Rose~

"My sister, Yin," Sybill says. "She is good at healing. If we can make it to my home, I can get healed. For now, um... I think I have an idea; we can make a sled-type thing." I start a mental list as she rattles off materials. "We need two sturdy branches, lots of vines or rope, those must be strong, and also a... a large boulder, or a hollow log half, or driftwood, anything I could lay on."

"All right. I can get those," I nod. 

It doesn't take long, despite the recent wildfire. I keep near the stream and find rowans, shale and vines that don't snap when braided. I wish I knew what the plants were; they might be healing or edible.

The sun begins to set before I'm back, all the same, setting a more peaceful fire in the sky. Sybill examines my plunder and glances west, weighing the imminent darkness.

"Okay. Tie the branches to the boulder with some vines so it looks like a sled." She waits for me before continuing. "Now tie vines to the branches so you have rope to pull the sled with."

The result isn't pretty, but Sybill seems to think it's sufficient, as she drags herself onto it.

"Now, follow my directions and we're sure to reach my family's home," she says.

"All right," I assent. I slip on my pack and take up the sled ropes. "Where to?"

I walk for hours, Sybill calling out directions every now and then. The sky is clear, the moon bright, but the way is still difficult. Once, going through a particularly thick patch of trees, the vines holding the sled together snapped. I couldn't repair it in the darkness, so I carried the whole mess--including Sybill--on to the nearest clearing, whereupon I broke the slate. We settled on lashing pine branches to the rowan in its place. An hour before dawn, we came to a pond. 

"Turn right here," Sybill calls. "And go slowly, because my family's home is nearby." 

"Noted."

I amble on for a while, half-asleep on my feet.

"Stop here. Rose. Rose, stop. Rose!"

"What--oh. Apologies. I may be in need of sleep."

"Yeah, me too," Sybill agrees. "We're here, so maybe now we can. Pull me to the cave, the one with the vines on it."

I follow her instructions and sit down while Sybill calls out into the sheltered opening. The sky is beginning to lighten. It's quiet, and I close my eyes for a moment.

~Rose is probably going to fall asleep. It's not easy to stay awake for twenty-four hours straight, even less so when you're walking for most of that time.