Ruka moved their pickup twenty miles while Iven was tightening a pack strap.
She did it on paper, with a pencil and the latest position relay. On the ground it meant another day of walking, a different water cache and a freight crew they had not expected to meet.
“Mercy kept going,” she said when Nessa looked at the revised mark.
“She could’ve been considerate.”
“Tell her when you find out how.”
They left Long Sill after breakfast with four packs instead of six. Thessa stood beside Edda at the yard gate, both already intent on another day’s source measurements. Elian came down carrying a small package for Brin and a larger one for the transport board. The school sketch remained in his field sleeve. He had stopped carrying it as if it were a temporary interruption to more important papers.
Mira gave Ruka the latest ground report. Borin made Iven promise to send the Crosswind’s bearing arrangement if its crew approved the copy. Kardo offered a forearm clasp rather than another bout.
“Next time,” he said.
