Abigail

6 - Abigail and Friends Reach the Falls

Snow was melting that morning. The Thaw had finally arrived. They walked as they always had, following the long Neuse river that traced its way through the Awake. At last, the trees ended, river turned monstrous.

The Falls, Abigail thought in wonder.

Though she had been silently anticipating this moment, looking over its edge tinged her relief was anxiety. It must have been ten thousand tons of tumbling water, a deafening roar like a lion's hunting cry, seeking what prey might stumble into its foaming claws.

"Edderstown is right past these falls!" Xander shouted to them over the din of water. "We should get to the base of the water and rest for the night!"

The sun was settling quickly on the water, painting all the world in pinks and yellows. In a single file line, they let Abigail lead the way across the rocky terrain. She paused now and then to check behind and see they were keeping up, but in truth it was thrilling work to be so close and so counted on. Where it was safe to step—and where it was not—was simple for her feet.

The last of the sun's rays were still fading as they set up camp, far from the rushing water and closer to the shore of beach.

Laz and Abigail sat up long after Xander's breathing started to even out. They crouched near each other. "We're almost there," Abigail said, unable to keep the excitement from her voice.

"I know," Laz said quietly. Abby thought that he sounded older now than he had two weeks ago. She was itching to say more, but instead she waited, watching him. His eyes clouded over. "You know..." he started and trailed off. There was an uncomfortable silence between them for a minute as they realized their minds had never been less aligned. He cleared his throat and started again. "You know, Abby, it might not be true."

She knew what he meant without his clarifying. The words she had heard Mistress speak so long ago in a life that felt more like a dream than reality. The words that had started her on this whole adventure. The words that gave her hope that her life was more than the orphanage and that her father might be alive.

The sun reached its final resting spot for the night and the moon and stars chose not to grace the sky in its absence. Thick clouds of darkness were all around them.

Abby didn't speak at first and the only sound was Xander's breathing, slow and light. She knew the soldier's sleep was only ever an inhale away from alertness.

"I can't let myself think that," Abigail said finally, with more firmness than either she or Laz expected. "He's alive, and we will find him."

Her brother didn't respond.

Abigail lie back against the ground, trying to sound like her sleeping self. In truth she remained staring into the darkness for much longer than she would sleep that night.

* * *

"All right, children," Xander said. They were standing in the square of Helvete, two rivaling pubs in opposite alleys the objects of their observation. "Pubs are always good places to find things out. I'll head to Drowsy Poet, and you two go on to Third Moon. Abby, let your feet guide you. Laz, keep that flute handy. See what you can learn, then meet me back here."

Abigail pulled open the heavy wooden door to the sound of clinking metal cups. The smell of alcohol made her nose wrinkle. Abigail followed her feet as Xander had suggested, and they had only taken a short while when they began to hear talk of interest.

"Harvest Festival is coming! The prisoners might even be displayed!"

"We could use a good match in the Arena," the other replied. "Quality of these fights has been down two years past."