cutting through dew-covered brush, following the rays of light that filter through the thick canopy of verdina trees. We keep walking until it’s safe to stop, until the insides of our boots wear the skin of our feet raw, until we reach the bank of the Rio Aguadulce. The rapid white river is such a welcome sight. The five of us discard our packs and weapons and kneel at the water’s edge. I tug off my spare gloves and drink until my belly hurts and my fingers are numb from the cold. I remove the makeshift bandage Sayida made for me when Dez and I first returned to the rendezvous point.
Sayida is a Persuári, like Dez, though she is also skilled in medicine and healing. For centuries, when the kingdom of Memoria was free and thriving, those like Sayida and Dez were often medicuras by trade because they can tend to ailments while keeping their patients calm and serene.
I grind my teeth to muffle the cry that scrapes my throat. Splashing ice-cold water onto the wound helps a bit, but now that we’ve got a place to stop for the night, I’m going to have to let Sayida take a needle to it.
“We’ll set up camp here between these boulders,” Dez says, surveying the area by the riverbank, where the roots are so high above the earth, it’s as though they’re trying to get up to take a stroll. It’s a good enough location with plenty of shade and a fallen tree trunk that will be of help when we have to wade across the river. He wastes no time in cleaning his stolen sword.
Esteban frowns at me, which I’m used to. “I worry about the king’s men,” he says, scratching at the uneven tufts of facial hair he’s attempting to grow. With his smooth brown skin and full lips, he’d be quite handsome if he shaved it, though that wouldn’t do anything for his personality. “The Second Sweep will alert the toll men on the route out of the provincia. The inspections will be more thorough or they’ll increase the travel tax—we can barely—”
“Let’s get through this night first,” Dez says, trying to keep his voice light. “It wouldn’t be a complete mission without a good deal of worry to keep us sharp.”
Esteban’s thick black lashes rest on high cheekbones as he takes a moment to compose himself. It’s a hard thing to do, standing up to Dez. One year younger than me, Esteban came to the Whispers from Citadela Crescenti, with its tall palmetto trees, scorching sun, and never-ending festivities. He clears his throat. “But—”
“Not now,” Dez says, voice strong but with a hint of weariness. He examines his polished sword as he stands, and for the briefest moment, Esteban flinches. Sayida keeps her head down, her dainty fingers busy with a suture kit.
“When?” Margo comes up behind Dez, hands on narrow hips. She’s four fingers shorter than him, but her anger elongates her somehow. Margo’s blue eyes are heavy with dark circles, her freckled face red from the wind and sun. She doesn’t try to cover up the burned splotches, like many other Illusionári would do. The only vanity Margo allows herself is her set of pebble-size solid-gold earrings. And even those are only worn as metal conduits to enhance her magics.
“Peace, Margo,” Sayida says softly, sensing a fight like a seabird might a distant storm.
Esteban scoffs. “There’s none of that to go around.”
“Are we going to talk about what happened in the village?” Margo demands. “Or does the little incendiary get to do whatever she wants, even if it means putting us all in danger?”
I wince at her words, but Sayida remains beside me. She places a calming hand on my uninjured shoulder. Anger simmers beneath my skin, but I won’t try to pick a fight with Margo. Not while I’m wounded, at least.
Dez’s nostrils flare. “What do you want me to say, Margo? We did everything to get to Celeste as fast as we could. We were too late, but not all is lost.”
Her blue eyes fall on me, cold and loveless. Wide pink lips curl into a scoff. “Not all is lost? We couldn’t be sure the pair of you got out alive. Then you show up, this one half-dead and you with a new toy. You’re the one always saying not to bring attention to ourselves! Why didn’t you show the Second Sweep the hidden passage through the mountain while you were at