“They say that you’ll learn the day of your own death, and that you’ll start counting down the hours, the minutes, the seconds. That you won’t be able to stop. Sleep will become all but impossible. You won’t be able to concentrate on anything but the time you have left, which you will inevitably waste because even the most mundane pursuits will be unachievable due to the distraction of the countdown.”

“So don’t look into the marsh—got it,” Soraya said. “That’s all you had to say.”

Shim quirked an eyebrow. “You’re a fast learner.”

“So I’ve been told. In any case, I think our run-in with that six-limbed beast was all the reminder of my mortality that I need for a while.”

Shim moved to the marsh’s edge but kept his head angled away, so as to not look directly into its surface. In that way, he was able to cup his hands and splash water onto his face, letting it stream down his arms and chest while using his hands to wash off the sweat, dirt and blood. The next wave of water was for his scaled hood, water sluicing through the cracks between his plates of natural armor. He didn’t take any into his mouth—didn’t need to. His skin would absorb all he needed for hydration. When he pulled back, he said, “We need to talk about what you saw in the bear’s mind. That was a major risk, by the way.”

“Was it? I hadn’t noticed.”

“I’m being serious. You could’ve been killed.”

“Says the man who was riding the monster like a horse.”

“I’m a more experienced Guardian than you.”

“So you’ve ridden many six-limbed bear-monsters lately?”

“At least one less than a week ago.”

“So…one then?”

“Give or take.”

Soraya sat on the same mossy log Errol had clambered onto, glad for the banter. It helped distract her from the way she couldn’t hold her hands steady, the constant quiver like a magical bowstring that never came to rest. Work would also distract her, so she focused on that now. “If you wish to know why I charged at the bear like that—”

“I do.” Shim’s gaze was steady on her, but she didn’t shy away from it.

“The answer is simple. I’m a Guardian. You didn’t make me one, or even Cintra. Narcissi did. And if the goddess’s trust isn’t sufficient reason to treat me as an equal, then I don’t know what will be.”

“You’re right,” Shim said, surprising her.

“I am? I mean, of course I am!”

“This is hard for me. It’s in my nature to protect those that are smaller than me. But if you and your little pet have taught me nothing else, you’ve reminded me that being small doesn’t equal being weak.”

“Thank you.”