The tag end of the night passed quickly. Aron knew Clay slept, even though he himself did not. He kept his rest trance very light to be sure no danger slipped up on them without warning. As the sun edged over the horizon, he woke his partner.
“Time to get going,” he said. “I asked Alex and Manuel to head back out with an ATV first thing today to pick you up, but I think you can walk for a while now, can’t you?”
Clay nodded. “Sure. I’m surprised how much better I feel.” He grinned. “There must be something to that Elf energy thing after all.”
They headed out, almost into the first strong beams of the rising sun, squinting against the glare. Already the coming day’s heat radiated in that light.
“I just remembered what I was thinking when that damned Trogue came around the bend yesterday.
