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calm, steady voice. “Where do the miners stand?”
    Bill shouldered his pack again and sauntered a couple steps toward the ridge. “I already said it. If any crim messes with me and mine, I’ll break his neck. But I wanted to get out of that death trap back home my whole life. The miners aren’t going back. That’s where we stand on that.”
    A couple of the other miners chimed in. Gaia gave Maya another pat on her back and exhaled in deep relief as the crowd began to move again. Leon turned to unlock the remaining chains. One excrim peered down at his ankle and lifted his foot as if testing the unaccustomed lightness. Beside him, Malachai was hugging a young boy. Gaia had expected more of a celebration, but aside from a few smiles and back slaps, the excrims seemed content to stand together, patiently waiting instruction.
    Gaia glanced at Leon. “We still need the rest of this gear.”
    â€œWe’ve got it, Mlass Gaia,” Malachai said, nodding respectfully. “Your dad’s free now, son,” he said softly to his boy. “None of that now. Not to worry.”
    Leon dumped the chains on the water platform with a heavy rattling, and took a place alongside the platform. Three of the excrims took up the other places, while the remaining men picked up their burdens, no longer forced but voluntarily.
    Gaia met Leon’s gaze, wondering.
    He smiled at her, as if he’d expected all along that his men would continue to operate as a unit. “Go ahead,” he told her.
    She took a few steps, pausing to look back. Apparently, she wouldn’t be going over the ridge with Leon beside her.
    â€œReady?” Leon asked. “On three.”
    The four men lifted the platform of water sacks as one, and started forward. One of them said something Gaia didn’t catch, but she heard the genuine warmth in Leon’s responding laughter.
    â€œHe has them more in control than ever,” Will said.
    Gaia turned, surprised to see he’d fallen in beside her. Will’s face and hands had gained extra color during his weeks in the wasteland, and his tan strengthened his resemblance to Peter, his younger brother. He had a beard now, too, like all the other men who hadn’t shaved on trail, and she decided the darkness delineating his jaw suited him.
    â€œIt’s a little frightening,” she agreed. “Like he has his own mini army of loyal followers now.”
    â€œI expect their loyalty extends to you,” Will said. “I’m not sure how much farther.”
    She smiled, and as she walked, she peered up under the brim of his hat to his kind brown eyes. “How’ve you been, anyway?”
    â€œGood. I haven’t had the chance yet to congratulate you on your engagement.”
    â€œThank you.” She glanced at her red bracelet.
    â€œBe happy, Mlass Gaia. You deserve it.”
    She laughed. “Thanks. So do you.”
    He settled his thumbs under the shoulder straps of his heavy pack. “Will Vlatir mind if we’re still friends?” he asked.
    â€œHe hasn’t minded so far,” she said. “We’ve worked so well together.”
    â€œThat’s true.”
    Beyond Will, along the ridge top, people were sorting themselves out, preparing to move on.
    â€œI’ve been wondering what’s best,” Will said mildly.
    She glanced up at him. He was smiling, but some faint guardedness hinted that their friendship might be at a turning point. Her heart felt a twitch of alarm. If she knew a friend was in love with her, but he never asked for anything and accepted he could never have more, was she responsible for any heartache he might suffer?
    â€œI don’t know what to say,” she admitted.
    â€œI guess we’ll see, then, won’t we?” he said.
    I guess , she thought.
    Gaia continued to carry Maya up the weather-beaten slope with Will silent beside her. Her heart began to work in her chest,