Requiem Run

Chapter 18

The platform gave way to woods, sideways woods, considering we were on the side of a mountain, that was to be expected. I was hoping that we would come across more shelter as the sun was going down, but it was looking like that wasn't going to happen.

"We're going to have to set up a camp," said Daniel, "I was hoping we could avoid this, but it looks like that's what has to happen now."

"We're gonna be hella vulnerable if we sleep out in the open," said Katie, "Are you sure there's nothing else we can do?"

"Not unless you want to walk through the night," said Daniel, "We'd save on time, but you'd probably be exhausted."

"More than I already am?" said Katie, "No thanks. I'm willing to take the risk."

"You'd rather risk death than be a little tired?!" Felice asked, completely incredulously. Katie just smiled in response and nodded. Felice laughed and shook her head ruefully. Rhys and I, on the other hand, we were just used to Katie's antics at this point.

"I can get a fire going in a couple of minutes," said Daniel, "Maybe even a couple of seconds if one of you is good with fire magic."

"I'm not good with magic period." I said, even though Rhys was already stepping forward and raising her hand.

"Alright, cool." said Daniel, "I've got some sleeping cots in my bag here, so we should be good, for now."

"Damn, how deep is that bag of yours?" Katie asked.

"Bottomless," said Daniel, "I've got an enchantment on it."

"Wow, you know, of course that would be a thing." I said, "I'm surprised I didn't even think of that."

"Hold on, I'm hoping that's in my spellbook," said Katie, flipping through the book she took from Kydro, "If I could cast that on my backpack, my life would be complete."

"Aren't you still working on enchanting a spiritual arm?" Felice asked, "That would help with things."

"Okay, one thing at a time." said Katie, though I wouldn't be surprised if she found a way to memorize everything at once. I turned back to Rhys and Daniel, only to see they had already gotten the fire roaring to life.

"That was fast." I said.

"Magic works like that," said Rhys, "Hold on, I'm gonna try to make a force field to protect us, just in case Xelsa goes for a sneak attack in the early morning."

"Is it powerful?" Daniel asked.

"About average," said Rhys, "So yeah, we're still gonna have to take shifts when we sleep."

"Noted," said Daniel, "I'll take first shift, you want second?"

"Sounds good," said Rhys, "Be sure to actually get some sleep during my shift, can you?"

"I'll work on it." said Daniel. I noticed, just barely, that he had that ghost of a smile again when he said that.

"Do you even sleep Daniel?" Katie asked, "You didn't sleep back in that house on the mountainside."

"I have to keep a lookout," said Daniel, "My job is to protect you."

"Your protection won't mean much if you end up passing out on us," I said, "Can you at least try and get some sleep?"

"Whatever you say, Mother." said Daniel. I glared at him, but stopped when I realized I finally got a smile out of the man, and even a chuckle to boot. As far as I was concerned, I was the winner.

"Winner of what?" Felice asked.

"Can you not read my thoughts like that?" I asked, "Unless you want to start sharing yours?"