The dim sun arose, partially obscured by a misty sky and revealing a thin veil of snow on the ground. Shirisha awoke at the first hint of this light, and looking around she saw Sang was already awake, sitting on a ridge and staring in Abhinatha's direction.

Over the course of an hour everyone arose one by one. Some such as the hunters appeared ready for travel mere moments after waking up, while others needed to be dragged haggardly from their bundles. Shirisha and Nishita went around stirring the stubborn ones awake, while the hunters gathered all that they needed and stood ready for Shirisha's oncoming words.

At last everyone was grouped together at the stony passage from which they first came, some being stopped by the hunters after trying to continue forward in their semi delirious state. Shirisha stood apart from them, and Bibek hung around the back of the group expectantly.

Sang turned his head and saw everyone ready, proceeding to jump from the ridge and landing with a pound on the layer of snow, rising silently to his full height. This startled many fully awake, and upon seeing him were suddenly reminded of the day before, murmuring amongst themselves while Sang stood and waited.

Shirisha took this moment to draw a deep breath, releasing it as she walked away and stood in between them, facing her people. Sang slightly raised an eyebrow, but was otherwise inexpressive.

There were a few gasps and quick draws of breath as people started to realize what this meant, Shirisha being the last one they would expect to leave.

But the decision had been made, and Shirisha was prepared, speaking to them in her fullest voice: "I alone will go with Sang to follow the tracks."

After a brief pause this ushered a few voices of dismay, but they fell silent as the hunters guesteured for them to do so, and she continued.

"It was discussed last night with myself, Milan and a few others, and I believe wholly it is the right thing to do. This decision is not against my will and never has been, though I can see in some of you that there is doubt."

They all listened intently now, completely silent.

"I pledge to you now on Abhinatha's power, that I will use everything in my strength to return to you as fast as possible. I have only one request for you, and that is to make sure my parents do not worry themselves to illness."

Her voice softened some in that final sentence, but she made sure to hold her emotion to show them strength.

"Farewell to all of you."

They stood still, taking it in, and then nodded in succession with subtle sorrow to show their goodbyes, moving away as they filed into a line with Ram and Ahupathi at the head. Bibek ended the line as it disappeared behind the tall rock formations, and Milan waited just a few more moments before giving that same nod- but instead with firm respect- before trailing away with the line.

Shirisha let her breath out in a long sigh, and turned to join Sang.

He said with a small hint of amusement as he moved to lead the way: "I did not expect you, Shirisha, especially with four experienced hunters at the ready."

He continued as he took his first long strides on the crunching snow. "Your willingness to aid others may prove more painful than you realize."

Shirisha ignored this and spoke with brevity. "We should go a little faster. I wish to surpass Abhinatha before the sun reaches its highest."

They were off at a quick pace --Shirisha often struggling to keep even footing-- all the way back to the river and the footprints, beyond which led to places the two of them could have seen before only in dreams.