Francesca gripped the lamel's body with her legs as the animal stretched out his legs in a steady trot. Amazingly, the warriors had no difficulty in matching his speed; they all ran easily, loping along with a long stride that seemed to eat up the distance. Ran-Del ran just in front of her, on her right side, the rein looped around his left arm, leaving the flexitron cable swinging free. He ran almost joyfully, never missing a step, never straining for breath. If this was what he was used to, no wonder her presence had been such an irritant on their travels.
As the afternoon wore on, sitting on the lamel began to be less comfortable. They stopped briefly, and Ran-Del discreetly led her off to find a suitable bush. Francesca had been comfortable with their arrangements before, but now she felt awkward. Ran-Del seemed to know everyone else in the group. No one mentioned the cable, but Francesca was aware of whispered comments and amused grins.
With Ran-Del’s help, she remounted her now more complacent steed, and they set off again. The sun sank lower in the sky as they made their way steadily westward. Francesca began to look forward to stopping, and then she fell to wondering when her father would make an appearance. She smiled to herself. He would get quite a surprise.