Chapter 19: And Finally Down

SEAMUS

'Just a little longer,' he kept repeating to himself under his breath for the next three days as they descended. Their progress was slow due to Aliah's failing health. He repeated it when they took a turning and walked half a day in the wrong direction, then had to walk back. He repeated it when Aliah had to stop every few paces to get her breath. He repeated it when he put down both packs and eased his aching shoulders at night.

Each day they were covering less and less distance, and their food supplies were running perilously low. It took them more than the planned two days to get to the bottom of the pass, and by then, Seamus was exhausted. He had been carrying Aliah's pack and supporting most of her weight for the best part of the last three days.