“Sure! Sounds fun. Same spot as before?”
“No, I found a huge pool downstream a way, deeper. A few big ones are hiding in there, I can just feel it.”
So Pachi and I left a still-snoozing Tejón to go and find us an early dinner.
Alysand had been right. Not only did we catch more fish this time, but two of them were huge, as long as my forearm and twice as thick. We returned an hour later and set about starting a fire. Since the ratkin were at least mostly gone, we used tinder from a nearby fallen tree—not entirely dry, but enough to light.
As the water finally began to boil, and we deposited more herbs and roots that I’d gathered on the way back, the shimmering form of Madi appeared in camp.
I dropped the stick I’d been stirring the fire with and sprinted to her. I leapt, and though her arms came up to intercept me, I nearly knocked the big barbarian from her feet.
She stifled a laugh and asked me, “What the heck, girl!? What’s the dealio?”
“The money! It was enough for me to pay for another month in Eternal and get AllHands off my back as well! Don’t you get it? For the time being at least, I’m free.”
Her teeth beamed white, and her tawny cheeks stretched in a grin. “I figured it would be enough. Good for you. You don’t deserve to be a slave to those assholes.”
Then I realized that we were still hugging, holding each other at arm’s length like two dancers who had stopped in the middle of a routine.
My face burned, and I looked down at my feet after stepping away.
Madi was quick to cover for me. “Smells good. Fish again?”
Alysand cut in, “Indeed, and we have two large fish for our furry friends. Though Tejón might find himself still wanting when his snack is done. He has grown considerably.”
And even as we looked on, Tejón glanced up, his paws coated in scales and slime as he licked his jowls.
Pachi and Tejón managed to hunt while we hiked further into the mountains. Carnen’s Rock wasn’t far, thankfully, but the way was steep and treacherous. This time, the benefit of daylight made the travel less dire.
We took a short break, catching our breath on an outcropping that overlooked a vast valley. Below, the flicker of lamps and fires could be seen sprouting up in and around Benham.
I reviewed my progress toward the Pathfinder class rank as we took out some jerky and ate.
Herbalism: Level 9 out of 10
Rustic Cooking: Level 9 out of 10
Animal Harvesting: Level 13 (Complete)
Stealth: Level 9 out of 10
Shelter Mastery: Level 5 out of 10
Fishing: Level 8 (Complete)
Skinning: Level 10 (Complete)
Ranged Weapon: Level 12 (Complete)
Ambush: Level 3 (Complete)
Pet Bond: Level 2 out of 3
Mountain Atunement: Level 3 (Complete)
My progress was commendable. I’d completed Mountain Atunement, Fishing, and Ambush! Everything else was nearing completion as well, but the Shelter Mastery was the one thing that would hold me up. I thought about when I might find the time to work on a shelter for a day or so, but the near future was booked.
We continued our march, and as the day faded to night, a bone-deep chill settled around us. Despite the warmth I was building with each vertical foot we climbed, I resorted to wrapping the cloak around me as I marched. Pachi and Tejón seemed perkier than ever.
The enfield glanced at me, a spark of joy in her eyes. At last, the breath of winter comes again. Don’t you love it, Hana? The wind has fangs again.
I responded with as little sarcasm as possible. I wasn’t very successful. Yes, Pachi. I love my wind with fangs. Can’t get enough of it.
Is this a joke? I am pleased, but now that I see your face, you look angry. You wear the skin of a beast on your back. Is it not enough?
The enfield had stopped and was examining me, her head turned sideways like a parrot. I took pity on her and explained. I am freezing, my friend. My lips are going to chap, and my hands are already half numb. I hope these rangers have a fire. I’m okay, though, don’t worry.
The rocky trail we had been following cut into a smoother path, one that had been worked into the mountainside. Our pace increased somewhat, though the incline remained suicidal.
After another fifteen minutes of me listening to the rasp and whine of Madi’s lungs, the path came to the base of spiraling stone stairs. Each step was over two feet tall, and I found myself pushing down on my knees to continue climbing. The stairs wound around the tip of the mountain twice before we crested its crown.
Madi and I stood panting as we gaped at the skyline. Purpling night was slowly smothering the orange of the distant sunset, and on all sides, valleys, hilltops, and forests sprawled away. Never in my life had I seen anything so beautiful.
A man interrupted us, his voice kind but deep, “I am glad you like the view. But it is getting windy and cold. Come, take shelter with us.”
I turned to see the speaker and was shocked to be facing a man even taller than Corell. His face was blocky and rough-hewn like a dryad’s. He wore the same muted and pragmatic traveling clothes that Selna did. This was another of the Doondane, the rangers.
“Hardel!” Alysand said. “I have not seen you in ages, my good man! Please tell me, how fares your feathered companion?” He shook the man’s hand and followed him to the top of the mountain. I had no idea where they were going until I saw a hole in scree-strewn rock, and more stairs descending into the peak of the mountain.
“More stairs,” Madi said. “You can keep the view. I think I hate this place.”
When I looked at her, I noticed her eyes
