Diane seemed more at ease as we traveled in the back of the truck. Roland and Amber often spoke with her about news from other locations. We had been in quite a few places during the last month, so we had some basic things to share. People weren't staring at us so much now, our novelty must be wearing off. Riders moved around as they pleased as they talked with others or rode on top of the trailers.

I shifted restlessly. We had been riding for a couple of hours and I hadn't sat this much since we had been in Bethany Fort. I wasn't sure how Diane sat so patiently, I knew her Heartfire was more established than mine was. She was used to hiding it though, and had the experience that I lacked.

Diane glanced down at me, she knew I was getting fidgety. She rose to one knee and stretched a bit, "Feel like walking for a bit?"

I nodded quickly. Diane easily jumped down before lifting me down. Amber was riding beside us, watching in disbelief, "I don't think you will be able to keep up on foot for long. When you get tired feel free to jump back up."

I hid a grin at her words. Diane grinned and nodded, "Thanks, although I don't think it is likely. We are used to lots of exercise." That comment might make the understatement of the year award.

The trucks were going fast enough that Diane was lightly jogging. My shorter legs had to move a bit faster, but this was about the same pace we usually travelled at. It felt good to stretch my legs, although I stuck close to Diane.

Others were watching us in surprise or amusement. I heard two on the other side making bets on how long it would be before we climbed back into the truck bed. I looked around at the procession, I could see ahead of the truck now.

Half a dozen people were riding in front of the first truck. They were there to lure any zombies out of our path. There weren't any zombies in sight at the moment though, this was a really remote area. The people were quite relaxed, although they kept an eye on the trees for trouble.

After a while I relaxed and gave Diane a bit more space. I wasn't used to just running along the road, I normally meandered here and there looking at things. It was tempting to do so again. Diane was as relaxed as she ever was around strangers, so I figured it was safe enough for me to explore a bit if I didn't leave her sight.

I spotted a pretty rock along the edge of the road ahead and picked up a bit of speed to get it. It wasn't far from us. I picked it up and brought it back to show her, "Look at the pretty colors."

It really was a pretty rock. Mostly white with green and grey bands running through it like layers. Diane nodded, "It is very nice."

I grinned and went to drop it back at the side of the road for another traveller to admire one day. Diane kept an eye on me, but didn't seem concerned and that bolstered my courage. I found a few more rocks to show Diane before dropping them at the side of the road.

My trips slowly got further and further away from Diane until I was actually off the highway and in the grass. Many plants had sprouted, although most weren't really big enough to pick yet. I recognized some edible plants and picked them. I shyly approached Amber and passed them to her.

She thanked me with a gentle smile and put the plants in an empty basket. I continued to gather more plants with numerous trips to the side of the road. Amber and Roland had spoken with Diane and me somewhat, so it wasn't too bad approaching them, but I couldn't bring myself to go up to any of the others yet.

My shyness was a nuisance, but it wasn't as bad as it used to be. Back in Bethany Fort, I wouldn't have even left Diane's side or approached someone when I barely knew their name. It was late afternoon and I still wasn't used to having people constantly watching me. Out here, there was not much to do while traveling, so watching the two people who had mysteriously appeared out of the tall grass was something new to do.

I was surprised that they didn't help collect greens. It was easy food and we were just travelling anyways. Then I realized that they wouldn't be able to keep up at a jog for more than a short time. They also probably didn't know most of the edible plants. Most people didn't.

I went back for more plants, but got distracted by a bright orange butterfly. It was one of the orange ones that hibernated through the winter and came out early in spring. It took me a few attempts, but I managed to catch it carefully in my hands so it didn't lose the powder on its wings.

I jogged over to Amber and carefully opened my hands to show it to her. She leaned over on her horse to inspect the pretty insect, "That is a pretty orange butterfly. I am surprised that you managed to catch it. It looked pretty fast."

Roland rode beside Diane just behind us and I heard Roland speak quietly, "I am not sure what kind of coffee you gave her while riding in the truck, but I would sure like some."

Diane chuckled, "She is always that active. I do know how to make a coffee with a similar effect, but it is really bitter."

The butterfly took flight and I went back into the ditch to peer through the tall grass to see what I could find. Roland shook his head in amusement, "She is certainly going to sleep well tonight."

Diane snorted and grinned at him, "Supper will re-energize her. I will have to take her out for a good run before bed in order to get her to sleep."

Roland looked skeptical, but let it drop. "Are all of those plants edible that she keeps giving Amber?"

Diane nodded, "Yes, she has mostly collected only five different kinds so far."

Somehow it didn't surprise me that Diane had taken note of everything I had given to Amber. It didn't bother me. She was also correct, I had only collected a few different types so far. Mostly dandelions and clover.

Roland seemed pleased, "We will have a good bit of salad tonight then. That is a good thing since all we have to go with it is some salted jerky and dried peas to make into soup."

Diane looked at him in surprise, "Is there a reason we didn't go after those rabbits and squirrels we passed so far?"

It was his turn to look surprised, "You saw a rabbit?"

I grinned a bit, Diane sometimes tended to forget that she saw much more than most people. Sometimes I even forgot. Diane responded, "Yes, we passed at least six or seven. I think I saw a grouse as well, but I am not sure as it was in thick grass."

He sighed in disappointment, "Well, if you see another one, please point it out. Fresh meat would be welcome."

Diane chuckled before calling out, "Hey Laura, Roland wants some fresh meat for supper tonight."

I glanced up in excitement before starting to zigzag across most of the ditch, trying to spook anything that might be hidden there. I loved helping Diane hunt, although she really didn't need any assistance. Being helpful always made me feel good. It was also an awesome excuse to just run around for no reason.

Diane was now along the edge of the highway with her loaded bow in her hands as she watched me and waited patiently. She had attached a strap to her glaive and hung it across her body so she didn't lose it. I turned my eyes back to the grass. Minutes passed, but I didn't find anything.

Movement caught my eye and I ran forward towards the fat birds, "Grouse!" The big birds saw me coming and took to the air with loud wingbeats. The four birds barely got into the air before Diane's arrows found them. I quickly collected the birds and jogged back to Diane with a wide grin.

She smiled proudly at me before glancing around us, "Who wants to carry these things?"

One of the drivers volunteered. I carried the birds to him while trying to hide my nervousness at approaching the stranger. He took them with a smile and a thank you. I nodded and quickly retreated to Diane's side.

Roland shook his head with a huge grin on his face, "Not exactly rabbit, but I will take it. Trying to earn your keep already?"

Diane chuckled, "If I had known you were looking for fresh meat, we would have had a lot more by now."

Roland grinned, "Well, since you are volunteering so nicely, four birds are not enough to feed 59 people."

I grinned, I doubted that he had any clue as to exactly how good of a hunter Diane was. The hardest part about hunting was spotting and then getting close to something. The Heartfire made that child's play for us. I had even snuck up on deer during some of our nightly runs and they had not known I was there.

Diane tilted her head with a big grin, "Would an entire deer suffice?"

He thought she was joking and chuckled, "If you can bring down a deer on foot we might just have to keep you with us and not let you stop at Mountain Fort."

Now those were fighting words, as my Dad used to put it. Diane liked challenges and this one could get her the gratitude of those we were traveling with. If there ever was a chance for Diane to work for her acceptance, she was sure to attempt it. There wasn't much that would stop her if she was determined enough.

The glint in Diane's eyes made me giggle at Roland's words, "Careful what you promise! There are lots of tracks around."

Roland smiled down at me, amusement clear on his face, "I don't think we have much chance of catching a deer out here. Even with the horses it would be next to impossible. I am quite impressed that she was able to get all of those grouse though."

I kept my thoughts to myself and simply grinned as I returned to the ditch to try to flush some other small game out of the grass.

The next two hours saw me flush out five rabbits and eight more grouse. Diane managed to hit each one. The arrows didn't bother me, although some others gave her an odd look. I knew Diane's arrows would never touch me unless a huge gust of wind hit, and probably not even then. I wouldn't have trusted anyone else to shoot in my direction, but I trusted Diane's aim.

I had a small basket of greens that I had paused to pick while trying to flush out more animals. I made a side trip to pass it to Amber, who emptied it into her larger basket. I went back into the ditch to keep looking for both edible greens and animals.

"I am exhausted just watching her running around." I glanced back to see Amber watching me in disbelief.

Diane was simply amused and chuckled, "Imagine trying to babysit her inside of a fort for three days."

Amber shook her head, "It wouldn't be me doing it."

At least Diane wasn't upset that I wasn't hiding my abilities. She would have known I was watching her, but she gave no subtle hand signals. If our eyes were not being kept a secret, I failed to see why we would hide our energy. It wasn't like we could sit a good chunk of the day. It simply wasn't possible.

Movement caught my eye and my head spun as Diane took off at a run for the trees. She had hand signals for me this time. Go to the side of the road. Remain with the others. I ran to the edge of the highway watching the trees, but she had disappeared from sight already.

As much as I didn't want to remain with this group without Diane present, I wasn't about to disobey her. I wasn't sure what would have caused her to run towards the trees like that, but there were really only a few possibilities.

The others were glancing between me and the trees in confusion or curiosity. It wasn't more than a couple of minutes we heard a faint holler ahead of us, "Get going!"

A deer burst out of the trees quite some distance up the road, its legs stumbling as three arrows were lodged in its chest. The horse riders in front kicked their horses into a charge to try to help stop the deer. Diane exited the trees with bow and arrow in hand.

The deer saw the horses and turned to run away from us. That gave Diane a sideways angle on the deer. She loosed two more arrows in rapid succession as she kept running. I could tell that she was keeping her speed closer to normal, but no one else here would have been able to manage the speed she was going.

The deer stumbled and collapsed. Diane got to it first and swung her glaive hard so the shaft knocked it out cold. The horse riders caught up and dismounted to help her with the deer. The caravan closed the distance between the two groups within a few minutes.

I skipped along in delight between Amber and Roland. Diane had taken down a deer. Diane glanced over as we approached and turned towards Roland with a grin, "So, you were saying?"

Roland burst out laughing and Amber grinned. It didn't take long for the riders to field dress the deer and put it on a trailer for us to deal with once we made camp.