Page 116 of Wind Rider

Finally, when the smoke cloud was no longer in view, Ralina bowed her head and sobbed.

THE PACK—LOST LAKE

It wasn’t until mid-morning on the fifth day that they reached anything resembling land. Antreas had said that the first set of islands they would encounter were called the Payettes, and that they—like the rest of the “islands” they’d pass as they crossed Lost Lake—weren’t really islands at all. Before the huge lake had been formed they’d been a mountain range.

Mari found that easy to believe. What jutted out of the seemingly endless lake looked nothing like an island, but instead it appeared that shards of earth had pushed up out of the lake—almost like teeth.

“I was looking forward to getting a chance to walk on dry land again—even if it was just for a little while,” Mari told Nik as she eyed the Payettes in the distance. “But how do we even beach the boats? Maybe we’re too far away still, but those islands don’t look very hospitable.”

“They aren’t,” Antreas said as he and Danita expertly paddled close to Nik and Mari’s little boat. “Everyone circle up!”

Maneuvering their boats with much more skill than when they’d begun their journey, the Pack quickly circled around Antreas.

“I’d still rather be going to the island,” Antreas began by saying.

“But you understand why we outvoted you,” Mari said.

Antreas sighed. “I do. And you’re right. If something happens to me you have no guide. It is that dangerous, though. You know, we have enough supplies. We could pass by these islands. There will be another grouping in a few more days.”

“You said there are wild potatoes and blackberries growing there right now, correct?” Sora asked from the boat she shared with Sheena, Rose, and O’Bryan.

“There are,” Antreas admitted.

“You also said as long as we’re careful everything should be fine,” Mari said.

“I did say that.”

“Which is why Wilkes and I are going to accompany Jenna, Spencer, and Mason,” Nik said. “We’re not going to let the Mouths get any of our people.”

“Or yourselves,” Mari added.

Nik touched her cheek. “Or ourselves.”

“Okay, I don’t like that you’re going into danger, but I do agree with Sora—fresh food that is not fish will be excellent for morale and our stomachs. So let’s go over this once more, and then let’sallbe careful,” Mari said.

Nik began. “Wilkes and I are going to temporarily trade boats with Antreas and Danita. They don’t have any ballasts as Bast stays in the boat with them—and our canines are going to wait with the Pack.” Laru grumbled low in his chest, voicing his displeasure. “Hey, big guy, it’s going to be fine—but it won’t be if I have to worry about a monster fish snagging you with its tentacles and pulling you under.” Laru sneezed in disgust and grumbled some more, causing the Pack to smile.

“And because Spencer and I are the fastest berry pickers, we’ll go straight to the area Antreas described as holding the blackberry brambles,” Jenna said as she and Spencer held up several big baskets.

“And I’m going to dig potatoes,” Mason said. “I’m good at it, and fast.”

“The potatoes are up and to the left of the blackberries,” Antreas reminded him.

Mason nodded. “Don’t worry. I’m a big fan of new potatoes. I could spot them with my eyes closed—well, almost.”

“While you’re harvesting, Nik and Wilkes will wait in the boat—that will be the quickest and easiest way to get out of there when you’re done,”Antreas said. “Lynx guides built something resembling a dock many years ago, for that purpose.”

“But Monkeys like to use the dock to sun themselves,” Sora said.

“And Mouths like to hang around under it,” Mari added.

“Exactly,” Antreas said.

Almost as if Antreas had invoked them by saying their names, a scream split the morning air, causing the whole Pack to startle.

“That’s one of them, isn’t it?” Mari said.

“It is. Monkeys have excellent eyesight—almost as good as Bast’s.” From her place in the boat, Bast hissed.