“I won’t let that happen,” I said.I wasn’t exactly sure if I meant I wouldn’t let Taio kill Gaz or I wouldn’t allow Gaz to kill Taio, but I knew I had to keep the two of them apart and safe.That was if I could survive a treacherous journey across Earsleh and into Zulen.
Kintle said something, and Taio turned to me.“He wants to know if we can begin walking.”
I had the feeling he hadn’t said it quite that politely.
“I’m ready if you are.Finnrey, are you ready to depart?”
She looked at Gaz and Nize.“We’re ready.”
I didn’t wait for them.I started walking west, Taio at my side.
Chapter Eleven
By midday, we spottedthe last outpost.This one was smaller in size than the one where we’d slept last night, but it was more heavily reinforced with a perimeter of spikes surrounding it.The outpost had the same high walls of sharpened wood, but the wood looked newer.Over the past hour, the landscape had been gradually changing.We’d seen more trees, and the long grass had begun to give way to other sorts of ground cover.Now, far in the distance, I saw trees stretching for miles.The availability of wood must have made fortifying the outpost easier.
We all knew why they’d fortified this post.I didn’t want to think about it, but Finnrey had no reluctance.
“This is the last outpost before the forest,” she said.“Beyond this, we’re on our own.”
I scanned the area, seeing no signs of Hollows.
Yet.
I inhaled deeply and smelled nothing but dry earth and the pitch used to strengthen the logs making up the outpost.
“Hullo!”someone called.We glanced at the top of the outpost and spotted a figure waving.
I waved back but didn’t call out.I was keeping my eye on the forest in the distance.I couldn’t see who or what was in there and didn’t want to alert them to our presence.But the wave would show we were friendly until we were close enough to speak in lower tones.Finnrey and I put our skullcrushers in our loops and motioned for the others to put their weapons away as well.Taio had been leading our group, but now he dropped back to walk beside me.Finnrey raised her brows at me, but I ignored her.He was protective.It didn’t mean anything.
Another cadet had joined the first on the top of the outpost by the time we reached a distance where we wouldn’t have to shout.Both were young boys of fourteen or fifteen.
“I am Gaz of Westower,” Gaz said.“I am escorting Lady Mara to Zulen with these Zulenii.”He flicked a finger at the Zulenii.The guards leaned over the edge of the outpost to gape.“We cannot stop here, but if you have water or food to spare, we’d be grateful.”
The boys looked at each other, then withdrew and whispered together.
“Maybe you could fetch your patrol leader,” Gaz suggested.
