They rode hard on the north-east highway to Pyxis untill the following morning, when they stopped to rest their winded horses. Though they had been travelling all night, they were no where near the town. They moved off the highway into the forests that blanketted the countryside a mile back from the road. They pitched camp behind some bushes, out of sight of the road, and kept their cooking fire well hidden.

As always, Tynan took on the chore of cooking. The others sat around the fire in a subdued silence. Tynan was making casserole of game, which was a thick heady dish that sat in the stomach like lead and warmed you from the inside. Adam's eyes were red from crying as he hugged his knees to his chest. Though he'd only known Ransik for a few days, Adam had grieved him nearly all night. Adam cared for people in a way Tynan could never comprehend, the boy's heart really could engulf the world.

Tynan was silent, a dull sullen anger ebbed inside him. Ransik didn't deserve to die like that. Already, Tynan was beginning to have every reason to hate One. There had to be a way, something he could use, that would make One very, very sorry. He entertained his grim thoughts as he stirred the meal. "We'll leave after nightfall," he said to the silent camp. "It will be safer that way."