Mason paced back and forth in front of the cave and glanced up at the sky again. He had finished cooking the oysters some time ago and wrapped them up for later. He'd put out his fire and given up on his shirt drying there, hanging instead over a branch so that it might dry once the sun came out again.
He had thought Ilona would be back by now. The sun was already moving from overhead and heading for the horizon. It was still early, but not that early. It had been a good while since they had eaten, and she had left.
He checked the cave and found she hadn't taken her swords with her. He had the knife with him. That meant Ilona had gone off on her own with nothing to protect herself.
Mason swore and continued pacing, running his hands over his face before pressing them against his eyes.
He hadn't heard her scream. She had said she would scream if she were in trouble, but he hadn't heard it.
