On their fifth night they stopped at the edge of the savannah. Beyond, a barren stretch of rock rambled toward the volcano. A human settlement was visible at the base of the mountain.
“We’ll have to go around,” said Roxanne. “South would be better. I think we’ll hit the Chasm if we go much further north.”
“Looks like there’s another village to the south.” Keriya pointed at a dim cluster of lights. Fletcher and Roxanne craned their necks to get a better look.
“I don’t think that’s a village,” said Fletcher, pushing his glasses up his nose and peering at the lights. “It looks more like a camp. Those are bonfires.”
Silence fell as they regarded the pinpricks flickering in the violet dusk.
“Whoever it is, it’s bad news for us,” Roxanne concluded. “No fire tonight. We’ll take turns at watc
