All things considered, things had seemingly quieted down inside the arena. The bats had stopped their nightly attacks, though it had cost them Lilah. The fish and frogs had kept them fed, without having to risk traveling and hunting. The cries of the ghostly voices had even begun to lose their sway.

It was a respite, badly needed. ...For their bodies at least.

It was doing nothing to ease the awkwardness between Maxwell and Dorian. Maxwell tried to keep his distance, but it hadn't actually gotten any easier. Especially when the man insisted on accompanying him when he might have otherwise gone alone to check the traps he'd set. Especially when Bayard, their small, distracting chaperone, broke away to collect some water and left them alone together.

"...Not much further," Maxwell murmured after a pregnant beat.