After that wonderful fishing trip by the river, we returned to our campfire.
The flames had long gone out, so we rekindled it to cook the fish, settling down on either side.
Eli took the bundle of dry twigs she'd gathered earlier, arranging them carefully to feed enough heat into the fire for cooking.
By now, the forest had truly come alive. The place that had once been silent as a grave was now filled with the chirping of birds.
It made me feel like I was out here simply for a peaceful getaway—no car exhaust, no noisy crowds.
Just me, the wild forest… and the beautiful knight sitting across from me.
[I'd think this was the perfect rest… if it weren't for my family.] I glanced at the fish roasting over the fire, that familiar heaviness creeping back into my chest.
We skewered the fish on sticks and propped them near the edge of the fire so they wouldn't burn. Before long, a delicious, mouthwatering aroma began to waft up.
I caught Eli's eye.
"I think they're ready."
She seemed to have been watching me more than the food, which made me feel oddly self-conscious.
At my words, she glanced at the fish, then back at me.
"Go ahead. You can start," she said, gesturing toward them.
She knew—after seeing me in the river—that I hadn't eaten meat in a long time, so she decided to offer me the first bite. But it didn't feel right to take it without her.
"You too," I said, poking the fire and shifting one of the skewers.
At that, she reached out, took a fish from the edge, and smiled.
"Thank you. Enjoy," she said, taking a small, polite bite from the middle.
The way she ate made it obvious she'd been raised in a well-mannered household.
I, on the other hand, didn't wait long before snatching my own fish and biting off a large piece.
[Hot!] I winced inwardly, chewing quickly.
The heat stung all the way down, and I began glancing around in search of water.
[Where's my canteen?]
Suddenly, Eli's voice cut through my frantic thoughts.
"Here, take this."
She held out her own canteen, watching me.
It clearly wasn't mine—it was hers. But I grabbed it without hesitation, drinking deeply until the burn eased, then handed it back.
"Thanks."
"No problem," she said, taking it from my hand. "But maybe eat a little slower next time. Burnt tongues aren't fun."
Lunch didn't last long. The fish was so good, I lost track of how many I'd eaten.
[Perfectly cooked… if only we had some spices.] I glanced over at Eli.
She was still on her last fish, eating slowly, like someone used to refined dining. But once she finished, I decided it was time to ask the question I'd been holding.
"Eli…" She looked up at me.
"Let's get back to our main discussion." Her attention sharpened.
"Do you know how to get out of this forest?"
"If we're going to find your family, the first step is reaching the nearest city," she said confidently, sitting straighter.
I tilted my head slightly, not quite following.
Seeing the confusion on my face, she added,
"I told you I'd help you find them. So I mean both of us."
[I thought she'd just see me to the edge of the forest.] I stayed quiet, listening.
She picked up a dry stick and began drawing a rough map on the ground beside the fire.
"We're currently in the wild Durbet Forest," she said, sketching a cluster of trees and marking two stick figures inside.
"The nearest city is Yolsbut," she continued, drawing a circle up and to the left of our position.
"From where we are, there are two ways to get there. The first is to follow the river upstream." She traced a line from the trees up toward the circle.
"The river eventually leads to a road that goes to Yolsbut. But that route will take three days along the river and another six on the road—nine days total."
[Nine days… That's too long. We need something safer and faster.]
When she finished, I asked,
"And the second way?"
She drew a straight line from our position directly to the city.
"Cut straight through the forest."
That piqued my interest.
"How long would that take?"
Her voice was steady.
"Seven days. We could make it in a week. But…" she paused, "…it won't be easy. We could run into creatures as dangerous—or more dangerous—than the ones we fought before."
Her warning brought a heavy silence between us.
[So that's what this is—she wants me to choose. The safe, long way… or the fast, dangerous one. The fast route means risking running into something that could kill us.]
My heartbeat quickened. Memories of the cave began to claw their way back—those Thornals, tossing me around like a rag doll, every bone-jarring impact.
That cave had left a scar in my mind.
Even the earlier cliffside encounter hadn't been as terrifying, because at least then I'd been conscious and still fighting. But in the cave… I'd felt death brush right past me before the darkness took me.
Sweat began to bead on my palms, my body trembling faintly. My gaze flicked to Eli.
[In there… it wouldn't be both of us dying. It would be just me. That's why she gave me a choice. She knows what's in there could kill me.]
I didn't notice when she'd come closer until she was right in front of me, looking at me with quiet concern. She placed a hand on my forehead.
"Are you alright? What scared you?" She handed me her canteen again.
"Here. Drink." She rose to her feet.
I took the water, gulping down several swallows. Wiping the sweat from my brow, I saw her return, this time with a handful of gilunus flowers.
"Eat these. You'll feel better." She held them out to me.
As I took them, I met her gaze.
"The river route…"