Some moments later, the four were moving along the northern stretch, slower than they ordinarily would. Without Na-Ri's floating orb to guide them, the weight of their safety had fallen entirely upon Orion's poor shadow scout, which had already suffered death once before.
The scout, however, made no protest in continuing as their anchor, having long borne that burden. It drifted about fifteen paces ahead, its outline faint in the dim light as they advanced.
For half an hour they had yet to reach the first turning, nor had any threat presented itself. The monotony of the march was beginning to gnaw at them, and human frailties such as hunger steadily eroded their stamina.
'Ugh...'
Kyle scowled as he trailed behind Na-Ri, who walked with composed steps, Adela keeping close beside her. To his right strode Orion, his eyes drifting now and then towards the folds of his dark cloak.
