Chapter 57: Do not test me, Zadok.

ITHRA We trekked all night long.  My feet hurt. My body was sore, but I refused to give up. My pride refused me to retract my words and demand us to rest.  Zadok was agile. He brimmed with energy as he made way for us in the dark forest. He didn’t look back even once.  Everywhere was hot, and Zadok created a torch made out of firewood in the shortest possible time. We continued the journey that suddenly felt like it had no end.  Zadok suddenly stopped in his tracks. I bumped into him, lost in thought. It felt like I walked into a steel door.  “What?” I asked, too tired to be anything but soft.  “We rest here.” He stated and dropped the torch on the floor.  I couldn’t accept defeat, “No. I told you we must get to the Cold Valley before resting. If we stop now, all our efforts will go to waste. We must continue.” I picked up the torch, determined to continue.  Zadok grabbed the torch out of my hand. I could see his clenched jaw through the glow of the light. He was pissed.  “I wasn’t ask