noon
Three bodies are better than two . But bring the knife and stay very close . I do n't want to lose you . ' With the sun a hand 's breadth shy of noon , they set out . The company returned exhausted , with several hours of daylight and much work still ahead of them . Kalus had gutted the antelope before starting up the ridge , but climbing the pathless slope with such a burden had proven an ordeal nonetheless . By the time they reached the ledge outside the Mantis ' cave , he could go no further .