Elshanor glanced up from the tattered map in her hand. “The rest was burnt away, but something about that observatory feels familiar.”

“The fox has stopped.” Robert mumbled under his breath.

“Don’t worry about her,” Elshanor reached inside her cloak and dropped a scrap from last night’s rabbit dinner. “She’ll come.”

“I do hope the observatory has a stocked kitchen,” HSAR mused, his stomach audibly growling.

“Only one way to find out!” Grinning, and determined to find solace ahead, she led the troupe forward. The sun was high and the red robe felt heavier with each passing quarter hour. She stopped at one point to remove it and drape it over her shoulders. Uncorking water skeins, they all took a few warm swigs before continuing.

“I haven’t seen her,” whispered Robert, “but I have noticed plenty of shadows in the trees off to the west.”

“Friend or foe, they must show themselves to approach us. We stay the course.”

He pursed his lips and nodded. No need to worry the others.