>Let's carry on.
>You continue onward, across expanses of dry scrub, over forested hills, and through fields of stocky wildflowers and tall grasses. The wisps of pink in the sky burn brilliant crimson, then fade to deepest blue as the stars begin to show themselves. A few strategic questions and offerings of food glean useful tidbits from the local mouse population once they are out in force ? a small gorge avoided here, a difficult hill detoured around there. None of it is earth-shattering, but five minutes of conversation is a fair price for ten minutes walking saved, particularly as you start to tire. You heed Sekibanki's warning about drinkable water and ration yourself accordingly; it is not until well after sunset that you find a small stream where you can refill your canteens.
>Fortunately, it seems the worst of the day's journey was already passed by the time you and Kagerou parted ways; in the end, you think you've covered pretty good ground for one day ? if not by virtue of speed, then through sheer persistence. You keep walking as long as you feel your legs and consciousness can reasonably carry you, growing steadily slower as the night deepens, but refusing to stop altogether until an embarrassing stumble over a gnarled root forces you to concede that you're reaching your limits.
>You spend the next ten minutes scouting for a suitable campsite and settle upon the backside of a lone rocky outcropping, beneath the shade of a very large maple. It is not as ideal a spot as the glen Kagerou led you to last night, but it'll do.
