Page 108 of Sun Warrior

“I didn’t even know that could happen,” Isabel said. “I mean, Mari’s half Companion, so Rigel choosing her made sense. But Sora’s onehundred percent Earth Walker. She doesn’t even like canines—do you?”

“Well, Chloe is different. She’smycanine. And I said from when I first met her that puppies are much less horrible than I’d imagined. Um, she’s not going to get as big as the Shepherds, right?”

Sora looked beseechingly at Rose, who laughed and said, “Right. She’ll only be Fala’s size.”

“She’ll be perfect,” Sora said, snuggling Chloe close.

“I think this proves that we’re all more alike than different,” Isabel said.

“Exactly!” Nik said. “And that’s what our Pack is going to be about—wecanbe different. Our differences make us strong. Earth Walkers have skills Companions know nothing about, and Companions can do things, like build a City in the Trees, that Earth Walkers have never done. Together, we can change the world.”

“Or build a new one together,” Mari added.

“But first Nik has to go back to the Tribe and get a Mother Plant,” O’Bryan said. “And I’m going with him.”

“No, no, no. I need to go in alone, quietly. Sneak a Mother Plant, and get out of there,” Nik said. “If I’m alone, I’ll have less chance of getting caught.”

“You’ll also have less chance of getting out of there if no one’s watching your back,” Davis said. “Cammy and I will go with you. We’re Hunters. We know how to stay on the outskirts without being seen or scented. If you don’t return, I’ll know you need help. If bad goes to worse and I’m caught, too, Cammy can escape and track his way back here.”

“And then we’ll come get you out of there,” Sheena said.

“Find that Claudia woman,” Antreas said. “She seemed like an ally. But stay away from Thaddeus. He’s trouble.”

“Agreed,” Nik said.

“Wait; why is it so important to get a Mother Plant? I’ve never even seen one; though the Tribe had us farming all of their food, we never once had anything to do with something called a Mother Plant. What’s so special about it?” Isabel asked.

“Nik thinks it’s why the Tribe doesn’t get Night Fever, and he could be right. I was swaddled in a Mother Plant, and I’m immune from it,” Mari said.

“But I thought that was because of your father’s blood,” Jenna said.

“So did Mari,” Nik said. “But my gut is telling me there’s more to it than that. Wearemore alike than different, and the Mother Plant is what allows us to channel sunlight, to strengthen our bodies and thrive. And we never get Night Fever. Maybe it can do the same for Earth Walkers if you start swaddling your infants in the Mother Plant, too.”

“If there’s even a chance that the Mother Plant will rid our children of Night Fever, we have to try,” Danita said.

“Then we’re all in agreement? I return to the Tribe to harvest a Mother Plant,” Nik said. “And to see how bad it is there. See how long we have before…” His words trailed off, and he looked to Mari.

“Before we have to leave here,” Mari finished for him.

O’Bryan nodded somberly. “I knew it would come to this.”

“As did I,” Davis said. “And you didn’t even hear Thaddeus last night. He was filled with hate, especially after that Terrier of his was wounded. He’s not going to give up until he’s tracked and killed Nik and Mari, and enslaved Earth Walkers again.”

“I’ll never go back to that,” Jenna said.

“Neither will I,” Isabel added.

“None of you will have to. We’re going to leave before the Tribe comes after us again, and any who are part of the Pack may join us,” Mari said.

“Wait; are we all part of a Pack now?” Sora asked. “Or are we Clan Weaver that is allied to Nik’s Pack?”

Nik and Mari shared a long look. He said, “I’d like it if we were all one Pack, but that’s up to Mari.”

“And Sora,” Mari said quickly. “She’s a Moon Woman, too, so together we make decisions for our Clan. What do you think, Sora?”

“Would the basic rules of the Clan still apply? Would women still rule the daily life, and men be in charge of protection and building?” Sora asked.

Mari turned to Nik. “Well?”