Chapter 17 – Into the Forest
Jerry trudged ahead, crunching dead leaves and twigs beneath his boots. Kajora followed, and Calael brought up the rear. There was no moon, and the stars offered little light. There was a glow from the lights of the city, though, and it reflected off the clouds, providing some dim ambient illumination. It wasn't much, but it was enough.
The forest was very thick in places, with trees packed together like matches in a matchbook. There was no trail, but there were trail-like clearings through which they could meander around the impassible thickets. Deer paths, Jerry supposed, or paths created by some other large animal. Whatever it was, he hoped it was a herbivore. He didn't relish the idea of encountering predators in the dark.
The land sloped uphill towards
