The screen slid shut with a thump as Dew hurried out. Nadia played with the empty soup bowl by tilting and twirling it. She scowled because she was unable to look at anyone else. The fact that all the remaining eyes were still on her didn’t help.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to lie. I- I just- I didn’t know what to do. I won’t get anyone involved any further. I planned to do this on my own anyway. There’s no reason any of you should help.”

“You’re right, if you don’t appreciate womanhood then we have no business helping you,” Delia scowled, “There’s nothing wrong with being a woman.”

“Then you think I should accept myself and take Dew’s offer?”

Delia waved that suggestion off immediately, “You can’t pretend to be what you’re not. I would get started tonight if I were you. Nobody wants to associate with a fake.”

Nadia suddenly burst, “I didn’t ask for any of this to happen! I want to be alone too! Just leave me alone! All of you! Don’t even talk to me! I’m going outside for a minute!”

She ran outside.

“I’m disturbed and deeply confused,” Darrell muttered.

“You’re also a-” Josh said.

Nefri glared at Delia, “What’s wrong with you? How can you be so cruel when you already know what she’s dealing with? Are you trying to insult and confuse her more? Why don’t you think about the effect of your words for once? There’s no reason to torment her when you know her search might well be in vain, especially considering that we’ve been hired to help. If you had a speck of decency, you’d go out right now and apologize on your hands and knees for your ridiculous behavior.”

“So, her old man paid you clowns to help her out? Why’d he even bother, she has me, and I’m a one-man army,” Josh said.

“I pity her,” Luthial said, ignoring Josh, “I know how terrible I would feel if some book turned me into a boy.”

“I’m going to look for her,” Nefri said, “She needs at least a night’s rest before she starts this difficult journey, and the village should provide some provisions at the very least.”

“Can I come too?” Luthial asked, “Nadia is my friend. I don’t want to see her like this.”

Nefri nodded.

“I hope you’re not going to let her sleep in the same room with us,” Delia said.

“Why not? She’s a woman. Or do you think she belongs with the men?”

“Let her sleep outside with the frogs for all I care.”

Luthial stuck her tongue out as she left with Nefri, “Honestly Delia, you’re being paid too, stop being so jealous.”

“I’m not jealous of that fake!”

Silence reigned for the next fifteen minutes, then Awlena entered with two mats. “It has been decided that the men will bunk here. Do you wish to stay with them Delia?”

Josh poked Darrell in the side with his elbow, “We don’t mind, right buddy.”

“I’m not your friend.”

-----

Awlena leaned near the window to listen to the conversation. She made herself less visible but had little to worry about as Nadia looked straight ahead while storming out to the edge of a rice pond illuminated by moonlight. Awlena swallowed and then slightly tensed before running up to Nadia and hugging her from behind. Nadia flailed a bit at the sudden hug, and at the sensation of Awlena’s chest pushing against her back. Hands raised to wipe her eyes as she got better control of herself.

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“Sorry if I scared you, I just wanted to thank you for saving our village. I never properly thanked you. If only I had time to organize a great feast in your honor.”

Nadia felt her own chest tense as she took a deep breath, “I thought you hated me?”

“I didn’t like you at first, but feelings change. You proved yourself to be a worthy wife to my brother, or a worthy husband to me if you prefer. Or perhaps you can marry Dew and have me as well? Sorry, I heard everything.”

“Wow,” Nadia said, “You’re kind, and pretty too, but for right now, I just want to be by myself. I’m trying really hard to not even think about that sort of thing.”

The grip slowly released and Nadia felt the pressure of a soft bosom lessen and then pull away from her back, “I’m forever humbly in your service.”

The croaking of frogs continually burst from the moonlit rice pond. Nadia stood and looked up at the moon as Awlena's steps become distant. Tears glistened in moonlight as they streamed down her cheeks. Her body felt like it might sink into the earth. The cloudy sky blew a cool breeze as insects buzzed. A large moon became partially obscured by clouds. Nadia put her hands to her face and wanted more than anything to yell, but she’d be disturbing this peaceful village.

Nefri and Luthial didn’t have much trouble finding her. Nefri took the initiative as Luthial stood in the background. A gentle hand rubbed Nadia’s trembling shoulder. There was a slight heave as Nadia sniffed and wiped her eyes.

“Are you okay? You should get rest soon,” Nefri said.

Nadia pressed her fist against her forehead, “I still like him, but he hates me because I’m a fake. And there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“Delia is just jealous. She doesn’t even mean her words. If you believe any of that talk, then you’re an idiot. And anyone who thinks like that is an idiot that doesn’t deserve your company. I don’t sense hatred, but if that’s the way your love thinks, it’s best to move on. I doubt he can be more than an acquaintance.”

Nadia nodded as she wiped her eyes, “I think I know that, but it still hurts.”

Nefri hugged her.

“Why is everyone hugging me all of the sudden?”

“Me too, me too, group hug!”

Luthial joined the hug. Nadia laughed and cried at the same time.

-----

Awlena laid bedding mats for the men and gathered the empty bowls while Delia left for the woman’s sleeping quarters.

The others were already asleep when she arrived. They must have spoken with Nadia, for she laid on her back, eyes moist, breathing softly in her sleep. Delia watched silently, frowned angrily, tucked herself into her own mat, and concentrated on falling asleep. Yet she remained awake for too long before finally succumbing to exhaustion.

-----

A tap above Josh’s ear woke him a few hours before the morning light had a chance to appear on the horizon. He propped himself by the elbows to see Nadia leaning beside him. A travel pack hung over her left shoulder. Another one pushed into his stomach. Since Josh had slept in his clothes, it was no problem to cast the sleeping mat aside and take the bag over his own shoulder. Prompting him to follow, she quietly led him outside where the bike waited, propped on its kick-stand amid a path between the rice fields. She placed her bag in a basket on the handlebars, Josh kept his strapped to his back. With a swift jerk of her foot, she folded the kick-stand and hopped on the seat.

“It’ll be better if we’re gone long before they wake up.”

“Do you have any idea where you’re going?” Josh asked.

“The map says there’s a port. I don’t know the exact distance, but if we go south and follow the coast we’ll get there sooner or later. Once we get to the port, we’ll set sail for the Tramen continent.”

“What about Darrell?”

“Oh him, I think I’m very much over him. He’ll find someone else.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Nadia blushed, “It’ll be easier for him to return home if he stays at the village. I’m sure he’ll figure that out. I even left a note.”

“And where do I go?” Josh asked, “I can’t keep up with you on a bike.”

“I installed oversized pegs. Ride the back, put your feet on the pegs and hold my shoulders. If you can keep your balance, I can do the work for both of us.”

“Fine.”

They passed the rice fields quickly to reach the borders of the worm forest, which Nadia refused to enter. She assured Josh that the path around the forest was safer and eventually led southeast. When the sky finally filled with morning light, they were well on their way. He yawned, but she looked ahead and kept pedaling. Cool morning air invigorated her mind. The power of her guardian blood made her pendant glow a slight blue.

The trail left by her bike disappeared when it took to the air and they flew just slightly above the path.

“You can fly!?” Josh yelled.

“I guess so,” she said as the wind picked up her hair and it waved around him like streamers, “Don’t fall off!”

“When did you learn to fly a bike?”

“This is my first time!”

“That’s incredible! Friggin' awesome!”