Chapter41: Pride Comes Before the Fall

*Akin* We’re all exhausted, physically, mentally, and emotionally, and I can see the strain on everyone’s faces. Maerilee looks like she’s barely holding herself together, her shoulders tense, her eyes flickering with a mix of anxiety and determination. Brook has a heavy sense of authority on his shoulders, now that he’s taken the mantle of being our guide through Bright Waters. Even River seems less smug than usual, though I’m sure he’ll find a way to change that soon enough. I don’t care to see how Permiton is feeling. After everything he’s put us through, he can fend for himself for all I care. But it’s still my job to protect Maerilee, and now that means I have to protect these fools, too. “We should stop here,” I say, my voice cutting through the heavy silence. “Rest, gather our strength before we move on. We don’t know what’s waiting for us further in, and I don’t like the idea of going in half-dead. As long as we’re safe from the soldiers, we deserve to rest.” Brook glances at m