IT NEARLY FELT LIKE YOU never woke, Sian decided. Going to sleep in the cold dark, waking in the cold dark, and then the day spent walking and climbing in the cold dark. The only thing that improved today's walk was the intoxicating scent and energy of fresh water flowing beneath their feet, and no one but she and Loi knew.

And Loi only knows because the plants told her, Sian thought smugly, enjoying feeling in touch with her element once more. Somewhere ahead of them that ...