Blackfoot Forest Step by Step

It should be around here. Right. At this point, they were better off spending the night here and finding the valley when the light could guide them again. But Sebastian seemed set on finding the sanctuary tonight, and when he directed them around a bend in the path, she eyed him, but took the lead. If anything they would find another turn, and they could rest in the nook of the mountain. But when they skirted the rock face, the Ostrega felt her shoulders unravel. A stretch of green met them, encased by a ring of mountains. The valley - finally.

But their trip wasn't over yet. What should have proved easier than the climb up taxed them even more. With only three good legs, Sebastian struggled with his descent. Andalusia had tried to let him be, but she cringed with every stumbled he took. After watching his floundering independence, the Ostrega slowed her speed and sidled herself against his weaker side to prevent him from falling again.

The rocky ground gradually gave way to grass. Soon, the mountains were behind them, and Andalusia let the grass soothe her travel-worn pads. Sebastian slumped to the ground by her side, and the promise of rest almost lulled her to do the same. But her mind still turned on high alert, and after a pause she nudged Sebastian's trembling side. His body radiated heat, no doubt exhausted by the strain, but they had to find somewhere sheltered to sleep. "C'mon, let's find some shelter." If she had been softer, she'd have felt heartless for forcing him up. But they couldn't well sleep at the bottom of a tow path, especially with Sebastian still injured as he was. Who knew who took these ridges at night? Andalusia needed to get him moving again before they found out. "We'll rest then."