Page 22 of Earthbound

If Dart knows nothing about where I was found, then this journey was pointless.

And he could have stayed in Mosima, with Golan.

As he sat up, Mia and Dart looked at him, ashamed. He was about to tell his old friends that none of this was their fault, when there was a knock at the door.

Lettle sat up suddenly, her eyes flying open. ‘Alder?’

He winced. She was so attuned to his sleep talking that he wondered if she’d ever have a restful sleep again.

‘No nightmares last night, it was just the door,’ he said.

She reached for her pack, which she always used as a pillow, and he knew she was checking for the grimoire and her journal–like she did multiple times a day.

Mia started to rise to answer the door, but Dart waved her away, her swollen belly more of a burden than it had been on the trail.

‘They’re big,’ Mia remarked when she saw Alder looking.

‘They?’

‘Twins. I think it’s two boys, Dart thinks it’s two girls.’

‘Hopes it’s two girls,’ Dart said, returning. ‘I just think we all could do with more people like Mia in the world.’

Mia stroked his cheek fondly as he sat back down next to her. ‘You honey-tongued thing.’

Alder tensed as the newcomer entered behind Dart. Mortah swept into the room with more grace and presence than he could ever imagine having, even with a walking cane.

‘Who are you?’ Lettle said, in her coarse way. Mortah just sniffed.

It had been over a year since Mortah had relinquished the Nomad way of life to live in Caperly. Alder had thought she’d never retire from travelling. Even with her walking stick she’d been one of the fiercest hunters, the most proficient of foragers. And though she detested him, he always appreciated her candour and knowledge.

She shuffled forwards, her joints clearly paining her more than they had before.

‘Mortah, it is good to see you,’ Alder said.

Her lips unwound into a small smile. ‘You thought me dead, eh?’

‘No, not at all.’

‘I thought you dead,’ she replied. Lettle snorted.

‘Well, I’m not,’ he replied.

There was a long silence as everyone waited for Mortah to explain her arrival.

‘Thank you for speaking in my defence yesterday, it was a welcome surprise,’ Alder said, a touch awkwardly.

‘A surprise it was not, it was predestined,’ she said.

Again the silence rose up around them. Lettle gave Alder a look that said, How do we get rid of her?

Dart cleared his throat, making it obvious Lettle’s glance had been less than subtle. ‘How about I go and get us something to break our fast?’

‘No,’ Mortah said sharply. ‘You stay, send the fae and elf.’ She pointed to Farhan and Lettle.

‘They don’t know where they’re going,’ Alder said.

‘Dart should stay,’ Mortah replied firmly.