The Breath of Water | Neteyam

88 • Difficulties

"I never could have imagined what they look like in person, they were magnificent!" said Liyanin. Neteyam chuckled at this, pushing a huge leaf aside, out of the way. Spider ran under it easily, getting in front of the two. "Floating rocks...there is nothing like that back home...!"

The three were now traversing the rest of the way to High Camp by foot, allowing Unilway a break. They had to anyway, where they were, flying would be useless.

"When they move, does you guys' world shake?"

Spider couldn't hold in his laughter for that one.

Neteyam cringed, giving her a pitiful look. Liyanin grew confused, but then shook her head to clear up the misunderstanding.

"No, no, I am being for real! Like does anyone lose balance?" she reiterated. Neteyam grabbed her hand, leading her through the forest behind Spider.

"No, Yawne. Our world does not shake. We don't even feel it really, unless you are close to the edge." Neteyam answered. Spider continued to walk but stopped for a second to gauge his surroundings.

Liyanin was like an eager child at an amusement park, anxious to try every single ride. This new realm was so different for her. She had never seen so much green in so many rows.

And the animals, they were new for her, too. Unlike the reefs, there was barely anywhere for you to hide or escape the dangerous predators living in the forest because they live in the forest. And all there was, was forest.

This definitely put Liyanin on edge a bit, knowing that at any corner there could have lurked an agile, deadly, foe. Due to this, she tried to drown her worries with excitement and wonder.

"You've got to stick close to me, it's been so long since we last been here, I am not sure how dangerous it could have gotten." Neteyam told her, prompting her to nod. She glanced at her feet, once again finding that brown mud she hadn't determined whether she liked. She nearly slipped a few times, the ground feeling more slippery to her than her counterparts.

"Spider! Wait a second." Neteyam called out. Spider turned around, dropping from a log he had climbed. He saw Neteyam kneeling in front of a sitting Liyanin, who didn't look too hot. "Liya? Tell me what's wrong."

"Yo, she good?" Spider asked worriedly, but he received no response. Liyanin held a hand over her stomach, breathing unusually. This made Spider remember her situation.

When Neteyam saw her hand over her belly, he mirrored her actions, trying to look into her face. "Is it the baby, Yawne? Does it hurt?"

"I...hoo...hoo...I don't know..." she replied, closing her eyes tight. Her hands began to shake. "I don't know...i-if I can continue walking right now."

"Shit. This isn't good, this is prime nantang (Viperwolf) territory." Neteyam cursed under his breath. He continued holding her stomach, looking backwards to find Spider. "Oì, Spider!"

"Yes, Sir!" he ran up.

"Drop the sir, can you shoot a bow and arrow?"

"Uhh...I can't say. I've only used one once, but that was before I got kidnapped...I don't really remember how I was." Spider grew worried. "Why? Did something happen to your wife?"

"Shit...I'm not sure." He turned to look at her, then kissed her forehead. "I'll be right back, okay?" She nodded in response, not able to reply verbally. Neteyam pulled Spider aside, out of Liyanin's earshot. He bent down to the boy on one knee, wanting to meet him eye-level. "You know where we are, right."

Spider looked around before answering. "We're south of the camp, about 44 miles out."

"What is this area."