“Fine. Kyra and I will get horses. Dad, you’ll have to cover us. And we will meet you tomorrow, after Calix has finished healing.”
The plan, as flimsy as it is, is set, the paper-thin pieces in motion, and I watch as the Aster family heads back along the path that will take them past the mountains and towards The Court. Kyra hangs back for a moment, and I wait for her to tell me what’s on her mind, but she just nods and follows, leaving me to the first step of my plan.
Navigate through and over to the coast without meeting the Jarkoreth. Then cross to Estereah. One step closer to Ever. I hope.
There’s no way I’m going to use the forest as my form of cover at night. Not even being banished will make me that foolish. So, despite what Crimson said, it means a direct sprint, along the path of the river, as soon as I can leave. Even then, it’s way pastdusk before I’m even close to the other side. At least there are no stray Warriors this far into the depths of the forest.
My energy levels are in no place to try this run, but it’s the only option unless I choose the trees as my bed chamber.
Sweat clings to my shirt, saturated, but I ignore the heat of my muscles and force my body to keep going.
Keep going.
Keep… going.
Darkness comes quickly, the light snuffed out by the leaves, as if they are reaching out and snatching it away. Even with the gloom, I carry on, knowing what I risk by staying under cover.
Keep going.
I collapse on the edge of the forest. My legs feel like jelly, as exhausted as they were in the previous days at sea. But I made it out.
I’m out.
The sun is high in the sky when I wake. And I’m still alive.
One step down.
After draining all my supplies, I head out towards the cliffs and turn south.
It’s nearly midday before Crimson, Calix, and Kyra find me, all dressed in familiar gear. Crimson and Calix might as well have worn the cloaks to accompany their Warrior training uniform, and Kyra’s dressed in something similar. Seems they’re anticipating a fight.
They come to a stop on their horses, and I see they have one that must be Nettle in tow. He whinnies as I approach, and I smile in greeting.
He’s saddled with an additional pack of supplies, and I make short work of securing my worn and weathered one before accepting more food and a fresh waterskin from Calix, who, tomy relief, looks a hell of a lot better than yesterday. He’s still sporting bruises to his face, though.
“Perrin’s been busy.” I play it off, but I am relieved by Calix’s improvement.
“He needed the practice. We’ve barely caused him a problem in training.”
“I bet Ascella would think differently.” Crimson’s tone is sharp as she defends her friend and what happened during the trial. She tosses her braided blonde hair over her shoulder and joins Kyra.
I share a look with Calix before I mount Nettle, amazed that he found his way back and take it as a sign.
“Last chance. None of you needs to do this,” I say.
“We know, Ten. You’re not holding a knife to our throats. Now come on, before our father tells yours more than he should,” Crimson calls, as if she’s bored and just wants to get started. It wouldn’t be right not to check, though. Everyone needs to be sure and have the chance to change their mind.
Emotion and feeling helpless isn’t something I’ve been accustomed to, but since Ever walked right past me in the Great Hall, everything has changed, including the sheer depth of what I feel.
Waiting to travel to a place with my oldest friends, where none of us has ever ventured, it fucking hits me in the chest how much they mean to me. It’s been something I’ve taken for granted. They’ve both been there for me, far more than I deserve.
It’s the second time in a month that they’ve stepped up for me.
“Come on then, before anyone gets cold feet. We still need to make it past the tower.” I send up a little thought to Aslendrix asking her to watch over us and give us her guidance while she still can.
“Are they just going to let four of us walk out of Kirrasia?” Kyra calls from behind us.
“Yes. Ten’s already banished. Our father won’t let us down.” Crimson’s voice is like iron, and I have to put faith in whatever she’s agreed with her father. She won’t betray me, but Ever is another question. However, we can deal with that when we return.
