Thaddeus Diggory
I suppose I knew the time would come eventually, but I wish it never had.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. My examination of Ariel’s wound this morning confirmed my belief that she would be ready to travel, and much to my relief, she made no mention of leaving. We packed up our camp, distributed the burden of food and water—it was a blessedly bountiful stop—and began our march eastward by unspoken agreement.
I smelled it before I saw it, and my heart clenched in terror. I whispered muttered prayers that it would be small, that it would be still, that it would be something we could circumnavigate, but to no avail. A wide, rapidly-flowing river greeted us. It was a sight that would give pause to a strong swimmer, but to me, it was a death sentence.
Ariel noticed me falling back and gently asked me what was going on. Lilo walked ahead, talking to herself, oblivious to my fear. When I finally confessed to Ariel that I can’t swim, I believe she suppressed a grin, but she said nothing beyond a simple reassurance that we would all make it across. She went to chat with Lilo, and by the time I caught up, they’d concocted a plan to make a raft. I didn’t think it was going to be possible, but they worked like beavers and put the whole thing together in only a few hours. I had my eyes shut tight during the entire crossing, but we did make it. Feet back on solid land and all that. We walked a little farther after that, but we were all exhausted, so we chose to make camp early.
Ariel Irene
It was so satisfying to be the one helping Thaddeus today instead of the other way around. I had to stop myself from busting out laughing when he told me he can’t swim and that he’s terrified of water—that’s all your influence; I would never had held back unless you’d drilled politeness into me—but it just seemed so wild to me that a grown man wouldn’t be able to even get close to the river without wanting to throw up. It wasn’t even that big of a river, and the fact of the matter is that we would have had to make a raft either way. But we got the credit for helping him out, and I’m not going to complain about no longer ‘owing him’ for the other day.
Things are better now. I’m not sure how much of that is just the initial shock of the whole thing wearing off, how much is the way that today evens the score, and how much of it is knowing them a little better. They don’t feel like strangers anymore, although I don’t know if I’d go so far as to say friends. The nagging doubt about them is gone, even though I still know with absolute certainty that they’re criminals just like me. But I haven’t really… gotten to know anyone, you know? Not since you died. I’m rusty. I’m uncomfortable.
But I think I might also be happy.
Lilo Talei
We spent the whole day building a stupid raft to cross a stupid river and I’ve never been more tired in my life. I told the others that I wasn’t keeping watch tonight and that they better let me sleep in. They owe me because I was the one who steered the dang thing. Without me we’d’ve all died in the river. So I’m going to sleep in tomorrow.
You’re reading The Ravenswing Report, a rapid-fire, limited-run serial from Sara Dietz at Blinking Blue Line. To learn more and access the Table of Contents, click here.
Awww, tired grumpy Lilo.