The sound of grunting accompanied the scrambling noise of a small herd of corpulent borcines. Their faces were covered in mud and infected saliva, and the burning secretions from their eyes made them even more crazed than their sickness. Their only thought was to destroy, and their quarry was only yards ahead. Despite the fact that each was at least twice Jessica's weight, they still barreled headlong up the Barley Road, oblivious to everything except the fleeing human ahead.

Long dirty gashes oozed along the ribs and sides of the beasts where they had gored each other with their dirty curved tusks. Rarely would such pain have gone unnoticed, but for a naturally aggressive animal infected with bloodlune, even livestock, killing the living was far more important than revenge.

Jessica knew this, and she also knew the consequences of the slightest injury caused by such a creature. Her only option was to run. The weight of the missing golden ring on her right hand was almost unbearable.

Teko dove, slicing through the warm air in another dangerous pass in front of the racing herd. Compared to Jessica, a Sha-Ri had far more options in evading borcines. But the creatures were not distracted. Teko circled, flying ahead of the beasts to set up another run.

They were gaining.