Kit paddled backward fast enough to keep the kayak from slipping downstream with the current. Before her, the river emptied into an open bay and an island with glittering, jewel-like towers lay directly across from the mouth. To the side lay another island, with a third peeking from beyond. Kit sniffed, nostrils flaring, and her nose wrinkled.
"The trail ends, but it doesn't." She glanced from the bank to the open expanse of water. "How would the subject get there? Or, if he could, why the Jeweled Isles?"
With a careful twist, she turned to look upstream. Beneath her hat's broad brim, her brow furrowed.
"They have the trinkets." Her hands stilled on the paddle and the kayak drifted on the current. "It'll be okay…"
With a nod, she balanced the paddle on the kayak and tugged her hat tight, facing forward once more. After checking the spray skirt, she collected the paddle and sent the craft darting into open water.