Leelo twirled a piece of grass between her fingers. “But I don’t know that, Sage. I’ll never know.” She thought of the fire Tate had promised to make for her, but she had no idea if he would be able to manage it. He was still so young, and if outsiders were half as bad as Ketty said, he could be in great danger.

“He’s a smart boy,” Sage said. “He’s more resourceful than you give him credit for.”

“He’s not even twelve. What were we doing at his age? Playing with the lambs and gathering mushrooms? He’s never been on his own. We might as well be throwing him to the wolves.”

Sage was quiet for a moment. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I don’t know how to make this easier for you.”

Leelo wiped her damp cheeks on her sleeve. “You can’t make it easier. No one can.”

“Then what can I do?”

Leelo looked her cousin in the eyes, relieved to find there was genuine concern there. “Try to understand what this is like for me. And if you can’t, then just be kind.”

“I think I can manage that.” Sage slung her arm around Leelo’s shoulders. “Will you come back to our room, after he’s gone? It’s been lonely.”

Leelo nodded. “I will. I just... I wanted to have as much time with him as I could.”

They were both startled by a splash on the far side of the lake. They rose and peered into the distance. A group of villagers stood on the shore, throwing rocks into the water and singing a made-up rhyme in high, irritating voices. This wasn’t uncommon. The younger villagers would sometimes dare each other to come to the lakeshore, just to prove they were brave enough to face the islanders, that they weren’t afraid of the Endlans’ songs.

Leelo thought again of the ritual tonight and wished these fools would leave. They had no idea what they were dealing with.

“Should we report them?” Leelo asked.

Sage stared at the villagers for a moment, then shook her head. “No. Our shift is over, and they’re harmless.” She picked up her bow and linked her arm through Leelo’s. “Come on. Mother needs help with the lambs today. There were twins born just last night.”

Leelo smiled as they left the villagers to their rude words and name-calling, happy to have something else to think about. “Can Tate come? He loves the lambs.”

“Oh, I suppose it can’t hurt. We just have to make sure Mother doesn’t see.”

Leelo squeaked in delight, which made Sage laugh, and for a moment Leelo felt a surge of hope. Even Fiona seemed a little better today. When they got home, she was in the rocking chair by the fire, knitting. She smiled when the girls entered, still wearing their boots.