He was already awake. He had started waking before dawn, lately, ready the moment his eyes came open. ‘That’s right. Get up. You’re wanted.’ ‘I’ve always had that effect on women. It’s a curse.’ ‘For them, no doubt.’ Temple sighed as he started to roll up his blanket. He was a little sore, but it would wear off. He was getting hard from the work. Tough in places that had been soft a long time. He had been obliged to tighten his belt by a couple of notches. Well, not notches exactly, but he had twice shifted the bent nail that served for a buckle in the old saddle-girth that served for a belt. ‘Don’t tell me,’ he said. ‘I’m riding drag.’ ‘No. Once you’ve led the Fellowship in prayer, Lamb’s lending you his horse. You’re coming hunting with me and Sweet today.’ ‘Do you have to taunt me like this every morning?’ he asked as he pulled his boots on. ‘What happened to make you this way?’ She stood looking at him, hands on hips.
