Chapter Thirty-Nine
The Volcano
Andel followed Huldar across the valley to the mountains. Their passage was much faster than when they had first arrived and were forced to trek on their legs alone. The place where the lahar had hit was now a shallow valley marked by a paler deposit that wound its way through the surrounding hills.
“It’s strange to be here again,” she said. “I thought I was going to die …” she picked her way gingerly over drifts of solidified stones and mud “… and I was disappointed because I hadn’t had a chance to be part of the team, or see anything of the new planet.”
It was a brave thing you did, Huldar said. He looked back at her. “Casco still has moments, wondering how you managed to keep all those loose rocks from sliding.”
“So do I,” Andel admitted.
They pause
