, I will not argue. However, I'll ask that you refrain from bickering. I know that will be difficult, but it does get rather loud."
They both glowered at him. He kissed Moria on the nose and headed out.
THIRTY-TWO
Moria, Gavril, and Daigo followed Tyrus until he lifted his hand, telling them they'd gone far enough. Daigo continued after him, slunk down on his belly to hide himself as much as possible. Moria reached out to touch his tail and he turned. He gave a chirp, which she interpreted to mean he would go as close as he could to watch over Tyrus while not attracting any undue attention. She murmured a thank-you under her breath and he set out.
As they watched Daigo go, Gavril whispered, "He is still bonded to you."
"Hmm?"
Gavril cleared his throat. "I have noticed Daigo seems quite attached to Tyrus, and I thought that might bother you."
"He watches over Tyrus when I cannot. I'm glad of it."
"Oh. I had not interpreted it that way, but yes, your affection for Tyrus is obvious to anyone, even a beast. Or, I suppose, particularly a bond-beast."