“Enough to get to the mountains, then.” I took a cup out of my bag and held it out to him. Osan gave me an odd look.

“Yes,” he said. “That won’t be a problem.”

He scooped up beans and handed the cup back to me.

“I saw rivers while we were descending,” he continued. “With luck we’ll reach them before we run out of water.”

I nodded and carefully set the cup on the ground sheet to cool. Millie lowered herself down next to me, absently rubbing her hands together for warmth. Finn sat beside the bags, just beyond the glow of the firelight.

“Hard to believe we’re here, isn’t it?” said Millie. She stared up at the stars. “None of it feels real anymore.”

I offered her a corner of my blanket. She leaned against me, her head on my shoulder.

“I wonder if we’ll ever see Ceyrun again,” she said. “I’m thinking of Hanna and Daje. Not that I regret coming here; I just keep thinking that I should have said goodbye properly.”

I threaded my fingers between hers.

“You’ll see them again,” I said.

She drew the blanket tighter around us.

“Do you have anyone you left behind, Osan?” she asked. “If that’s not too personal?”

He smiled, and took the pot off the fire.

“I have friends, some family,” he said. “No romantic involvement, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“That’s definitely what she was asking,” called Finn. “My sister loves to pry. She made an occupation out of it, actually.”

Millie scowled. “At least one of us needed a regular income.”

I laughed.

“Don’t encourage him, El,” she said. “Besides, I don’t pry. I’m just a good listener.”

“A good listener with an unhealthy interest in other people’s business.”

“Shut up, Finn.”

He was laughing now too, and even Millie was trying not to smile. I picked up the cup and started eating. For a brief moment, things didn’t seem so bad. Just for a little while, I could almost forget what had happened, what still needed to happen. The fire crackled. Osan added another stick to the flames.

“Are you all right?” I asked him.

He looked at me, and again I had the sense that something was bothering him; he seemed closed-off and guarded. But he shook his head.

“I’m fine. It’s been a long day, that’s all,” he said. “And I suppose I’m wondering what Celane’s next move will be. I can’t help feeling she’s going to try something desperate.”

“But El’s out of her reach now, isn’t she?” said Millie. “The Order doesn’t have a way down to Ventris until Aytrium sinks.”

“If Cyde could build that vehicle, then so can Celane.” He stared into the fire, and the light flickered across his face. “But how quickly? She’s not going to give up on the Renewer’s power; it’s her only hope of saving the Order. And herself.”

My fleeting sense of comfort and security faded. I set down the cup half finished, my appetite gone.