Page 99 of Lake of Sorrow
Kaylina was tempted to dismount and look for clues, but after a few more sniffs, Levitke continued up the highway. Now and then, she paused to lift her snout in the air for several inhalations. Kaylina took that as a positive sign that she was on the trail, hopefully of the newspaper wagon and not an animal that had crossed that way and might make an appealing meal.
Before entering the preserve, the highway veered away from the river. It traveled between the densely treed area and an estate bordered by a stone wall and intermittent watchtowers that overlooked the ancient druid sanctuary. As they skirted the preserve, Kaylina thought she glimpsed a campfire in the trees. More Kar’ruk warriors lurking, ready to help their so-called diplomats enact their plan?
As Levitke continued past the area, heading farther from Port Jirador, Kaylina tried not to feel like she was abandoning her brother and others who needed help. She wasn’t a ranger who could win battles against Kar’ruk. She wouldn’t be any assistance in the city. Besides, she was being hunted, as the horns blowing in the distance reminded her.
Levitke climbed into the darkening mountains, eventually detouring from the highway to skirt a watchtower. Near it, fires burned in metal-lined pits, the flames brightening the surrounding area. Thanks to cliffs rising to either side of the highway, it was difficult to pass without being caught by the light.
The faint whuff of a taybarri came from a stable built against the tower’s base. One or more rangers had to be stationed inside, keeping an eye on the approach to the valley and the city.
Kaylina tensed, not certain if the men would recognize her and know Targon believed she should be helped instead of arrested.
Levitke answered with a soft grunt.
Another whuff sounded in reply, the agreeable tone seeming to imply, You may pass.
They did without anyone in the tower objecting, and Levitke continued uphill, heading deeper into the mountains. The night air grew chillier, and howls sounded in the distance, a reminder that dangerous predators called this wilderness their home. With luck, those animals would find a taybarri an intimidating foe and stay away.
The next time Levitke left the highway, she didn’t return to it, instead following a bumpy dirt road that a horse-drawn wagon would have been hard-pressed to maneuver across. Patches of lumpy snow here and there would have been a further impediment.
Kaylina was about to suggest loads of newspapers hadn’t likely come this way, but Levitke halted.
Her whuff sounded triumphant.
“You think this is the spot?” Kaylina peered dubiously into the dark around them, spruce and pine trees looming up, mostly blocking the night sky. A creek gurgled nearby, but full night had fallen, and Kaylina couldn’t see it. She couldn’t see much of anything.
The next whuff sounded like a confident affirmative.
“If you say so.” Kaylina slid off and dug into her pack for her lantern.
When she got it lit, the small flame doing little to stave off the mountain darkness, she spotted Levitke drinking from the creek.
“Are you sure this is the spot and not where you want to water yourself and camp for the night?” Kaylina asked.
The taybarri ambled over and licked her with a tongue large enough to wash her entire face.
“Was that an answer to my question?”
After whuffing twice more, Levitke wandered to the side of the road and chewed on snow. Kaylina started to sigh in disappointment, but she glimpsed a straight line in the snow. A track left by a wagon wheel.
“Maybe this is the spot.”
Levitke gave her a flat look that seemed to say, Obviously.
Lantern aloft, Kaylina searched further.
Half-buried by snow lay a stone campfire ring, a cast-iron frying pan, and a couple of rusty shovels. By the creek, the wooden remains of a sluice box promised miners had used the area at one time, but it looked like it had been a while since anyone occupied the camp.
Levitke pawed at something on a rocky hillside a dozen yards off the road. Boards had been nailed together to make a semblance of a door that covered a cave entrance. Or maybe an old mine shaft?
The expectant look Levitke turned on Kaylina made her come closer to investigate. A patch of snow held fresh boot prints, some a little larger than hers, some a lot larger. Had the Kar’ruk been back here too?
There weren’t any hinges on the faux door, and Kaylina had to drag it aside. The shaft she’d been envisioning stretched into darkness.
Levitke growled, and Kaylina jumped back, grabbing her sling before realizing it would be hard to fire while she held the lantern. Instead, she drew her knife.
The taybarri faced into the shaft, lips rippling back from her fangs and her muscles tense. Her nostrils flared as she sampled the earthy air that wafted out. Earthy and inky air. It smelled of newspapers inside, but Kaylina doubted that would make Levitke growl.
“Do you go first or do I?” Kaylina whispered. “I haven’t finished the ranger handbook yet and am not sure of proper protocol.”