ALUN HAD BEGUN THE preparations for the expedition into the Scythian city before Aubriot’s arrival, so it only took a couple of hours to gather additional supplies to support the two men and one woman who volunteered to accompany Aubriot. Alun was one of the volunteers, and the one Cherry was least concerned about. The site supervisor was already somewhat familiar with the strange, stinking place beneath Suddene’s desert. She hoped the other two—the man was named Simon and the woman was called Abby—had strong stomachs and minds.
When all was ready, Aubriot told the team to check all the equipment one more time and then to relax and wait for him. He asked Cherry if there was somewhere they could talk privately.
She took him to the medical tent where she had recuperated. She’d since moved
