The high meadows looked the same from the upper wall.
The three graves still sat on the eastern slope. The new outer post held its shape against the wind. The doubled watches moved on the rotations Mira had kept while Thorne was gone. Nothing about the ground had forgiven the time spent in the stone valley.
Bren found him before the second day was old.
"Redpine sent word," Bren said. "They want a meeting. Not here. On the neutral scrub below the lower bend. They're nervous. Blackridge riders were seen on their outer runs two nights ago — not crossing, just counting heads and measuring the distance to our line. Redpine thinks the practical hold from the Wolf Claim is paper until someone bleeds for it again."
Tuva came up the steps while Bren was still talking. She listened to the end, then looked at Thorne.
