“Side?” Linh asked.
“Ravagog is separated by the Eventide into two parts,” Fitz explained. “Half the city is underground, the other half is carved into the mountain.”
“It’s cute how he repeats things I’ve taught him like he’s an expert, isn’t it?” Alvar asked—and with that joke, Dex officially jumped on board Team Alvar. Even Keefe cracked a smile.
Tam still looked wary, and Sophie could see his shadow crawling closer to Alvar.
“Seriously, guy,” Alvar said, scooting his chair away. “Respect people’s boundaries. You don’t see the Telepaths poking around everybody’s heads, do you?”
“No, you do not,” Mr. Forkle agreed. “Though Shade readings are far less intrusive than telepathy.”
“Whatever,” Keefe said. “Can we go now? We’re losing time.”
“We’re going tonight?” Tam asked. “Wouldn’t a night raid be exactly what they’re expecting?”
“It’s still safer than broad daylight,” Keefe argued.
“Not for me,” Tam said. “I can control the shadows at any time. It’s safer to go when they’re not on alert.”
“I actually agree with Mr. Song,” Mr. Forkle said after a long minute. “That will also give you a few hours of rest before a very long day.”
Sophie could see the fury in Keefe’s eyes and slipped to his side, leaning in to whisper. “It’s only a few more hours. Please wait with us.”
“I could be back with the cure while the rest of you guys are still sleeping.”
“Or you could be dead,” Sophie reminded him. “Please don’t make me beg.”
Keefe let out a sigh. “Fine. I’ll wait until dawn.” His eyes found hers as he whispered, “For you.”
Sophie didn’t know what to make of the last part, but her heart flipped to hummingbird mode.
Mr. Forkle cleared his throat. “I suggest you all head to bed. Is anyone willing to share their room?”
“Of course,” Sophie said, quickly adding, “I meant with Linh.”
“I guess I’ll take Alvar with me,” Fitz said.
“Actually, I’d rather bunk with Keefe.” Alvar turned to the group and whispered, “Fitz is a cuddler.”
“You can have my room,” Dex told Tam. “I’m going to stay up tweaking the wiring on these cubes—”
“No, Mr. Dizznee, you’re going to rest,” Mr. Forkle interrupted. “You all are. Even you,” he told Calla, “at least take a few minutes.”
“I cannot rest while my people are suffering,” Calla argued.
Mr. Forkle decided not to argue. He shooed everyone else to their rooms, and Linh dozed off as soon as her head hit the pillow. But Sophie tossed and turned and tossed some more.
“You should be sleeping,” Calla said when Sophie tiptoed out to the main room.
Sophie sank into the shrubbery chair across from her. “I know. But I can’t rest while your people are suffering either.”
Calla set down the vest she’d been sewing, which looked exactly like the one Gethen had worn. She’d made eight others, though one was purple and had ruffles along the edges.
“Biana designed her own,” Calla explained. “I didn’t fight her since she can vanish. Plus, her design is fairly clever.” She lifted up the ruffles to show a row of carefully concealed goblin throwing stars.
Sophie traced her fingers over their shiny blades.
“You’re afraid,” Calla said quietly.
“Aren’t you?” Sophie asked.
“Mine is a different kind of fear. I don’t mind if something happens to me. But I fear for those I care about—especially you. I wish you would get the rest you need.”
She moved behind Sophie, combing her fingers through Sophie’s hair. “This was a trick my mother used when I was a little girl. Gnomish children must sleep when it’s dark, but I was a restless child. I took the needs of the forest very seriously. So my mother declared this my ‘tomorrow braid.’ As she wove it, she’d tell me to imagine anything I feared being drawn out of my mind and folded into the braid. That way those worries were tucked away for the night, but still waiting to bounce back as soon as I unbraided my hair in the morning. It’s why I still plait my hair—though now I do it to remember her.”
Sophie closed her eyes and tried to imagine her worries twisting with each careful weave Calla made.
By the time Calla was done, she was asleep.
SIXTY-SIX
ANY REASON WHY we’re not having the roots pull us to Ravagog?” Keefe asked as they fought through the cramped tunnel. “It would be way faster than walking.”
“The same reason we didn’t have the roots carry us to Exile,” Calla said. The brief pause in her song made the tunnel close tighter, and it tightened further when she added, “Roots this old only have the strength to carry us one way, and the escape will be far more crucial.”