The story went that Father Sho, patron of hunters, insisted that only a hunter’s skill determined their success, but Mother Ib and Father Ji, twin Sha of fortune, argued that luck was most important. They argued for five nights and days, until wise Father Ri came upon them. He suggested they each choose a hunter and give them from one rain to the next to catch a vicious king baboon that liked to steal children to eat. The Sha could protect their chosen from harm, but must not bestow their divine aid—not fortune and not proficiency. Should their hunter succeed by skill or by luck, therein would the Sha find their answer.

And so Yenni weaved the tale of two young champions, the pioneers of Orire N’jem. The first, a preening prince, was lazy and failed to catch his prey. Due to his failure his whole tribe was cursed with a terrible harvest. However, the second young hunter, a princess from a seasoned mountain tribe, was able to lure out the baboon king and stab him through the heart. So impressed were the Sha by her determination that on her return home they showered her tribe with blessings, including the rune of focus.

It was tradition ever since that in times of dire need, princes and princesses would make journeys to faraway lands in search of some creature or plant or sacred place, and dedicate their journey to the Sha in the hope of winning their favor, even asking specific boons of them. The journey was always completed alone, with all faith placed in the Sha’s divine protection, and always one year long.

Thus Yenni had begged to go to Cresh on Orire N’jem. At last her parents had relented, and took Yenni’s case to the tribal Masters. They had conferred and, to Yenni’s joy, agreed that she should go, but under one strange condition: she must ask the Sha not to heal her father, but to protect the tribe from harm. She could not leave on Orire N’jem without the Masters’ blessing, so Yenni agreed. Her father was part of the tribe, after all, so should not the Sha’s protection extend to him as well, thus saving him?

“You have always been a skillful storyteller,” said her father sleepily when she was done.

“Iyaya, N’baba, thank you again for trusting me to go on Orire N’jem. I will not fail the tribe, and I will not fail you.”

Her mother took her hands and rose, urging her to stand as well. She kissed Yenni’s cheek. “It is late. We will both be there on the shore to see you off tomorrow, my sweet daughter, so go to sleep.”

“Yes. Good night,” said Yenni softly. She touched her fingertips under her chin and bowed to her parents before leaving the room.