As soon as Cougar heard the story he ordered that Bear be found and hanged. The sun had long ago set when he was found. Vell, Senar, Unicorn, Tigress, and her younger sister all stayed inside while meanwhile Cougar watched the hanging from the porch. Dragon stood with him, his arms around Doe as she clung to him and cried in anger against her attacker. The rest of the villagers watched, as well. Bear’s last words were curses to all those who’d not supported him.

In the sitting room of the leader’s hut Vell tried to block out the sounds as Senar held her. Unicorn attempted to soothe her daughters. Tigress said nothing, just stared at the cracks in the floor, ignoring her mother.

When Cougar entered the room he looked worn. He thanked Vell and Senar and motioned to the closed room. “It is not often used,” he explained. “I pray you can sleep.”

They thanked him and opened the door to the room. Knowing what she did of these people, Vell had a feeling of what the room was used for. She didn’t care and lay down on the bed anyway.

“I hope I can sleep, also,” Senar muttered as he lay down beside her.

Vell was already sleeping.

“We should leave this morning,” Senar suggested early the next morning.

“Yes,” Vell agreed.

Unicorn was sewing in the sitting room as they came from the extra bedroom. “Did our guests sleep well?”

Vell nodded. “Surprisingly.”

The woman smiled. “Have some food.” She nodded to another bench where there was a plate of rolls.

Vell’s stomach grumbled and she realized she hadn’t eaten the night before. She and Senar each took a roll and sat down.

“We should leave before too long,” Senar told Unicorn.

“You are leaving so soon?” Tigress asked as she joined them.

Vell nodded. “We promise we’ll return someday. We’re in a bit of a hurry right now.”

Cougar entered the room. “Thank you both for all you have done.”

“We didn’t do much,” Senar argued.

“You have done much,” Dragon replied, coming in from outside with Doe.

“What did the two of you decide about the child?” Cougar questioned his son.

Dragon smiled. “We are going to raise it, but he, or she, will not inherit the leader status. The next-born son will.”

“I like your choice,” the leader confessed.

Vell and Senar finished their breakfast and went to tack up their mounts. Vell was thankful that Bear’s body had been removed earlier. Everyone seemed to be watching them as they began riding through the village. The leader’s family waved to them from their porch as they passed. Tribesmen followed them to the edge of the clearing, calling out to them. Vell and Senar both turned their horses around and waved to everyone.

“We will return!” Senar called.

The whole tribe cheered as they turned back to the path that led away from the clearing.

“I’m not sure if I like their customs,” Vell said quietly that night. They had hardly spoken until they had been sure they were out of the Shifter lands.

“I don’t either,” Senar agreed quietly. “I’m sure if you’re born into it, it’s not so bad.”

She nodded. “Though I respect their traditions and they are nice people,” she added. “At least everyone I met was nice.”

“The same for me,” he replied.

They were silent for a while as a cool night breeze blew across them.

“I think it’s going to rain,” Senar said.

Vell nodded. “We’ll be wet by morning. Too bad we don’t have a tent, or a hut.”

“Should we have stayed longer with the Shifters?” he asked teasingly with a smile and kissed her forehead. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Diamond,” she replied with a yawn.