Page 126 of Grave Situation

We all sigh. “So something in Caimae will lead to our resupply,” I mutter. I’m not really asking the stone, but it replies anyway.

~Yes~

I tuck the chunk of rock away, and Jaimin pats my arm. “At least now we know we’re definitely going to Caimae,” he pointsout. “I wasn’t sure if we were just going to wander through the hills for a while.”

I shudder at the thought. “Lost in hill country or the dead city. This champion had better be worth it.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

“I fucking hate creek beds,”I declare for the umpteenth time. The past week has been an ordeal of the worst kind. Either I’m being slapped in the face by tree branches on game trails that barely exist, or I’m tramping through rocks in a dry creek. Somehow, nobody ever told me that dry creek beds aren’t smooth. Oh, no. They’re full of horrible little pebbles and fist-sized stones that are perfect for turning an ankle on. It’s rarely clear enough for us to even ride without risking the horses, so we’ve been walking on the bastards, and I swear, I can feel the imprint of the stones in the soles of my feet. These bootsused to besturdy, but they’re no match for a godsdamned creek bed.

That’s not even taking into account the number of times we’ve had to stop to clear stones out of the horses’ hooves. Sweetie no longer hates me—she’s pathetically grateful that I exist to wield the hoofpick.

“I wish there was water in this creek,” Arimen complains. “That way, we could build a raft and float to the city.”

Huh. That’s smart. “Is there ever water in this creek? Or did it dry up a long time ago?”

Jaimin purses his lips and glances around. “I can’t say for sure, but I think if it had dried up permanently, there’d be moregrowth in it, considering how brushy and wooded the hills are. My guess is that there’ll be water here when the rainy season starts.”

I try to remember when the rainy season is in this part of the world. Early spring, I think. Which means we’re damn lucky right now, because in just a few weeks, this creek might be flooded with water.

Coryn catches my eye, and I can see from his face that he’s thinking the same thing. “Let’s push on,” he suggests. “It’s too rocky for camping here. Maybe we can find a clear space on the bank somewhere.”Out of the creekis left unsaid, but I understand it just fine.

We scrabble through the rocks for another hour, and then Arimen says, “Does it seem brighter up ahead?”

I perk up. The hills and trees block out a lot of light, so brightness means a gap of some kind—or so I’ve learned over the past few days.

“I believe you may be close to the city,”Leicht observes.“It’s hard to be certain, as I can’t see you clearly.”

I debate whether or not to send up a beacon that will show him exactly where we are, but ultimately decide against it. It’s not important that he know right now, and anyone else in the area could see it and also know where we are. Which, if they’re bandits or soldiers, would be bad. If they’re zombies, it would be disastrous. Arimen hasn’t yet been subjected to any kind of fight, other than the day we met. For him, this journey has been a ride through the country, camping, and a lot of talking. I can’t even say if he noticed the discomfort, since he’s so determined to see the bright side of everything. As glad as I am that we haven’t encountered the enemy for weeks, it does mean that we still don’t know how he’ll react in battle. So there’s no need to bring an unnecessary one down on our heads.

I angle myself closer to Jaimin and keep my voice low. No need to get everyone’s hopes up. “Leicht thinks we might be close,” I murmur.

He gives a quick nod of encouragement. “Close enough to reach it before nightfall?”

We both look up at the sky through the tree branches reaching over the creek. It’s still daylight, but not as bright as it was earlier. The day is waning.

“I hope so.”

For the first time in what feels like forever, the gods seem to be listening to me, because within fifteen minutes the trees are noticeably thinner. We stop to assess.

“If there was a large group of people there, especially bandits, I’d know by now,” Jaimin asserts. “People who live in hiding aren’t usually in the best of health.”

“What if they have a healer with them?” Arimen asks. “Someone who?—”

“I’d still know they were there,” Jaimin interjects firmly. “Healer or not, if there were more than five people within half a mile of here, I’d know.”

“So no more than a handful of people, if there’s anyone at all,” Coryn concludes. “That’s good. I’ll still go first, and I’ll be ready. Arimen, what’s your job if we’re attacked?”

“Grab the horses and get out of the way,” he replies promptly. “And take orders from Jaimin and Talon.”

I shoot Coryn a grateful smile. “We could stand around and talk all day, but we’re just wasting daylight. I’d like to look around the city before night falls. Leicht is circling overhead and says it doesn’t look like anyone’s been there for a long time, save maybe some random travelers.”

Coryn nods, drawing his sword. “Let’s go, then. Arimen, lead my horse, please.”

Arimen obediently takes the reins to Coryn’s big warhorse, pausing to pet his nose, and then we set off, following Coryn along the creek.

Walking over the rocks, trying to be quiet, it takes us almost half an hour before we can clearly see the opening in the trees and the lake beyond.

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