— He has no sense! — Nasor said, still very irritated. — None at all — agreed Naomi, sitting beside him.
After the incident that earned Gabriel many curses and glares, the caravan moved on. The terrain, once just sand, now sprouted stones, some as large as the wagons themselves.
Nasor looked at the sky and, seeing that the day was nearing its end, let out a sharp whistle, halting the line. He searched for something briefly, something the young woman couldn't identify, then urged the animals forward, circling a five-meter-tall rock.
Naomi looked back and saw the group doing the same, and soon the last wagon entered the circle, positioning itself in front of them. They formed a ring around the rock, and everyone disembarked, untying the bulls exhausted from the day's journey.
Children dashed toward one of the wagons, which Naomi noticed carried only hay and water — food for the animals. Each driver led their animals in the opposite direction from where the boys and girls were heading with their hands full of feed.
— We're spending the night here — Nasor said, drinking from a flask. — Better move if you want a decent spot.
With a jump, the man dismounted and untied a bag strapped to the side of the wagon. When the wind finally made the young woman's hair dance a little, she understood his choice.
The rock blocked much of the sand blown by the wind. Slightly impressed with the merchant's savvy, the Raven dismounted and watched as they set up camp.
Five people were busy setting up a four-meter tent from end to end. Mattresses were laid out close to one another. Not everyone seemed eager to sleep together, setting their beds apart or simply using their own wagons.
— Naomi! — Livya called, approaching. — I like this place!
— Yeah — Naomi replied. — The rock is too steep to climb without making noise, and the terrain is flat, so it'd be easy to spot anyone approaching. The downside is someone will have to stay with the cattle.
— I meant that I think it's pretty here — Livya whispered.
Naomi felt her face flush but kept her composure. She was used to caravan life, but it wasn't her job to take care of them, only the two Ravens. And, as expected, she saw Nahara and Ana heading over to talk to Nasor.
From the way they spoke, they seemed pleased with the location. Alongside Livya, she approached them.
— Everything okay?
— Yes — Ana replied, no longer frowning.
— We were just discussing who would stay on each side of the rock — Nahara said.
— We can help — Naomi cut in.
— No, this is our job — Nahara immediately countered.
— Come on, I don't think Michel will mind. Gabriel will even thank me for trying to make people see him in a better light. Livya? — Seeing the newcomer nod, she continued. — Done deal.
The other two exchanged glances as Ana shrugged. The blonde then said:
— I'll stay with the animals. Ana's already spent most of the trip at the back of the caravan.
— I don't mind staying with them — the younger woman replied, though she was ignored.
— Then Gabriel and I will stay with you — Naomi said. — Livya, since I dragged you into this, you, Michel, and Ana will stay with the people.
Once everything was settled, Livya immediately left to talk to Michel, while the two Ravens from Cova 30 went to help the others light a fire. Naomi saw Gabriel sitting a bit ahead, watching the activity.
— We're helping with the patrol tonight — she said, as soon as their eyes met.
— Okay.
Naomi would have been surprised at the lack of complaints or chatter, but she knew Gabriel still felt bad about the earlier scare and would agree without any problem. She had known him since they were kids, and this wasn't the first time she'd seen him fire a shot into the sky to scare someone off.
The evening passed without issue, and they ate beans with chunks of dried meat and a very strong drink Nasor called mead, along with the merchants. The mattresses began to fill up, and only a few people remained talking around the fire.
The Raven tried to find Nahara, but she was nowhere to be seen. Gabriel was still sitting on the same rock.
— Have you seen Nahara?
— She passed by me a little while ago — the young man replied.
— We'd better go, then.
Nahara was sitting on the sand among the animals, who were lying in pairs. She nodded in greeting as they approached. Following her lead, the pair settled near a low rock.
The moon shone brightly, nearly obscuring the stars. The only sounds were those of the bulls and the fire. Occasionally, the wind whistled.
— A little peace isn't such a bad thing — Naomi said.
— It feels — Nahara spoke — like we're in the eye of the storm.
A sinister shiver ran down the Raven's spine. Everything was indeed calm. Too calm.