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The Cherafir River was running lower than usual for this time of the year. The water had dipped well beneath the hard packed embankments that had marked the typical shoreline. The river bed was quite visible despite the strong current that carried the debris of the most recent storm south to the sea. Flat stones worn away by the natural current and time hid beneath the waters’ tumultuous surface. The water had dipped so low that even the peaks of the larger rocks that typically did not breach the water’s surface now remained dry. It seemed very different than Xander remembered.

The sun had positioned itself midway between the horizon and the highest point it would reach in the sky that day. The morning dew had not yet been consumed by the swiftly rising temperature. But the air was stifling, thick and weighed down as if the land was trying to take in the air all at once. There was not a single cloud in the sky that morning. Merely the blazing sun smiling at the travelers as they passed beneath the warmth of its glorious kiss. The day, this day in particular would be unforgiving to those weary travelers too stubborn to know their own limitations. But Xander had no time to waste. 

It was true, he had gained a new acquaintance in such a short time Xander could not help but feel a nagging string being pulled in the back of his mind. Had he gained a burden? Had he gained a risk? In this, the start to his party had gained an ally or even a friend? Presuming what Rio had shared was in fact true, Xander was taking a mighty big risk in traveling with him. What choice did he have? At this point, traveling alone would not only be painstakingly boring but potentially deadly. For the first time in his life, Xander had to weigh the difficult decision of controlling the risk while accepting the benefits. Was this growing up?

Regardless of his state of mind or the condition of his environment, Xander had acquired his bearing. The river or if the current state of things kept compounding the river bed, would guide them. The side of the river bed that bordered the forest was littered with animals imbibing the remnants of the river that had so amply provided for the land in the cool months. Hunting would be sparse for these inhabitants, the first meandering downstream as the waters continued to recede. This would equally suggest that migration patterns would certainly be changing as well, following the water-fed grass and the predatory beasts following their prey. 

[B]“It’ll be midday soon,”[/B] Xander said looking up towards the rising sun. 

The young man had allowed Rio to take the lead, if only by a few paces. He was trying, that much was true. However, Xander did not yet fully trust the alleged shapeshifter. Perhaps that would soon change. Night would be upon them soon enough. He would have to learn to trust someone and given the current situation Rio would be a most advantageous choice. Perhaps it was a poor choice for Xander to strike out on his own with this endeavour. A small town boy with little experience of the outside world and while perhaps the least of those he knew, still xenophobic. 

[B]”Maybe it’d be best if we find some shade? Make camp before it gets too hot?”[/B] Xander inquired looking ahead toward his companion.

Space was not an issue. It was merely a decision of location. Xander had brought a small bedroll with him, but it was thin - certainly not enough to share. Nor did it provide enough material to create an adequate sized oasis from the sun for two. The western side of the river was littered with sparse collections of trees and a few larger boulders that might provide the desired amount of shade. Of course, the eastern bank of the river would be more preferable if protection from the sun was the only measure. However, the closer to the wood they traveled the more danger they would inherent. The darkness seemed to thrive in the shadows or so the childhood stories had suggested. 

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