Threading the Needle Read Online Free PDF Page B

Hagger. Allan’s old partner had been the instigator, gathering around him those that would follow his lead. But Bryce wasn’t half as bad as Hagger had been.
    He continued to scan the horizon as he heard the wagon trundling up from behind. Glenn and Adder appeared in his peripheral vision, and he motioned them out onto the plains, one to either side. They trotted up to the nearest rise, hands raised to shield their eyes from the sun, then signaled all clear.
    Allan sought out Gaven, who was driving the wagon. “Everyone stay close to the wagon. We don’t see anyone, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Tim and Kent, form up behind. Glenn, Adder, and I will take the lead.”
    Gaven snapped the reins, and the horses pulled the wagon out from the protection of the trees. Allan waited until Tim and Kent were settled a short distance behind the main group, then trotted forward to where Glenn and Adder were already ranging out into the distance.
    An hour later, with the sun sinking into the horizon, he called a halt in a shallow depression that would provide them some cover. The group broke into action with a palpable sense of relief. The Hollowers and Dogs immediately began setting up the camp, unloading the few supplies they had and establishing a perimeter and guard positions. Gaven unhitched the horses, leading them off to be fed. The Wielders looked bewildered.
    As Allan returned to the wagon, Kara stepped forward, the Wielders behind her.
    â€œWhat can we do?”
    He paused to consider, noting the Hollowers already clearing a space for the fire to one side. “Can you create a heating stone out here? I have us camped out of the line of sight of anyone on the plains, but a fire would still be risky.”
    â€œWe can try.”
    â€œDo it. Otherwise, you can help with the cooking. We won’t be using the tents tonight, only pallets.” He motioned toward the clear sky.
    Kara turned to the others, already issuing orders. They broke up into groups, two heading toward where the Hollowers were trampling down grass in a rough circle, Kara and Artras toward where the grass had been cleared and a pit dug for the fire. They both hunkered down and closed their eyes, after ordering one of the younger Hollowers to search for a large stone.
    When nothing happened for a long moment, except subtle shifts in their expressions, Allan shook his head and made the rounds of the camp, checking in on the Dogs.
    By the time the sun had set in a blaze of blood red, the stars brittle overhead, half-moon to one side, Kara and Artras were holding their hands out to the glowing heating stone with smug grins on their faces and the Wielders and Hollowers were already setting up a tripod with a hook over it. A husk of corn was soaked and laid over the stone, cuts of venison spread out, filling the small depression with the scent of cooking meat.
    Allan steered clear of the heating stone, knowing he’d disrupt it, anddrifted out to the edge of their camp, passing Glenn in the darkness. He settled down into the ankle-high grass on a knoll and stared into the distance, toward the bright dome of the distortion in Erenthrall. The varied lights from its shards appeared to pulse, as bright as the moon, although it was a pinkish orange color, striated with streaks of brighter greens and purples. Off to the right, low on the horizon, he could make out a faint star: the distortion hovering over Farrade. Farther to the west, he could see the much brighter white light of the distortion over Tumbor. It was only marginally closer than Farrade. The fact that it shown so much brighter meant that it was significantly more powerful than the one in its sister city. When it quickened . . .
    Allan reached forward to pluck at the grass before him. He pulled a stalk and stuck it in his mouth, chewing on the tender end. A short time later, he heard someone approaching from behind, feet swishing through the grass. Kara