Lie, lie, lie! my brain shouts. But Old Fang was our leader, and a stubborn one at that. For the first time, I consider what might have happened if he opposed something the majority of the pack wanted. If they all pleaded to relocate and he refused, would they have fought him on it? And, out of shame, would he have lied to me about what happened?

“What does it mean to be gods touched?” I ask. “Old Fang said you were searching for people like that.”

“We welcome everyone to Bedrock, but the gods touched are our most valued.” He gives me a thin smile. “There was a time when all our ancestors were marked by the gods.”

My back prickles. “Marked how?”

“Here.” The General taps his temple, and I relax slightly. “Our ancestors were in tune with the earth and the stars, could read the Old World symbols and communicate directly with the gods. I believe that if the gods touched walk among us again in great numbers, our gods are more likely to return.” He strokes the metal pendants on his chain absent-mindedly and smiles down on his workers.

“My pack would have waited for me,” I insist. “If they wanted to come to Bedrock, they would have asked your men for directions and made the trip once I’d returned from . . .”

I pause, and the General’s eyes snap to me. He doesn’t ask for it, but I know he’s waiting for a location. Just as I didn’t know what waited beyond Dead River, he must not know what waits in the desolate stretches of the wastes. I’m not giving up Zuly and her Ark.

Sensing my hesitation, the General’s shoulders deflate. “You can speak to your family tomorrow. Confirm my side of the story with them yourself, see that they are here by choice. I’ll arrange for the visit.”

“So they’re here?” My heart swells. I’m relieved . . . and also uneasy.

“Yes, and quite happy about it.”

I glance at him sideways. He’s watching his falcon ride the wind, face glowing in the setting sun. “Most people would lock down a place like this,” I say, “not seek out others to share it with.”