The next morning, with Dockma’s map in hand, the group set out for the desert. The road went straight north as far as they could see because there were no obstacles to make the builders have to veer left or right. At the rise of a small hill Alice looked back at the inn. “I wish they’d come with us.”

“We have her map,” said Lund. “That’s better than the gnome herself.”

“I dunno, I rather liked her,” Mery said. “And that Flan, he could handle himself in a fight, that’s obvious.”

“The smaller group is probably better. The Yeckonner,” Lund pronounced the name carefully, “from all I’ve heard, they don’t mind a few folks here and there, so we might get a warm welcome when we get to the desert’s edge.”

Alice said, “I imagine that they can appreciate people who touch lightly on the land, people who don’t make a fuss, people who evidence a reverence for this world.”

“You sure you’re a wizard?” Mery grinned. “Talking like a druid, you are.”

“In our world Ally spends most of her life with plants. I think she likes them better than humans.”

“Most humans,” Alice corrected.

They walked at a comfortable pace, chatting occasionally and then lapsing to silence. Alice walked by Lund mostly, with Peck on her shoulder. Sometimes she’d trail behind as she stopped to examine a plant or collect a few leaves.

“Druid in the making,” Mery said with a shake of her head. She held up a finger. “Which is fine. I’ve known a few druids in my day who were not complete stick-up-the-asses. And your girl, Alice, I think she’d be one of them.”

“Thanks, I guess.” Isa laughed. She watched as Alice crushed a leaf between her fingers and sniffed. “I think maybe she’s-- It’s easy with her, you know?” She glanced at Mery.

“Sure I do. I know that feeling. She’s the glove to your hand, or so you hope.” She lowered her voice. “What does she say? Does you no good if she doesn’t feel the same.”

“I think she does. We’re not big talkers either of us, and we haven’t - I mean it’s only been a few months. I wouldn’t have asked her to be here with me, you know? That’s a lot to, well, ask, but I’m so glad she is.”

Just then Alice rejoined them with a handful of small, sharp-edged leaves. “Mint,” she held out the leaves for Mery and Isa to smell. “Or near enough. In the Lamiacaea family for sure.”

Mery took a leaf and popped it in her mouth. “Beggar’s mint it’s called. Makes a lovely tea.”

“I’m fond of mint tea, too.” Alice smiled. “I’ll steep some tonight for us.”

They stopped to eat when the sun was just overhead, sitting beside a small, fast stream. Isa laid Dockma’s map over her legs. “We are here, obviously.” She tapped a spot on the dark line that denoted the road. “And this is the Many Fish River.” She craned her neck to inspect the stream beside them. “Sounds like a marketing ploy to me.”

Lund stretched out by the stream with his head almost touching the water. “There are many fish; they’re just this big.” He held his thumb and forefinger half an inch apart.

“Maybe it grows,” said Alice. “Maybe this is the source of the river, like the Nile.”

“Or the Mississippi? Sure, I’ll buy that. And the road follows the river for a long time. Like a really long time so we’ll probably find out for ourselves.”

Isa studied the map for a few more minutes and then suggested they would make for the first landmark on Dockma’s map. It was a ruin, the gnome had told Isa, not much more than a jumble of cut stone and rotting timber. There was still enough roof to shelter a small group - more of a 3-sided hut than any sort of grand keep, but it would deflect most rain and wind.

Not long after they’d resumed walking, still dusting the crumbs of their lunch break from their hands, the group saw that the road bent to the east, and it soon became clear why. The road dipped down and their small stream widened enough to be considered a small river, easily 10 feet wide.

Another 30 minutes of walking and the river widened even more, easily doubling in size and speed. The foamy water churned against the banks, and the road ran so close at times that they had to shout to be heard over the sound of the rushing water.

Isa grinned. “If there are ‘many fish’ in there now, you can’t tell.”

As the sun began to dip to the horizon, Isa felt doubts creeping into her mind. We should be at the ruins by now. If I’ve got the scale of Dockma’s map right. If Dockma’s map is accurate. Because what do I really know about the gnome? Maybe selling sham maps is how she really makes her living. No chance at repeat business though.

Alice must have sensed Isa’s worry because she laced her fingers with Isa’s as they walked along. “You know,” she said, “Peck can fly ahead for us, and I can see and hear what it sees and hears.”

“Really? That’s a great idea, love.” Isa stopped on the road. “What do you need? Should we--”

“Nothing special at all. I just need to make that mind connection with Peck, and then it flies out and surveys with my senses as a passenger.” She paused. “I haven’t done this before. It’s in the spell, though. This little bit, I mean.”

“You’ll want to stay still,” said Mery, who’d been listening. “That bird will have your eyes, not you.”

“True,” said Alice, “but you guys can help me. I don’t want to waste time. I wish I’d thought of this while we ate lunch.”

“It wouldn’t have helped,” Isa gestured to the empty landscape and the busy river. “You would have seen this.”

“Peck,” Alice held out her arm and the raven landed lightly. “Follow the river, and let’s see if we can see this ruin of Isa’s.” To Isa she said, “Hold my arm and just lead me along, OK? I’ll tell you what I’m seeing, and we can adjust Peck’s flight plan if needed.”

“I really don’t think this is--”

But before Isa could finish her thought, Peck flew from Alice’s arm, and Alice gave a cry of delight. “This is amazing. Like a Disney ride or something.” Alice’s hand clutched at Isa and her feet stumbled.

“Babe, I don’t think you should try to walk.”

“I agree,” said Lund. He picked up Alice’s other hand, but she waved him away.

“Guys, I got this. I just need to get my rhythm, OK? This is a little weird.”

Mery walked in front with Isa holding Alice’s arm and Lund hovering just behind Alice. “River, stones, road,” Alice muttered. “I can’t tell - maybe that’s-- Oh!” She put her hand to her head and staggered into Isa, tripping her. As Alice tried to gain her footing, she fell into the river and began to move rapidly away.