The seabirds called and the ocean shushed against the sand. Yenni lay on the warm stone of the temple dais as Masters Keema, Ollu, and Joko prepared to paint her. All three wore the same style of dress, even though Master Keema was a woman and Masters Ollu and Joko were men. Large headdresses of golden sunbird feathers surrounded their heads, and each was draped in lavish robes reflecting the colors of the Sha they especially worshiped. Master Ollu wore the green and black of Father Gu the warrior, Master Joko’s robes were the blue and yellow of Father Sho the hunter, and Master Keema wore blue and white for Mother Ye, protector of women. They all had pale, watery eyes—the result of the constant pulling of runes and communion with the Sha. It was impossible to tell how old they might be.

The chiefclan—Yenni’s mother, her father, Jayeh and Ifeh and their husbands, and her brothers, Dayo and Jumi—sat in a semicircle on glittering embroidered cushions, all silent. A ship waited in the harbor and once Yenni received this final rune, she would depart.

She’d considered flying her field sphinx, Ofa, across the sea, but she didn’t know where she would stable him in Cresh. She decided it was better to leave him home, safe and sound. She’d gone to the royal stables to say one final good-bye that morning. As she scratched the sandy fur of his head, his feline face was long with sorrow.

Now, beams of dusty sunlight streamed in through the high windows of the temple, and the air smelled of the sea. The atmosphere was hushed and reverent.

The three Masters arranged themselves around her.

“Daughter,” began Master Keema.

“Receive this rune, the holy blessing of the Mothers and Fathers bestowed upon the Yirba,” continued Master Joko.

“The Sha’s divine protection,” Master Ollu finished.

As one they dipped their fingers directly into their bowls and began to sing, their voices blending in beautiful union. Yenni struggled not to squirm as they traced the complex rune on her abdomen. She felt them moving in a circle, drawing branches and lines out from the center.

Their voices coalesced into a final note, two voices high, one low, and abruptly they stopped, tying off the rune. Without looking, Yenni knew the chalky paint was now one with her skin.

“This rune will alert you to threats on your life,” said Master Keema.

“If you feel its heat against your skin . . .” began Master Joko.

“. . . beware,” Master Ollu finished.

Yenni stood and bowed to the Masters.

“Praises be to the Mothers and Fathers,” she responded, a little breathless as her heart thudded in her chest.

Her family departed the temple in silence, and too soon they were at the docks, where Yenni’s ship waited. She hugged and kissed each one of them, exchanging tears and shaky good-byes, until she came to her father.