Page 47 of Moon Chosen

“I’d wager in forever,” Leda said. “And I am in complete agreement with you. That Companion won’t stop looking for your Rigel—not as long as he has not found evidence of his death.”

“And that’s something we can’t fake. Isn’t it?”

“I don’t know how we could make it seem to a Companion that the pup has died. Your father told me that Shepherds are used to track people, and Terriers are used to track game. Either way, they are sure to have a canine involved in the search for Rigel, and a canine nose is not easily fooled, even if we could figure out a way to have his fur and some canine bones discoverable.”

Mari’s jaw tightened with anger. “Wait, you said they use Terriers to track game, but I heard that friend of Nik’s say that a Terrier found Rigel’s paw prints.”

“That simply means the Hunters were searching for Rigel all along.”

“No, Mother. That’s not what it means. I also overheard that they were hunting for captives, and that Nik had talked them into searching outside their usual territorybecausehe was looking for Rigel.” In answer to her mother’s confused look Mari continued bluntly. “Leda, they don’t consider Scratchers people. That’s why the Terriers were hunting us, and not the Shepherds.”

“Oh. Oh dear.” Leda looked faint.

“Well, let’s look at the positive.” With a Herculean effort, Mari brightened. “If they didn’t think of us as animals they would have had Shepherds with them, and Shepherds would have been searching only for Rigel. They would have found him, Mama. I know it. So,arooooow!” Mari leaned back her head and, much to Rigel’s amusement, howled happily. The pup joined her until Mari collapsed breathlessly beside him as he wagged his tail and smiled his tongue-lolling canine grin. “Tonight I don’t mind being an animal with Rigel! Not one bit.”

But Leda’s mood would not lighten. “It worries me, Mari. Your father never told me that they thought of us as animals. He only said their Tribe thought of us as childlike, unable to care for ourselves. They enslave us under the pretense of protection, but they also need us to labor for them on their island. But if they see us as less than human, then what is to become of you after I’m gone?”

“Mama.” Mari took Leda’s hand. “We don’t need to worry about that. You’re strong and healthy and young still. We will have many, many more winters together. Let’s just focus on how we’re going to fix the problem of the Companions tracking Rigel. And—” Mari broke off, not wanting to add more worries for her mother.

“And what, Mari?” Leda prodded.

Mari sighed. “And Jenna. What do we do about Jenna?”

Leda met her daughter’s gaze and spoke slowly and distinctly, as if she wanted her words to be imprinted on Mari’s mind. “There isnothingwe can do about Jenna. Not now. Not ever.”

“But Mama, she’s only known sixteen winters! Without a Moon Woman to Wash the sadness from her, she’s going to die. She’ll never fall in love. She’ll never have her own daughter. She’ll never know happiness ever again.”

“Mari, you must listen to me.” Leda gripped her daughter’s hand tightly. “Unless they find a way to escape, all Earth Walkers captured by the Companions go mad with despair and die early. You already know this.”

“I do,” Mari said, choking back a sob. “And that’s why we have to help Jenna escape.”

“At what cost? I don’t believe it possible that Rigel could get close to a Companion Tribe andnotbe discovered. After what happened tonight I have no doubt that the Companion named Nik would forcibly take your pup away from you. If they see us as no more than animals, then I am afraid they would consider you unworthy of a Leader canine…” Leda’s words faded as her face paled. She shook her head as if trying to dislodge the disturbing thoughts forming there. “Are you willing to sacrifice Rigel and possibly yourself to save Jenna?”

A terrible chill shuddered through Mari’s body and her free hand reached down to touch Rigel reassuringly. “No. I can’t.” Mari whispered her response. “Iwon’tgive up Rigel.”

“And I do not fault you for that. Rigel is meant to be with you for life. Your bond with him is as deep as your soul, as strong as your heart. I would go. I would try to save our little Jenna, but if I was unsuccessful—if they captured me—”

“No! You can’t! And not because you’re a Moon Woman and the Clan needs you. Because you’re my mama and my best friend.Ineed you.”

“I know, Mari. I know.” Leda pulled her daughter into her arms. “Remember, my sweet girl, these bodies of ours are but our shells. It is only Xander’s body that has died. His true self—his spirit—has moved on, just as Jenna’s body is all that has been captured. Her spirit will be free again.”

“Mama, I don’t think I’ll ever quit seeing Xander’s face just before Jenna screamed. He saw Rigel. He knew that we were together, that I was the cause of the Companions trespassing so far into our territory, and he looked at me like he hated me.”

“Sssh, Mari. Nothing can be done to change what happened tonight, and Xander is now free of pain—free of the madness Night Fever brings—reunited with his beloved mate.”

“But I wasgladwhen they started shooting him,” Mari sobbed into her mother’s shoulder. “Because he’d seen Rigel, and I knew he was going to tell everyone. I hate myself for it. I hate myself for it. Poor Jenna! Xander was right to look at me with disgust. It’s because of me that she’s an orphan and a slave.”

“It’s not because of you. It’s because of this world. And what this world has become isnotyour fault.”

“I want to change things, Mama,” Mari said between sobs. “Even if it means I have to leave this place and start over.”

“I know, sweet girl. I know…”

Mari and Leda hugged each other tightly, while they cried for Xander and Jenna and the others of the Clan who were killed or captured, and wished that their world was different—was easier—or at least was just.

***

Mari didn’t sleep at all that night. She lay snuggly between her mother and Rigel, and even though sleep eluded her, she drew comfort from the nearness of her family, glad Leda had fallen asleep on the pallet with her and not retreated to her own room. While Rigel snored softly Mari studied her mother’s face. When had those lines overtaken the smoothness of her forehead? And how had she gotten so thin so suddenly? Her skin was still quite lovely, but it was also almost transparent. How many winters had her mother known? Almost forty? That wasn’t old! She’d always seemed so young to Mari. Sometimes, especially when they were laughing together about something silly—like Mari’s purposely silly illustrations—it seemed to Mari that she and Leda were closer than just mother and daughter. It seemed they were sisters and best friends, as well as each other’s only family. Leda seemed many things to Mari, but until that night she had never seemed old.