The new and unseen danger spurred As’rya on, giving her energy she didn’t think she’d had left. Each time she felt like slowing down or struggled with the weight of her pack, the princess thought of them being followed and an anxious electricity ran through her, propelling her through her discomfort. The cold wind was like a nudging hand, pushing her forward. Dark clouds dotted the sky above them.

What fueled As’rya’s fear more was Dagger’s reaction. The whole journey, she had never seen him so agitated as when he’d told her they were being followed. Even now, the vigilante scanned the area frequently, on high alert. If the person following them was strong enough to make Dagger nervous…

As’rya didn’t want to think about it much more than that. Instead, she focused her thoughts on getting through the mountains.

From a distance, they seemed friendly, protective, keeping dangers out of the Kingdom; like a sturdy wall. Now that she was among them, they felt more like large sleeping creatures, their backs reaching up into the clouds. As’rya herself felt like a small ant, trudging up the seemingly endless slope. Hearing the cries of the birds overhead, the princess felt a pang of envy. If only they could just fly up the mountain.

Dagger paused up ahead, pebbles skittering down from his boots as he turned. His dark eyes were still flitting around, his posture tense.

“Are we going to make another jump?” As’rya asked, struggling with the feeling that she needed to whisper at all times.

“Yes,” he replied, eyes finally meeting hers. “And then we will need to forage for some food, before we get too far into the mountains.”

Her hungry belly agreed, but she still felt nervous about stopping.

“Will it be safe to take the time for it?” As’rya bit her lip.

“If we don’t take time to eat, we won’t have the energy to make it the rest of the way,” the man answered. “We could make it to the end of today, but the longer we go, the less likely we will be able to defend ourselves.”

His logic was fairly sound, and the princess nodded, ignoring the gnawing fear inside as his shadows curled up around their boots, obscuring the rocky ground below. A moment later they were somewhere new, farther into the Igeora Mountains. Despite this, the ground below their feet looked nearly the same, the dusty pebbles and packed dirt the same as the last several jumps.

As’rya took a deep breath, swaying unsteadily. These last few jumps had been worse than the last; maybe they had been going farther than before. Her head was spinning and her chest hurt a bit, like she couldn’t catch her breath. Dagger seemed winded too, hand against a tree as he took a moment to breath. Although, it could be from the exertion of using his powers.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

As’rya didn’t really know what it felt like, for him to use his powers. Was it painful, tiring? Was it difficult? Did it come like breathing, natural and simple, or like learning to embroider, with much time and effort to hone the skill?

The questions that bubbled up would have to be shoved down for now. It wasn’t the time to talk about such frivolous things.

“I’m going to take a look around,” the vigilante told As’rya. “Stay here. We’re not setting up camp, but you can take a moment to rest.” Dagger turned and began scouring around the area. With her head beginning to pound, she decided it would be a good time to try and relax. Picking a few of the sturdier bushes near her, she pulled her pack off and laid down under the branches. After tucking the pack under her head like a pillow, as she had often done, she curled up on her side. The stolen coat kept out the worst of the chill, the sun warming her slowly despite the cold ground.

Ugh, she felt sick. As’rya struggled to ignore the sensation, but she felt truly awful. Even with her eyes closed, it felt as though the sun was boring into her head, the pain deepening. At this point, even if Dagger found some food, she wasn’t sure her stomach would be able to keep it down.

Maybe I just need a little rest, she tried to tell herself, readjusting against the hard dirt. As’rya rarely got sick before, but her body had been through quite a lot the past several days. Well, even if she was, the princess mused, she would have to grit her teeth and get through it.

Fatigue pulled at her like mud, sucking away both her strength and her fear. Before she knew it, the girl had begun dozing off, despite the cold ground and chill in the air. It wasn’t until she heard the rustle of plants and the sound of steps that As’rya realized she’d started to fall asleep.

Forcing herself to sit up, despite the pounding in her head, she looked over to see Dagger, tops of greens poking out of the top of his knapsack.

“It’s not a lot,” he told her as he handed some over, “But it’s what I could find quickly.”

“Thank you,” As’rya replied, but her stomach turned at the thought of food. Despite this, she took the offered berries and leaves, which reminded her of olenberries, her favorite from back home. Reluctantly, she popped a few in her mouth. They tasted sweet and mild, with a honey aftertaste, but As’rya struggled to swallow them.

Looking over at her partner, she noticed that Dagger seemed unwell, his tanned skin looking pale and sallow, sweat beading on his brow.

“Are you okay?” she asked, concerned. Was he sick? Was it something they both had? That would be the worst case scenario. Despite his appearance, Dagger nodded his head at her question.

“I’m fine,” he replied gruffly, shaking off her concern. “I don’t get sick.” Despite his reassuring words, As’rya saw the tremors in his hands as he ate a singular berry.

“I’m not feeling very well,” the princess told him, setting down her own portion. “I don’t think I can eat any more…”

Expecting him to tell her that she needed to eat anyways, As’rya was surprised when Dagger let her be, instead just scooping the foraged food into his pile.

“Will you be able to travel?” he instead asked her as he packed the food away. While her immediate answer was a no, she instead nodded weakly. She refused to be the reason the man caught up with them. As’rya knew as well that the consequence for weakness here might very well be her death.

“Can I have a few more minutes to recover?” she asked instead. Dagger paused, looking up at the dark clouds covering the sun, before slowly agreeing.

“I’m going to scout one more time. When I get back, it will be time to go.”

As’rya watched as he sat against a tree, his eyes closing as he focused. Closing her own eyes as well, the princess hoped that she would recover soon, and braced herself for the next stretch of the journey.