Defying Catskill’s expectations, Amanita did manage to keep her pace up for three hours, and then a little more, even if she had to keep silent. When Amanita started wheezing, some time after noon, Catskill slowed them down to a walk, letting them rest a tiny bit and listen to the leaves crunch beneath their hooves and the snow, to the birds in the trees. Catskill considered trying to convince a bird or two dozen to do some scouting for them and to look for Amanita’s hunters, but decided it wasn’t worth it. Birds were too flighty.