601 Shared Purpose

GAHRYE

Gahrye sat on a rock alongside the river as Suhle crouched on the bank scrubbing what appeared to be most of her wardrobe and some items for a large male as well. Most likely Lerrin's.

When Gahrye finally found her there, he'd wanted to ask what had happened that she needed to clean everything—and on a gray day like today. But she already seemed tense before he arrived, so he'd decided not to pry.

They spoke of the things they'd scented the day before and how they might discern it more easily, and she seemed to relax until, as she spread another shirt over the nearby bushes, he decided to broach the real reason he'd come looking for her.

"I have a question to ask you, Suhle."

She paused in stretching the fabric out over the leaves of the bush to glance at him. "I cannot take further responsibility now," she said quietly.