her instruments 02 - rose point by m c a hogarth Read Free Book Online Page A

the side of her horse, shifted experimentally and tried not to gasp. When she was sure of her voice, she said weakly, “I’m not sure I can. At all.”
    His smile became a little more natural. “I didn’t think you’d be able to.” He held out his hands. “Come.”
    With the Kesh’s help, Reese didn’t fall off the horse, though it was a near thing. She expected to be grateful to be on her own two feet again, but the moment her heels hit the ground her entire body howled protest. “Let me guess,” she said from between gritted teeth. “This is being saddle-sore.”
    “You know about that?” His voice was surprised.
    Her romance digests had been full of saddle-sore heroines, but she declined to mention it. “I’ve heard about it, yes.”
    “If it doesn’t embarrass you to report,” he said, “where exactly does it hurt?”
    “My hips,” Reese said. “And the insides of my knees. And my ankles.” She made a face. “And my back. And...”
    “All of you,” he said, nodding. “We’ll see if we can pad your saddle to at least take care of your posterior. That should help with your hips and back.” With a smile. “Will you come eat with us? They’re digging the firepit now, and there should be coffee and stew soon. I’ll take care of your horse for you, if you wish.”
    “It needs—” Reese stopped, then grimaced. “I guess if I’m a mess from that ride, so is the horse. Thanks.”
    He inclined his head. “Think nothing of it.”
    With the Kesh seeing to the animal, Reese walked until she found a likely-looking rock far enough from the group around the firepit for privacy. She sat on it—gingerly—and tapped the telegem Sascha had given her. “ Earthrise , this is Reese.”
    Kis’eh’t’s voice answered. “Reese! We were wondering where you were.”
    “Who’s we?”
    “Right now? Me and Allacazam. He’s in my forepaws here. Turning blue.”
    Reese smiled. “What shade of blue?”
    A pause, then, bemused: “Light blue. Is that good?”
    “Probably,” Reese said. Her smile faded. “We’re camping for the night. No sign of these people yet.”
    “Goddess,” Kis’eh’t said. “Still?”
    “Still,” Reese said. “Did Sascha find out anything? I assume he got back fine.”
    “Sure, a while ago. In fact, he was up here with me for a while, entertaining himself by bouncing comm signals off the moon. I’m pretty sure he’s sleeping with Irine now...should I wake him?”
    Given what he and Irine were probably actually doing—”No, it’s fine. Have him call me when he’s free.”
    “Right,” Kis’eh’t said. “I don’t think he found out anything useful, or he would have waited for you, or called you directly.” She paused, then said, “Have you... you know. Heard from Hirianthial?”
    Reese frowned at the telegem, even though the connection was audio-only. “I’m sort of on this ride because he’s been missing for most of a day, Kis’eh’t. Of course I haven’t heard from him.” Her frown became more pronounced. “Why do you ask?”
    “Well, we were talking... you know, the twins and Bryer and I. That maybe he could... you know. Reach for your mind. Maybe tell you where he was that way.”
    Reese stared at the telegem.
    “I know you don’t like the telepathy business, Reese, but this is an extenuating circumstance. Right? So has he?”
    “N-no,” Reese said. She thought of Ra’aila and her mimed ear-flattening and grimaced. “No. He hasn’t.” Kis’eh’t’s pause made her say, “What? I’m not... not trying to block him or anything, if that’s what you’re thinking. I don’t even know how I would. I didn’t even think of the possibility before you mentioned it—”
    “It’s not that,” Kis’eh’t said. “It’s just... I hope it doesn’t mean he’s really hurt.”
    Or dead—Reese shuddered. “Maybe he’s just being polite because he knows I wouldn’t appreciate it.”
    “Um, Reese? Extenuating circumstances?”
    “I know!”