Eversummer: The Forerunner Archives Book 1 Page 14

  12.

  "What do you think it is?" I whisper, leaning again to peer around the rock.

  "I am unsure," Altair replies, shifting his position slightly. "We may be able to slip past them, but I fear what will happen if we are detected." 

  I sigh audibly. Nothing's ever easy anymore.

  We're finally coming to the end of the canyon.

  After following the stream at the bottom for over a day, the rocky, sentinel pine covered faces of the canyon slowly gave way to scrub and stunted bushes. The air is getting warmer, the canyon walls now built of layered strata rather than solid blocks. The change happened quickly.

  The deserts of the south are not far off now.

  "What if we just blended in with them, you know?" Traylor speaks up for the first time.

  I eyeball my little brother incredulously. "That'd probably be suicide, buddy," I reply in earnest. "These people could be Children of Mutanity." I pause and stare at the gathered mass at the mouth of the canyon. It can't be coincidence that they're camped out here. The canyon is the most direct route south from Krakelyn. Travelers have to come this way unless they want to pass over the Spine of the World, which takes weeks longer. "They don't seem like Children though, do they?" I add.

  The little and only experience I've had with the Children of Mutanity hadn't been a positive one. Brainwashed, bloodthirsty savages, people who can't handle the fact that their gods had turned their backs on them. They've been living a lie their whole lives. Well, we all have. The difference is, I never believed in their gods in the first place. I can't imagine the Children holding a silent vigil in support of their cause, as the people camped out before us seem to be doing. The Children use fear to rein in their masses, and fear is seldom silent.

  With a gasp, I suddenly realize what this gathering is. There's a lone spire standing near the mouth of the canyon and the people, a few hundred of them, are gathered right around it. I very much want to go down there and join them.

  I elbow Traylor. "What do you think?" I ask, keeping my eyes on the crowd.

  Traylor shrugs. "I dunno," he answers truthfully. "Maybe it’s–"

  "Traylor!" I interrupt, nearly yelling. "There's a spider on your foot!" Traylor squeals instantly, bolting from our hiding spot behind an irregular boulder. Traylor hates spiders.

  Too bad there isn't actually one there.

  Altair curses at me, going after Traylor. 

  Smiling, I use the opportunity to slip away, casually, headed straight for the gathering up ahead.