Back in the forest, Deygo wrapped up his own story of Libitina and the current state of Etuua. Mars and RK had been listening in rapt silence until he finished.
“And that’s about it, really. At least, that’s all that’s currently important for you to know,” Deygo told them, as he stood and kicked some dirt over the fire, extinguishing it.
“Holy crap, dude,” RK said. “That’s, well, wow.”
Mars nodded her head in agreement. “So, what are we supposed to do?”
Deygo stopped what he had been doing and looked up at her. Apparently the thought hadn’t yet occurred to him. “Well…” he began, after thinking for a moment. “I suppose you could come with me for now. If you stayed out here on your own, I’d almost guarantee you’d be dead within the day. You are a novelty, for one. I’m not sure how others would react upon seeing you. For two, you have no idea what’s okay for you to eat and drink, or where it’s safe to be. And for three, your communication skills are primitive, to say the least.”
“Hey! I resent that!” RK gave Deygo an indignant glare.
“He’s right, tho, dude. We wouldn’t be able to learn anything on our own,” Mars stated practically.
RK sighed. “Fine. Wotever. Where shall we go then, O’ Great Leader?” She directed the last comment towards their newfound guide.
Mars stepped over to Deygo and whispered, “Don’t mind her. She just gets grouchy when she’s tired and hungry.”
“I heard that! And no I don’t!” RK protested.
“See?” Mars gestured towards RK. “Grouchy.”
“Shut-up, dude.”
“Well,” Deygo interrupted, trying to stall any fight that might be brewing. “I hate to take you through the abandoned city where Origin occurred, but really it is the closest place that we might be able to find food and water for you two.” And, he thought to himself, I was headed there anyway to take care of some unfinished business.
“What!? Isn’t Origin that horrid place you just told us about?” Mars demanded.
“Yes, but…”
“‘Yes, but’ nothin’!” RK said. “I don’ wanna go where there’s all those ghosts and spooky things. Can’t we just find some stream out here somewhere?”
“I wouldn’t recommend that,” Deygo warned.
“Why not?” asked Mars.
“Because in the forest you would not be safe. Haven’t you noticed how silent it is? Why do you think that’s so? There’s Beasts out there that you don’t want to meet, trust me. You’re lucky that you haven’t strayed too far already. The path is protected for now, so you’d do best to stay on it until we’re out of the woods.”
“But then, why are you able to go off the trail?” questioned RK.
Deygo grinned and winked at her. “I’m special.”
RK raised an eyebrow and gave him ‘the look’. “Okay, fine. Wotever. Can we just go?”
“Yes, of course,” Deygo said. “Follow me. We should be there in a couple hours.”
“Oh, goody. More walking. Wot I wouldn’t give for a horse right about now,” complained Mars.
“Ah, shut-up and march,” RK told her as they moved out from their makeshift camp and followed Deygo down the trail.
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