Page 105 of Earthbound

‘Aiftarri. ‘Yeeran’s skin turned to gooseflesh as Rayan parted the magic ahead of them. Pila whimpered beside her.

I want to come with you, the obeah said.

No, it’s too dangerous, they’ll kill you on sight.

And what about you?

Malak has assured me that the chieftains will negotiate.

Pila huffed. It said enough, for she knew Yeeran’s thoughts as well as her own.

Yeeran looked sidelong at Malak next to her. His hands were bound with her magic, her drum resting on her hip ready to fire at a moment’s notice. But he had a small, pleasant smile on his face as though he were about to walk across the street, not across realms.

Before she crossed the boundary she turned to Rayan and said, ‘If I am not back in three hours, barricade the opening. We cannot be caught off guard again.’

‘But—’

‘Seal it, Rayan.’ She wrapped her words up in all the authority she could muster.

Rayan saluted as though she were his colonel once more.

‘I will do it.’

Pila pushed her wet snout into Yeeran’s hand. Yeeran crouched down.

I will see you very soon, all right? Yeeran said. And if I don’t see you now, I’ll see you in the beyond.

The obeah rested her head on Yeeran’s heart.

Stay safe, Pila said.

Malak whistled tunelessly, the sound piercing Yeeran’s ears. She stood up and turned to him. ‘Ready?’

‘If you are,’ he said.

Rayan and Yeeran exchanged a nod. Then she stepped forward into the tunnel.

Malak went ahead, his whistling echoing around them. Yeeran followed closely, using magesight to guide her steps. She could hear the sounds of the army camp and she realised it must have moved closer to the tunnel.

‘It did not take them long to forgo the neutral zone–it’s almost as though you had planned this,’ Yeeran said wryly.

‘We planned for everything,’ Malak said.

His words sounded like a prophecy, and they sent a shiver along Yeeran’s skin.

I don’t like this, Pila said. Yeeran could feel her pacing along the boundary’s edge in Mosima, Rayan beside her.

Neither do I, but I can’t let Furi die. I won’t live in a world without her. Yeeran’s throat tightened as she battled to keep the despair at bay.

Then bring back the flowers. I know you can, Pila said.

Sunlight brightened around them as they neared the exit to the Wasted Marshes, but the light seemed more muted than she would have expected for the midday sun.

‘Should I go ahead?’ Malak asked.

‘Yes, announce yourself to still their drumfire. But don’t forget the drum at your back.’ Yeeran thrummed her fingers against her weapon, releasing a soft projectile of magic that landed between Malak’s shoulder blades.

Malak jumped, startled but unhurt.