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‘You don’t want to risk it?’ Kipp guessed.

‘Not if we can help it,’ Thea admitted. ‘You didn’t see how quickly the storm changed the other night. We were lucky it retreated, but it could just as easily send a storm in to shatter us upon the rocks. Plus, I’m worried about time, it might take too long.’

‘What about Thea’s idea from before?’ Cal said suddenly, his eyes narrowing as he tried to make something on the other side.

Thea blinked. ‘Which was…?’

‘I could shoot a rope across and get back that way. This time there’s not a waiting mob who might cut us down. Anyone over there has already made it, they already have their totems and they’re likely already drunk in the Great Hall.’

‘I… I’m not sure I’ve got the upper body strength to climb across another obstacle.’ Thea admitted. The gash in her side was throbbing, as was the cut where the first arrow had nicked her and her arms were aching from the bow and previous climb.

‘Nor I,’ Cal replied, motioning to his bandaged viper bites.

‘But we won’t have to,’ Kipp said, his eyes brightening.

Thea could see his brilliant mind piecing the parts of his strategy together.

‘Thisparticular island is higher than Thezmarr. If you shoot the rope to that ledge down there…’ Kipp pointed. ‘Then we can use our belts as hooks across the line and our weight to pull us down and across. Should take less than a minute each…?’

Cal seized Kipp around the neck and kissed the top of his head. ‘You’re awonder, Kristopher,’ he declared.

‘I’m taken,’ Kipp said pointedly, wrenching himself from his friend’s grasp.

Between the three of them, their high spirits were utterly infectious. Unable to stop the wide grin spreading across her face, Thea turned to Cal. ‘Well, if you’d do the honours.’

Cal gave a mock bow. ‘It would be my pleasure.’

Heat radiated from Thea’s chest. She felt light as a feather, as though she could drift off into the air. They had done it, they had truly done it; they were Guardians of Thezmarr.

Kipp tied one end of the length of rope to one of the sturdier trees nearby and Thea checked his knot several times while Cal secured the other end to his arrow.

‘You saw the ledge I meant?’ Kipp asked.

‘You think that’s better than a tree in the Bloodwoods?’

Kipp nodded enthusiastically. ‘Those trees on the outskirts are Carraway Barks. It’s incredibly soft wood and its outer layers peel away and disintegrate. I’d be concerned it might not hold our weight. Plus, the ledge there, it’ll make the downward momentum easier. It’s a simple climb from there to the top. See?’

‘I do indeed,’ Cal said, nocking his arrow to his bow.

Thea had to marvel at the strength that rippled through her friend as he drew the string back with keen precision.

He let the arrow fly.

The three of them watched as it soared across the void between island and mainland.

The rope trailed after it and went suddenly taut.

Cal heaved on it, testing its hold. It hardly moved. He turned to them and grinned. ‘Who’s first?’

‘You’re sure it’s strong enough?’ Thea ventured, giving the cable a hearty wrench herself. Itfeltsolidly in place.

‘Well,’ Kipp said, puffing his chest out. ‘I’ll take one for the team and go first. So long as you promise to tell Milla about this.’

‘Does that mean you’ll actually introduce us to her next time?’ Thea laughed.

Kipp checked his weapons and shield were secure and double checked the totem strapped to his arm before facing her. ‘No promises, Althea. Time is of the essence when the opportunity presents itself.’

Her friend undid his belt, and looping it over the rope, gave them a salute. ‘See you on the other side.’