While she was content to stare at the clear water, Gendry had splashed more water in his face, now up in his hair, so that it looked nearly like he'd stuck his entire head into the water. He drank more water, then sunk his feet in beneath the stones until he found cool and cold mud that made the water run brown, but felt even more refreshing than the water itself did.

"We'll do that," he said, pleased that she was quick to agree to the plan. He had a vague notion that it might even lead them to the river on the map, in which case they would need only follow it until they found a crossing or until they found Station. Already this find seemed a blessing for an otherwise unwelcome situation. "The walking won't be as easy, but we won't get thirsty this way. If it gets deeper, I might catch us some fish as well."