The moon was fully out now but low in the sky, touching everything with an eerie beauty. Karne and Fern sat back to back, leaning on each other, too exhausted to talk, almost too exhausted to think. Each glad of each other’s company but making no sign of it.
At last Karne was recovered enough for action.
‘It will not be long before the moon sets, we must be in your woods by then or we will never find the way.’
Fern nodded wearily.
As he removed his supporting back from hers and stood up, he turned and put his hands upon her shoulders, leant down and kissed the top of her head. This time she did not withdraw herself. He could just see the little wan smile at the corner of her lips as she turned her face up to his. Fleetingly he brushed his lips across hers and then turned to call Kyra.
