“Commander Sethran,” she says, tone warm with relief. She runs toward him, and after a nod of respect, the two hug.

“I’m surprised to see you,” Sethran says. “What are you doing here?”

“We were sent shortly after the warrior teams,” she replies. “The situation is much worse now, sir.”

Her next words are like a frost-in-summer impossible.

“Prince Tabrol,” Sethran says, shaking his head slowly. “But the king and queen were keeping him isolated. How did he get sick?”

“I guess it wasn’t enough,” Rowan replies. “We have time, but we can’t rest. Especially because the scholars were wrong about how long it takes. We don’t know for sure anymore.”

Sethran puts his hands on his hips and turns away, thinking. “Were you sent alone?”

“Yes, sir. To avoid detection,” she says. “The sentinels didn’t want to give more reason for the humans to attack.”

“Are you expected to return, now that you’ve found us?”

Rowan shakes her head. “If you are willing to have me stay, sir, I would like to stay.”

We wait a moment while Sethran considers this new information. I catch Ox’s eyes on Rowan, but she’s focused on her commander.

“The sentinels sent us for a reason,” Sethran says finally. “And we have to honor that reason. We’ll reduce our breaks and limit our sleep. This situation demands the most of us, and it’s time we rise to it.”

“Yes, sir,” I reply, with Ox and Rowan as my echo. The latter’s chest lifts in pride. This is the life she wants, I realize. To serve a commander, one as respected as Sethran.

“Rowan, do you have the energy to keep up?” Then, seeing her frown, he corrects. “Not that I don’t think you do. But you must have been up all night to catch us.”

“I’ll be fine, sir,” is her reply.

“All right, then,” Sethran says. Then, addressing all of us, “If anyone hears or sees anything strange, say something. And keep your eyes on the ground. If the skies are good, we’ll find the cure sooner than the scholars predicted.”

We move east. With the night’s sleep and food in my stomach, my body is revived from yesterday’s travels—but that’s not the only thing giving me strength.

I cannot believe she’s here. I try to push it down and out of my mind, but I can’t deny that my mood has soared. It was horrible to leave Ro, especially with what happened at the grotto. If I hadn’t confessed how I felt, this would be even better, but I’ll take awkward time with her over no time at all.