Chapter 13
“We’ll split up at the Hadem village,” Jabari announced the next morning, poring over his crumbling map. It was late in the morning, after the tears and blessing of farewell with Ivram and Karah, after they and the rangers that had accompanied them left to return to the city.
“Hadem?” Isika asked. “Why is your map so old, anyway? Don’t you have one in better condition than that?”
He glanced up at her. “No,” he said. “This is my traveling map. It is well traveled.”
“It looks like you use it for a blanket,” Ivy chimed in. Deto snorted.
“Why the hostility?” Jabari asked. “Is it because I mentioned the fact that we have to split up again? You will be deprived of my company, Isika. I’m sorry about that. I truly am.”
“Please deprive me also,” Ivy said. “I want to be deprived!”
