The passage from Lower Reach climbed steadily through the eastern wall of the gorge. Its roof was low enough that Cal had to tilt his new basket beneath certain beams, and the air grew cooler each time they passed an opening in the rock. Behind them, the sound of the rising river gradually faded.
Nova kept to the inside of the steps, where his sore shoulder was less likely to brush the wall. Lunaris had decided to walk for once, although he stopped frequently to inspect the narrow drains beside the path. The Auri followed close behind, its recovering wing held against its body.
"If he falls into one of those, I'm not climbing after him," Cal said.
"You would," Nova replied.
"I'd complain the whole time. There's a difference."
