8. When We Are In Need ✔ <CERTIFIED>

Elias frowned and unbuckled the strap. The pouch was heavy, far heavier than it should have been. He opened the drawstrings and tilted it toward the firelight.

He knew she was lying. It had been nothing but hot water with a handful of shriveled wild onions and three strips of salt pork rind he had boiled for the fourth time. There was no nourishment in it, only the illusion of heat. 8. When We Are in Need

Elias went still. The wind didn't thud. The wind pushed, it shrieked, it whistled. This was a deliberate weight striking the wood. Elias frowned and unbuckled the strap

He waited, his heart hammering against his ribs. Then, another thud, lower down this time, followed by a wet, sliding sound against the wood. lower down this time