Echoes

Chapter 24

 I fell in line next to Shae in hopes of running some ideas past her.

"Sorry for asking," I started. "But what's the plan if we find people and they're not pure bloods?"

Shae shrugged. "We simply question them of their motives, why they're living in a place with such a despicable past."

"But does that count as bringing evidence back to the council?" I asked.

"Most likely no," she replied, the tension rising in her voice.

"Alright, what if we find pure bloods, but they want nothing to do with us?" I inquired further.

"I pray it doesn't come to that," Shae answered. "I would rather like a new set of allies in our fight. Besides, you'll be our bait."

I raised an eyebrow. "Bait? What do you mean 'bait'?"

"Well, we'll be sending you in first. Cut yourself with your dagger, show them that we're not there to harm them. You'll be the bridge between us," Shae explained.

"I really wish I could stop hurting myself to prove points," I muttered.

Shae smiled. "Relax, take the next few days to think over what you might be saying. Who knows, maybe we'll even find some family members of yours."

I hadn't even thought of that. So many things had happened over the last few weeks, discovering other pure bloods seemed to be the least of my concerns. The prospects of finding family, people who could explain so many unanswered questions, seemed unobtainable. But now, anything was possible.

We wound our way up the mountain, then down into the valley below. I could help but to feel a rush of fear seeing that river again. It had only been a few days since Pix had nearly died crossing it, and I wasn't eager to do it again. I rode forward, stopping next to Sanus.

"Excuse me, Sanus," I said, my throat tight with dread. "But how are we to get across the river? The last time we tried on horseback, Pix nearly drowned after falling through the ice."

Sanus grunted. "We can only hope that it holds a second time, then."

That definitely didn't make me feel any better. I gripped the reins tight and fell back next to Shae once more. I tried not to panic, but it was becoming harder and harder the closer we got to the riverbank. Shae could see that I wasn't OK.

"Nisa," she started. "Are you alright?"

"I hope so. Last time I was here, Pix almost died, so it's not exactly a favorite spot of mine," I said.

She put her hand on my shoulder. "Sanus knows what he's doing. We'll be fine."

I hoped she wasn't wrong. Up ahead, the first of the Guardsmen stepped onto the river. With each hoof that stepped onto the ice, my heart would beat faster and faster against my chest. Shae pulled ahead, but turned her head back when she noticed I wasn't following.

"Nisa," she urged.

I nodded and rode forward. I held my breath as my horse stepped forward, onto the frozen river.

"Don't look down," I heard Shae say in front of me. "Just keep your eyes forward. Focus on the mountains on the other side."

I gulped and looked up, staring straight at the cloud-covered peaks. In the distance, I could see one mountain larger than the rest. I tried to focus on it as best as I could, knowing that it was Mount Wanea. It took every inch of my being to not look down, even when I heard cracks splintering beneath the horse's hooves. By the time I made it to the opposite bank, I thought my body was going to explode from the rush of adrenaline. Shae pulled back to check on me.