Dindi
The days of walking began to blur together, but in a good way.
Now that they traveled with Yellow Bear clansfolk, it was easier to trade with other clanholds along the trail. That meant better food and less hunting.
The pace was fast, but not too hard. It must have been safe too, because the Tavaedies let the Initiates walk at their own speed.
Many times, Dindi and Gwenika walked alone together, out of sight of the others.
It was during one of these quiet times that Gwenika asked, "Do you ever think about becoming a Tavaedi?"
All the time. But Dindi only said, "Maybe. What about you?"
"Maybe," said Gwenika. She chewed her lower lip. "Do you know what tama you'll do?"
Dindi looked at her, surprised.
Gwenika lowered her voice, even though no one was nearby. "I know it's supposed to be secret. And I know you said no one in your clan was a Tavaedi. But maybe you only said that to hide the truth… so no one would steal your tama."
She glanced away. "Mama says only the best tamas will pass the test. My sister—Gwena—she's strong enough to do a hard one. For her, it's easy. Mama says even if I get an easy one, I'll still mess it up. But it's not my fault! Every time I try to dance, I get sick. Because of the hex on me."
"I don't know what tama I will do," Dindi said.
Her heart beat faster. This is what Grandmother meant, she thought. If only I knew the tama of the Unfinished Song, I could pass the test.
"I'm just being realistic," Gwenika said with a sad shrug. "It doesn't matter. I'm happy for my sister. She's the important one. I don't matter."
She coughed hard. Her whole body shook.
"How could I matter," she moaned, "when I'm so sick with Incurable Coughing Foot Pox?"
Dindi had never heard of that one.
"I'll be dead by morning," Gwenika groaned. She lifted her foot. It looked completely normal, except for one little blister. "See? The death poxes are already here!"
"Try to survive the day, at least," Dindi said.
"I'm sure Gwena will pass the Testing. But I probably won't even live long enough to try."
"Don't talk like that."
"You don't believe I'm really sick, do you?" Gwenika's face turned red with tears. "You're just like everyone else!"
"I do believe you—"
"No! You think I'm making it all up!"
Suddenly, she gasped. Her face went pale.
Dindi turned to look.
Tiny, ugly Yellow fae rode on squirrels toward them. Dindi had never seen creatures like these before.
"They're coming for me," Gwenika whispered. "The yeech. They're the fae who bring me the sicknesses."
"You can see them?" Dindi asked.
"No one else can. Except…" Gwenika hesitated. "Except Gwena."
She said her sister's name with something like fear—or sadness.
The yeech followed a pale yellow light that floated in the air like a ribbon. It led straight to Gwenika.
One of the fae jumped forward and pricked her with a tiny spear.
Gwenika doubled over, coughing so hard she threw up onto the trail.
"I believe you, Gwenika," Dindi said. For the first time, she truly meant it. "Let's get out of here. Maybe we can outrun them!"
They ran down the trail, fast as they could, until both were out of breath.
Up ahead, Gwena and Kemla turned to see what was happening.
Gwena smiled sweetly at her sister. "Feeling sick again, Gwenika? Poor baby!"
She and Kemla laughed.
Dindi felt cold all over at the sound of it.
Gwenika stopped and watched them walk away.
"No one believes I've been hexed," Gwenika said in a cracked voice. "So why would they believe me if I said I knew who did it? Or that it was my own sister?"
Dindi put her arm around her.
"I believe you," she said. "I don't know how to help yet. But somehow… we'll find a way to stop her."