Even with him merely retracing his steps, Akris found the descent somewhat difficult.  He had intended to stop at the halfway point for the day, but now he was having to force himself to stay awake and avoid the aches he’d already given himself going so far up.  At least going down was a great deal easier.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080ff">"Are we getting any closer to the base? I do not wish to complain but exhaustion is becoming a real issue and i trust it is not just me feeling it." </span><br/><br/>On hearing the regal man speak, Akris glances back to him and gives a polite bow of his head.<span style="color: #ff4d4d">“Yes sir, the base isn’t too far away.  It’s not too distant from the base of this tree, so once we’re down on the surface it won’t be too long.  Fatigue will be trouble, but out here is too dangerous to linger.” </span>Hoping that’s good enough, he continues leading the group down the tree.<br/><br/>As he comes to a stop near the surface, Akris looks back at the group.  He didn’t need to, given the comms, but felt this needed eye contact.<span style="color: #ff4d4d"> “That’s the base over there.  My apologies for the blood, the heat’s been playing against us.  We tried to clean it n’ all, but there’s only the three of us.” </span>He gives a brief bow of his head, turning towards the base again.<br/><br/><span style="color: #ff4d4d">“We need to follow the platforms, watch your step.  Sometimes the leaves ooze all sorts, makes them very slippy.” </span>He comments, then jumps on seeing Speaker go for the black ‘earth’.<span style="color: #ff4d4d">“I wouldn’t be doing that, sir!  That stuffs foul, I couldn’t tell you the science why, but you’ll loose your hand to it.”</span>Content they've been warned, Akris starts to navigate his way along the platforms towards the base itself, hoping nothing horrible has happened since he left.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>