Grandmother was still laying in the fresh spring grass when Ti-An came sprinting into the clearing followed by several Licnine.
"Mother, what are you doing outside?" She cried out.
Grandmother and I shared a meaningful look and then I turned my full charm onto the visitors.
"Ti-An who is this young girl?" One of them demanded.
Mother's face froze in horror, she hadn't thought any of this through.
"She is-,"
Grandmother cut her off, "This is Hin-Ar's granddaughter." She spoke with a fondness I had never heard.
"Hin-Ar's granddaughter?" Everyone looked baffled, "There were no hatchlings here."
"My name is Lit-An," I cut in, smiling through my own fear. "But please, my grandmother has taken ill. Please see to her before I introduce myself."
They all paused still looking stunned. Mother clapped her hands at them several times and that seemed to break the daze. Sensing it would be best I moved away from them and back toward our home.
I watched as they tended to Grandmother, but I also saw no emotion on their faces but a grim, quiet determination. Mother held onto her hand crying whilst the other Licnine worked.
Many times they flicked their gazes to meet mine. I smiled softly and tucked myself further inside.
Finally, they ceased their work giving Mother a jar.
"It is not the pox, but we cannot heal her only hold it off," They spoke softly.
With a pang, I watched as my Mother slipped to the ground beside Grandmother and sobbed. I glided out of the shadows and knelt at their side. I caressed Mother's back and whispered soothing words until her sobs ceased.
"Ti-An, who is the child?" A young man said, his eyes flared with something like hunger.
"I am Hin-Ar's granddaughter," I cut in again.
"She is my daughter," Mother interrupted me before I could say anything else. "This is not the time for those notions." She gave the young man a pointed look.
He did not back down, "Ti-An, you never reported having a daughter."
"That is not her fault," I cut in, then I lied, "I was so ill it seemed irrelevant."
"Irrelevant," Someone laughed a barking howl.
"Do not fault Ti-An for this," I threaded just a touch of anger into my voice, "She did what was best for our tribe, a sick child was no more use than no child."
"You don't make the rules, child," One of the men sneered, he turned back to Mother, "No one was ever called for a sick child."
"We are very poor," She pleaded, "We could not afford your services."
The men all moved quickly, they seized Mother's arms in their huge hands. I watched them throw her to the ground. Her face hit the ground with a sickening thud.
"Stop it!" I screamed.
They ignored me as they dragged my mother to her knees.
"We are taking you to the Master, we will see what he has to say," One of them snarled, "You have made a great many mistakes."
I ran at them without thinking. I clawed at their skin trying to loosen their terrible grip on my mother.
"Let her go, it's not her fault," I cried. I managed to pull one of their hands off. "Take me instead, please leave my mother."
At those words, they dropped her to the ground. Her face was covered in mud and her eyes were wide with terror.
"Take me instead," I held my hands out, "Take me to see the Master."
There was a pause and a lot of muttering.
"He would like the girl-child better..."
"She is very pretty..."
"We don't make exceptions..."
I waited for them to make up their minds.
Another voice cut through the din.
"What are you doing to my mother!" A young man ran to the group.
"Ti-Ar," Mother said dazidly.
"Ti-An," He said with barely concealed concern. "What is going on here?"
"We found an unreported child," One of the others said.
"So you threw them all to the ground?" Ti-Ar hissed, "The widow of Hin-Ar is covered in dirt, his daughter looks like you've attacked her."
"Please," I said to him, "Please uncle, take me instead of Ti-An."
He looked at me with surprise, I saw the anger fade. He took my hands into his, half restraining. Then he leaned in.
"You don't have to do this," He said, "You should know they will take you to the Master. You are pretty, you will not escape his notice."
"I have to protect Grandmother, she is dying," I whispered back.
"Falling skies," He cursed, "I should have known."
"Please protect them," I begged, "I will do anything to protect them."
Ti-Ar gave a tiny nod, "We will take this girl back to the Master, I am quite sure she will please him. Leave the other two alone, she will die soon anyway."
I looked into his eyes and saw only pain.
Ti-An was left in the dirt with Grandmother.
"Please let me say goodbye," I begged.
I ran to them throwing my arms around Mother's neck.
"Take care of yourself and Grandmother," I whispered, "I will come back I promise."
Then I knelt next to Grandmother, "I promise I will get them to Los-Ar, just like we planned."
I took hold of both their hands, "It's going to be okay."
"May the skies bless you Little Lit," Grandmother said.
"May the skies bless you," Mother bowed her head.
I stood up and offered both hands to Ti-Ar. He did not take them roughly, rather he took one hand and led me away into the forest.