Page 150 of Sun Warrior

“For his sake, I hope he does,” Mari said.

“I don’t know, Mari. For his sake, I hope he doesn’t.”

“What does that mean?” Mari asked, pausing at the entrance to the back pantry of the large burrow.

“It means I don’t think he’ll find peace in this lifetime. Not after what he’s done. It might be better if he returned to the Goddess and came back around again,” Sora said.

“Try to forgive him. If not for him—for yourself,” Mari said.

Sora looked surprised. “Mari, I said it before—I’ve forgiven him. But I know him. I’ve been his friend, and more, for most of our lives. I don’t think he’ll ever be able to forgive himself.”

***

The day passed quickly, but Mari and Sora managed to get the birthing burrow’s pantries—medical and eatable—completely packed. O’Bryan and Sheena had all of the pallet frames taken apart and moved to the clearing by the stream, where they were being lashed together to form transportable litters. Antreas had even proclaimed that if the women could weave mats or webbing quickly enough the litters could be floated behind the boats and could carry many of their supplies.

Davis and Cammy had been what Davis laughingly called binge hunting. They’d managed to trap several live rabbits to add to the small warren Mari had started for Rigel, as well as a few turkeys and a magnificent young deer. The scent of roasting and smoking meat hung fragrantly over the campsite, lifting everyone’s harried spirits. Like Davis often said,it’s hard to be too stressed if there is plenty to eat.

“Isabel, Jenna, you two look perfect, if I say so myself.” Sora stepped back from the girls, walking around them, tucking in a curl here and there.

“It amazes me how fast you can braid decorations into hair,” Mari said.

“You think that’s a skill Wind Riders will value?” Sora asked.

“Antreas said they’re a matriarchy,” Isabel said. “So, I think it’s a skill they’re going to love.”

“Wesure do!” Jenna twirled around, making her long hazelnut-colored hair fly out in an arch around her as the shells and beads Sora had decorated it with made music.

“Isabel, Jenna, you two are gorgeous,” Mari said. “Are you ready?”

“Yes!” Jenna said.

“Nervous, but yes,” Isabel said.

“Just focus on the joy of the moment and the Goddess,” Mari told them. “Forget everything else.”

“But know that your Moon Women support you,” Sora added.

“That we do,” Mari agreed. “Okay, you have an eager Pack waiting in the clearing. Like we talked about earlier, as you begin dancing Sora and I will draw down the moon and Wash the Pack.”

Jenna held out her arm, with a small grimace. “The sun’s setting. I can feel it.”

The smooth skin of Jenna’s arm had taken on a sickly gray tinge. Mari glanced at Isabel and Sora. Their skin, too, was beginning to turn, though Mari’s wouldn’t. Her mixed blood made her immune to the Night Fever that plagued Earth Walkers.

“How about this?” Mari said. “You two will be the first Sora and I Wash; then you can begin your dance and not have to worry about the pain of Night Fever.”

“That’s a good idea,” Sora said. “A break from tradition that I like. There’s no need for any of us to suffer from Night Fever, not with more than one Moon Woman in our Pack.”

“That’s awesome, Mari!” Jenna said.

“We’d appreciate that,” Isabel agreed.

“And I also like this new tradition of baring our legs, especially when we dance our names,” Sora added, smoothing the side of Isabel’s tunic that was embroidered with lovely red flowers.

“The males in our Pack will certainly like it,” Jenna said with a cheeky grin.

Mari gave her a sharp look, wondering if there was a particular male she was thinking of—Davis? O’Bryan? Maybe Jaxom, if he returned?

“Mari? Hello? Are you coming?”