Rio listened politely to Kim, glancing every now and then toward the verandah. Rachael had moved away from the open door and he could no longer see her. She had looked so defeated, so unlike Rachael. He wanted to go to her, felt he needed to go to her, but Kim wanted to tell him of his father’s vision, stressing the importance of it, warning Rio that something was not right with the party searching the forest for medicinal plants.

“He knew the names of all the plants and their properties,” Kim explained, in his slow, deliberate way. “My father does not know why he had such a vision when the man clearly knows the ways of the forest.”

Rio took a step toward the door, shifting slightly in an effort to try to see Rachael. “Many men come into the forest knowing its ways but not respecting them, Kim. It’s possible this man is one. Could he be a poacher, after fur or the elephants?” The more information he had the better to judge if more trouble was coming their way.

Kim followed his single step. “Perhaps. He had weapons enough.”

“Tama would never lead him this way, especially if the party is a group of poachers. The debt of honor would never extend that far.”

“No, but if he is more than a poacher, if his game is larger, if it is the woman or you, Tama won’t know until it’s too late.”

“Was there anything in the vision to make your father think either of us are in danger? If there was more to it, tell me, Kim.” Rio took another step toward the door. His heart was beginning to pound and his mouth went dry.

“My father was disturbed by what he saw, so much so that he sent me to you. He could not interpret the vision fully. He felt that there was much danger, but he didn’t know if it was to the man, to you or to the woman. He said I must come and let you know.”

“Thank you, Kim, tell your father he is much honored and I appreciate his warning and that I’ll heed it.”

It was far too quiet on the verandah. There was a sudden hush in the forest and then creatures began calling frantically. Rio stiffened, swore softly, eloquently, repeatedly. “She’s gone.” He uttered the two words to taste them. To make them real. Black anger swirled, rioted, destructive and mindless. He fought it back. “Rachael.” He said her name as a talisman, to help him think, to bring back intellect when he needed a cool brain.

“What is it, Rio?” Kim asked, taking a step back, recognizing danger when he saw it. When he felt it. Rio’s face was a mask, his eyes glittering, and danger emanated from every pore.