Sember (Forestfolk, Book 2)

Chapter 4b

When I finished my lap, I decided to ask him. I slowed when I reached his predictably empty bucket.

"We must stop meeting like this," he said with a smirk.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "Dozan, how far does your family's trade route reach?"

He raised his eyebrows. I guess most of the girls he knew didn't care about such things. "Well, um . . . " His eyes turned skyward as he thought. "The farthest has to be up north. The Iceling village, called Odavik."

I gaped. "Icelings? Like where Siena's mother is from? You've seen where they live?"

"If you're talking about blue eyes and blond hair, then yes. The girls are stunning there, let me tell you."

I sighed with irritation at his one-track mind. "How long ago were you there?"

"Well, it's the worst place to be during winter, so I would say about four months ago? Why?" His head tilted with curiosity.

"Was the plague there too?"

"Plague? You mean the sickness? Yes. Nasty business. I'm glad we left."

It reached so far north. Wait, at least four months ago? "Dozan, why haven't you gotten sick?"

He shrugged. "Why haven't you?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. What was he not telling me? Something didn't feel right. Yet when I looked at him, his eyes seemed innocent. In fact, they seemed to . . . beckon to me. It made me think about that time he was looking at my lips.

I mentally shook myself. Now was not the time for girlish fantasy. Instead of pressing him further, I told him "never mind," and left him standing there, likely confused. I needed to bring this information to Siena.

I found her at the quarantine cabin, talking to Ruba. They were discussing different herb combinations when I entered.

"Sember! How are your parents?" Much of the tension had eased from Ruba's face, who was able to smile now that Siena was back.

"They are well for now, thanks to Siena." I cast her a thankful glance.

"What brings you here?" Ruba dipped a cloth into a bucket of water.

"I just learned something from that trading family."

"What trading family?" Siena asked.

I told her about Dozan and how his family was staying here for the winter. Then I told them about the Icelings struggling with the plague.

"Four months ago?" said Siena. "I've been making tribe rounds about once every two months, but didn't see anything until this past visit."

I picked up on what she was saying. "Do you think it might have started there, in Odavik?"

"It's possible." She nodded, then murmured, "The Icelings . . . "

Having been a captive growing up, Siena had never seen another Iceling besides her mother until she came to Foresthome, and even here, there was just Zelly. The two of them were the only ones I'd ever seen myself. Whoever these Iceling people were, they seemed to keep to themselves.

"I'm going to talk to Zelly," Siena said. "Maybe she'll know something."

"I'm going to go talk to this trader family," I volunteered. "I have a feeling Dozan is hiding something. They've been through several sick tribes, and they're still not sick themselves. Don't you find that fishy?"

After a thoughtful moment, she said, "Maybe they're Gifted?"

My brows drew together. "That would be odd, then, because he referred to me as 'one of those' people." I grit my teeth in annoyance.

"Then find out what you can." Siena placed a soothing hand on my arm. She knew all about being "one of those." To Ruba, she said, "Send for me if you need anything." Then we left.

I felt a familiar comfort as we walked side by side toward Zelly's garden. We used to walk this path daily when I was growing up. Siena enjoyed helping Zelly tend the garden, and I had just wanted to be with Siena. I ignited the plants sometimes, so they usually put me in charge of moving dirt or scorching weeds. It was never my thing though.

I glanced over at her. "I've missed you, Siena."

She smiled and looked up at me. It felt so strange to be taller than her. I'd been the shorter one for most of my life, but last year, I sprouted past her. "I've missed you too. I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to catch up with you. What have you been up to?"

"Oh, you know, I run and practice every single morning. My energy has been pretty stable. No accidents. Well, maybe one . . . but that wasn't my fault. The idiot shouldn't have sneaked up on me."

She chuckled, then concern crept into her tone when she asked, "What about friends? Are you making any?"

I picked at a fingernail as we walked. "Well, there's Nirrin . . . "

She smiled. "You know I love you. You're the dear sister I never had. But you need to connect with people. These times are uncertain, and I may not be able to see you as often, if people become more desperate."

I pouted as resentment invaded my thoughts. "Can't you just . . . stay here?"

She sighed as if the weight of the world lay on her shoulders. "My gift isn't just for me or Foresthome. It's to serve everyone. All life is precious, and I must do what I can to preserve it, even if it means being away longer."

I exhaled in defeat. Selfless Siena. Trying to be like her was impossible. I was simply too selfish. I wouldn't go traipsing off into the plains helping complete strangers. I would stay here, helping the ones I love. The ones who mattered most. I felt a twinge of sadness—not at the awareness that I was selfish—but at the realization that she was gently trying to push me away.

"I understand," I said, though I didn't really.

She looked at me sideways, as if deciding whether or not to say something else. When you've known someone for ten years, you become pretty good at reading their moods. But she said nothing.

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