The following days blurred into one another as Lilau and Makotae settled into a routine. Every morning they and Kuhle went out, guards and all, to forage in a new patch of grassland. It gave Lilau a sense of comfort to work as she had for so many years alongside Mara. Although she did not know these plants or their uses, Kuhle showed and explained each one in keen detail. A tendency, along with her predilection for one-sided conversation, that let Lilau pick up a broad understanding of the people’s language.

By the time half a moon passed, she could understand and converse with them well. Over time, her guards became less interested in her, dropping their vigil inside her tent for a single person outside the flap.

So it was this morning as Lilau awoke next to Makotae. Makotae woke up soon after, when an unexpected visitor dipped through the entrance.

“Has the sun found you well?” the visitor said, the intense color of his clothing and threads in his black hair making her own ensemble look pale by comparison.

“Chief Zulni.” She scrambled to her feet as Makotae yawned in his general direction. “What brings you here?” She had only seen him a few times since her arrival, but now, as always, his talent for exuding importance while feeling unthreatening put her off-balance.

He waved off her reaction, dropping cross-legged onto the rugs. “I have come to talk, if you are willing.”

Lilau moved back up against Makotae and eyed the Chief. “What do you want to talk about?”

“You, Lilau Noka. Where are you from and how did you end up in the grasslands?”

She blinked at him. She was expecting such questions to come, yet she had gained solace in having left most of her past with the Wolf Tribe. “I am Wolf Tribe,” she started, substituting her own word for wolf since the Horse Tribe had none. “I came from the forest.”

“The state we found you two in suggests it was not as peaceful as you make it sound.”

She gritted her teeth, the memories of their flight coming fresh to her mind. “No, it was not. I am Unmarked and a runt. When those who cared for me died, I fled.”

He nodded, with no hint of surprise. These people, as the Wolf Tribe, bore Marks of their own. Swirling designs etched into their right shoulders with black ash.

Considering how often Lilau had an audience while dressing, it was likely common knowledge that she had none. With the fact she was no taller than their whelps, her being a runt was obvious, too.

“Forgive my forwardness, but what made your caretakers keep you from returning to the land?”

“They said the Fokla told them not to.” She studied him as she answered and was not disappointed.

His relaxed facade dropped, a shock running through his expression before the mask returned. “I see. If that is true, then I am glad we found you and could help you recover from your flight. Is it the Fokla that allow you to learn so quickly, or is such an ability common among your people? Kuhle has kept me aware of your incredible talent for learning.”

“I...do not know. This is the first time I have had to learn another’s words, although my caretakers always noted my talent for learning.”

“So it is not a common ability then. As the Guardian decrees, we of the Horse Tribe have never gone beyond the land given to us, so to have you and your ‘wolf’ appear was... unusual. It piqued my interest in what lies beyond. Please tell me of your people, so that I may understand you better.”

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Lilau recoiled, the idea of recounting the details of a tribe she could never be a part of repulsed her. “I can only share my view as an outsider, for that was all I ever was.”

“A view that is still better than none. Please continue.”

Lilau took a deep breath and obliged. It was an odd, detached experience to relay what she knew by heart, yet never took to heart. Like the Wolf Tribe’s adoration of Fokla and their many rites and rituals to call upon them. Or the legends of heroes and monsters, darkness and light that were told around bonfires nearly every night.

She could perform any ritual, recite any story, yet she felt no connection to any of it and by the end of her explanation, she felt as if she was a cup spilled over, leaving her empty.

Every once in a while, Chief Zulni would interject a question, but his focus never strayed throughout. When she was out of things to say, he studied her for a minute. He stood, regarding her with more curiosity then when he started. “Thank you for answering my questions, Lilau Noka. Kuhle will be by to give you two breakfast, then you are to help with a new task today. I hope the helpfulness you two have shown continues.”

Makotae eyed him as he walked out. So that’s a no to letting us go, then.

Lilau shrugged. She didn’t enjoy being around so many people, even though the village numbered only about thirty. Still, she felt an odd obligation to them for the hospitality they had given. Unless things took a turn for the worse, she would stay until they said they could go.

You think he would be as hospitable if he knew Fokla had chased us out of the forest? Makotae asked.

She rested against him and sighed. She had left that part out on purpose. Having so much free time in recent days, she had a lot of time to dwell on what she had seen. All signs pointed to the idea that what she was seeing was the hidden world, the invisible land where the Fokla dwelt. Of course, seeing as how it the hidden world, she couldn’t be sure, but her gut told her she was right.

Fortunately, the expansive grasslands had proved to have far fewer Fokla than the forest, and the few she had seen while foraging ignored her. Whatever problem the forest spirits had with her did not seem to follow across the border.

As promised, Kuhle came in on the heels of Chief Zulni’s departure, bringing food and conversation. Lilau let her go for a while before attempting to add anything to the discussion. Trying to inject a word before Kuhle informed her of the morning’s happenings was a waste of breath. That suited Lilau just fine. She preferred to not talk while she ate, anyway.

By the time their bowls were empty, Kuhle was slowing down. Lilau seized the opportunity. “Chief Zulni mentioned a new task. What is it?”

Kuhle brightened at a new subject to talk about. “Yes! He said that since we’ve been doing so well with gathering the plants we needed for the livestock, we get to help give the medicine to them today.”

Lilau regarded her with a wariness that clashed against Kuhle’s joy. Like the Fokla, Lilau had seen the animals at a distance while she was out gathering. There were some who milled around the village, but she hadn’t gotten close to them. “Which ones are we treating?” she asked, hoping it was the smaller sheep as opposed to the muscular beasts they called ‘cattle.’

“Sheep and cattle, so far,” Kuhle answered to her dismay. “It was just sheep getting sick at first and everyone said it was just a new illness, you know? Those come around every once in a while, kill some, leave others. Makes them stronger, right? Well, this sickness keeps spreading, keeps killing, and now it’s jumped to cattle. Everyone says they’ve never seen it before, that if we don’t stop it, it might jump to horses next. I’ve never seen that, but no one’s ever seen this either.”

“So how are we treating it if no one’s ever seen it before?”

Kuhle laughed, although Lilau saw nothing humorous about her question. “Medicine Chief Feechi himself sent the recipes to all the Medicine Makers, because the sickness is everywhere, so it’s a big deal, and I figure if anyone knows how to stop something we’ve never seen before it would be him, you know?”

“This Medicine Chief is a healer for all of your people?” Lilau found that hard to fathom considering how much work it had been keeping enough stock for a village of fifty, and that didn’t include treating anyone.

“Oh no, he just knows the most, talks to the Fokla and they tell him stuff the other Medicine Makers don’t know, then he shares with everyone. We need to get going though, all the others have already left and if we don’t get there and help soon, mother will get mad at me and Chief Zulni will get mad at us both.” Kuhle jumped up, urging them out the door with a sweep of her arm.

Makotae trotted forward first as his tongue licked away the remnants of his meal. At least they won’t have to worry about me eating any of their animals with food like that.

I’d hope you wouldn’t eat any of their animals we’re supposed to be helping, anyway.

Eh, not when I’m this full.