Several yards ahead, Ping and Sam watched Ginger sniff a shrub on the side of the trail. Like all the other plants they had seen in the swamp, this one had broad leaves that were primarily green but had a hint of violet along its edges and spines.
“You think she’s caught Mara’s scent?” Sam asked as they walked past the chobodon who continued to snort into the brush.
“Considering the excitability the creature demonstrated earlier, my guess would be not. For all we know, she may not distinguish our Mara from her master. I suspect Ginger might be more useful as we get closer to the Arboretum, assuming that is where her Mara is being held,” Ping said.
“Assuming Tran and her acolytes allow us to get close to the Arboretum. Whatever we’ve done so far, they seem to be one step ahead of us.”
“
