[Mountain Path - Three Days After Leaving the Village]
Kael walked through the forest, following a narrow trail that wound between ancient trees.
The forest was dying.
Leaves hung brown and brittle on the branches. The underbrush was dry and crackling. Even the moss on the stones had turned gray and lifeless.
He came to a stream—or what had been a stream. The streambed was empty, just cracked mud and scattered stones. A few stagnant pools remained in the deeper sections, their water dark and foul-smelling.
Kael crouched beside one of the pools and dipped his fingers in. The water was warm, almost hot, and it left a faint oily residue on his skin. He wiped his hand on his clothes and stood.
His water gourd was nearly empty. He'd rationed it carefully, but three days in the wilderness had depleted his supplies.
He needed water.
