The noise cut out. Where there had been the lapping of the cove against the boats, the cries of men running, throwing missiles, tripping and splashing and falling into the water—now there was a faint rustling. Lucas held his arms out in front of him and stepped forward haltingly. Tall grass bent under his feet. The fog was beginning to clear. He could hear crickets, the way he had every night as a child. It was a sound that meant it was safe to go to sleep. It had been so long.
"Hello!" someone shouted. It was a girl's voice, coming from somewhere behind him, to the right.
Lucas slipped into a crouch. From this angle, in this level of visibility, he would be nearly impossible to spot through the grass.
"Hello! Anyone!" the girl shouted again. He had spotted her now—she was tromping wildly through the overgrown meadow—but her face was still too far too make out. It was impressive. Lucas did not think he could be that obnoxiously loud if he tried.
The light was behind him, his hands resting palms downward on his shadow. He could feel the other realm thrumming between his fingertips. "Are you there?" he whispered.
His shadow pulsed, and Twill's response came faintly with the movement. "Always."
Lucas grinned.
"Stay where you are!" another girl's voice called, this time from the other direction. "I'll come to you!"
The first girl stopped walking. "Who's there?"
"It's me, Arlia!" Her voice was closer now. "Stay right there."
Lucas considered standing up and walking over to Arlia. She was Remjo's sister. He would have to look after her anyway—at least until he could make it back to wherever the others were.
A small hand clamped down on his shoulder, startling him. He pulled his knife from his belt and turned.
"It's me!" Arlia said, "It's okay!"
"You were quiet." Lucas said.
Arlia nodded. "The grass is mine. I could feel you there." She grabbed his arm and tugged. "Come with me, someone else is wandering over there."
Lucas stood and let Arlia lead him towards the first girl. The fog had cleared somewhat, and he could see the sky above, blue with a shade of purple. They would have to decide on a course of action quickly, before night caught them unawares.
"Is that you?" the other girl called. Lucas could see her face clearly now—pale, framed by an unruly mess of auburn hair. She was almost like—oh no.
"Lucas?" Rosamund said, finally catching sight of the pair of them. "Is that you too? What happened to us?"
"Sivert must have used his mist," Arlia explained, "He isn't very good at it. We'll probably be stuck here for a while."
Rosamund's eyes narrowed, still honed on Lucas’ face. "How unfortunate."