III

They were walking on what was probably a road now. The Emblazoned Party had packed up their camp and set out in the early morning.

“That wasn’t so bad,” Mai said as she referenced their situation from last night. “I rather liked that camp site.”

“Me too,” Yoreno said. “It gave us a good view of the ravine and the surrounding countryside.

“High ground is always best,” Lev said.

They rode atop their horses, moving at a leisurely pace to keep the animals from tiring. When one spent the majority of his day travelling, he had to pace himself.

And so they did now.

“Do you think we’ll ever find her?” Mai asked.

Yoreno didn’t need their mage to clarify who “her” was supposed to be. He nodded. “I think so. These lands are sparse with places where people would want to live. Even an assassin will stay close to civilization.”

“We’ve been travelling for what, two weeks now?” Dell said from behind. “I say we’ll probably catch her in another couple of weeks at most.”

Mai turned toward Dellwyn. “Really?”

He nodded.

“If we survive that long,” Lev said.

“Scared?” Sorika asked.

“Of course not. But haven’t you noticed how it’s getting rougher out here the farther we get from Aevalin?”

“I have,” Mai said.

“Everywhere is rough to me,” Dorrin said, weighing into the conversation for the for the first time.

“We’ve been doing well,” Yoreno said. “If we had the time, I would say we should stock up on monster parts to sell.”

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“It’s too bad we have to leave them behind,” Lev said. “If Dantera’s unable to return with us in the end, though—I’m going to kill her.”

“Same,” Mai said with a quick glance toward Yoreno.

Yoreno pulled out their map and started looking at it. “According to the map,” he said, “there should be a town not far from here.”

“Will we reach it today?” Sorika asked.

“I could use a bath,” Dell said. “I’m filthy.”

“We all can,” Dorrin added.

“I think we should reach it by nightfall.”

“What’s it called?” Mai asked.

“It’s called Crayvin,” he said. That was an interesting name for a town, he thought.

“Like ‘craven’?”

“Not that ‘craven,’” Yoreno said. “The spelling is different.

“Maybe the fool who wrote the map didn’t know how to spell,” Dell said.

Lev chuckled.

“I don’t think so,” Yoreno said. “This map is a copy taken from the royal archive. And it’s up to date.”

“Then an up to date map maker who can’t spell,” Dell added.

“Have it your own way,” Yoreno said with a grin, glancing up from the velum at the sand and the rocks. “It sure is dry up here.”

“Indeed,” Sorika said. “And getting drier.”

“The map shows that Crayvin is in the desert.”

“Great,” Mai said. “We better be careful we don’t run out of water.”

“I agree,” Yoreno said. “It might be best to stick close to the—“

“Wait!” Mai said and stopped her horse. She glanced about.

“What is it?” Dell asked.

“I sense… an aura.” She looked at Yoreno. “Someone is coming. Multiple people—I think.”

“Get ready,” Yoreno said.

Dorrin glanced about wildly as he lifted his crossbow. He had it cranked from earlier Lev knocked an arrow and the rest of them simply made sure their scabbards were in easy reach.

They waited in the road.

All was quiet, except for the gentle breeze and the rustle of sand grits tumbling from the cliff. If whoever was approaching was unfriendly, this would be a perfect place to ambush the Emblazoned Party.

A rock tumbled from the cliffs.

“I don’t like this,” Dorrin said.

“Quiet,” Lev ordered. “Pay attention.”

“Hello!” someone called from above.

They all glanced about, Yoreno most of all as he pulled his sword partway out of its scabbard in case he needed it to deflect a crossbow bolt or a magical projectile.

“Hello!”

It was a man, coming down from the rocks.

“Well, he seems harmless,” Mai said.

He walked out into the road. Yoreno saw that he was dressed commonly with tan breaches and a rough tunic with a hood stitched to the back of brown leather. On is belt hung a short sword. “How goes it, my friends?”

“We’re not your friends,” Lev said.

“Lev,” Mai said. “You don’t have to be rude.”

“It’s quite all right,” the man said. He had a friendly face. “But I’m in need of some dire assistance, if you will.”

“What sort of assistance?” Yoreno asked as he eased his blade back into his scabbard.