Page 114 of Zeus' Spark
It’s not very often that dryads use their trees in a nice or playful way toward me. Usually they’re dicks.
I take a smaller pack already filled with ropes for climbing, jerky, and other snacks.
“There is a cliff overlooking the forest. You will find the crowns there most likely. Just be warned—there’s a monster guarding it.” The satyr hands Jayden a larger pack.
“Can you point it out on the map?” Greyson unfolds the map again and hands it to the satyr.
He looks at the map with a frown. “It’s not on the map.”
I furrow my brow. “How is it not on the map?”
“Is this a human map?” the satyr asks, scratching his head.
Greyson crosses his arms over his chest. “Yes, I got it at a gas station to help us find our way.”
Confusion is clear in his tone.
“You are going into the wilds. Humans don’t see the wild places, so their maps don’t show them.” The satyr shakes his head like we’re a bunch of idiots.
How are we supposed to know that human maps don’t work? This is the first time I’m hearing about anything to do with the wilds.
The stories say the wilds are gone. Our ancient history texts say the wilds were destroyed as the human population grew. Are they wrong? It would seem so.
I pull the small pack over my shoulders. “Right, just like the fountain in Arizona.”
“Do you have a map of the wilds?” Jayden asks, bending down and checking the pack the satyr handed him.
The satyr bursts out laughing.
“A map of the wilds. You’re funny. You can’t make a map of the wilds.”
“Why is that?” I ask, frowning at him.
“The wilds cannot be mapped. The wilds are wild. They don’t stay in the same place,” the satyr says slowly like he’s talking to toddlers.
Well, that’s condescending.
I groan. “Can you point us in a general direction?”
This is going to be harder than we thought.
“You are already in the wilds.” He grins. “Just head north, and you should be able to find it.”
“Thank you.” Jayden holds out the card, but the satyr shakes his head.
“I have no use for human money. I live in the wilds. The equipment will find its way back to me once you are done.”
The fact that isn’t one of the weirdest things I’ve heard is concerning, to say the least.
What has my life become that I don’t question things anymore?
“Much appreciated.” I smile at the satyr and walk to the front of the store.
We can’t waste any more time.
We walk out into the peaceful forest, and I eye the trail. Why would there be a trail in the wilds?
“Something doesn’t seem right here.” I scan the trees. “He said to go north, right?”
