“I know it takes us out of our way. But it's the only possible route. Two days up river, then over the watershed and down the other side, following the river southward that flows past Ark One.”

“How many more days?”

“We're a bit slower than I'd expected. Perhaps six days' walking and two days' rest.”

“Rest! When?”

“Tomorrow, if the Initiator agrees. Beside the river. Come on,” he called to the others, who straggled up the hill behind them. “Downhill all the way now. But take care. You could sprain an ankle or worse if you start going too fast.”

The descent to the river was very steep. By now, though the sky above was still light, the sun had disappeared behind the western range, and they found themselves descending into a pool of darkness. Slowly the pines gave way to birch, and then, as the steepness of the slope decreased, an occasional nut tree spread its broad limbs and made an open space for itself.

By the time they were within earshot of the river they could no longer see the way, and the Initiator called a halt.

“We'll make a fire in this open glade and pitch our tents while we can still see what we're doing. Luke and Ruth, will you go for water? But be careful. Don't get lost.”

It was not hard to find the way, the river's voice was so loud. “See how white it shines, Luke! Oh, it nearly pulled the pail out of my hands.”

“It's too fast. Much faster than I'd expected from the contours on the map.”

“All that rain, I suppose.”

“How are we going to get across? We'll never be able to steer the inflatable boat.”

“Perhaps by tomorrow it'll have gone down a bit ... “

They walked back through the trees with their load of water. The fire was like a signal, glimmering in the distance.

All through supper Luke was silent.

“What’s the matter?”

“I should have thought about the rain. But we have to get across. We don't have enough food to wait until the waters go down, not more than one day.”

“It'll be all right. We'll think of something. And it's not your fault, that’s silly. “

As she climbed into her sleeping bag that night Ruth suddenly realised that the advice she had given Luke was exactly what he had given to her. Her dreams had brought them here, but the choice had not been hers alone. It had been the community's. She curled up in her bag feeling as if a load had just slid off her shoulders.