"This region is much more sparsely inhabited," Stratos explains. "With any luck we'll encounter nobody, especially in this terrain." He pauses, looking at Jim. "Are you all right? I suppose that illusion must have been rather disconcerting."

If Jim's all right, though, he'll hurry about his task. They could really stand to be on higher ground but according to his map there isn't any within a range he cares to travel on foot. He'll need Jim's help to get any kind of perch in a tree that suits him, though he'll be making disapproving noises while he works. It's just not as easy to get a reliable fix here, apparently.