She let out a shaky laugh, thinking of how close she’d just come to cutting her throat. “I’ve been exploring, too. How is Mika? Did he find his way back?”

“He did, and he brought back word from you about Zella and magic and the dyrmagnos. He’s safe in camp with Thero and the others.”

“His arm?”

“Mending again. He’s a tough little fellow.”

“And intelligent. But it’s not safe for you to be here,” Klia told him, continuing on the way she’d been going. “He told you that the amulets Thero made don’t work here, didn’t he? Rhazat is likely to send her creatures hunting me at any moment.”

“I know. I’ve had a few close calls but I’ve had Illior’s luck.”

“Is that food in that bag?”

“Yes.”

“Please, I need to eat something that doesn’t come from here.”

Alec glanced nervously in the direction of the town as he opened the pack. Inside were fresh bread, venison jerky, turnips, and cheese. She ripped a chunk from the bread and took a piece of jerky.

“Bilairy’s Balls, that tastes good!” she said through a mouthful. Alec offered her a slice of turnip and she bit into it. Sweet earthy juices bathed her tongue. Rhazat hadn’t offered her anything so humble, or so welcome.

“You’re thinner,” Alec noted. “How do you feel?”

“Trapped,” she replied honestly. She’d looked at her reflection in the gorget; she knew she was slowly starving to death. Alec was showing signs of wear, too. His body was thinner, the bones in his face more prominent.

“Do you know how to get to the cave where the Great Seal is?” he asked.

“Is that what it is? Yes, up in the hills behind the tower. There’s a road and a side trail. It’s not hidden.”

“Is it guarded?”

“It doesn’t appear to be. I’ve been there on my own and no one tried to stop me.”

“That’s good to know.”

“What are you and the others planning?”

“To get you out of here and seal up the other side again.”

“How?”

“Thero said I’m not to say more than I have to, in case Rhazat catches you talking to me. You can’t tell her what you don’t know.”

Klia nodded. It was a good decision.

“We need to go,” said Alec. “You can eat as we walk.”

Sharing cheese and bread as they went, they continued upriver.

“It can’t be far now,” he told her, but he looked oddly apprehensive.

“What is it, Alec?”

“I’ve got to warn you: I tried to bring Thero in and it didn’t work.”

Klia’s heart sank. “Does he know why?”