Gren and Reef aren’t far to the north, and Hyde and Straggler are just south of us. We have reinforced our patrol numbers in all posts, but most substantially here on the eastern approach—the shortest distance to the cave. If Wylan is coming, this would be the most direct path, the one that would give us the least amount of time to react. This is where we are most vulnerable, so Perry appointed the Six to guard it tonight—the Six and me.

I am with these warriors because I am one of the best, but that distinction brings me nothing but pride now. It’s an honor to be regarded as their equal.

After an hour of running, we stop to catch our breath and drink water. My eyes drift to the range of hills to the north, and dread seeps through me. The Aether looked fierce last night, but today its threats are not empty. The sky there flashes with funnels. Along the ridge below, a glowing orange line has appeared.

Fire.

Land is burning. Tide land. Mine.

I’ve been so focused on the trail ahead of me that I didn’t see it.

“Do you think Reef and Gren are in that?” I ask. Then I gulp water, trying to slake my thirst.

Hayden’s Seer eyes take in the distant hills, and then settle on me. He shakes his head. “They were swinging south to avoid it.”

I focus my attention on the trees around me. The flutter of their leaves and the sway of their branches. “The wind is blowing our way, Hayden. You do know what that means?”

He takes another deep drink from his water skin and nods. “Why do you think I’ve been in such a hurry?”

“You knew the fires were going to blow our way?”

“I had a feeling.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because I wasn’t sure.” He smiles. “But now I am.”

I shake my head at him. “Great.” The dry creek bed we followed from the cave is pooling with smoke. Our path is disappearing behind us. “We can’t go back.”

“No. But we better keep moving.”

We have no other choice. The fires to the north—the source of the smoke that’s blowing our way—show no sign of abating.

We run again. The wind continues to build, blowing hot, thick smoke that swirls past us. Black pieces of ash and glowing embers flutter by, some as large as leaves.

My lungs ache when Hayden finally stops. I have to press my thumbs into my eyes for a few seconds to relieve the stinging.