By late afternoon, Nova had learned two things about following enormous animals. Their tracks were easy to find, and keeping up with them was a completely different matter.
The herd continued south without slowing. Each enormous step took it farther than Nova could travel without detouring around loose ground. Smaller animals stayed near their mothers, while birds settled into the trees growing on their backs.
"You know, Lunaris, I think we chose the slowest possible way to travel east," Nova said.
The cat looked at him from the top of his pack and gave a satisfied meow.
"Of course you're happy. You haven't walked half the distance."
The Auri made a quiet sound beside him and pointed toward the herd. Several adults had stopped on a dark rise ahead, their broad heads turned toward the ground. Nova approached cautiously. He had no wish to be trampled by something that weighed more than a fortress.
