Late afternoon. Along the lake shore were dense stands of trees, rocky cliffs, secret coves, and miniature beaches.

The Tarclaver dragon machines were buried in a swamp. The Septemberclaver helicopter was out of commission. It had been a long day. Helen was tired.

If she camped in the woods about where she was, she could make it to the foot of the hill by the following night (the sixth night). On the seventh day, all she had to do was walk up the hill and meet Clara.