“I think we deserved that, Gared,” Taithur said apologetically. “But all this takes a lot of believing. Carry on. We’ll listen as patiently as we can.”
Slightly mollified, Gared nodded. “Things got worse and worse and eventually the idea began to circulate that we should follow you. The early part of your route was public knowledge and the Captains we had with us agreed it should be possible to follow your trail through D-h space once we reached the edge of the wilderness.”
Taithur could not help himself. “But how could you even think that? We set off with the Service’s blessing, more or less, and with a great deal of careful preparation, but most considered opinion gave us little chance of survival. You must have known that as well.”
Gared looked at him grimly. “You asked how we came t
