So I kept walking. I knew when I strayed from the path, because the undergrowth would scratch and tear at my ankles. Time lost all meaning, until I fell to my knees.
“Just a little more,” I mumbled. Pushing myself up, I scanned my surroundings. It was so dark, all I could do was step off the trail and crawl through the undergrowth until I found a spot to lean against a tree trunk. Wrapping my cloak around me, I waited for dawn.
CHAPTER FIVE
As soon as the sky lightened the next morning, I was on my feet once more.
If you’re ever lost, look for higher ground. From there, you can more easily navigate. And you’ll have a better chance of finding water. Tibris’s voice sounded in my head, calm and sure.
Where was he right now? Had he spent a terrifying night out in the cold? Was he hiding in someone’s barn or loft?
I refused to think about the other option. That he was already dead. Instead, I scanned my surroundings. No mountains to be found, but to the right was a small hill. I trudged up it, attempting to stay as quiet as possible. My efforts were useless, though, as I stumbled over branches, slammed into a tree, and grunted when my bleeding foot hit a rock. I paused with each misstep, flinching at every noise, my gaze darting around me as I strained my ears for the smallest sound.
I surveyed the area below me. To the north was the river I’d crossed last night. My heart rate quickened at the memory of just how close I’d come to death.
Turning to face the opposite direction, I looked south. Another river—much narrower than the Dytur River. I would need to cross it.
My palms began to sweat at the thought of more freezing water. I took a deep breath and forced myself to focus. If I’d stayed on the road that led from the bridge, I would have followed it southwest, eventually finding my way to the kingdom’s capital—Lesdryn. There were larger towns dotted along that road. Towns where I would have a greater chance of blending in until I could steal a horse and get to the city. But I was a mess. My feet were bleeding, I was limping, and my condition would only draw attention.
So, I’d keep to the forest until I was closer to Lesdryn. It was the only real choice I had. Hopefully by the time I was forced to use the road, I would have come up with a plan to keep myself safe.
I could do this.
After all, against all odds, I was still alive. I just had to keep reminding myself of that.
The river was only about knee-deep, but it was flowing fast.
My chest tightened, and I gulped in several shallow breaths as I stared down at my planned path.
One misstep and I would be in that freezing water. It may only be knee-high, but I could slip, hit my head, drown just the same.
Move.
I choked out a sob, loathing that I was even hesitating. I could do this. I had to do this, or I may as well turn back right now.
I strode into the frigid water, moving as quickly as I could without slipping. By the time I made it to the other side, my feet stung with fresh cuts from the sharp rocks.
Planting my hands on my knees, I leaned over until I stopped shaking. When I lifted my head, my surroundings seemed to rotate around me.
I walked all day. By the time the sun was setting, my stomach howled, but I was almost out of my scant food and would need to save what little I had left for tomorrow.
Red flickered in the distance. Flames?
I went still. I couldn’t feel the warmth, of course. But for a moment, I imagined I could. Imagined I was lying in front of that fire, drowsy after a filling meal.
The king’s guards probably wouldn’t light a fire. Herica had once told me they usually traveled with an umber stone—a large black stone that could be charged with magic and would release heat.
Where there were flames, there was likely food. My stomach grumbled as if in agreement, and I kept my gaze on the orange-red glow through the trees.
Creeping closer, I peered around the tree and into the clearing.
I sucked in a sharp breath. I recognized that group of men, stretched out by their campfire without a care in the world. Grinding my teeth, I counted four of them. One of the brutes was hiding somewhere, likely on sentry duty.
Fury swept through me, along with a healthy dose of outrage. After everything I’d been through since Galon had pulled me out of the river, seeing them sleeping by the warmth of a fire, likely with full bellies and dry clothes…
It was a twist of the knife.
Galon was lying closest to me. Across the clearing, the leader—Lorian, they’d called him—was stretched out, eyes closed. Behind him, their horses rested near several packs of supplies.
Likely, some of those supplies included food. My skin prickled with anticipation.
Where, exactly, was the sentry?
Lorian rolled over and glanced to his left. My mouth stretched in my first smile since I’d fled my village. The tyrant was unable to simply let his man do his job. He had to breathe down his neck.
And he’d just given his sentry’s spot away.
Fool.
I’d take their food and leave them with almost nothing. The way they’d left me.
Painstakingly slowly, I began to move to Lorian’s right. I had more visibility here, but I couldn’t afford to rush and snap a branch.
One of the men coughed. I used the sound to cover a few quick steps.
It felt as if it took hours. I knew my strengths, and skulking through the woods was not one of them. But I refused to allow my impatience to lose me that horse. Those supplies. All the food.
Finally, finally, I was just a few foot-spans from the horses. I slowly sucked some air into my lungs, and with a final glance at the resting men, I prepared to—
I froze. Lorian was gone.
His voice sounded behind me. “Did you really think we didn’t know you were here, village girl?”
Ducking down, I whirled, avoiding his attempt to grab me. Surprise flashed across his face, and he charged me.
I tripped him, my own leg tangling with his. He cursed and we fell, rolling toward the fire.
By the time we came to a stop, my blade was at his throat and my heart was beating so hard, it felt as if my ribs would snap. He’d pinned me with his huge body, but all it would take was a flick of my wrist and he would be dead.
He stared down at me, those forest-green eyes lit with amusement.
A trap. The bastard had looked at the sentry to lure me close and ensure I went in the opposite direction. So he could track me. He’d likely known I was here before I’d even seen his fire.
Dismay swept through me. I had to do better. Had to learn fast if I was going to make it to the city and get on a ship.
“Did you really think we’d let you take one of our horses? What did we do to deserve your theft?”
Fury punched through me. “You left me for dead,” I hissed.
“You survived.”
“No thanks to you!”
He heaved a sigh. As if I were inconveniencing him.
I imagined my blade splitting him open. Visualized the spray of blood. I wasn’t usually bloodthirsty, but this man brought it out on me.