THE DOOR GUARDS’ TORCHES flamed high into the night.
“This is ridiculous,” Aubriot breathed as they waited for the signal. “The Fila spend weeks saying we’ll be leaving soon, and then suddenly we have to leave now and we can’t wait until morning. Doesn’t make any sense.”
“They don’t seem to perceive or measure time in the same way as us,” said Kes.
“Yeah, all right, Ginger,” Aubriot snapped. “That isn’t news to anyone anymore.”
Cherry inwardly groaned. They hadn’t even left the planet yet and Aubriot was already being obnoxious. The trip to the Assembly was going to be one hell of a journey.
It was strange that the Fila had insisted they left that evening and no later. The first day of harvest had been long and exhausting. It would have been nice to have had a good night’s sleep befor
