Markos smiled grimly. “It seems that we have been in isolation too long, perhaps become complacent because of this.”
“It’s not anyone’s fault,” Mildred said softly. “It’s just going to be a lot to learn quickly. And you’ll have to.”
AS DAWN BROKE, the Pilatans stirred to wakefulness and prepared to continue with little ceremony. There wasn’t a single one of them who couldn’t wait to crest the hill, no matter what may lay on the other side. The morning was dull and overcast, the wind chill seeming to cut straight through cloth and flesh, cold to the bone with every step. And the distance ahead, on an upward incline, was enough to suggest a good day’s march. They broke to rest on three occasions, partly for the people and partly for the livestock, who were unused to walking such distances, and some of whom had the extra burden of the crates. On each break, many could barely wait to continue, preferring the relentless toil to sitting, waiting, in the biting cold.
But finally they reached the crest of the hill. A short plateau stretched ahead, just enough to make a view of the land beyond difficult. The distant peaks of hills and mountains were all that could be seen, shrouded in the mist of clouds that lay low in the overcast skies.
“Must drop down into one hell of a valley,” J.B. remarked to Ryan as they trudged across the plateau.
The one-eyed man agreed. “Problem is, what do we do if the drop is too steep to get down easily?”
The Armorer glanced back at the caravan stretching out behind them and then forward to where Mildred walked with Markos and Sineta.
“Dark night, how’s Millie going to deal with that one?” he murmured.
The same thoughts had also crossed Mildred’s mind. Seeing the mist-enshrouded vista ahead, she had wondered what course of action could be taken if it proved impossible for the Pilatan caravan to descend on the other side of the hill. And, looking along the ridge that stretched on either side for as far as she could see, she had to admit that she had no ideas. She prayed that it wouldn’t be necessary to try to come up with any.
“Oh my sweet Lord—look at it, it’s beautiful,” Sineta breathed with a tone of awe in her words.
Mildred snapped out of her reverie and took a few steps forward to where Sineta and Markos were viewing the land on the reverse of the plain. Stretched ahead of them were undulating forests and woodlands, with stretches of bare scrub between. In the far distance could be seen at least two villes, both dozens of miles apart.
The view stretched for maybe eighty to ninety miles by her reckoning, and showed a fertile stretch of land with a population, probably sheltered by the arid plain they had just traveled across. There was opportunity for the Pilatans here, and proof that it could sustain a population…even, in fact, giving them populations to trade with.
But would they have an easy access to this promised land? Looking down, which, she noticed, both Markos and Sineta had so far failed to do, she could see that there was a sharp incline toward the bottom of the valley, as the land had been pushed sharply up by earth movements. However, it wasn’t so steep an incline that it would be impossible to traverse. Rather, it would require a deal of care. There were pathways that could be used, made by ridges in the rock. And along the way there was much vegetation that could be used for handholds. The livestock would be a little more difficult to manage, but even so…
“Figure we can do this?” J.B. said in her ear, making her jump.
“John, don’t do that, for God’s sake!”
“Sorry.” The Armorer grinned. “I didn’t realize how deep in thought you were. But what do you reckon?”
She shrugged. “It’s not so bad.”
“For us and the fitter Pilatans, mebbe not,” he cut in. “But what about the older ones and the animals?”
“Yeah, I know. But what can we do? It’s got to be done.”
AS THE PILATANS GATHERED on the edge of the plateau, they were all stunned by the scope and richness of the land that lay beneath. Too distracted, in many cases, to recognize the perils of the descent into the valley. Mildred had torn Markos and Sineta away from their admiring glances at the world below to discuss the descent. When she pointed out the only route, both had decided that the manner of their descent should be left in the more experienced hands of the companions. They were also of the opinion that the descent should begin quickly: partly because a delay would give the members of the caravan a chance to fret about their route, and partly because there were only a few hours until the light faded.