It was a four-mile walk. Downhill all the way there, of course, with an uphill journey promised for their return. Her ankle ached before they even started.
It took them two hours before they saw anything but dark water. By the time a dull red glow peaked out from behind Odessa’s wall of water, Ken’s teeth chattered and her whole body was shivering. Even with the added warmth caused by her small orb of submerged fire—which she kept as close as possible despite every urge to the contrary—she couldn’t feel her feet, and her hands hurt within the gloves. Frost and little icicles formed on both figures, especially dangling from Ken’s hair. Every time a little water splashed upward; Ken winced.
Odessa stopped walking and pointed at the light, which came from a mostly hidden pile of red stones
