Page 148 of Sun Warrior

“Oh yea!” Jenna clapped her hands as Isabel beamed.

“Okay, go to the clearing downstream. Danita’s waiting for you there. She’ll help you practice the steps of your naming dance. I’ll be by later to check in with you,” Sora said.

The girls scampered out of the burrow to meet with Danita, joining the wash of Pack noise that was, thankfully, cut off when the door closed behind them.

“Since when are you a stickler for tradition?” Mari asked Sora.

“I’m not. Not really. But I don’t want us to lose everything that made us a Clan.”

“Sora, the people made us a Clan, not the traditions. And now we’ll make our group a Pack, with a unique mix of new and old traditions, like we’re a unique mix of people. But you know that. What’s going on with you? What’s wrong?”

Sora brushed back a thick length of dark hair and blew at a braided strand of flowers that was flapping in her face. “I’m just not ready to leave!” she blurted. “Are you? We have one more full day, and then the next is the fifth day, and we’re supposed to be leaving the very next dawn.” Sora gazed around the birthing burrow fondly. “I was just getting settled—just finding my place here. And I love it. I love this women’s burrow that’s suddenly filled with all sorts of people and creatures. What are we doing leaving all of this?”

“Come on. Let me make you some tea.”

“I’ll make the tea,” Sora grumbled, moving with Mari and Rigel to the rear of the burrow. “I feel bad enough without being subjected to your questionable tea-brewing skills.”

“See, you’re sounding more like yourself already. Where’s Chloe? She’ll make you feel better.”

“She’s eating. Rose said she’d bring her to me when she’s done.”

“Okay, look, you’re scared. I am, too. But leaving is the right thing to do. Are you honestly having second thoughts?” Mari didn’t even want to consider what it would be like to leave Sora behind, but she ignored the hollowness in the pit of her stomach and continued. “Stay if you feel you have to. Thaddeus will come after Nik and me. Once he realizes we’re gone the Tribe might be satisfied by going back to how things were. They’ll capture enough Earth Walkers to tend their crops, and let the rest of you live in peace until they need more of you. Just like they’ve been doing for generations.”

“You don’t really believe that, though, do you?”

“No, I don’t. I’ve met Thaddeus. I’ve seen the attitude of the Leader of their so-called Elder Council. They’re narrow-minded men stuck in the mud of their own outdated beliefs. I think they’ll come after all Earth Walkers. They blame us for the forest fire.”

Sora came to Mari, offering her one of the two steaming mugs of tea. She blew out a long breath. “I’m not going to stay. I know leaving is the right thing to do. I’ve been excited, happy even, about it. But…” Her words faded as she stared into her tea.

“But it is scary, especially the closer we get to leaving,” Mari finished for her.

“Yeah, it is.”

“Change is scary. I was scared when you first came to live with me.”

“Seriously? I would never have guessed that. It just seemed like you were mad at me. A lot.”

“I hid my fear in anger. I was afraid of everything! Of living without Mama. Of what you would think of me because I’m part Companion. Of what might happen to Rigel if I couldn’t figure out how to take proper care of him. And mostly of what our Clan would do to me when they found out my secret. I wasn’t angry; I was terrified.”

“Yeah,” Sora said softly. “I’m not having second thoughts. I’m terrified.”

“But you’re not alone. You’re part of a Pack. We’re in this together. We have your back, Sora.”

The sounds of the busy Pack filtered through the burrow again, and Mari looked up to see Nik and Laru standing just inside the entrance. “You two okay in here? I ran into Isabel and Jenna. They said I should check on you.”

“We’re okay,” Mari said. “Sora’s just feeling stressed about the move. Nik, would you mind if I—”

“Hey, say no more. Laru and I will make another run back to your burrow. I’ll load the rest of your medicines. We should be back here about dusk—just in time for Third Night.”

“There are more satchels and medicine carriers just inside the rear pantry. I don’t know where Jenna keeps finding them. The girl is a born scavenger,” Sora said. “That’s what you were looking for when you came in, isn’t it, Mari?”

“Yeah, thanks. Hang on just a second, Nik.” Mari hurried into the pantry and came back with several satchels slung over her shoulder, which she handed to Nik. “Thanks again.” She tiptoed to kiss him, adding quietly, “Sora needs me.”

“I get it,” Nik said. “Take care of your friend. Want Rigel to come with us? I’ll bet he’s up for some boy time.”

Mari glanced down at Rigel, who was sending her an openmouthed grin, tail wagging manically.

“That would be a big yes from Rigel, and a smaller yes from me.” Mari crouched in front of her Shepherd. “Stay close to Laru and listen to Nik. I love you, sweet boy.” She kissed him on his nose and he lickedher in return. Laughing, she turned to Laru, who was waiting a lot more patiently beside Nik. “Watch our boy. He likes to get into things.”