As if on cue, a yowl echoed from outside, far in the distance. The sound raked across Ava’s flesh, leaving goosebumps in itswake. She’d never heard anything like it. A mix between a humanoid scream and something feline.
“What was that?” she whispered.
Imsel shrugged.
Ava fidgeted with her braid, scanning the cave for more scorpions. So far, she didn’t see any, but they were excellent at hiding.
“Since you know about these creatures, how do we avoid them?” Casimir asked as he approached.
“Watch where you sit or step. And don’t pick anything up without care. They like to hide in dark places. Under rocks. There could be some hiding among our supplies. We’ll need to shake everything out before we leave. The ones I know only sting when threatened. They prefer to run away and hide. But I can’t be certain if that applies to these.”
“Are you saying Beric threatened it and that’s how he got stung?” Raine asked.
“No. It likely crawled into his shirt looking for warmth and he rolled over on it or something.”
“What’s the plan, Cas?” Raine asked.
He scanned the cave. “We stay here. Finish our sleep in shifts with more than just one of us keeping watch. Then we leave at first light.”
“And shake out your bedroll before you lie back down. To ensure there are none hiding,” Ava added.
“We will bury Beric as soon as we can find some soft ground to honor him,” Casimir added. “Everyone try to get some rest. This is just our first day. There will be more danger to come, and we must be ready for it.”
39
Ava wiped her brow. Her tunic clung to her like a second skin, drenched in sweat, as they continued their journey through the canyon. Though the walls of the gorge had initially provided protection from the wind, apparently today was an exception, almost constant gusts stirring up sand and dirt.
“Is this heat worse than Igneothenia? I fear this is worse,” Raine complained. “I’m sweating in places I didn’t even know I could sweat. And why is it so damned windy today? My skin is itchy. My hair is a mess. And I ripped my pants getting down from that cave.”
“It’s always your pants, isn’t it?” Casimir clapped a hand on his friend’s shoulder.
“Well, I’d hate to have to buy another pair. Again.”
“I doubt that,” Ava said. “You love shopping. At least it wasn’t my fault this time.”
Raine chuckled. “The trip is still young. Perhaps you’ll ruin the next pair.”
She gave him an amused look. “I’ll try not to.”
“How about when we win this war, you and I go shopping and buy completely new wardrobes?”
“That sounds wonderful. But this time, it’ll be my treat.”
Raine put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “Then it’s a date.”
“And,” Ava added, “We must get pastries at your sister’s shop after.”
“Of course. It’s tradition.”
“How did you ruin Raine’s pants?” Maeryn asked, curiosity in her voice.
Raine stepped away from Ava, joining Maeryn in front of him. “Do you not know the story of how we first met our princess?”
Maeryn shook her head.
“Well, I shall enlighten all of you.” Raine gesticulated wildly with his hands, now walking backwards as he faced the group.
He launched into the tale of how they found Ava in the woods, bruised and dirty, after escaping the daemon camp. How she fought back when Raine grabbed her, stabbing him in the thigh.
