Chapter27: Obstacles

*Maerilee* We wait by the water’s edge, the air thick with unease. Brook seems weighted down with the reality of being banished from his kingdom. River, on the other hand, is incensed, muttering to himself about how unfair this all is. Akin is restless, eager to be moving. He tells us multiple times that he doesn’t like how exposed we are and thinks we should go back to the forest for cover until we figure out our next move. Permiton keeps telling him that our help will come soon. The vast body of water in front of us stretches endlessly, the deep blue surface unnaturally still. It reflects the gray sky above, creating an almost eerie mirror-like effect. I’m trying to stay calm, to trust in Permiton, but his cryptic reassurances aren’t doing much to ease my anxiety. “Permiton,” I finally say, unable to keep my doubts to myself any longer “are you sure about this?” He stands a little apart from the rest of us, his eyes scanning the horizon as if waiting for something only he can see. Wh