Chapter FourteenStalking Prey
Days passed as Iarion and his friends traveled with Nofret and the other followers of Bastet up the Serpent River, through the seemingly endless expanse of jungle. Thanks to Nofret’s forethought, many of her people had grabbed food and supplies during their flight through the city market. Birds chirped in the canopy overhead, while monkeys rustled the branches and howled. The constant drone of insects filled Iarion’s ears. Their progress was slowed by the needs of the wounded, but eventually Iarion caught sight of mountains to the northwest, beyond the edge of the stifling humidity. Barlo’s beard had expanded to nearly twice its normal size. His nose and eyes were barely visible below his helm. The heat seemed to sap the dwarf’s energy, but it made Lodariel w
