"Only I can bring myself to the herd lands."
This time Eva's words held a little more certainly.
Eva sunk into thought. This could explain the distance they'd maintained since her arrival.
It would have been nice to know about this little test at the beginning.
"You realize I have no clue where your herd lands are," Eva pointed out.
You don't give yourself enough credit. You've already been there in spirit. Your body simply needs to follow.
Eva frowned up at the sky. That—was less than helpful.
"If we aren't in the herd lands, where are we?" Eva finally asked, leaving the topic of how to find a place she'd never been—without help and without dying—for later.
Also, our herd lands.
Eva scowled as she gave Orion a look.
Orion's wings spread as he surged upward.The herd lands you seek are sacred. Take a day or two before heading back. Acquaint yourself with my herd then go from there.
"What good advice. Not vague or hard to understand at all."
Not.
Grumbling to herself, Eva studied the sharp drop. Her frown deepened as she walked along the ledge, scrutinizing the cliff below.
Wait a minute. There was no way down. No stairs or rope to slide down. Just un-abating rock.
She was stuck. Well and truly.
"Seriously just going to leave me here, huh?"
Eva's lips tightened as she shook her head. Why didn't this surprise her?
Eva set her hands on her hips and swore as she studied the drop. There was no way around it. She wasn't getting down. Nor was she going up, Eva conceded after she craned her head back to take in the cliff behind her.
"So much for getting acquainted with the Kyren."
Despite the fact she was effectively marooned on this ledge, Eva didn't panic. Sebastian would come in search of her. Probably.
She settled in to wait, leaning her back against the cool rock behind her and sliding into a sitting position as she stared at the Kyren in the distance. Hopefully, Sebastian would remember her before night fall. Otherwise, she'd be camping here. Without gear or food.
Eva shivered at the thought.
The time passed slowly, and it wasn't long before Eva grew tired of sitting on hard stone. Her hours on Sebastian's back didn't help matters, her legs and hips still aching.
Eva used the wall to stand, stretching her back. With nothing better to do, Eva paced to the end of the ledge before turning and making her way to the other end.
She paused, her attention landing on the cave Orion had come out of earlier. The darkness whispered her name, and she took a step toward it before stopping.
Curiosity killed the cat. It wasn't wise to explore without a Kyren present.
Then again, if there were forbidden areas here, Eva was certain they would have told her. Right?
Definitely.
Decision made, Eva entered the cave. She paused at the threshold, letting her eyes adjust. There was a hazy twilight in front of her and the light of day at her back.
