For two days, they continued walking through the mountains, and taking shelter in the cliffs at night. Three times, Ford masked their presence as large creatures came close enough to spot them.
It was becoming easier. Without all the horses, and since the people stayed close together, Ford found he was more capable of effectively shielding them.
Anaisa was becoming visibly anxious, unlike most of the journey where she had maintained a composure of even calm and steady confidence.
Ford wondered how much of her bearing was for her son's benefit this whole time, and how much was beginning to crack as they got so close to their goal.
On the third day, Martin walked directly toward the side of a mountain and frowned at it.
"I think this is the spot," He mumbled. "I sealed it when I left so nothing could follow me out. Gets more dangerous from here on."
"We're headed into the depths, then?" Ford took a deep breath, and Mia tensed beside him.
