Lost Kingdom by Laurel Black

Author:Laurel Black [Black, Laurel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stormeer
Published: 2024-01-17T00:00:00+00:00

25

Raven

When the Ruins of Javan appeared on the horizon right before sunset two days later, my feet were dragging.

“We’ll camp there for the night,” Jeddak said, pointing into the distance.

Skies, it could still take half a day to get there, I thought despairingly. At this point, muscles I didn’t even know I had were throbbing relentlessly, my feet were swollen, and my whole body ached with exhaustion. After months in the mine, I was used to hard labor, but not trekking long distances in the winter elements. After only a few days on the road, I felt like an abused ragdoll.

Jeddak didn’t seem affected. He trekked steadily down the rough road beside Kah like there was an invisible string pulling him home. In fact, he seemed to get stronger and more resilient the closer we got to the mountains. I envied him.

I couldn’t tell him there was little chance I’d make it to the ruins tonight without collapsing. When I’d asked him to let me come with him to Askeland, I’d promised him I could keep up the pace. And I would. I just didn’t realize how broken my body was after being a prisoner for so long.

Remember, you are strong, Hen’s voice sounded in my head, giving me a bit of renewed energy.

Jeddak was several paces ahead now. Was he moving faster, or was I moving slower? A steady cold wind blew from the mountains in front of us, acting like a giant hand pushing me backward.

When I tried to catch up with him, my foot snagged a tree root. I stumbled to the ground, hard.

Jeddak must have heard me because in an instant, he was jogging back with Kah right behind him. “Are you all right? What happened?”

“I—” I started, but the breath was knocked out of me, and I couldn’t seem to find the answer.

Jeddak knelt beside me and touched my arm. “Raven, are you hurt?” I thought he’d be frustrated for slowing us down, but to my surprise, his voice was filled with concern.

“No,” I said, finding my voice. “I think—” I rubbed my ankle. It was sore but not painful. “I think I’m fine.”

“Can you stand?”

No. Now that I was sitting down, I didn’t see how I could possibly force my legs to hold my weight again. “Yes,” I lied, though I wasn’t sure my strained tone convinced him. “I just need a minute.”

Jeddak pulled the waterskin from his pack and handed it to me. His hair had fallen into his eyes. I suddenly had the urge to use my fingers to brush it back.

“We can’t stay here long,” he said after I’d taken a few long sips. “We’re too exposed. We haven’t seen any signs of the Rathalans yet, but that doesn’t mean they’re not tracking us.”

It was that same fear that had kept me looking over my shoulder the whole day. “All right, let’s go,” I said, gritting my teeth to fight the exhaustion.

When I tried to stand, my legs did exactly what I’d expected—they refused to work.

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