Jelric reached the Lower City the next day. He’d spent the night in the boat, hiding it among the reeds outside an abandoned settlement some miles away from the Lower City. The city’s walls were in sight when he settled for the night, but it was a moonless night, and he needed to rest for a bit.
He’d woken with the dawn sun in his eyes and a squeezing pain in his belly. He hadn't even taken hardtack with him when they’d left the shack, thinking he would be returning with fish.
Hopefully, Dad left some food in the boat…
The thought of his father was a sharp, painful reminder of the events of the previous night. He pursed his lips and focused on searching the boat for something to eat.