Chapter 74: Return
Stones rattled down the slope as they carefully climbed down.
"You're absolutely sure we are east of Degonda?" Lous grunted from the back.
"For the sixth time. Yes!" Yerich said. "I've been here before, though that wasn't here then!"
Irwin inadvertently watched as Yerich pointed at the ripped-apart hillside to their left and shuddered. Rubble lay strewn across the hill, partially covered in snow, while massive slabs of jagged rock jutted up and outside as if something had burst out of it.
"Could you two shut up so I can hear if anything follows us?" Gwallina hissed. She was standing a few feet ahead, on a large rock, bow out and ready to shoot anything that could follow them.
"Even if it comes through, it won't follow us," Yerich said, sounding exasperated.
Irwin knew the ranger had become annoyed by the constant worrying, but he fully understood the others. More so, because if they had to run, he had to carry Desrin. Taking a look at the pale-faced guard in his arms, he saw the tiny stream of blood from the corner of his mouth had begun again. Initially, they had taken turns carrying the guard, but it soon became apparent that the others couldn't carry him far before slowing and even tripping. Eventually, Irwin had just continued carrying the guard, only taking off his armor and weapons, handing those to Lous, while Gwallina carried the guard's pack. Although the weight kept increasing to the point of being a horrible burden, he had a big advantage. Coperion Body. He used it when he could, as it made the weight negligible and allowed him to rest while it was on cooldown.
Half a day down is going to be close, he thought as he looked at the valley floor far below. According to Yerich, they could move from there along the foothills and reach Degonda before dark. So far, they hadn't come across any demons or portals, which somehow surprised him, but he wasn't going to complain.
As they continued on, he didn't join the other's banter or do much else but think. Think about what Ambraz had said. He really wanted to head back to Malorin and somehow save his family. But how? He'd thought about going there and taking them with him to the hubworld. That might work. But where in the hubworld? If it was anything like his own world, he would need some form of currency to get a house and all kinds of other things.
Another thing he could do was try and bring them to Daubutim's father… whom I haven't met and have no idea what he is like, he thought. From what he'd seen of Daubutim, his father seemed like a very capable, harsh, and generally horrible man.
Steps, I need steps, he thought after a while. He'd been coming up with a list for a while, just like before, but only the first step kept staying the same. Get back and teach Trimdir the basics of card reforging with Ambraz's help. Not just because it would help people stop the portal but also because it would remove some of the attention from him. I need to warn Daubutim, he thought. His friend had to be worried.
A look at the sky made him grit his teeth. They had no idea how long they had been out, though the others probably still thought it was only moments. As soon as the moon was out, he'd be sure.