Reading the Wind (Silver Ship) by Brenda Cooper Page B

meager cover. The air remained still. The river ran about seven meters across near me,but quickly darkening and running deeper. Here and there, tiny fish flashed near the surface. The trees closest to the edge had thrown long ropy roots into the water. Thin green grasses grew from the roots and floated in the current. Trees across from me obscured my view, so I edged north, trying to find the herd.
    A clear spot rewarded me with a great view. The animals had neared the river, perhaps to drink. They were much taller than hebras. Now that they were near the trees, it was clear they could browse the treetops if they wished, and they wouldn’t have to reach very far to do it. I held my breath, watching the apparent herd leader, a great golden animal, come down the break in the trees to stand on the far riverbank, head up, nostrils extended. Its body was sleek, the fur shorter than a hebra’s and its feet more like a bird’s, except wider and sturdier. At least, instead of cloven hooves, I saw three thick toes on the ground for each foot. Halfway between their toes and their knees, sharp claws stuck out to the side on each front leg.
    I breathed out slowly, completely entranced by the animal. It was beautiful, majestic. Big enough for its size alone to demand respect; the top of my head might not reach its chest. I swallowed, holding my breath, doing my best to blend into the trees.
    Three other animals, a dun, the black, and a deep chestnut, bunched at the top of the path, watching the golden leader, waiting. Its gaze swept around, and for just a moment, its dark eyes landed on me. Curiosity flashed in them, and then fear.
    I nearly jumped out of my skin as the golden animal let out a high scream, and the herd wheeled and ran, the leader following. They bounced up and down as they ran, looking awkward, but they were as fast as they were tall. I soon lost sight of them, my view obscured by the trees. They were more beautiful than anything I’d seen on Jini, and it took me long moments to tear my eyes from the place they had been.
    The riverbanks were muddy and well-tracked. The tall beasts had captivated me so much I hadn’t even noticed. Liam would have noticed the tracks earlier.
    I bent down, studying. Small tracks, birds and mammals. I crept back south along the river toward where I’d entered the trees. In one spot, a half-meter path boasted bigger tracks, with four toes and a big pad.Canine or feline? I set my hand down—confirming what my eyes told me. The tracks were nearly as wide as my palm. Reflexively, my hand returned to my side and pulled the small laser gun from my pocket. It was the only thing I carried, not enough against anything big.
    The large tracks went down to the river and disappeared, not returning. So something that could swim? On Jini, paw-cats didn’t swim, although they did cross rivers and streams at fords low enough for them to walk across.
    I glanced again at the sun, wishing Liam were here to look with me. I could just go get them. But we had to start back soon. I jogged up the river further, watching my footing, stepping carefully over roots and stones. I passed where my own tracks ended and kept going, more slowly, breathing hard.
    Something splashed in the water near me.
    I turned my head toward the sound. Ripples spread out from a point. I watched for a moment, but nothing else happened.
    “Chelo!” Kayleen’s scream split the air, off to my left, behind me. I turned and ran toward the sound, clearing the trees in moments. I stopped, looking around. What trouble were they in? My breath and heartbeat pounded in my ears. I couldn’t see them. Liam’s voice, demanding. “To your right!”
    I twisted my head right. How had I missed it? A cat. Not a paw-cat—longer and shorter both—crouching ten meters away and looking at me. It would be fast, but the moment I looked at it, it froze. Golden, like the herd leader, with black feet and ears and a black tip to its tail, which twitched.