The way down the hillside was longer, more winding than Marina had anticipated.  With switchbacks, the town seemed to get no closer despite the endless plodding of the womens' mounts.  Through the trees, the women could see the tips of the mountains illuminated by the crimson light of the setting sun.  The days were ending earlier now that summer was drawing near a close.  Too early.  Marina now realized she and her acolyte would not make it to the town itself by nightfall.<br/><br/>Up ahead was a small clearing with a creek flowing through it.  It would make as good a campsite as any...or Marina could push on, even though light would fail in about half an hour...