The following days were difficult for Hennery, struggling as he did to keep up with his newfound companions. After the first hour, he was already exhausted, though Galen assured him that was just an aftereffect of his healing, and it should wear off. For his sake, the others seemed to keep their pace slower than they would have otherwise. Even so, Hennery felt as though he was lumbering through the dense forest while his new companions lightly slipped between the trees.
Later that afternoon, Galen called for a slower pace so Hennery could rest.
“How much farther today?” Hennery asked between ragged gasps.
Galen glanced to Layen, who shrugged.
“I know a nice crossing of the Ragerond River that’s only three days from here. Then it’ll only be another two weeks to the Dead Plains in the no
