They slept only briefly each night under trees or alongside hedges in their rush to escape Baron Rieck's realm. Zhimosom foraged and gathered nuts and berries and occasionally snuck into a field to grab vegetables when he was sure no one was looking. Finally, they waded across the river that bordered The Baron's land. Zhimosom breathed a sigh of relief."Do you think we're safe?" Rotiaqua asked."We'll never be safe as long as Sulrad lives, but we're safe enough for now."Zhimosom noticed that Rotiaqua sat staring back at the land across the river. "What's wrong?""I may never see my home or my parents again," she said turning to him. Her eyes were red and tears trickled down her cheeks."You never know what the future holds. You may see them again someday.""No. My father disowned me. Even if Sulrad were gone, father would not take me back. I'm just as much an orphan as you are now."Zhimosom sat next to her on the bank. "Don't think of it that way. My folks are dead. Yours are still alive. While they live, there is hope that your father will change his mind."Zhimosom wanted to distract Rotiaqua from the sad thoughts of her home.He hopped down from the bank and found a spot where the river flowed through a small jumble of rocks.
