Ilyen, who had been marking the route behind them, stepped closer. "That lower one points more directly south."
"And the ridge path goes longer," Oren said. "Maybe safer, maybe a delay."
"Could be two groups," Joran suggested. "Maybe one marked the faster path, and another marked an alternate route."
Caed leaned forward. "Then we split and check both."
"No," Edith said.
Lyra crossed her arms. "You have not even considered it."
"I considered it before you finished saying it."
"That is hesitation dressed as authority."
"No. It is refusing to divide ten students in hostile territory because two marks disagree."
Caed gestured toward the lower route. "The direct path is obvious. We are wasting time."
