Between The Crystals

Ch 71 Outlooks Collide

I finished the last of my soup—everyone had gotten a full bowl tonight—and asked Merryl, "Do you mind if I take the big cart?"

I felt Grant's gaze on me as Merryl shrugged. "You can if you want. I don't mind doing it."

"It's been a while since I did it," I said. "You could take the smaller cart since Ariel isn't up to it tonight."

"That could work," she murmured as she watched Callie kicking a leather ball with a few other kids.

"Don't wear yourself out," Grant commented. "I'm hoping you'll have enough energy to locate a few crystals tomorrow morning before following the hunters to the new crystal."

I groaned. "Another hike? I barely survived the last one!"

"This one isn't as far. It's probably only a four-hour hike."

I had my doubts and gave him a dubious look. "Is this porter speed, hunter speed, or Tib-speed?"

He smirked. "Something between porter speed and hunter speed."

"I think we're making the pace something a porter can handle, even if it takes us an extra hour," I muttered.

With a shrug, he replied, "That's fine by me. There really isn't a rush now that the Saursunes aren't killing every human they come across."

That comment gave me pause. It was true. There was no dire reason to rush. Not like in the past where every minute away from the crystal was a deadly gamble.

I shook my head. "I still won't be wasting time. If a Saursune finds me too quickly, it could take me all day to make that trip. The farther I get before they show up, the better. It's a small miracle they didn't find us on our last trip."

He nodded and turned his head as Callie came running over to him. "Come on, Grandpa! Let's play!"

With a fond smile, he got to his feet and went to join the game. I took his empty bowl and mine to a dozen seniors who were happily chattering while scrubbing the dishes in a bucket of water, scouring them with sand, and giving them a final rinse before setting them onto a flat stone to dry.

A handful of people were already gathering near the cart to push it over to the crystal. This was the easiest way to burn energy and stretch my abilities, and with that in mind, I went in search of some hunters. Any of them would help, but I wanted at least two who'd want to bounce as soon as they saw a Saursune. An extra trip with the cart and passengers would do more than a dozen solo ports.

I spotted two hunters who were known to be skittish and wandered over. "Mind coming with the water cart and helping stand guard?"

They got up as one replied, "Sure."

A small group of hunters and gatherers were nearby, and I grinned at them. "Anyone else feel like coming? It's been a slow day, and I have enough energy to port seven."

Liam was the first to stand up. "I can come."

"I can help carry water," a female hunter offered.

"I can come as well," Nolani volunteered, standing up from a bench behind a boulder where I hadn't seen her.

Irritation rose before I squashed it. She might not be my choice of person to hang out with lately, but we had been decent friends in the past, and she was known for helping with anything she could. And she'd definitely insist we bounce as soon as we saw a Saursune.

All five came with me and waited by the crystal as the water cart arrived. The two hunters-in-training with buckets looked relieved to see such a large group waiting.