The birds woke him before the dawn and he saw the glint of Stone's eyes across the way.

"Some men went by, just a little while ago," the boy said, "I don't know if they were soldiers or villagers."

"We'll wait until it's light before we move on. We want to be able to see who's on the road." Justine had slid down in the night and her head was pillowed on Patrick's leg. He felt every bump under him, and yet his legs were numb. He moved his limbs cautiously and hissed at the pain ...