Page 151 of Wind Rider

“Khan has Chosen!” Nik shouted while Laru wagged and barked beside him and the Pack erupted into cheers.

Mari slid her arm around Nik and the two of them, followed by their Companions, stepped back to allow the rest of the Pack to congratulate Jenna. Mari was wiping her eyes, too, when Sora joined them.

“Jenna will be free of Moon Fever now,” Sora said. “It is absolutely wonderful.”

“She’s been lonely since her father died,” Mari said softly, watching her happy friend. “Jenna wouldn’t admit it, but I know her too well. And now she’ll never be lonely again.”

“That does it!” Nik said. “Laru, Rigel, let’s get to hunting. Today calls for a magnificent celebration.”

Rigel looked up at Mari and whined.

“Yes, you can go with Nik and Laru,” she told her Companion. Then added, “Nik, if you find signs of rabbit don’t kill them. Mark the area so that we can set out the live traps. The warren needs replenishing.”

“Will do!” Nik grabbed his crossbow, arrows, and a travel pack and jogged away, with the two Shepherds at his side.

Lily led Dove to Mari and Sora. “This is a blessed beginning of our land journey,” she said. “The births and the Choosing—they are signs the Great Mother is pleased with us.”

“Not worried about death catching us anymore?” Mari asked, only half kidding.

Dove turned her face to Mari. “Death will catch us all someday.”

“Well, yeah, none of us are immortal,” Sora said.

“When I mentioned Him yesterday I was not speaking of the inevitability of death. I was speaking of the God.”

Mari felt a horrible chill in her blood. “He’s following us?”

“I know only the words the Goddess whispers through me, and yesterday She whispered of Death.”

“Well, let us know if She whispers of Him anymore,” said Sora.

“Oh, I will. Lily, would you lead me to the new puppies? I would like to ask Mariah’s permission to see them through my fingers.”

The two young women joined the happy group around the puppy basket, and Mari faced Sora.

“I don’t like the way that sounds,” Mari said.

“You don’t believe Dove?”

“No. The problem is Idobelieve her.”

“But all we can do is move forward,” Sora said.

“I know. I just hope that we’re not leading Death to the Wind Riders,” said Mari.

“He’s not our fault,” Sora said firmly. “We cannot be held responsible for what a God does.”

“Maybe not, but we can take Dove with us when we go to the Wind Riders. They’ll need to be warned.”

Sora sighed. “Not a great hello. I can see it now—Hey, hi, we want tolive here in your territory, but one little thing. Death might be stalking us.I can’t imagine they’ll be very welcoming after that.”

“But more welcoming than they’d be if Death showed up and we hadn’t said anything,” Mari countered. “Plus, it’s the right thing to do.”

“I know, but right doesn’t mean easy.”

Mari grinned at her friend. “Sometimes it seems rightnevermeans easy. Come on. I’ll help you unpack that cauldron and get the campfire started. We have a celebrating Pack to feed.”

Mari helped Sora, all the while chatting about puppies and the coming trek through the mountains. Never once did she mention the terrible image that haunted her: the God of Death standing on the ridge overlooking the doomed Tribe of the Trees, and staring directly at her.