After a couple miles, he stopped and gestured to a rocky slope, covered with vegetation. “There’s a cave entrance hidden behind those vines. I want—”

“No caves,” I snapped.

“Just hear me out. We’re being followed by a couple of groups of soldiers. I don’t know if they’re just returning to Ozero as per Estrid’s orders, or if they are searching for us in particular. Just to be safe, I want you to stay out of sight, and that cave’s the best thing around right now.”

“And what about you?” I asked.

“I’m going to get closer to the groups and try to learn their intentions.”

My unhappy heart wished to protest. Wished to tag along. But my practical side knew I’d be a hindrance.

Quain and Loren swept the vines aside. A damp puff of rotten leaves and bat guano wafted out. Wonderful.

“Stay here until I return,” Kerrick said.

“Uh, no offense, but what do we do if you don’t?” Quain asked.

“If I’m not back by morning, go on without me. Ozero is a straight shot east.”

Loren shook his head. “You know we won’t. Just tell us which direction the squads are and save us all some time.”

I nodded in encouragement.

“Fine. One’s almost straight west, the other is southwest about two miles south of the first, but I don’t expect trouble.”

“Yet that’s the problem with trouble,” I said. “It has no manners at all and arrives unexpected most of the time.”

Kerrick

KERRICK

He waited as Avry and the others entered the cave. She lingered behind. Before ducking inside, she turned and met his gaze. Kerrick had kept his normal appearance, expecting this. Every time they parted, he understood her need to reassure herself that he’d return.

Even after she disappeared into the darkness and beyond the reach of his magic, Kerrick remained in place for a few more moments just in case she peeked out. Satisfied that all was well for now, Kerrick headed west, dropping his visage. Turning normal no longer drained him as much. He suspected he’d either regained some of his strength or pulling the power had turned into a reflex.

Interesting how they’d fallen back on old habits. And keeping Avry and his gentlemen safe in the forest remained his job. He dreaded the time when he’d have to stay behind while they continued into Chinska Mare.

Kerrick picked up his pace, hoping to catch the squads settling down for the evening. That was when they’d be the most chatty.