CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Stocked up on water and suitably rested, the group prepared to leave.
Yusumi hadn't said much since she'd come back from practicing her magic in the cave beyond, but when Xanna helped her reapply the green dye to her skin and hair, the Earth Healer noticed she stood a little slouched, her shoulders rounded as if to shield her from the world.
When everyone was ready and Dreya guided them out, taking them through a series of enclosed tunnels and steep inclines, Xanna spotted her friend dragging along at the back. Slowing to talk to her, she said, 'Yusumi, are you alright? Was your training difficult?'
Yusumi shrugged. 'I'm not sure. Some parts of it, like focusing on drawing my magic up from within me, came as naturally as moving my legs. But Dreya spoke about grounding
