Page 81

“I would have liked to soak my feet,” Josslyn sighed. “I’m not used to so much walking. Think these tunnels will get taller anytime soon?”

“Not looking too likely. As for your feet, hold off on the submerging part since we can’t be sure the water is safe.” As Josslyn’s whole body drooped in disappointment, Gustav added, “but we can rest here for a while. Eat some rations. Get some rest. This cave is as good a place as any.”

As if his offer conjured the fatigue, it hit Avera suddenly. Her weary limbs would like nothing more than to lie down.

“We should find a spot big enough for us to gather close.” Avera glanced around, seeking an area where the jutting stalagmites didn’t cluster as thick. She pointed. “There by that wall with the moss. Room enough for us to lie down and for the horses.” Speaking of which, they had little to feed them. Travelling outdoors, they could usually rely on the natural foliage. No such thing in this network of tunnels.

Luna followed Avera to the spot that offered the most open space but didn’t stop there. Her horse went right to the wall and began licking it.

Licking and chewing, actually, as her steed tugged the moss free and happily munched. The other two horses followed suit.

“Is it safe for them?” Avera asked as they devoured the moss they could reach.

“Animals are pretty good at knowing what’s good for them or not,” Gustave stated.

“Not the ones who keep dying trying to drink from the Lake of Tears,” Avera pointed out.

“That lake is unnatural.”

“And what makes you think this one isn’t?” Avera countered.

“I never said it wasn’t, hence, the caution. Now help me clear some of the stones so we don’t wake with bruises.” Gustav bent over to grab and toss the loose rocks away. Avera and Josslyn joined him, grabbing and throwing. The clatter was loud in the echoing cave. Loud enough Avera didn’t notice Luna wandering.

Or hear Luna slurping.

Avera found out when she straightened to stretch her back and saw her mare with her head dipped, siphoning the water. “Luna!”

Her horse ignored her as she continued to drink.

Everyone watched her. Long enough Josslyn whispered, “How long before poisoned water would have an effect?”

“I don’t have much experience with it, but I’d venture it’s usually fairly quick to show signs,” Gustav said.

Luna finished her hydration and wandered back to the wall for some more moss licking. She seemed fine.

“If the mare shows no signs of distress after we have our meal, you may try soaking your feet,” Gustav offered his sister.

Their dinner of hard tack and cheese passed in silence but also observation. The other two horses drank as well and the three showed no ill effects.

Once they’d finished, Gustav waved a hand. “Go ahead, bathe your toes but no crying later if your skin peels.”

“Really?” Josslyn showed no qualms about stripping off her boots, rolling up the cuffs of her pants, and wading in. She sighed. “This is so nice.”

Given she didn’t scream, Avera ended up joining her.

The water, while cool, didn’t numb the flesh with its temperature. She waded out a little deeper, the lake barely getting waist deep except for in the center with its sudden drop, deep enough she couldn’t see the bottom. She steered clear of it, not because she couldn’t swim if she lost her footing, but because wet clothes would take forever to dry. She crossed the lake to the other side, noticing a tunnel entrance. Would they exit the mountain soon after they resumed their journey?

“Avera, get to shore, now!” Gustav shouted.

She whirled to see him on the edge with his sword in hand. Josslyn stood just past him, eyes wide and frightened.

“What’s wrong?” Spoken as she noticed the lake’s surface rippling from the center outward, and not because of her.

“Out now!” he bellowed, splashing into the shallows.

Before Avera could make it to the nearest shoreline, something exploded from the hole!

Chapter 20