The walk back was easier than the journey out. The snow had melted completely in the lower valleys, revealing grass that was shockingly green. It wasn't the pale, sickly green of the early recovery phase. It was deep. Emerald. Vital. The Earth was pushing back against the scars of the old world with a vengeance.
Ezra walked with his hand resting on the head of his cane. The ash wood was smooth now, polished by his grip. He didn't need it for support. His legs were strong. But it grounded him. It connected him to the path.
Jared and Sarah walked ahead with the two young men. They carried the packs. They were lighter now. The tools of destruction were gone from the Mountain. The codes deleted. The weapons scrapped. They carried only seeds. Packets of clover. Mustard. Sunflower. Beans. The
