The Niqols camping outside the village turned toward Khan when he walked among them to reach an isolated spot on the shores. None of them tried to talk to him. None dared to question him about the situation in the settlement either. Noticing the spots of blood on his robes already explained enough.
Khan flew back to the marsh after turning off his tracker. Liiza would probably be busy all day, but he didn't mind that too much. He felt the need to remain alone for a while to sort his feelings out.
The bright patch in the sky started to darken when Snow was about to reach the marsh. That sight highlighted the strangeness of the event. It became evident that the proper dawn had yet to arrive, but Khan wasn't in the right mood to think about that.
