about a family living there, but I have to doubt that. There are no families in this part of the forest. Sometimes the memory of trees is polluted by time.”
“Lead on, then,” Bastian said. His wounds were healed, yes, but his stamina hadn’t returned. He needed a rest, and a quiet cave would be perfect. Maybe even a nap.
Elinor turned to the north. “It’s not far now. I know we’ve been walking a long time, but we’re almost there. I promise.” She flashed him a toothy white smile.
“When we get there, will you be leaving?” Bastian wasn’t afraid to be alone, but night would be falling soon. It might not be safe for her to travel in the forest. She’d taken such good care of him. It was right to ask her to stay.
Elinor looked up into the canopy. “The sun is almost ready to set. It would be wise to remain here. Do you mind?”
Bastian shook his head. “Of course not. Maybe you can tell me more about the port. Where can boats take me once I’m on them? I don’t want to go too far away. Tressa said she’d be coming back for me. If I can’t wait in Ashoom, I want to make sure there’s a way she can find me.”
“I’ll watch for her,” Elinor said. “If she comes back, the guard will kill her. It is certain. Soon everyone will be looking for the girl who dresses as a boy. I’ll tell her where you’ve gone. I have friends in the ports who can pass on a message to her. You will be reunited. But if you act foolishly, you’ll be killed, and you’ll never see her again. You have to trust me.”
“You’ve brought me this far,” Bastian said. “I will do as you say.”
Elinor gasped in relief. “Look ahead. Do you see that copse of trees there? It’s guarding the entrance to the cave. We’ll be able to slip in on the other side. Come on!” She grabbed his hand, propelling him forward.
Together they ran to the cave, eager to sit down and rest. Bastian hadn’t asked, but he hoped she’d thought to bring some food. Perhaps there was some hiding in that cloak of hers.
The dark mouth of the cave opened wide, just as she’d said, on the other side of the trees. They stumbled inside, smiles on both of their faces. Bastian rested his hand on a large rock near the mouth of the cave. He sat down, his back against it.
“What?” Elinor said, staring into the cave in horror. “There is a family here.” She took a few steps back, her hand covering her mouth. Her eyes were large, her face pale.
Bastian’s stomach turned. What had she seen? Whatever it was, it couldn’t be worse than the giant beasts he’d fought in the forest outside of Hutton’s Bridge. “What do you see?” He squinted into the darkness, not seeing anything of interest other than a bunch of boulders.
“The cave.” Elinor pointed, her hand shaking. “It’s filled with eggs.”
Chapter Seven
Bastian dropped his fists and laughed. “You’re scared of a bunch of eggs?” He sauntered back into the cave and sat down on one. Hard ridges poked through his pants, but he gritted his teeth and pretended to be comfortable. All day Elinor had told him what to do. He wanted to show her he could make decisions too.
“Bastian, don’t.” She took a step backward, then another.
He rapped on one of the eggs. “See, it’s fine. Nothing to be afraid of. We can sleep in here just like you suggested.”
“It’s not the eggs I’m afraid of.” She retreated a bit farther away from the mouth of the cave.
“Elinor, my friends killed Stacia. She’s not coming here for eggs. And they haven’t hatched. They’re harmless.” He took a glance around the cave at the blue eggs. Though they were all of equal size, each of them was a little different. Slight variations of blue, but each eggshell had unique veined patterns.
Elinor finally stood still. “No, someone will. Stacia wouldn't have kept her eggs out in the forest. It’s too dangerous. Too easily discovered.” She shook her head, her eyes wide. “Someone, or something, brought them. We’re not safe here.”
Bastian was about to respond with more reassurances, when a scrabbling at the back of the cave gave him pause. Cautiously, he stood up and turned around.
“Hello?” he called out.
“Bastian,” Elinor hissed. “Get out of there now! The mother will come back for these eggs! We don’t