We finally pull up by a rocky outcrop about half a mile away from Eldra Dairum. It’s dark now and the intense heat of the day is gone, replaced by a chill wind that makes goose pimples spring up on our arms.
Since we can’t use torches in case we give ourselves away, everyone is relying on me to keep us on track and, as Ru points out, to warn us if any deadly snakes, spiders or scorpions happen to be close by. As if I don’t have enough to worry about.
“Well, you never know,” he says, his teeth reflecting the sliver of moonlight peeking through the clouds as he gives me a false smile. Without even reaching out into his mind, I can tell that he’s on edge. Every muscle in his body is twitching, and although he’s trying to hide it, I still catch the faint quiver in his voice.
“I suppose pois
