He eventually lets go of the rope along with Huo, feeling his hands shake and sting from the effort. It was all the exertion of training without so much of the bloodied, life or death danger to it. Planting both hands into the mud, he sits up and manages to choke out a small and genuine laugh.

“That was fun. But I think we got lucky.”

Guts isn’t sure he could pull that off a second time the way he was now. Maybe after more rest. When he turns to look at Galli, he notices her frozen expression.

“Hey, you there? Hit your head on a rock or something?” He waves a muddy hand in front of her face.