Each member of the group gave their name to prove they had survived the encounter, and each time the rest of the them would smile and reach over to touch the arm of the one who had spoken. Sa-at liked that. He wondered what it would be like to be smiled at in that way. As the last one announced themselves and was welcomed, he copied their smiles from his hiding place and reached out a hand in their direction. None saw, save for Crowflies, who did not care to comment.

‘Sa-at is here too,’ he whispered, and then, so as not to feel lonely, he touched his own arm.

‘I think we’re not far from …’ gasped one of the Gatherers. ‘Or maybe we’re near … I think … no. I don’t know where we are.’

‘We need to get home.’

The others were quick to agree but none of them were sure which way home was. Another discussion started, quickly turning into an argument. Sa-at listened with interest, eagerly devouring the new words. He was particularly intrigued to know that some of the Gatherers had more than one name.

That woman likes to turn her hands and speak.

Her name is Hil.

Hil’s other name is ‘Great Idiot’.

The man who clasps his hands is Rin.

Rin’s other name is ‘Dogkin’s Cock’.

At one point it looked as if the group was going to split up, with one half going with Hil and the other with Rin. However, when Hil claimed to recognize a mossy chunk of rock, they stopped arguing. And when she said they were not far away from a path she knew, Rin told her to take the lead.

She’s wrong, thought Sa-at. They’re going the wrong way again.

Crowflies pointed at the group with a wing and made a derogatory noise.

‘You don’t like them?’

He received one of Crowflies’ looks, where the Birdkin slowly tilted its head to one side as if Sa-at had said something ridiculous.

He watched thousands of tiny reflections of himself shrug in the Birdkin’s eyes. ‘They’re funny. I don’t want them to die.’

That earned him another look.

The Gatherers were too tired to set off immediately. They agreed to take a short rest as it would be the last they could dare on the journey home.

Sa-at pulled himself up onto a thick branch and settled next to Crowflies. What would be the best way to help these people? He tucked his arms in and let his chin rest on his knees. This was a problem that would require thought. He knew they were afraid of him. Perhaps he could chase them out of the forest. However, it would be difficult to herd them over a long distance. And what if they scattered or decided to fight?

While he pondered the problem, he listened to the Gatherers’ chatter.

‘Did you get the Tack, Rin?’

‘Right here.’