Somehow, focussing on counting the seconds was more helpful to Sabine than distracting. She had to keep her mind on two things at once, leaving little room for nerves to escalate. She continued her approach until she found her own wide tree trunk to hide behind. One by one, she directed the spheres into individually concealed positions. They settled behind bushes, trees, large rocks, whatever obscured sight from the camp, even if they were still far enough away that the concealment would not be required. The slope up to the camp made hiding easier. Once in respective position, each sphere stilled its vibrations and waited like lost treasures.

Sabine sent two quick vibrations through Ahnasha's ring. She was ready. Now all that was left was to keep watch. She could climb the tree in front of her to get a vantage point, camouflaged as she was, to alert Ahnasha to trouble.