"SOON we'll be at the bridge," Tungawa said. "I have to tell you, by now the army will have crossed the main border at Renton. They'll now be in Veldria."
Amber looked down at Miro's sleeping form as the ox-drawn cart rumbled along the road. His chest rose and fell with healthy, normal sleep, and the tension in his body had eased; he was no longer struggling with the pain.
She had cleaned his wounds: his lips, split in three places; his cheeks, scratched and torn; and the twin lines of red dripping down from his broken nose.
Tungawa had helped Amber set Miro's nose, telling her it would now heal cleanly. Now, three days later, the black surrounding Miro's eyes had faded to blue, and he still looked terrible, but nothing like when Amber had first seen him.
Amber and Miro both wore normal travelling clothes, garments Tungawa had somehow procured. In the time since Miro's failed rescue attempt, the scorched wounds Amber had received at Sentar's hands had mostly healed. She had cut her hair short to remove the singed strands after it caught fire.
Amber had never travelled on a cart pulled by an animal. It was surprisingly similar to being drawn by drudge, although the two oxen needed feeding and gave off interesting smells. Tungawa knew the area in the south of Gokan well, and took them on trails he was sure the revenant army would avoid, particularly when their path was a less than direct way to get to Veldria.
It was late summer, and under different circumstances Amber would have found the travelling pleasant. The road meandered through forests and plains, over hills and down valleys, with the warm sun of summer shining on the treetops and the scent of flowers in the air.
The road developed an incline, and soon Amber knew they must be approaching the bridge Tungawa had mentioned. She pricked her ears; soon she would hear the sound of rushing water.
"I have to thank you, Tungawa."
"For what?"
"For saving me, and then for risking your life, and going back once more to save my husband."
Tungawa sighed. "It was my Guild that built the device that poisoned your son. I feel now that we were wrong to turn our backs on lore. I have no wish to see the end of the human race. If by helping you, I help the only chance of resistance this world has, then perhaps I am selfish."
"No, Tungawa. You are brave. It took extraordinary courage to do what you did."
Tungawa grimaced. "When those wretched Gokani prisoners saw me offer my services to the enemy… Words cannot describe how it made me feel."
"You're no traitor. I promise you, we'll fight Sentar Scythran to our last breath."
Tungawa nodded as he met Amber's gaze. "Hearing you say that brings me peace."
"What will you do when we get to Emirald?"
"I would like to help you get a ship, and travel with you to your homeland. The Guild has accumulated a great amount of knowledge. I would see that the knowledge isn't lost. If," Tungawa's eyes sparkled, "you'll have me?"
"Of course," Amber smiled, but then sobered. "Can I ask you something? Will Miro be all right?"
"He took a great amount of trauma to the head, but he is strong, your man. The worst is behind him."
"Tungawa, I have to ask. You said you were going to look for weaknesses. Did you find any?"
"I am sorry, Amber, but it seems nothing can stop this dark storm sweeping across the world. If I had some time with one of your loremasters, there was something…"
Tungawa suddenly cursed, making Amber look up.
There were four men, thin and travel-worn, their eyes filled with fear and suspicion. Three had swords, while the fourth held a spiked club. The leader, a bald man with round features, stepped forward. Before Amber and Tungawa could react, he had taken the halter of one of the oxen in his hand, bringing the cart to a halt.
"We want your oxen and your cart. We'll take any food you have also."
Amber and Tungawa exchanged glances.
Hearing loud voices, Miro stirred. "What's happening?"
"Miro, there's danger," Amber called to him. "You'd better get up."
"Well, did you hear me?" the bald brigand said. "There's four of us, and you're a woman, an old man, and an invalid."
"Our lives are more valuable than this cart," Tungawa said. "We should give it to them."
"Listen to the old man's advice. Quickly now!" the bald brigand brandished his sword.
Amber helped Miro get to his feet and they climbed down to stand beside the cart. Miro wobbled from side to side as Amber held him upright.
Amber still held the flask Tungawa had given her in her hand. She tried to hide it with her body; this was the antidote they had come all this way to get.
Both she and Miro were unarmed. Tungawa began to climb down from the cart.
"What's in the flask?" the bald brigand said.
"It's nothing," said Amber.
"Give it here."
Amber handed the bald man the flask while Tungawa finished climbing down. She glanced at Miro, who returned her concerned look.
"Please," Amber said, "be careful. It's medicine for my son."