They reached a parting of paths. To their right was a carved tunnel, bored by the inhabitants of Ni?ergeard however many centuries ago, while the natural path they walked continued down a fissure.
“Let’s rest here,” Daniel said. He sat down on a rock and broke out his water, taking a mouthful and swirling it around in his mouth.
“We are still a ways from the first chamber,” said Certain Doubt. “That was where we agreed to make our first camp.”
“I know. I just-I just can’t move another step.” That much was completely true, Daniel thought. “I just. . it’s. .” He was about to use one of his lucky words, but he had to watch it with those. He would have plenty of opportunity to say whatever he liked soon enough.
Certain Doubt had pulled the map out. “We are here,” he said, pointing a finger at a spot Daniel could not see. “It would be better for us to be here.” His finger shifted. “This place is too open. Lookouts would have to be spread too far.”
Even better for me, Daniel thought. “Look, I’ve been through a lot-a lot’s happened to me, not least of which was being hit by a troll. A troll. A troll. I’m very tired, and we’ve gone a long way, and I’m very tired. I could have asked to stop earlier. I could have. But I’m asking now. Please. My pocket. . I’m about to collapse.”
“I believe he is,” Judicious Speculation said. “He gives every appearance of acute fatigue to me.”
“Very well,” Certain Doubt said. “I shall arrange the watch. This is how it will be. .”
It wasn’t exactly as he said it would be-there was much arguing over the exact times, placing, and identity of the watch, but it was all sorted out eventually. Daniel slumped against the boulder, hunching into himself. It was just a short time now-he would rest up, but he wouldn’t sleep. He had done the calculations while they argued. He rubbed his eyes, gave his leg three hard pinches, and then fixed his eyes on the luminous dial of his watch.