Over the next three nights, they had a handful of close encounters with other grassland creatures that ran, flew and crawled. Each encounter ended like the first. Fokla flowed around them, unseen by all but her. Their numbers increased as they roamed further from the village. Now that the creatures were thinning out again, Lilau guessed they were near their destination. Her guess proved right on the third morning as the wind blew the distinct smell of livestock and people over to her.

Not long after, Lilau saw the shape of huts and bodies on the horizon, then a singular person on horseback waiting some distance away from the cluster of homes. The shining reds, blues and greens adorning both the horse and rider shone in the sunlight.

“Medicine Chief Feechi has decided to meet you out on the plains,” the lead man informed her. “Be aware that we will deal with any threat to him accordingly.”

Lilau stiffened at the threat. Makotae echoed her irritation. If anyone was a threat, it was her ‘escort.’ Nonetheless, she stayed silent as her entourage greeted the Medicine Chief with a long outpouring of respect that reminded Lilau of pups worrying at their mother’s chin.

After what felt like an eternity, the group parted to allow the Medicine Chief to talk to her. Finally able to get a good look at him, she was surprised to find he was a short, thin man compared to all the other Horse Tribe she had seen. Still bigger than her, though. The horse he sat on, in contrast, was larger than the others, a muscular male whose blue hide shone as bright as the colors swirled across his body and face.

“I am told you are called Lilau Noka, is this correct?” His tone was flat, his expression unreadable.

“Yes, that is correct.” It seemed like her first instinct was right. Her existence, and likely her acts, had spread to the other villages.

“I’ve also heard that you know what is causing this illness. Is this also correct?”

She hesitated. It wouldn’t be difficult to spread news of her over the half a moon she had been in Zulni’s village, but how did the Medicine Chief receive news of her sight before they even got here? “I have seen what causes it, yes, but I do not know how to treat it.”

“I see.” he regarded the four guards. “You four may leave. Go and enjoy yourselves while Lilau and I speak.”

“But Medicine Chief—”

A raised hand stopped the woman’s complaint. “What we speak of is between us alone. Please enjoy your visit.”

The guards exchanged uncertain looks, but seeing no change in his request, they gave in and trotted off. Medicine Chief Feechi watched them go, then turned back to her and Makotae after the guards were out of earshot. “Please describe to me what you saw, Lilau, and be at ease in knowing I wish you no harm.”

Didn’t Chief Zulni say something similar? Makotae grumbled.

Well, despite his recent poor attitude, he has kept his promise.

Makotae receded from her mind with a snort.

The Medicine Chief regarded him with a sympathetic gaze. “I apologize for any less than hospitable behavior Chief Zulni, or his people, may have shown you. He forgets there are things beyond his understanding.”

“And what is your understanding?” Lilau asked, bracing herself for his answer.

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He laughed, a warmth in his voice Lilau hadn’t heard directed at her in a long time. “Oh, many things, many things. What is most important now, however, is that I am the one who saw your flight from the forest and the one who led Chief Zulni’s people to you.”

Lilau didn’t remember seeing anyone on her way out of the forest, but she had to admit she hadn’t been the most aware at the time. Such a revelation still told her nothing about his intentions. “What would you have with me?”

“Details of what you saw when you looked at the sick livestock. You are not the only one with connections to the Fokla, after all.”

Lilau froze, sweat breaking out on her palms. “How do you know that?”

He smiled down at her. “When you have dealt with them long enough, you can sense those they favor.”

“Favor?” She gave a bitter laugh. “I would hate to see what happens to those they don’t like.”

His face grew serious. “Unfortunately, the favor of the Fokla does not equal the favor of those around you. But that is a story for another time. If you have contacted the Fokla, I require your help, for they have refused my summons since this illness began. Please tell me all they have shown you.”

Shown her? Was that what it was? If that was true, perhaps her extra sight would fade once she completed the golden snake’s mission, whatever that was. Sucking in a deep breath, she plunged into a detailed description of the parasite she had seen, and its reaction to her as well as the parasite on the Chief’s horse.

“So this ‘parasite’ you saw jumped onto Anli?” His expression was one of deep concern, but none of the accusation or anger that had filled Chief Zulni’s expression.

“Yes, after I explained this to the Chief, he sent me here.”

“Of course. Regardless of his reasons, he was right in sending you to me. Although it is no excuse, I must ask you to forgive his reaction. Anli is very dear to him, as all Bonded are to each other. I’m sure your Bond is no weaker.”

He was right. It was no excuse, but she saw no reason to antagonize and so stayed silent.

Medicine Chief Feechi cleared his throat, breaking the growing quiet between them. “With all that said, I must also be so bold as to ask for your trust. I wish you to come with me to a place near to here. No escort, just the four of us.”

Lilau nodded, intrigued by this man who seemed far too young to be an Elder yet claimed intimate knowledge of the Fokla. Perhaps he was like her.

“Good, this way.” He further surprised her by turning his horse and trotting away, leaving her and Makotae alone in a wide open field.

Still no to running? Makotae asked.

No, we will follow through with this.

As you wish. He fell in beside and a little behind the Medicine Chief’s horse.

The Medicine Chief looked back. “Forgive me for not introducing myself and my companion. I am Feechi, as you have probably been told, and this fine horse is Haji.”

Haji tossed his head and arched his neck at the compliment, forcing a smile out of Lilau. “I am Lilau Noka, and this is Makotae.”

What, no ‘fine’ or ‘strong’?

Oh, I just don’t want to embarrass his horse with all of your outstanding qualities.

Ah, naturally.

They travelled on in silence. As promised, it was not long before Haji slowed to a stop near a blue lake. Tall reeds and grasses covered most of the bank nearest them, swaying in the calm breeze as birds looped around above its surface.

“All I ask is that you go to the lake’s edge and tell me what you see.” Feechi said.

“Why are you staying so far back?”

“Not for safety. I don’t want to influence what you see. I know there is no reason for you to believe me, but it is the truth.”

At least you’ll be able to see any Fokla coming for you, Makotae mused.

That’s what I’m afraid of.

“What will I gain from doing this?”

“That depends on what you see.”

Of course. Lilau frowned, but urged Makotae towards the water, anyway. She was curious. Other than the one stream, she hadn’t looked into any bodies of water since gaining her new sight. Would water Fokla be as numerous as the fish?

She dismounted as they drew close, eager to feel the soft ground beneath her feet. Lakes were not common within Wolf Tribe territory, but there were many creeks and streams. The feel of the wet soil giving beneath her shoes, combined with the smell of moisture and aquatic life, gave her an unexpected sense of nostalgia.

Reminds me of when we met, Makotae said, putting form to her feeling.

Yes, it does.

Her feet touched the edge of the lake, sinking in with a sucking sound. The surface of the water rippled as the low wind created small waves across it. Lilau looked down and for the second time in a few days found herself face-to-face with a Fokla.