Kel shielded her eyes, squinting into the setting sun.
The barren cliffs around her looked like they were on fire, bathed in the scarlet rays. Though she had long lost sight of the Empire's caravan, she continued to stare out to the west.
She and Calix had decided to travel north through the main portion of Serin's territory before cutting across the northern edge of what used to be Mevani. It wasn't the fastest route, but as Calix explained several times to her using various maps, it was the most efficient.
"If you keep staring after them, I'll be forced to think you've changed your mind and want to go back."
Calix seated himself next to her near the cliff's edge. Behind him, their horses whinnied contentedly as they stood staked to a single scraggly tree.
"Are you sure you haven't changed your mind?" Kel's voice bounced jokingly in a frail attempt to hide her nerves.
