“Hoping that Louis would take the role as bardia ambassador,” Bran says, “I’ve trusted him with more of our secrets than any of his kindred ... including Gaspard.” He pulls a bunch of leaves out of his bag and piles them on the table. “The moleweed I promised you from the cliffs near my house.” He and Siaka begin stripping leaves off their stalks to place in a colander.

“So, what exactly are you working on here?” I ask, relieved to change the subject.

“It’s a three-step process,” Siaka says. “One: we recreate the formula. Two: we test it on bardia volunteers. And three: if it works, I do a chemical analysis to understand why it works and if substitutes can be used for rare ingredients. That way the formulas will be easier to reproduce.”

“It’s all working toward the goal of information sharing,” Bran adds. “Thanks to a communication platform set up by Siaka, we are linking the global community of Flame-fingers online, as your bardia have already done with their Worldwide Consortium.”

“Most Flame-fingers lost contact with each other centuries ago,” Siaka says. “It hasn’t been easy to get a global network set up.”

“This is a project you’ll be working on together.” Bran looks up from his leaf-stripping. “Gaspard has given you control of the bardia’s database, Louis. When Siaka’s ready, you can link the two on a shared platform.”

“That way, our people across the world can replicate Bran’s and my experiments,” Siaka says, “and make suggestions based on their culture and traditions. The bardia will test our cures. Everyone reports their outcomes on the platform, and from there we make changes – tweak, test more, until we get results!”

“So, our job is to centralize the global research between Flame-fingers and bardia?”

“It’s the most effective way to communicate and share information that Gaspard and I could come up with,” Bran admits.

“Sounds genius.” I turn to Siaka. “So, you’re a chemist and a programmer?”

“Actually, someone else is helping me with the tech stuff.” He chuckles, and I try to ignore how soft his lips look against his perfect white teeth.

Bran watches us with an amused smile.

“What?” I ask.

“It’s just that...you two are the faces of the new generation. You symbolize the union between our people. I can’t help but feel I’m witnessing a ground-breaking moment.”

Siaka’s eyes meet mine, and the realization dawns. We’re tasked with the historical reunion of ancient allies. A reunion that could change the world.

“I don’t mind being the poster boy for Flame-fingers. How about you?” Siaka challenges.

“Representing a clan of walking dead superheroes?” I smile. “Why not?”

Chapter Five