Page 68 of Trial of Thorns
“Your first task,” the minotaur roars over the chanting crowd, “is to find the Ruby Well in the desert and drink from it. Then follow the clue and await further instruction. Each day a new task will be given and must be completed before the sun sets, or you will be removed from the trials.”
“How much water did you bring?” Brielle asks.
“Twenty ounces. I worried any more would slow us down.”
“It will be enough for the day.”
“We’ll have to hope we don’t need to spend several in the desert.”
I am thankful Caspian exited the trials already. His water abilities would have been a huge asset for Drake and Kari.
“Remember, complete the task by the end of the sunset, or you will be rejected from the trials. Let the countdown begin.”
***
WE SPRINT OFF THROUGHthe thorn gates, but the paths beyond are entirely different than the racing trial. We pass through a short stretch of quiet forest and then into the open desert. The way is clear, in the beginning. And with open murder now legal, and the champions this close together, I find myself slowing.
I allow Brielle and Drake to race ahead. At least I won’t have to cover my back so much.
The dwarf falls back, barely running at all. He’s weighed down by his heavy armor, but I find myself wondering if it’s a strategy. You don’t have to be the first to the clues, you just need to make it by sundown. But will the others be willing to linger in the desert to attack him? Unlikely. Shelter will be higher in our priorities.
If he’s the last to reach the well, he very well may be able to complete his task without any conflict.Clever dwarf.
Too bad I don’t have that luxury.
“This way!” Brielle yells, and she drifts off to the east. My legs are already burning from running on the soft sand, but I do my best to keep up with her.
“What?” I call, my face already hot. “This is the wrong direction.” Perhaps that’s another reason to keep it slow—less risk of dehydration. We have until sunset to reach our task, so why exert ourselves this quickly?
“I saw the betrayer go this way. She’s trying to avoid us.”
I slow to a stop, panting. I literally just saw Caelynn run ahead of us, beelining for the northeast like everyone else. “What are you talking about?” I pinch my brows together.
Brielle turns around, fire in her red eyes. “Do you want to kill her or not?” she says, then spits at my feet.
I narrow my eyes. “What’s wrong with you, Brielle? You’ve ignored me for days. Ever since the orb challenge.”
Her lip curls into something like a snarl. Something is definitely not right.
“I saw Ca—the betrayer, run that way,” I say. “The way we’re supposed to be running. So why are we going off track? Unless you have another motive.” My heartrate picks up.
Her face falls. Fear, confusion—panic? I’m not sure.
“Oh, I swore I saw her go this way.” Her voice is calmer now. “Sorry, I’ve been on edge for a while.” Her shoulders slump. I’m still not sure what to make of her. What to make of this detour she tried so hard to push us into. Rook hasn’t said a word, his face blank.
“You do want to kill her, right?” Brielle whispers.
I sigh, ignoring the tightness in my chest. “Yes.”
She nods sharply and turns back the correct direction. “Let’s go.”
“That challenge really screwed us up, huh?”
“You too?”
I nod. “I wish you’d have talked to me. Now’s probably a bad time to work through it.”
“Or maybe it’s the perfect time.” She smirks.
