"If you can consider being stuck in the mist alright," someone said grumpily.
"Quit your belly aching. You've got all your limbs and it’s not the first time we've been caught in the mist," Laurell said.
"It's the first time without a pathfinder to guide us,” another pointed out.
A hush fell over the group, their attention shifting to Caden as if he held all the answers. There was hope in their gazes.
While they waited for Caden to speak, Ollie reached out, pulling Eva in for an awkward hug. "You should have kept going, you idiot."
She patted his hand, knowing the words might be rough but the emotion in them was heartfelt.
"Do you know what happened to the drivers?" Eva asked when they both finally drew back.
Ollie shook his head. "They weren't answering. Haven't been for a while."
"It's not important now," Caden interrupted. "We need to focus on finding our way out."
"If that's even possible," Ollie said seriously.
"I think it is," Eva said.
The others stared at her as if they'd never seen her before. Ollie's gaze was trusting. He knew she wasn't the type to give false hope. If she said something could be done, it was because she thought it was possible and would work her ass off to make it happen.
Eva ignored the rest. His faith was all she needed. Letting someone else's doubt influence you only held you back. Trusting in yourself and your abilities always trumped another’s skepticism.
"The mythologicals don't seem to have a problem navigating the mist," she said.
"Do you see any mythologicals here?" the same man from before asked in dismay. "Because I sure don't.”
Eva plopped the fire fox on the wagon. "He's our way out."
Disbelief reflected in their faces. They looked from the fox, to her, and back to the fox, their uncertainty palpable. She tried not to let it bother her.
Charge ahead. It was the only thing she could do at this point.
"This is the plan we have," Caden said. "Adapt or get left behind."
"Fair enough. It's better than the nonexistent plan that we had," Laurell said.
The fox cocked his head and yawned.
"Can you lead us out of here?" Eva asked
"Rava protect us, she's talking to an animal," someone muttered.
There was a brief scuffle and a soft oomph as Laurell sent her elbow into their belly. "Go ahead," she told Eva.
The fox smirked before yipping at Eva and leaping to her shoulder. She held still as he nuzzled her ear before barking. He jumped down then bounded a few steps away before looking back at her.
"I'll be damned," the naysayer muttered.
"Every time I think this place can't get any weirder, it does," Caden murmured quietly.
"This time you should be grateful for the weirdness; it's about to save our collective asses," Eva told him.
He studied her. "I'm not sure that's what will save us."
There was respect in his gaze, a quiet contemplation as he focused on her. Eva flushed and turned away. "I'll lead the horses in front. Can you tie Caia and Nell to the back?"
