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However, I wasn’t sure how deep the river went, and it would cost us time if we had to abandon our horses. Gods knew I wanted to get in and out as quickly as possible.
We had to make it to the encircled portion of the map, the crude X Cirian had drawn with his feathered pen. I remembered when he’d done it, a wicked smile on his thin lips like he was privy to something I wasn’t.
The second option, and the more dangerous of the two, held no wide rivers, but the path included thick underbrush where beasts or enemies alike could easily hide.
“Jude?” Isiah whispered at my back. They were all waiting on me.
“Right.” I lifted a gloved finger, pointing in the direction of the smaller of the two passageways, praying to the gods I didn’t believe in that I’d been right in my decision. I’d probably just screwed us all.
“Yay,” Jake growled derisively from the back of the line, his voice carrying in the tunnel. He seemed about as thrilled as I was about small spaces.
Carter and Isiah trotted behind, both silent and alert. We’d never dared to enter through the caves before. Too much risk of the unknown. Gods forbid we lose our torches, and we’d be lost in there.
The tunnel provided two feet on either side of my steed, an impressive creature I’d never named. Horses died just as often as we did, so what was the point in growing attached?
As the walls seemed to close in on all sides, and the hours passed without any sense of time, my mind faded into a dulled haze. I perceived only the blur of orange and yellow torchlight and the warped designs carved onto the walls.
Another hour and a half passed before the walls of the cave widened. I gripped the reins tight, jerking back. “Slow!”
My heart jumped at the idea of finally getting out of this tunnel, to anywhere that offered even the tiniest bit more room to move. To breathe.
When the passageway opened to reveal a spacious cavern, the sigh I released could be heard by all. Not that I was the only one. Isiah practically groaned with relief. He’d appeared distressed ever since we left the open skies behind us.
The cavern didn’t hold my attention for long.
About fifty feet away from the cave’s mouth was a tangled mess of bone-white trees sprouting deep-blue leaves flecked with metallic silver. They hung sparingly from each branch, fluttering ominously in the foreign breeze and swirling fog.
“We rest here for the evening,” I barked from the front of the line, steering clear of the open forest. “Tomorrow we set off beyond the cave.”
Jumping from my steed, I thrust my shoulders back and briefly twisted toward the languid shadows and open sky.
I had returned. I just wasn’t so sure I’d survive the Mist a second time.
“Everyone dismount and water your horses. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.” Isiah shot me a knowing look before assuming command. He understood well enough where my thoughts had ventured.
The flames of our torches danced across the moistened stones, highlighting the droplets of water that glistened like a million little stars. Those same inky swirls that had painted the cave reached up into the air, touching the top of the ceiling and coiling around the sharp edges.
In a far corner was a bubbling azure pool no larger than a bathtub. It gurgled in welcome, and my throat ached for a sip. I took its presence as a good sign.
“Thank the gods,” Jake said on a sigh, his face alight with unbridled joy, even with the Mist mere feet away. Sweat dampened his white linen shirt, the cloth sticking to him like a second skin.
I brought my steed over to the pool to drink and dismounted.
Seconds later, Kiara joined me, her older mare nickering before leaning down to quench her thirst. She muttered the beast’s name in reproach, and I swallowed down a snort. By the way Starlight whipped her head angrily in response, I sensed she didn’t approve of the name either.
Fixating upon the gurgling pool, I blocked out the chatter of the others as they stretched and attended to their horses. Everyone made a point to ignore the cave’s mouth.
“How do you know where we’re going?” Kiara asked quietly, mindful to keep her voice down.
I heaved a fatigued sigh, leaving the bubbling water with reluctance and meeting her eyes. “The king gave me the only map in the kingdom detailing these parts. While I wish I could say it was accurate, that is yet to be determined. Supposedly the land had been drawn before the curse.”
Kiara nodded. When she grabbed the torch from my grasp, I didn’t resist. “I’m sure your arm is tired,” she said as she found a slight gap between two jutting rocks nearby. With a grunt and a curse, she maneuvered the torch’s crooked grip into the opening. It held.
“So,” she began, shoving herself a few inches closer and flashing me a toothy grin. “Was this tunnel on the map? Or did you just choose the most claustrophobic one?”
I glared, not falling for her poor attempt at humor. I shoved my trembling hands into the pockets of my black trousers before she could see.
“I chose the one closest to the details on the map. Again, only time will tell if I was correct.” Swiping a hand through my disheveled hair, I ambled across from the pool, selecting a craggy rock to perch upon, my back to the swirling fog. It was far enough away from the others, who were all conversing in hushed tones. Let them find peace with each other. I suspected I wouldn’t be a welcome sight.
