Ro was more confident as he moved to untie the others. He worked more easily as each came free and he started on the next.
When they were ready, Ro signaled the four white people to follow him. They rose quietly and trailed him into the woods. The girl whispered something to one of the men. Ro turned and glared at her through the shadows.
The progress they made was slow, but gradually the distance between them and Oan camp grew. Ro increased his pace when silence was no longer necessary. The four white people stumbled ahead more quickly.
"We journey out of the valley and around the face of the cliffs," Ro told them. "After a short while, we will meet Na."
"Who is Na?" asked the girl.
"She is the one I have chosen for my mate," Ro answered.
The white girl was silent. They traveled quite a distance without communicating. Each was busy with his own thoughts.
Finally the man with the silver hair asked, "Why did you risk your life to rescue us?"
"With your help I will avenge the death of my father and brothers and the men of my tribe."
He stopped walking and stared around him for a landmark. They had traveled far along the foot of the cliff. According to the plan Na should have met them minutes ago.