Strolling next to them just in case, he directed Jidan to the large gate leading out onto the plains to save them from squeezing through the brambles. Once they felt the girls were confident enough, they picked up the pace.
‘Look! There, in the distance,’ Yusumi said, pointing at two shapes moving swiftly towards them. She and Xanna had climbed back to the top of the hill hoping to spot Jidan and Kai"s approach, thinking it best to stay put rather than actively search for them in case they got lost.
Xanna focused her gaze, picking out the rhythm of her brother’s swift run and the smoothness of Jidan’s agile legs. ‘It is them,’ she said, starting forwards, but then stopped as she saw something on Jidan’s back. She tried to make out what it was, but not until they were nearly upon her did
