The rest of their journey across the Halitha passed in somber silence. Late in the afternoon on the day following their encounter with the man-bat, the forest began to curve away from the beach, veering off to the southwest. They found more grasslands, which offered many opportunities for grazing the horses. Streams and fresh-water ponds allowed them to refill their canteens; they even found citrus-fruit trees. Desa liked the oranges best, though the grapefruits were larger. How did Tommy put it? More food for less effort.
Their journey was much easier after they left the forest behind, though any vestige of the optimism she had felt was gone. There were no more evening swims, and they now had two people on watch at all times while they slept.
They never saw the man-bat again, nor any si
