They rode in silence for a while, the sound of hooves steady against the earth.
Maelina then broke the silence. "What if Adara was lying?"
"She did not lie." Zarek responded without looking at her.
Maelina frowned. "And how do you know that?"
This time he glanced at her and have her a face. Then his gaze returned to the road ahead.
Maelina sighed.
"Right," she muttered. "I keep forgetting who you are without the disguise."
They kept riding until he sun climbed high, then slowly began its descent. The air grew cooler, and the path rougher.
By late afternoon, Maelina was visibly irritated.
"She made it sound like the river bend was just there," she complained. "Follow the river, she said. You'll see the steps, she said. As though it were a morning stroll."
Zarek remained silent. His focus never left the path.
The sound of rushing water grew louder ahead.
