Page 168 of Sun Warrior

“That’s right now. What about when you’re healed and well again? What then?” Nik asked pointedly.

“I wouldn’t force Mari to go there—back to the Tribe.” Claudia looked away, shaking her head sadly. “It’s been my home for my entire life, but I don’t even want to go back there.”

“What about you?” Nik asked Wilkes.

“There is nothing for me back there. Ethan and his Ginger died in the fire. The Warriors have turned from me. I don’t recognize my people or my home. My place in the Tribe is no more.” Wilkes’s eyes were dull—his gaze far away.

“There’s a place for you in our Pack,” Davis said. “They’ll accept you. Both of you, and your Companions.”

“What is a Pack?” Claudia asked.

“It’s our new version of a Tribe,” Davis said, pride obvious in his voice. “We’ve blended Tribe, Clan, and Chain to form something new. Something where people can be themselves without being banished or judged.”

“And we’re leaving here. Forever. To build new lives in a new world,”Nik said. “You’re welcome to join us. Or, I’m hesitant to speak for Mari, but I do know her well enough to be able to assure you that she won’t let you suffer, whether you choose to join us or not. She’ll heal you, but she also won’t let you sabotage our Pack, so you may find yourselves healthy, but tied up in a tree somewhere on the edge of Tribal territory.”

“She holds that much power over you?” Wilkes said.

Nik laughed. “Yep, over me and everyone in the Pack. But it’s not just Mari. There are other women in leadership positions. The Pack is a matriarchy. Everyone’s opinions are respected, but women have the final say.”

“Sounds intriguing, and a refreshing change from what’s happened in the Tribe. This new Pack interests me very much,” Claudia said.

“Is there a place for a Leader who has lost his Warriors?” Wilkes asked.

“There’s a place for everyone who swears loyalty to the Pack and who wants to build a better life,” Nik said.

“I’d like to try,” Wilkes said. “I’m not as young as the rest of you, but my experience should count for something.”

“It counts for a lot, my friend,” Nik said.

“So, where is this Pack and your Mari?” Claudia asked. “Nearby, I hope. I don’t know how much farther I can walk—Wilkes and I are getting sicker and sicker.”

“They’re not close,” Nik said. “But Davis can help you get to Mari.”

“No! We agreed I’d go with you in case something happened,” Davis said.

“That plan has changed now. Wilkes and Claudia will never make it to the birthing burrow without your help, and there isn’t time for me to go back with you—or wait here for you to come back. Davis, you know what this means. We need to leave at dusk—tonight—instead of dawn the day after tomorrow.”

Davis was shaking his head. “The Pack isn’t ready.”

“But they will be once you get back there and tell Mari what’s happened.” Nik turned to Wilkes. “How likely is it that Thaddeus will track you when he figures out you’ve left?”

“Very likely,” Wilkes said.

“Which means he could track us straight to Mari,” Claudia said.

“And that’s why Mari and the Pack have to move. Now,” Nik said. “Davis, you and Cammy run ahead of Wilkes and Claudia. Tell Mari everything. She’ll send people back down the path to find Wilkes and Claudia and help them to the burrow.”

Wilkes nodded. “Odin and Mariah can track Cammy. We’ll follow you, Davis.”

“Okay, that sounds good,” Davis said.

Nik met Wilkes’s fever-glazed eyes. “I need to know where the Mother Plants are.”

Nik was watching the ex–Leader of the Warriors carefully, gauging his reaction. He saw surprise in the man’s eyes and then understanding. “That’s why you’re here. You’re on your way back to the Tribe to get a Mother Plant.”

“I am,” Nik said.

“If they catch you, they’ll kill you,” Wilkes said. “And I don’t mean just Thaddeus and his Hunters. The Warriors will, too. Thaddeus has convinced almost everyone that you and Mari are responsible for the fire and for Sol’s death.”