Afternoon sets in, and I realize that Seth hasn’t spoken a word to me all day. I would have expected him to check in as he usually would. When Io finally calls for a short rest at long after dusk, he keeps close to her and Jai. The former is in his cohort, sure, but something is off.

We climb higher up a mountain ridge than my exhausted body would like—but I see why Io picks this spot. The bluff is backed by a sheer rock face to one side, while thick foliage and trees enclose us on the left. If we are found, Ox and Jai would still be able to attack with whatever arrows they have left, and the rest of us could retreat into the trees.

After some deliberation, Io gives the okay to get a fire going, but only a small one and as hidden as we can get it. The six of us huddle close to the flames, desperate for warmth. Ox finds a place across from the fire, and I’m grateful for the distance between us.

Jai and Ox leave for a while to hunt, returning with some berries, foraged roots, and a plump quail. It’s not much, but it’s something. The ache disappears from my stomach as I eat while Io and Seth debate how long to rest. The fire snaps and cracks as it burns, and I focus on its light.

I can’t help but think of the last fire I saw, the one I set at Storm’s End. How was my mother doing? I hope Shirene had visited. Vera would, too, once she realized I had truly left.

“So, how did you find us back there?” Seth asks Io, breaking my reverie.

“We got to the city this morning and were holed up in some neglectful gardener’s plot.” she replies, running a cloth up and down her curved shortsword. The metal gleams in the firelight. “When we ventured out, the streets were mostly empty. We followed the sounds to the arena. Once I saw you fighting in there, I gave the orders that would get you out.” Io waves her hand idly. “You know the rest. Rescue, running. River.”

“Thank the skies for you,” Seth says. “I owe you a drink once we’re home.”

“I’ll remind you of it,” she replies, but her cheer fades quickly. “I was afraid no one else survived the attack at the Cliffs. The humans have gotten smarter.”

“We avoided the worst by diving into the trees early.” He fills her in on the rest of their journey and how they met up with me. He tells her about Exin, about his and Ox and Callen’s capture. “The train was a lucky break.”

“We should look for it again,” Io muses. “A train is our best hope, now that Tabrol is sick.” She sighs. “I can’t believe Ellian betrayed her own people.”