They found Maeve first. She sat on a protruding tree root at the top of a shallow embankment flipping her dagger over and over in her hand. With some sunlight, this location would have been an excellent vantage point. As it was, solid darkness swallowed the view.

Before they approached her, Brynn held a hand up to William. He correctly interpreted this as a request to allow Brynn room to speak with her friend alone. He incorrectly interpreted that he was meant to continue searching ...