Fernbank was still quiet when Nova came downstairs. The first workers were carrying empty baskets toward the orchards, and a few sailseeds remained caught beneath the eaves from the previous evening. Lunaris tried to seize one as Nova passed, but it lifted out of reach before his paws could close around it.
Bess waited beside the shelter door with a small roll of clean cloth. She checked the bandage on Nova's forearm, then made him turn his hand so she could see the older cut across his palm.
"Neither looks worse," she said. "That doesn't mean you should spend the day scraping them against rocks. Keep the dressing dry if you can."
"I'll try."
"You say that like someone who intends to do the opposite."
Outside, Sera was tightening the straps around her wicker case. She carried a short digging tool, a water skin, and a folded length of cloth that had been marked with rows of numbers. Dina stood opposite her, checking the knots.
