Chapter 96

Netya looked up and down the river in despair. The sun was disappearing beyond the horizon. In a vain attempt to brave the slope, she dug the shaft of her spear into the ground, feeling soft chunks of shale break off around it as she struggled to force it in and gain purchase.

Much to her surprise, it worked. She tried to take a few steps forward with the aid of her spear, but she did not get far before realizing she would need to tug it free and drive it in farther up the slope to make any more progress. The ground was still too uneven to keep her footing, and she dared not risk the climb yet.

Slinging her spear across her back, Netya gave one last look to her surroundings, before hurrying back the way she had come. There was no time left to explore further, but she had seen her chance, and it was all she had.

Retracing her steps to the spot between the monoliths, she began searching the expanse of scattered stones in the shallows for what she needed. It was not d