Elrond and Kate had been running for what seemed like hours. It wasn't, it couldn't have been more thantwenty minutes or so, but the terrain was rough, and rocky. Deep wash outs criss crossed the sandy ground and they were awkward to jump without losing speed, but they kept going from fear alone, those chasing them were close, far too close, but if they could just reach the patch of thick bush land ahead of them, they would not be visible from the sky, and could possibly lose those pursuing them by vehicle.
Elrond found he had to help Kate, and that was tiring him badly; butleaving her behind was not an option for him as she had risked her life to help him escape. Finally, they were under cover and not in sight of the helicopter they had heard mid morning and had been fleeing from since.
'Walk on the clumps of grass, and watch you don't stand on twigs and break them. Be careful not to brush against branches and knock the leaves off. Actually, follow me,' said Elrond as they crept through the brush.
Kate giggled at little at his protectiveness, but followed obediently, carefully making sure her feet followed his footsteps.
'You know, even though we've lost the chopper, it will have reported our position to the vehicles,' said Kate.
'I know, but they should have to follow on foot, yes?'replied Elrond.
'I would think so, the scrub is likely too thick to drive through.' And indeed the bush had thickened so that Kate and Elrond had difficulty in pushing through. It was impossible to move soundlessly, but at least the meant animals could hear them and hopefully get out of the way.
'We need to get out of here, Elrond,' said Kate after a while. 'We're leaving too obvious a trail.'
'I know, I have been worried about that. We need to be up there, I think.' He pointed up at huge rocky escarpment that rose up a couple of miles to the west of them. 'It should be very difficult to track us up there, and we can look about and see where it's best to go.'
Kate agreed, and they began to force their way through the bush to foot of the escarpment. It was steep but the surface was rough and broken, providing a difficult but possible way up. By then even Elrond was pleased to take a short break and have a meal of some of the dried fruit they carried.
Elrond found the way up, and let a rope down to Kate, to help her up. Exhausted, they set up camp in the mouth of a small cave, and settled down for a badly needed rest. Looking around could wait; although Elrond had decided which direction they could flee in if it came to that. Both he and Kate slept with their firearms loaded and within reach. They were in a good position to shoot intruders as they climbed up, too. With luck they could kill or wound a fair number of their pursuers with little danger to themselves.
It took a good while for Rory to introduce everyone, and for her military friends to hear her story.
'Heard some chatter on a supposedly secure channel about a pair that escaped from that strange Hunter's Army,' said an enormous man who Rory had introduced as Stein. He had short- cropped blonde hair and a muscular build. He'd eyed Brin with a smirk on his face, clearly thinking the Dwarf a figure of fun. He'd changed his tune when Brin easily beat him in an arm wrestling match. Clearly there was more to this short bearded person then met the eye.
'Yeah, what'd you hear?' asked Rory.
'Man and a woman, the guy answering to your friend's description got out, and are headed on foot into the Kalahari Desert.'
'Fair dinkum,' said Rory. She sat thinking a while, 'we'll need to find 'em then, Elrond and whoever he's with. They won't last long out there.'
All hell broke loose with questions from Glorfindel and Jessryn. Brin sat in the background grumbling loudly about silly elves.
'Better get some supplies before we head out there. Can't help you from our stuff, so you lot better have something of value to sell or trade!' remarked a small wiry looking dark haired man, called Ross.
'We have these,' said Glorfindel, holding two small leather pouches. Brin grabbed them and looked inside.
'Not bad, not bad, Elves usually can't tell the junk from what's worth money,' the Dwarf remarked.
'Hhm, you could sell those, and buy what you need, but someone will have to go to a city to do it,' remarked another man, one who had been introduced as Spook; Rory had explained that as nick name for his pale complexion and very fair, almost white hair.
'You'd best go, Rory, you know all the buyers,' said Ross. 'None of us can go with you, we only have 24 hours free, then we have a paid job on in Iraq. You'll have to take one of these three,' and he indicated Brin, Jessryn and Glorfindel, 'Too dangerous to go on your own. We'll take the rest of your friends with us, and put them somewhere safe, then when we're free, we'll give you what help we can.'
Rory nodded. 'Ok, no offence Glorfindel and Brin, but Jessryn will be most easily able to pass unnoticed in the modern world.'
Glorfindel nodded reluctantly, he didn't like this splitting up, or going with Rory's friends. He knew, however, that Rory trusted these men, and he trusted Rory. Brin and he could look after themselves in fight, and they could keep in touch with Rory and Jessryn via radio.
'Yes, that will do. Be careful,' the blonde elf-lord warned his friends.
Rory nodded, and she and Jessryn spent the rest of the day preparing to travel to the nearest city to sell the gemstones Glorfindel gave them, and to buy needed gear. Rory was nervous about being alone with Jessryn, even though she knew it necessary, and Glorfindel had assured herthat he'd known Jessryn most of his life and that the half-elf would not bother her in any way. Rory guessed she'd find out soon enough!