Tziatana’s cheeks turn the lightest shade of pink and I’m sure my whole body is red now. Mother can’t know about this. She’d never let me live it down and she’d find some way to not let me come back. This must be the distraction she was talking about.

I hate when she’s right.

The clouds move and the sun shines through the trees. The sun has already started its way down past the trees on its way to the other side. I need to be getting home soon so that I’m not late. Denchi sees me look up and thankfully saves me from saying anything else stupid.

“Tziatana, would you mind leaving first? We have some business to discuss.”

“Sure. I’ll be off then,” she grabs the baskets and starts to head off. “I do hope to see you soon too, Aderran.”

Before I can even start to think of something to say, she’s already gone. I never knew someone who looked so perfect existed. Is this what Tetyh was talking about earlier when he was telling me about marriage?

“With that look in your eye, it’s making me miss my youth.” Denchi chuckles. “Though I should have you know that she may already be spoken for.”

“Spoken for?”

“One of my men, actually. One of the best fishermen I’ve got,” Tetyh says smiling wide. Are they saying that she already has someone?

“Is she getting married?”

“We certainly hope so but he hasn’t officially come to me yet.” Denchi says. “But enough about that. What I wanted to tell you is that in 3 days’ time we’ll be back to visit. I’d like for you to be there when we come.”

“You do?”

“Yes, I think that we have a lot to discuss and if your mother says yes, we’d love for you to help us out. That’s only if you want to.”

Not only do they want me there when they visit, they want my help. I’m glad I get the chance to be around other people and truly see how they live. And I get the chance to see Tziatana again. Even if she’s supposed to get married to someone else, there’s no problem with getting to know her. Right?

“Yes, I want to.”

“Great,” Tetyh says, putting his arm around me. This time I’m ready so I don’t fall. “Now, it’s about time that you head back. You don’t need to be out here when it gets dark. Do you know the way?”

“I noticed a worn path on my way here so I shouldn’t get lost,” I tell him.

“Smart boy! Well, see you soon. Be sure to tell Sonta.”

Denchi steps forward and smiles at me. I’m so glad that most of them are happy to not only meet me but want me back.

“I look forward to what this can bring all of us. See you soon.”

He pats me on the arm and Tetyh and he leave back toward the village. I know that I’m in the part of the forest near the lake so I can follow it up and make it near home instead of circling back to go the way I came this morning. As I’m walking, I think back on everything from today. I got to meet some of the people from the village, learn about some of their ways of life, and felt welcome. The thought of the island scares me a little, but even those people there aren’t treated too badly, right? I still wouldn’t want to be surrounded by dead people though.

My mind keeps going back to her. Tziatana. I haven’t seen many of them, but I don’t think I’ll see anyone as lovely as her. I etch the memory of everything about her in my mind. I wonder which of Tetyh’s men it is. He must be something for Denchi and Tetyh to think that highly of him. I need to learn how to use a boat.

As I’m walking, I can’t help but feel eyes on me. I haven’t been to this part of the forest so I’m not sure exactly what animals are out here. The sky is slowly turning dark pinks and oranges, ready to bring in the night and whatever hunts under the moon. I need to hurry and get home. I walk a little faster, looking over my shoulder to make sure nothing is following me. When I turn around, I swear I see a shadow move from a tree in front of me. I stand still. I listen for any movement around me and focus on everything in my vision in front of me. I should have brought a weapon with me. Looking around, I search for something that I could use or at least somewhere that I can hide. Backing up to the nearest tree, I look around. I need to lose whatever it is that’s after me. I get away from the path that I was going and stick to the trees until I feel like I’ve lost whatever it was that was following me. I stop to take a breath, thinking I’m in the clear, when an arrow comes toward me and strikes above my head.