They'd been climbing for hours after traveling hard and fast by foot all day yesterday and today, with only a few hours of rest last night.
Sin's body ached, as did his shoulders and arms from his hands still being tied behind him. And with his bruised ribs already making it hard to breathe, the thinner atmosphere up here on the side of the mountain barely gave him enough oxygen to function.
Rein climbed the steep, rugged path behind him in silence. Aside from an occasional few words saying they should stop for a brief rest, or asking if Sin needed a drink, he'd been silent since they left the rebel camp yesterday morning.
It was a silence that cut deep, leaving a wound more painful than any of the physical ones on Sin's body. And with every step, feeling Rei's eyes on him from behin
