The Pathless on Paths---------Chapter VII part 2(33)

Clare looked around them, turning his head upstream and downstream, pondering, weighing the factors and variables. Karrson thought about this himself, also. To head upstream in search of a chance, or downstream into unknown danger and mystic fate? Both roads were unsure and dangerous, and offered no sure result. Still, his heart told him that upstream was the way to go. There would be no thinking outside the box for this choice, for they lacked the conditions and ability to contrive of anything unusual. He looked to the farther shore, on the north. How ridicules, a distance of under a hundred meters, and they could cross it save by death or a perilous detour. He lifted his eyes, and looked at the northern half of the hill. How far more would they have to go, even after they had somehow managed to get across? They had, so far, avoided any harm, but this forest was full of the eyes of foes, and they cannot possibly evade them forever. He hoped that the end of the forest was near the north side.