Ren sat motionless.
While they argued over the damaged hinge, she loosened the strip of cloth binding the storage curtain near the rear window.
She had no intention of escaping through the window.
It was too narrow.
But she needed the curtain.
Once the guards returned to the main room, she tore a long strip from the fabric.
Then tied several knots along its length.
Each knot represented a turn in the canyon trail.
A simple memory system her grandmother had taught her.
If she escaped, she would need to move quickly.
And if Elias found the cloth, he might recognize that someone had left a deliberate message.
She looked toward the high window.
The sun was lowering.
Outside, shadows began filling the canyon.
Ren felt fear rise again.
She did not know whether Elias had survived the attack.
She did not know whether her father was searching.
She did not know whether the men guarding the station would kill her if she attempted escape.
But she knew one thing.
She was finished waiting for other people to decide what happened to her.
Elias and the riders reached the outer canyon as the afternoon light began fading.
They dismounted behind a broad rock formation overlooking the freight road.
From there, they could see smoke rising near the abandoned silver works.
The station stood below them.
Three horses waited outside.
A fourth was tied near the rear wall.
Two men guarded the entrance.
Elias looked through the narrow gap between the rocks.
His ribs ached.
Every breath reminded him of the blow he had received during the kidnapping.
But he forced himself to remain still.
The young tracker crouched beside him.
"Ren knows this place."
He nodded.
"Will she know we're coming?"
"Not unless someone tells her."
Elias looked toward the canyon.
Two Feathers approached quietly.
"There are men above the eastern trail."
Elias turned.
"How many?"
"Two that I saw."
"Armed?"
"Yes."
Elias studied the station.
Crane had chosen a location where anyone approaching by the obvious route would be exposed.
The riders could not simply charge down the road.
Not without placing Ren in greater danger.
He looked toward the young tracker.
"You said there's another path."
She nodded.
"Behind the western wall."
"Can a horse use it?"
"No."
"Can a man?"
"Carefully."
Elias looked toward the freight station.
He wanted to rush down the slope.
Break through the door.
Carry Ren away.
But the image was foolish.
There were armed men.
Unknown positions.
And a woman inside whose safety mattered more than his desire to act.
He turned toward the others.
"We wait until we understand what's happening."
Two Feathers looked surprised.
Elias noticed.
"What?"
The older warrior shook his head.
"Nothing."
"Say it."
Two Feathers looked toward the station.
"I thought you'd ride straight in."
Elias gave a grim smile.
"That's what Crane expects."
The warrior nodded slowly.
For the first time, something resembling respect appeared in his expression.