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  A loud crack filled the air. Brown, dark blue, and then a lush green marred her view.

  In one fluid motion, Abil landed in front of her. He cocked his crossbow and released a bolt, striking Harper between the eyes. Dark red gobs splattered everywhere. Sephonei closed her eyes.

  Abil twisted to face her, his lip curled. “What was that, kid? You tryin’ to sing that thing a lullaby?”

  Sephonei opened her eyes. Harper lay limp, his blue body sprawled motionless on the deck. Blood-spattered feathers stuck to everything.

  Sephonei’s blood boiled. Her eyes lifted to the journeyman Crystal Hunter. “I was tryin’ to help. If you would have let me, I could have—”

  Abil cut her off, spit flying from his mouth. “What? Sing it to sleep? This isn’t Atlantea, kid. There are dangers out here like you’ve never seen before, fierce ones that make this harpy look like a pet.”

  The rest of the harpies, seeing their leader lifeless on the deck, swarmed away. Their cries faded into the distance.

  “Enough.” Ku-aya broke in. “Abil, get out of here. Now. Do your business with Fetch before they drop him off at Outpost One.” Abil marched passed Sephonei to the man with the wide-brimmed hat.

  Sephonei looked on, seething as she tried to burn a hole in the back of Abil’s dark blue coat with her eyes. The two rangers spoke, and Fetch passed a small clear vial to Abil, who traded nothing but words.

  Ku-aya cleared her throat to get Sephonei’s attention. “What was with the lute?”

  Sephonei didn’t want to explain. The whole morning had annoyed her, and now she was furious. Dead harpies lined the deck of the ship. It was pointless; Sephonei could have stopped it. Should have stopped it. She turned and stalked away.

  Ku-aya pointed to the ground. “Get back here.”

  Sephonei wasn’t her dog. She didn’t turn. She didn’t stop.

  ROEG

  The Trap

  R

  oeg squatted and splashed cold water on his face and over his head like he had seen Unn do many times. At the end of the dry season, the river water was still warm enough to bathe in; when it turned colder in the rainy season, the clan washed in the waterhole instead of the river. Spirals of mist wafted to the sky as they escaped the pull of the flowing water.

  Roeg couldn’t wash away the image of the fire demon that had plagued his dreams the night before. It was the same dream he had been having for a whole moontide. It was always the same: He was inside a mountain, deep in its belly, where the air smelled of rotting eggs and was thick and heavy. He could hear voices in the distance, and everything was red with firewater. Fire and smoke stung his lungs, and he moved as if he were covered in thick honey. The cave shook, and he felt a tightening around his neck, choking him. Then he woke up in a sweat, his heart thumping, night after night.

  “What’cha doing?” Tsisa called as she walked to the edge of the river. She dipped her toe in the shallow water then splashed it at Roeg.

  She had been quiet in her approach; Roeg tried to block her splash but failed. He splashed back and said, “Washing before I break the fast.”

  He stood and headed to the cookfire—he didn’t want to miss breaking the fast again, not like the day before when he had spied on Unn and Krukk’s fight. His stomach had growled the whole day from sunrise to sunset.

  Tsisa sidestepped him and stood with her hands on her hips. “I’ve been looking for you.”

  Roeg’s stomach growled. He looked to the cookfire and heard the horn sound. “Well... you found me, now get out of my way. I’m hungry!”

  Tsisa smirked then gave him a playful punch. “F’sure. Where did you go after the race yesterday? I saved you a seat; the morning stew was tasty and full of earflopp’r. Luli said that was the last of it until the Great Hunt.”

  Roeg rubbed his shoulder then tried to sidestep Tsisa to get to the cookfire. She wouldn’t let him. “I… well, I followed Unn and Krukk up the mountain after their argument at the cookfire.”

  Tsisa’s eyes grew big. “You did? What did they say? Did you see Krukk’s face when Unn slapped him? F’sure, I thought bones were going to crack. I’ve seen my dad mad before, but then Luli…” Tsisa slapped her leg and laughed deep in her belly. “She poked him with her stitch’r!”

  Roeg chuckled then tried to sidestep her one more time. Again, she slipped in front of him and wouldn’t let him pass.

  Roeg groaned. “They fought all the way up the mountain. Unn talked about a great danger, but I didn’t understand what that meant. Then your dad got upset—”

  “Did Unn hit him in the toe again? When Krukk crashed into your hut, I thought it was coming down!” Tsisa motioned with her hands as if they were the shaking mammoth bones of the hut, while crossing her eyes and sticking out her tongue to add effect.

  Roeg forgot about breaking the fast for a moment and leaned in. “I was behind the hut!”

  “What else did they say?” Tsisa asked.

  Roeg thought for a moment, but his stomach whined for food once more. He looked at the lineup and noticed that Ookum was already going for thirds. If he stayed here any longer, there would be no food left.

  “Uh… Unn said he was going to talk to the Great Mother, and your dad told him it wasn’t a good time because of the Great Hunt. Then Krukk caught me watching them. I was behind a tree in the thicket.” Roeg said.

  Tsisa slapped Roeg’s shoulder, a surprised expression on her face. “He caught you? And you got away?”

  Roeg laughed. “Barely. He also saw my spear that you chucked into the tree at our spot. I forgot to hide it.”

  Tsisa winced. “Ooh, sorry. What’d he do?”

  “He pulled it out then yelled at me. He told me I couldn’t go on the Great Hunt. Then I yelled at him—”

  Tsisa slapped his other shoulder. “So, you got caught spying and yelled at my dad, and you’re still alive?”

  Roeg stepped back in hopes of getting out of range of Tsisa’s excitement. “Yes. Luckily, Luli saved me. She came charging at Krukk and convinced him to give me a chance at the challenge. So now I have to figure out how to throw a spear...”

  Tsisa stepped forward and leaned into Roeg. “I’ve got a better idea! Instead of competing in the challenge like the rest of the younglings, we can prove ourselves a better way. Follow me.”

  Roeg Stonehold’r, Tsisa Spearsling’r, and Ookum-with-no-second-name walked the worn path, past the waterhole south of the village.

  “Once we get to the hills, I’ll tell you the next steps of the plan,” Tsisa said.

  Roeg nodded.

  Ookum lagged behind and groaned. “I’m hungry.”

  Roeg’s stomach growled; he turned and glared at Ookum. “I saw you grab three bowls of stew at the cookfire this morning. I had none.”

  Ookum rubbed his belly then groaned again. “I can’t help it. I think I must have swallowed a growl’r. My belly keeps rumbling.” A belch escaped his mouth; he quickly covered it. “See, it’s try’na come out.”

  Tsisa stalked forward, not turning. “You’re just gassy, Ookum. It’s always coming out both ends.”

  As they travelled south of the waterhole, the flat terrain grew to lowland hills. Past the hills stood tall white-barked trees with sharp, deep green needles that grew thick and clumped together. These were the Whitewoods. On short hunts, the clan often came here to hunt smaller game.

  It was at the edge of the Whitewoods where they would find their target: a tusksnort’r. The tusksnort’r was a fierce beast. Two huge tusks protruded from its bottom jaw, its tawny fur reeked, and its massive body outweighed all three friends together. It was the perfect challenger. It was fierce enough that if they killed one, it would impress Krukk. It would provide juicy meat for Luli’s cookfire and energy for the Great Hunt. The end of the dry season was the perfect time to find a lone tusksnort’r in the Whitewoods. The plan couldn’t fail.

  Tsisa charged ahead and called out, “We will hunt a big
tusksnort’r today and earn our place in the Great Hunt!” She put her fingers at the sides of her mouth to resemble tusks, wiggling them for effect.

  Ookum stuck his chest out a little. “I will earn my second name on the Great Hunt!”

  The gesture reminded Roeg of Krukk. Ookum was the spitting image of his father, minus the beard; instead, Ookum had three chin hairs, and he was proud of each one.

  Tsisa snorted. “Ookum Smallstonethrow’r!” She laughed. Ookum’s chest sank at the remark. His steps slowed, and he pushed a sigh from his belly.

  Most younglings their age had earned their second name already. Ookum had yet to earn his. He could throw a spear almost as hard as Tsisa, and he used his sling’r with great accuracy, but in the face of danger, Ookum froze.

  Tsisa bounded ahead and stretched her arms to the great blue sky. “I can’t wait for the Great Hunt!”

  Roeg’s hand ached when he thought of the challenge. What if this plan didn’t work? How was he going to throw the spear? Could he hit the tree? What if he fell again in front of everyone in the clan?

  With each step, the ground beneath his feet changed. It hardened, and large, sharp stones scattered across the low hills. The lush grasses of the valley gave way to yellow scrub-brush and thorny spiked shrubs. Looking down at his feet, he felt grateful for Luli.

  As a youngling, Roeg struggled to keep up with the clan. They had thick, hard footpads and could travel barefoot on any surface. Roeg had soft feet and couldn’t run with the other younglings. Luli had stitch’d him a pair of hide coverings for his feet, and he had hugged her fiercely for her kindness.

  Aside from Luli, Unn, Tsisa, and Ookum, most others in the clan barely tolerated him. Krukk hated him. The younglings made fun of his blue hair and his hand, and after he wore the foot coverings, they became relentless. They even teased him about how he said his words. They called him Roeg Jarbletongue.

  Luli had come to his rescue once again. She stitch’d him an armband made from the hide of a growl’r to mask his hand. She explained Roeg was like a growl’r to her and that was why she chose its fur. He didn’t understand how he was like a growl’r; they were strong, small, and fierce. It could chew off the leg of a great-horned buffalo with one chomp.

  Roeg didn’t think of himself as strong or brave. He wasn’t even sure why he came with his friends on this hunting expedition. It wasn’t like he could chew the leg off of a tusksnort’r.

  Great towers of silver-barked trees rose from the forest floor, stretching to the great blue above. They scattered across the hillside, and their lost brown cones crunched under each step.

  Roeg looked up at the tall trees. “They are so big. They don’t seem this big when we see them from the waterhole.”

  Ookum stopped beside Roeg and looked up. “It’s because we’re here now. At the waterhole, we are at the waterhole.”

  Tsisa twisted her face at Ookum, her eyebrows scrunched. “What? Of course we are here now. We just walked here. F’sure, I think Luli was too tired after giving birth to me, and that’s why you are the way you are.”

  Ookum thought about what Tsisa said and was about to respond, but Tsisa spoke first. “Roeg, since… you know… you can’t throw a spear or anything… You can stand over there and be the bait for the trap.”

  Roeg gasped and a knot tied in his belly. “Wait—what?”

  “Why does Roeg get to stand over there?” Ookum said, as he aimed his sling’r toward a dried bush. Its branches were so brittle, the slight winds of the day seemed to wrestle the loose bits to the ground without much of a fight.

  “The tusksnort’r will come from over there. In those trees, f’sure.” Tsisa pointed. “Roeg will stand over there.” She turned and directed Roeg where to stand. When he moved to the spot she had directed, she huffed and marched toward him. Once there, she grabbed his arm and dragged him to the exact location she wanted him.

  The spot seemed too open to Roeg; there was nowhere to hide if a tusksnort’r charged. “This doesn’t seem safe.”

  Tsisa ignored Roeg and continued to instruct them with a series of hand gestures, words, and clicks. “You and Ookum will dig a pit. Cover it with sticks and branches and those crunchy tree fruits.”

  “Hold on,” Ookum shot in. “When do I shoot the tusksnort’r with my sling’r?” He aimed towards the trees in a feigned fighting stance. When he tried to make the hand gesture for ‘hold on,’ he jumbled it and tripped over his foot, crashing to the ground. Roeg chuckled. Ookum belted out a laugh, his ears flushing red as he stood. He brushed the dust off his black and white loincloth.

  Tsisa didn’t turn or seem to hear the commotion behind her. She beamed with pride as she explained her plan. “When the tusksnort’r sees you, Roeg, it will get angry and snort. Then it will charge at you. It will fall in the trap, and then we bring it to Krukk! He will have to take us on the Great Hunt!”

  Roeg didn’t like this plan at all. But if anyone knew how to hunt a tusksnort’r, it was Tsisa.

  Two seasons past, Tsisa had earned her second name. She had killed a tusksnort’r all by herself. They had stolen away to the waterhole for an early morning splash since the day’s heat had been unbearable. Krukk had told them to never go to the waterhole that early in the day, but they figured they would be safe. They had been wrong.

  Tsisa and Roeg had been wrestling in the shallows when they heard a loud snort close by. A giant tusksnort’r the size of Ookum had come for an early morning drink. It didn’t want to share the waterhole and became angry when it noticed them. Ookum had been lagging and was at the edge of the waterhole. He still had his spear in hand but just stood there staring at the beast, when it suddenly charged. Roeg and Tsisa ran, but it was Tsisa who leaped in front of Ookum and grabbed his spear just as the tusksnort’r lunged. Its head met her spear, and it crashed, lifeless, to the ground and skidded to her feet. Tsisa didn’t move; she stood firmly in front of her brother. The sliding beast kicked up so much dust and debris that Roeg had lost sight of the battle for a moment. That was how his friend became Tsisa Spearsling’r.

  Despite Tsisa’s bravery and hunting skill, Roeg didn’t like this plan. There were hunters and the ones who were hunted. In this plan, Roeg was the one who would be hunted.

  The sun was turning a deep orange, and the heat was becoming unbearable. Roeg and Ookum dug until they could barely see out of the hole.

  Tsisa waltzed over and stood with her hands on her hips. “Hmmm. I think this should do. How were my digg’rs? Did they make it easier?” She shook her shoulders from side to side, making her woven sinew braids jingle.

  Luli had stitch’d the braids onto Tsisa’s shoulder covering at Tsisa’s request. Tsisa said she needed them in case her spear broke on the hunt; with her new shoulder covering, she would never be without the tools to make a spear.

  Roeg held up the flat stone by the wooden handle and dangled it. “Worked like a charm. Although it would have been faster if all three of us dug.” He said with a crooked smile.

  Tsisa’s hands didn’t move. She squinted and chewed her lip. “I was too busy planning what to do next.”

  “I’m done, and I need to get out of this hole. Hey, how do I get out now?” Ookum asked. His nose came to the height of the hole’s rim, and when he tried to climb out, he fell back.

  “Ookum, stay there.” A wide grin broke on Tsisa’s face as she ran over to the mud pit.

  Ookum looked at Roeg, confused. “Where did she go? I thought she would help me out of here.”

  Roeg shrugged. He leapt out of the hole in one bound then leaned over and offered his hand to Ookum.

  “Wait!” Tsisa said as she hurdled back.

  Roeg turned as Tsisa lobbed a huge blob of mud—it splatted right in Ookum’s face.

  “What the—? Awe gross! What did you do that for?” Ookum yelled.

  Tsisa held her stomach, belting out laughter. She rubbed the tears from her eyes. “You should see your face!”

>   Ookum smeared the mud from his face. He grinned and tossed it right back at Tsisa, hitting her on the cheek.

  Tsisa smiled then started rubbing it all over herself. “This is the next part of my plan, little brother. Did you think I was just being mean? We rub this on us and hide over there behind the old fallen tree.” She pointed over to the edge of the thicket where a whitewood was bent and broken. “It will hide our stink, and the tusksnort’r will only smell Roeg.”

  Ookum blinked furiously and rubbed the thick mud from his eyes. “You didn’t have to throw it at my face. It’s in my eyes now!”

  Roeg scratched his head. He looked to the thicket, then to the old fallen tree, and finally at Tsisa. “You sure this will work?”

  A flash of wildness sparked in her eyes. “My plan will work. You remember my name, don’t you? It is Tsisa Spearsling’r. The youngest member in the clan to get a second name. I know what I’m doing!”

  Tsisa snapped her fingers at Ookum and nodded to the fallen tree. She stomped off across the hillside to their hiding spot.

  Roeg was about to protest then thought better of it. He was the first to get his second name—Stonehold’r—but that was not an argument he would win right now. When Tsisa was on the hunt, she was wild.

  Reluctantly, Roeg walked to the spot Tsisa had pointed to. He didn’t like this plan, not one bit. His stomach knotted, his hand ached, and he didn’t feel right. Roeg lost sight of Tsisa and Ookum behind the tree.

  Just as he reached his spot behind the trap, he heard a low growl and footpads tearing at the earth behind him. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.

  ROEG

  Saberslash’r

  O

  n the edge of the Whitewoods, crouched in the thicket, a hungry saber-tooth tiger tensed in anticipation. Her ears were pinned back—soft pants, quiet as a plains mouse, escaped her clenched jaw. It had been a long time since her last meal.