A woman came to rescue the three of them, someone who knew Yari, Isra, and this secret place—an Iyalawo or lapsed Elder who brought horses and flung curses at depraved Elders. One horse was lame, so only two Sprites could escape. She demanded a fight to see who was strong enough to go with her and who would die here. Jod stabbed Neth when he protested. Jod and Cal rode off with the lapsed Elder, leaving Neth to bleed out.

Bal ran out of words and dropped the last rock.

“Jod and Cal stole maps, conjure herbs, and Aido cloth to pay their way,” Yari said.

“And books.” Awa felt terrible for giving Jod special ones. Jod stuck a knife in a friend’s chest, for a horse and a chance to ride off with a scoundrel. “I don’t understand. We’re not prisoners. They could have left any time.”

“No family, no prospects, how to live?” Bal asked good questions. “Jod thinks he knows too much to live worse than savages. Neth told him tales of Holy City.”

“I brought Jod to the enclave.” Isra stomped around Neth’s grave—a display of anger more than grief. Vie spoke the staccato barbarian tongue. “Be warned. Good citizens say that Sprites get perverted by Green Elders. Many of us live as neither man nor woman. What could be worse?” Isra paused. “Well, lapsed Elders are worse. They’re traitors, perverts, and murderers.”

The enclave hooted disdain. Awa flinched, thinking of Father. Was he really as bad as Jod? The enclave howled.

Yari hushed them and tapped the talking drum. “Perhaps Neth tried to stab Jod, and Jod killed him in self-defense.” Vie turned to Bal. “You arrived just as horses were charging away, right?”

“Yes.” Bal blinked, confused. “That’s possible. I didn’t see the fight.”

Awa jumped up. “You and Isra saw the fight through the tube. Tell us what actually happened.”

“Whoever knows that?” Yari shook ropes of hair. This mystery was a shadow warrior test. The entire trip was a test for all the Sprites.

“People who speak against Green Elders could be right.” Isra kissed Yari’s palm. “Everything we believe could be false. I know from my own life. Jod wore a mask, stole our secrets, our hearts.”

Awa wanted to scream. “So how can we trust anybody or anything?” Other Sprites grumbled with her. “Is there a verse in The Green Elder Songs for Living and Dying to help us pierce illusions?”

“Look around. Anyone could betray us.” Yari gave her an indulgent smile. Awa bristled. Yari drummed and danced from Neth’s grave to the other griots. They donned bird masks, picked up drums, and followed vie. “Every day I think of leaving.”

Younger Sprites and even Elders gasped.