Edited 7/24/07 in response to reviews, and because my perfectionism kept me up tonight.

OMG I'm so sorry! I intended to have this chapter up weeks ago! I apologize, but I've had so much homework lately and then major writer's block. So, I'll keep this short. Chapter 10 is dedicated to Stromboli with many thanks for your help.

-AmayaSora

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The sunrise gradually aroused me from my sleep. I sat up and stretched, careful not to wake Verina.

I looked towards the mouth of the cave. The sky was a canvas of pastel pinks and oranges and purples, all swirling together into one breathtaking mass. The fluffy clouds floated lazily by on the wind, which brought the crisp smell of freshly fallen snow to my nose.

The wind also carried the scent of honeyed ham. It danced around my nose, drowning out all other smells. My mouth began to water and my stomach began to growl. I realized I hadn't had anything to eat in more than 24 hours.

I slowly slid down off of Verina's back and made my way outside. The first things I saw were small smoke trails rising into the sky. I was puzzled; I didn't think there were any towns near here.

Next, I noticed the twisting path of a river snaking through the hills to the south. The Toark River, I realized. That meant we had come almost 50 miles in one night. Verina could fly really fast when she wanted to.

With the discovery of the river, my thirst resurfaced. I hadn't had anything to drink for at least 12 hours. I shuddered; I would have to be more mindful of my eating habits.

I resolved to go down to the river and get water. But, the canteen was lost back in the mountains somewhere, so there would be no way to carry it. Unless I made my own canteen, I thought. My brother had taught me how to do just that.

I struggled down the rock face. It was a lot harder than it had originally seemed, and my limbs were exhausted by the time I reached the bottom. This annoyed me; I felt like I was 70 instead if 17.

I felt my stomach pang from hunger, so I pushed all other thoughts aside. The breeze picked up again, and the sweet smell of the ham reached me a second time. That did not help my stomach at all, and it took all of my willpower to resist running headlong towards it. Instead I took a parallel route for about half a mile and turned southward again, hoping it would bring me close to the lake which was in the middle of the river.

It did take me near to the lake, but once there I stopped in my tracks. I knew that I had been right in not remembering any towns near here. The smoke trails I had seen emanated from a spackling of campfires in the midst of an army campsite. I quickly backtracked, melding into the shadows once more.

I tried to clear my mind; I had to think. The Ra'zac were smart little devils. They set up camp around the only source of water for miles, blocking my access to it. But, there was a plus side to this; if we left now Verina and I could get a head start at reaching Kuasta. Unless they had sent out scouting parties ahead of them, and they were creeping up on the unsuspecting Verina right now…I snarled internally and pushed the thought away. That kind of thinking never got anybody anywhere. My brother had told me that.

What would my brother do in a situation like this? Smiling to myself, I pictured him bursting into hysterical laughter at the whole thing. He always found humor in everything. That was definitely a quality I could use now, I thought, and then began to miss him even more. I hoped he was okay.

Unbidden, tears began to well up in my eyes. My exhaustion and stress levels had made me susceptible to things like this. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. I tried to reason with myself. He was definitely safer than I was at the moment. He wasn't being tailed by the whole Imperial army, and certainly wasn't breaking out into sobs right next to an enemy campsite.

Suddenly my heart stopped as a part of my brain suggested that maybe he wasn't all that safe. If the Ra'zac or even the King himself found out that he was related to me, who knows what they might do? From all the things I'd seen in my experiences, I knew it wouldn't be pleasant. My presence here might endanger my brother!

Having thought of this, I backed even further into the bushes. Trying to be silent yet still not dawdling, I made my way through the undergrowth. I'd have to think of some other way to get water. Vaguely my mind supplied that there had to be some way to conjure up water using magic, but I was nowhere near skilled enough to accomplish that. The best course of action would be to continue on to Kuasta, where I could get water and buy food for my journey.

With what money? I had nothing to use to barter with either. How was I supposed to procure food, let alone weapons, unless I had something to trade for it? I had made yet another oversight, and this one could jeopardize the entire journey. I could get a job to raise funds, but every day I stayed in Kuasta increased the chances of the Ra'zac or a soldier discovering both Verina and myself. That left theft as my only option, although it wasn't one I favored. Weren't Verina and I fighting for the good side? Stealing was the kind of thing the bad guys were likely to do. Wasn't it? I'd have to ask Verina when she woke up.

It appears to me that desperate times do indeed call for desperate measures, although I am just as loath as you are to admit it. I sat on Verina's back an hour later as we discussed the matter.

We could always steal only from the soldiers. That way we'd be hurting our enemy and helping ourselves at the same time.

Well, yes, but that seems to also be putting ourselves in unnecessary danger. I don't think I am strong enough yet to protect you. Besides, wouldn't the Ra'zac have traps set around the camp in the hope of deterring such things?

It was a good argument, but my stubborn nature overrode any sense Verina might have shown. Who would be stupid enough to rob an army camp, though? Don't answer that! Verina stopped mid-reply, bemused. Honestly, that would be the last place they'd expect us to go to get food. It would catch them completely off guard.

I see your point, Penelope, but some instinct of mine is warning me that this is not a good venture to be undertaking. There may yet be another way; we could find a villager sympathetic to our cause who would be willing to provide aid.

But that would mean exposing you. And how would we know who to trust?

We both sat silently for a while, weighing various options. At last we agreed to move on toward Kuasta. Maybe an answer would come to us while we were flying, Verina suggested.

And so we flew for a good part of the day. Verina managed to catch a few birds in her mouth as we did so, and I grabbed one as well. We decided to fly high up in the clouds so as not to alert the Empire of our movements, and by doing so we both got a small drink of water from the clouds.

These portions were meager, however, and by the time we landed for the night our stomachs growled with hunger and our mouths burned with thirst again, even after I split my duck with her. We doused the fire quickly lest the army had somehow gotten within viewing distance of us while we ate. It was quite cold, so I had to huddle against Verina for warmth.

It appears that we are only a few days' flight from Kuasta, Penelope.

What? Oh, that's good, I said absently. I was thinking of some possible way, any way that we could solve our food and water dilemma.

Penelope, is something the matter?

No, I was just thinking. Do you have any more ideas for getting food?

We managed today, she pointed out, but I could feel that she didn't really mean that. The emotions conveyed from across the link were echoed in my own thoughts.

At least I have you, I said, hugging her in an attempt to cheer her up.

With your flying prowess the birds will shake in fear! I proclaimed, and mimicked a shaking bird running in terror from Verina.

This elicited a chuckle from her, as well as a strong neck-hug. You are wonderful, Penelope. You always know how to cheer me up. I hope that I can be as helpful to you one day.

You already are, Verina, I said as I resumed my position leaning against her belly. We make a great team, you and I.

Yes, she agreed.

A few hours later she was asleep. I felt myself nodding off as well. But I shook the fatigue out of my mind as night deepened. The moon was only a sliver in the sky, and the forest was eerily quiet. Except for in a glade just northeast of where Verina slept. The gaudy sounds of drunken soldiers permeated the night from that direction. I jerked myself fully awake, resorting to doing even the despised math equations to prevent sleep.

An hour later it was a bit after midnight, and the campfire sounds had stopped, although not before I had memorized their approximate location. Quietly I got up from Verina's side. She stirred slightly and I froze, praying she wouldn't wake. She didn't, and I tiptoed further away, heading through the trees. I was going to get food and water, dammit, whether she wanted me to or not. I felt like a sneak going behind her back like this, but she would thank me for it in the morning. I hoped.

As I reached the outskirts of the camp I paused and surveyed the land. A few stray embers glowed dimly in abandoned fire pits and tents were strewn pell-mell around the clearing. I headed to the left and a fairly isolated patch of tents. The first one I could see had a lamp on, so I hugged the shadows and held my breath as I passed. Thankfully, the soldier didn't notice me, and I sighed with relief.

The next tent was conveniently open. I sat outside for a few minutes, making doubly sure it was vacant. Satisfied that it was, I crept inside. It was much darker inside the tent than in the surrounding night, so it took a minute for my eyes to adjust. Even so, the first step I took found my foot painfully hitting something metal. I resisted the urge to cry out as I felt blood trickle down my toes. I must have stepped on a sword, I realized with dread. I cursed under my breath. Dammit! This was all going so well!

I squeezed my eyes shut and started to block out the pain. I was already here, I couldn't turn back now. I limped along, unable to stop myself from wincing whenever my cut foot touched the ground. Nevertheless, I reached the sacks in the corner of the tent without any more mishaps.

I groped in the darkness for one of the openings. Feeling my way, because the sacks were too dark inside to see into, I tried to guess what was in each one. At last my nose, in its heightened sensitivity from the darkness, latched on to the smell of bread. I found the sack, which also had a small canteen and a dagger (presumably for cutting up meat) inside. I grinned; this was perfect. Now I also had a weapon. I shouldered the pack and started for the tent flap.

Suddenly I heard voices from outside the tent. I quickly knelt down, trying to be inconspicuous. My heart was pounding. Why did I do this without Verina's help? Why? But then my survival mindset kicked in, and I calmly backed into a dark corner. There were at least a dozen other tents in this area, they may not be coming for this one. I unsheathed the dagger just the same, though.

To my dismay the tent flap did open a little wider and a soldier did step inside. I tightened my grip on the hilt as he said, "Alright, see you in the morning, Tom."

My mind tried to work out possible escape plans, for example cutting a hole through the tent's side, but before I could act I saw the soldier fiddling with a lamp that sat in the far corner. My pulse quickened and again I sorely wished that Verina was here to help me.

In an instant the light flared on. In that same moment the soldier saw me and started, blocking the exit. I leapt up and began to advance toward him when suddenly, his eyes went wide and he whispered, "Penelope?!"