Going Back

Siem, frowning at Victor, "I'm not too keen on the idea of separating. Are you sure you won't get lost?"

"Oh no. I spent a lot of time hiking in the bush here. I know my way around. There's no chance at all of getting lost."

Bertus, "I think it'll be alright. But meet us back here in three hours at the latest. Everyone agree?"

They all nod their consent and the three men go down the trail while Jack and Victor soon find a path and follow it, disappearing quickly between the trees.

"Victor, going up the trail we'd probably only see a closed gate. I wanted to get away from the others so we can go around to the right here and get above the monastery. We can look down on it from a cliff. That way we can see right inside."

"Great! Good idea." The two boys scamper along. As they leave the trail and start climbing, it gets rougher, rocks and boulders make the footing treacherous and they keep slipping off the mossy rocks. It's hard on ankles and shins, but the leggings they wear to keep out leeches help some. Thickets of rhododendron are becoming more frequent, obscuring the path and limiting visibility.

Victor starts to experience the dizziness his father spoke of, and they stop several times to give him a chance to recover. Three griffons, a type of vulture smaller than the lammergeyer, circle overhead repeatedly, as if keeping an eye on the two young trespassers.