Chapter 56

Chapter Fifty-Six

As Connor had expected, moving with the entire team was even slower than the initial recon. Even descending from the butte before sunrise turned the woods into a fetid, steaming mess, they fell behind schedule before midday.

It was Mosiah, mostly. The old man was wheezing and stumbling by the time the first rays of light turned the loam a pale gold.

But Rudy was having trouble, too, even with Aubriella taking some of his gear.

So they stopped for a break in early afternoon, the woods echoing with distant chittering and clicks.

People paired up and headed off to relieve themselves under watch. Everyone but Martienne and Gregor peeled off armor and T-shirts to wash away sweat and cool off while grabbing a bite.

Modesty or a fatalistic calm—Connor wasn’t sure which kept the two elders of the team fully dressed.