A Burnt Tree

“We’ll break for camp.”

“But shouldn’t we-” Nim started. Wanting to press on.

Wanting to avoid bedding down for the night.

Because she knows where I’ll expect to have her.

“We’ll break for camp.” Disseus cut her off with a glower. Grabbing his bow, he headed toward deeper woods.

Almora and Lonnix were already collecting kindling for the evening fire. Knowing it would be needed to keep the Battling Dogs at bay.

Movement toward the trees behind him, caught Disseus’ attention.

Nim.

Walking alone through the woods this close to dusk. What is she thinking?

Heading through the trees in the opposite direction of their camp she was glancing furtively over her shoulder to make sure they didn’t follow her.

She wants away from the rest of us.

Why? She knows this is dangerous country. His curiosity had him veering off his trajectory to trail after her.

He followed her awhile but became nervous upon seeing how far she’d drawn from Lon and Almora despite that Battling creatures had so recently dema