"Where do you propose we go," Devi blurted out, crossing her arms.

"The 'keep' won't be too far off now," Leach admitted.

"You're right," Skarsgen confirmed, "once they realize the others have not returned—"

"They will come to investigate," Devi finished.

Skarsgen ordered Leach to grab the map he had given him. Leach opened a drawer and retrieved what looked like a regular old map of the Middle Pass (the Middle Pass is what separates Arkyezin lands from The West islands) and laid it across the big oak desk.

"Turn out the lights," Skarsgen said, flipping the map over. Devi and Leach watched as Skarsgen began whispering an incantation. A path covered the map, shining with blue light, illuminating over what had been there before.

"A shadow path," Devi stated.

"Precisely," Skarsgen confirmed. A warlock like Skarsgen could only lead a shadow path, and it would cloak those under his protection. "We will make our way past the overlook—and find refuge for you two in Tagerta. There is a blind woman I know of who can see."

Devi nodded, with no intention of finding refuge.

Leach rolled his eyes, "I don't have any business in Tagerta. I will follow only to see the blind woman. After that, I plan to part ways. A beast cannot live in one place."

"Really?" Devi questioned, gesturing to the cozy cabin he had made home.

He snatched the map and headed for the door, and Skarsgen stopped him.

"Wait, "he said, pulling out a pointed dagger and slicing his forearm. Blood bubbled up from the open wound as he held the sharp blade out to Leach. Leach copied, opening his flesh with a single deep cut as he peered up, watching Devi stare at his self-mutilation. Without hesitating, she snatched the dagger and carved out a line into her arm. Skarsgen whispered under his breath and joined his blood with theirs one at a time.

"You will remain hidden, but you must stay with me. If you wander too far off, you can be seen."

"Wait —what about the scent—they know mine," Leach said.

"I can take care of that," Devi said, retrieving something that smelled of rot and fire. It wafted under their nostrils, and Leach began coughing. He covered his nose and mouth with his hand. A vase of flowers wilting on the counter.

“Let’s go then.” Skarsgen said.

They traveled by foot for miles —unable to be seen, though there wasn't anyone around. Tagerta resided several miles beyond Seers Overlook. The sun projected scattered light through the trees as they fell behind them. Their footsteps dissipated due to Skarsgen's magic. Devi noticed a small deer drinking from a stream. She wondered close to it, curious if it would sense her presence. It did not; she placed her hand on the creature, letting the memories flood in; the colorful images of nature all around and the simplicity of foraging wild plants soothed her. She could have stayed there forever, absorbing the visual information stored inside the simple animal. She saw its birth, the bloody womb before unwelcome light. It reminded her of once she held a baby piglet as a child, and she saw memories before the womb; in some energetic existence, it dwelled hovering over its potential mother. For hours she held the tiny thing and images of death and rebirth surfaced over and over. An animal of different circumstances, challenges, and times— kept going on forever. She wondered if the deer was like this.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Anything interesting?" Leach called out from behind.

The memories she felt a part of collapsed as she pulled her hand away, "nothing that would help us."

They kept moving through the dawn and set up camp at night. They made it just past the overlook. It towered above amidst the trees and cliffside, deep blue granite walls, and lights that flickered in tiny windows way up high. The outer gate was hidden behind the surrounding landscape. Devi got chills being so close to it. What if Skarsgen's magic hadn't worked? What if they were right out in the open and 'the keep' was waiting for their chance?

Leach scavenged large wood pieces to gather for a fire. Devi's stomach began to rumble, realizing she hadn't eaten since Leach had fed her hours ago. She noticed some berries on a bush that looked juicy and edible, and Leach quickly swatted it out of her hand as she put it up to her mouth to try.

"I wouldn't eat those. You know what those are called?"

"What?" Devi replied.

Skarsgen walked by and answered in a low mutter, "Queen's poison."

Devi instinctively grabbed her throat, "well, it's a good thing I'm not a queen."

"Correct. You aren't a queen, and you wouldn't ever be. You'd be dead." Leach said.

Devi gathered more wood for the fire. Leach decided to do some hunting.

"Just don't get caught.", was all Skarsgen said. He didn't. He brought back two dead rabbits and some berries that were not poisonous.

They sat around the warmth of the fire, and Leach skinned and cooked up the rabbits to share with them.

"Don't you worry that they will see the light?" Devi asked.

"Fool's Fire," Skarsgen replied; he was in the middle of chewing tender meat.

"What do you mean?"

"It can't be seen while lit. However, it does leave ash in its place—though, that's no issue—-we will be long gone."

The fire seemed like any ordinary fire. The rabbit turned out well done enough to digest without sickness—and even enjoy its gamey flavor.

Devi wondered, looking at Leach," Did you catch these with your claws or your hands?"

"Neither." Leach replied, giving a big smile, "I caught them with my teeth."

The bite she had in her mouth started to taste less appetizing. However, her stomach had finally begun to settle, and she continued to fill up. The next meal may not be for a while.

After the fire went out, Leach did some sleeping before the night. They would still need him to stand watch in case anything happened. Skarsgen passed out a belly full of rabbit meat, a shot of whiskey from his flask, and bread left in Leach's sack.

Devi lay awake, wrapped in her cloak, thinking how she would break free of them. The Seer's Overlook was close—too close.