A World Without Heroes - Brandon Mull [108]
“Thanks for the help,” Rachel said. “If I had been alone, that would have been the end of me. I didn’t expect so much suction!”
“The wood you placed earlier sank strangely,” Ferrin said. “The lake seemed to draw it in.”
“Can you imagine drowning in there?” Jason said. “You would be sinking, but as you struggled to swim, the lake would harden around you. Then when you relaxed it would suck you deeper. The perfect quicksand.”
“It felt very warm, even through the boot,” Rachel said.
Ferrin gave a nod. “Warm enough to burn bare skin, I expect. Do you still intend to try for the island?”
Rachel gazed out across the lake to the pile of rocks at the center. The image wavered with the rising heat. “How far away do you think it is?”
Ferrin squinted. “Hard to say. There is nothing near the island to lend perspective. The heat rising off the lake could also distort our perception. The island may be farther than it appears.”
“Let me check if the lake will hold my weight,” Jason said. “You know, just run out a short way and back.”
“Allow me,” Ferrin volunteered. “If a foot gets stuck, I can let it go.”
“Right,” Rachel said, “but how far will you get in the wilderness without a foot?”
“We won’t sink unless we hold still,” Jason insisted. “Watch.”
He jogged out onto the lake, stamping his feet. The surface shivered slightly at the point of impact, but he did not sink. Jason turned and jogged back.
“Well done, chancellor,” Ferrin said.
“That lake reeks,” Jason complained. “Out on the surface you feel the heat more. Running to the island will be a nightmare.”
“But running there is our only option,” Rachel said.
“Unless we decide to hunt for entertainment elsewhere,” Ferrin mumbled.
“We have to do this,” Jason said with determination. “Well, I have to do it. No need for more than one of us to take the risk.”
“No, it’s my turn,” Rachel said. “I’m a runner. I’ll have a better chance. You jumped off the cliff, remember? Next cliff was mine.”
“You two know something that you’re not sharing,” Ferrin probed. “You have an idea what might be out there.”
“We can’t tell you,” Jason said. “Not knowing protects you. It has to do with why the emperor is after us, and why I had to become chancellor.”
“It isn’t fair that we keep you with us,” Rachel said. “We’re putting you in danger, Ferrin. If we explained, it would only make everything worse.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Ferrin said. “I see more than I reveal, and I don’t mean to pry. I just want the two of you to be sure whatever is out there is worth risking your lives.”
“It is,” Rachel said. “We have a lot riding on this. Jason, let me run to the island. I’m smaller, built for distance. I can make it.”
Jason puffed up his cheeks and exhaled. He held up a finger. “If you slip, I’ll never forgive you, or myself.”
“I never trip,” Rachel assured him. She studied the lake. She could easily maintain a brisk jog for three or four miles, but there would be unusual variables working against her. She had heavy boots, not running shoes. The heat from the lake might cause her to tire faster, and it might get hotter away from the shore. Plus, she would need to stamp down harder than she would with her regular stride, as insurance against her foot sinking through the surface. If that happened away from the shore, even just a little, she would be finished.
Despite the danger, she had to try. It was unfair to let Jason take all of the risks, especially when she legitimately had more chance for success than him.
“Wait a minute,” Jason said, going through his satchel. “The loremaster gave me berries that boost your energy. This might be the perfect time for some extra endurance!”
Taking a bag from the satchel, he poured a small handful of shriveled berries into his palm. He lifted one darkly mottled berry to his nostrils and immediately gagged.
“They’ve gone bad,” Ferrin said. “Eating them will do more harm