The hours they were travelling were quiet, something even unusual for them, but Idelya and the rest did not complain about it. There were good days and bad days, so they could not avoid encountering problems from time to time, although there were always ways to prevent them as far as possible.

“It depends a lot on how fast you need to move forward, but there are other factors to consider,” Idelya said.

Nero had the most to contribute to this. He knew more paths than the rest of his friends, and his tracking skills allowed him to see details that escaped the majority. He could pick up with his smell if there were other elthean nearby, not to mention that he had such fine hearing that it would be difficult to catch him off guard by standard methods. The wolf was quick to join in the conversation, doing his bit. The usual paths were known to most and found on maps. However, the less travelled ones were craved as a rich delicacy.

“The more you know about the terrain you’re moving through, the more accessible your chances are,” Nero said.

You never knew what could happen. Besides, knowledge like that was not always in the books but the wisdom of others like those merchants. So, without revealing the exact point in the east to which they were heading, he was encouraged to ask them for advice for what they could offer.

“There is still a lot of Hawell’s territory to the east, Armecia. Issey, to the north. Or any of the lands to the south,” Idelya said as she looked at the map.

“We have a business to settle around here,” Rune said.

“Though it never hurts to know where our enemies are moving. Perhaps they will lead us to places none of us has visited so far,” Aer admitted.

And that was big words in someone like him. Blanche might not look kindly on revealing where they might be headed, especially given how careful they were with her. However, they weren’t there to indulge her in every way they could, too complicated a task for anyone, not to mention they had their reasons for doing so.

“Thinking that Calamity and the Eroder are moving quickly, a safe path cannot be assured, although...” Idelya began to say.

She traced the map with her finger, just south of where they were, then looked up at the sky and, after using her compass, pointed toward some large mountains.

“Mount Everground has trails that are used by most, although you’re likely to encounter bandits,” Idelya said.

“That wouldn’t be a problem,” Leith admitted.

“You can always go back a little farther and cross the Sea of Grass. It might add more days to your journey, but it’s the safest route.”

As well as the predictable one, though it depended on how you looked at it. They would not start ranting theories about their enemies’ next moves, especially since that would do nothing but waste their time.

“The Cave of the Nagas goes under the Everground, though that’s a path we haven’t travelled and don’t recommend,” Idelya said.

“Nagas? Giant snakes with the faces of humans?” Finnian said, holding back a shudder.

“How do you know that?” Blanche said, then rolled her eyes, wiped a hand across her forehead and added. “Of course, your books.”

“Would they block our way?” Aer said, following his companion’s lead in ignoring the other Signer.

“Maybe they’d try to eat us. It wouldn’t be the first time,” Rune said, twisting her face.

“They’re smart, but that doesn’t mean they can become allies,” Leith said.

“Besides, you’re forgetting something fundamental,” Ead said.

“The tunnels belong to them,” Nero added.

Not that there was a little sign where they signed their fangs, but they took over that territory a long time ago and continued to hold it. Idelya looked at them all, smiled, and then continued with the map.

“What’s so funny?” Blanche asked.

“Nothing. Your group is so mixed that it’s impossible for me not to find similarities.”

Their caravan wasn’t very different, even if they had tasks that were. It didn’t matter what world they were in because everyone tried to label or distinguish themselves from each other. Not that it was a bad thing, but it was enough to look at his fellow elthean to remind Finnian that what made them different also united them. Thus came an extra recommendation, one they didn’t quite know how to take.

“Gaining access to the cloud path is tricky. Not every elthean can handle that,” Idelya said. “You’d be wasting your time looking for access, especially since several of you can fly.”

Even though his group was not exactly in the mood to be exquisite with the routes to be followed, he was right. In the past, they had already contemplated taking advantage of the road offered by Valifall, as it would have saved them days of travel time. And although even Nero could use it, since they were so solid that they would support his weight, the possibility of being at such a height, far from the mainland, gave him anxiety that the wolf tried to hide.

“We have options. I suppose we’ll decide on one soon,” Finnian said, producing a slight smile.

And even though Kiyeira was close, the caravan did not hesitate to stop at a sanctuary for the night. It might be mid-afternoon and optimal weather for travel, but they understood that they would not rush into a city where they would be easily discovered. So, after setting up camp on a prominent rocky esplanade, the first rest for hours made them breathe easy.

“I just hope something giant doesn’t show up again to watch us while we’re here,” Blanche mumbled, deep in thought.

It was fortunate that the others didn’t hear her or ask what she was referring to. The afternoon was progressing, the sun was setting, and everyone had their tasks. However, her hostess offered a different plan.

“There is something we can help you with.”

“We could use a look at your wares,” Ead admitted.

“We should restock some things now that we have a chance,” Aer said.

Something Idelya received a laugh, almost as if she had forgotten her profession.

“You weren’t questioning that, but perhaps I can offer you some more guidance.”

Motioning to her, Finnian soon sat down across the table from her. She had placed a white mat on it, while next to it was a sack whose contents Idelya had not yet revealed to him.

“Reading runes is one of our specialities. They don’t offer specific details of what’s going to happen, but they can open your mind.”

“Are you sure you want to share something like this with us?” Leith said.

“You won’t be the first people I’ve read to,” Idelya smiled.

“Would it do any good? Not to be negative, but how can a divination method help in a situation like ours?”

“You’ve made it clear,” Aer said. “It’s a method of divination. There’s nothing that’s completely written down, although you can always go and rest if you’re not interested in this.”

Applauding his partner would not have improved the relationship with Blanche; that much was quite clear to him. However, none of those present was going to throw away opportunities just because her mind was short-sighted. Luckily, she was quick to agree, preferring to retreat inside their tent in the hope of getting what sleep she could.

“She’s got a lot of character,” Idelya said.

“You have no idea,” Finnian replied, biting his lip.

“Shall we get started?”

Roughly speaking, he explained that there were different ways to read them, all depending on how he wanted to approach the practice. It was similar to cards, something she was well versed in but preferred not to bore him with details that at this point would only make him doubt his path. For that reason, Idelya decided to read him what influenced them and the possible obstacles.

“Perhaps you already know who they are, but not in the form in which they will come.”

After saying that, he reached into the bag and pulled out five runes made of quartz, arranging them in a diamond shape. The bottom one represented what his question influences. On the left were the obstacles to overcome. On the top were the benefits; on the right were the outcomes, and in the centre were all future influences.

“Berkano, the Rune of new adventures, activity and energy. You must have had quite a busy start,” Idelya said, pointing to the one below.

“Quite a bit is too little,” Finnian shrugged.

To the left, Ingwaz was the rune of protection, signifying energy and, in his case, an inevitable fight. Above was Isa, the rune symbolizing the static existence that slows progress in the face of something.

“You were saying before that you haven’t had any vision for a long time?” Idelya said.

“At first, they were more common, but now...” Finnian said.

“That’s because something or someone is interfering.”

Idelya tried not to look for concrete answers about what was coming, just small ideas that might help him because a Signer is at the centre of the storm. Many lives depend on him and his friends so any failure could have catastrophic consequences.

The rune on the right was Nauthiz, revealing to him one of the possible endings they would have, though much depended on how it was interpreted.

“There is a need that is holding you back, but you also have the strength to make your choices. It’s up to you.”

Tightening his lips, he just nodded, listening to what she was telling. It wasn’t the first time something like that had been said to him, and although it didn’t offer Finnian early information about his upcoming battles, it didn’t reveal anything new either. That techniques are not precise, and no matter how much strength he had, he always had to be careful. However, the last rune, the one in the centre, made Idelya hesitate with her reading.

“Is it that bad?” Finnian said, furrowing his eyebrows.

“Reverse Ansuz. Deception, miscommunication.”

Idelya’s amber gaze needed no words to refer to anyone, for they both knew the answer.

“Is that what influences my future? My relationship with Blanche?”

“You are Signers. It doesn’t seem such a far-fetched idea, though I couldn’t make anything clear,” Idelya said.

Something was interfering with the reading. Finnian doubted that Elthea’s fate was in danger because he and Blanche didn’t get along, and it was what he ignored the most that could change the meaning of his whole mission.