“We were so relieved when we heard your call.” Mawei’s mother said. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“We thought you might’ve ended up in some awful trap.” Weseil said.
“Are you alone?” Mawei’s mother asked. “Where’s your uncle?”
“My uncle? Uncle Rei?” Mawei took a confused posture. “How should I know? I haven’t seen him since his report this morning.”
“Well those twins Sinker and Sichil said they saw you with Rei, and that you had a human child with you!”
“What?” Mawei did her best to look shocked and offended. “That’s a lie! Those little twerps said I was with a human?” There was a loud splash that told Mawei that Ruffer hadn’t ditched her after all.
“Who’s that?” Mawei’s mother asked.
“Ruffer.” She said. “I ran into him during the storm and we took shelter together.” Weseil gave Mawei’s mother a knowing look that annoyed Mawei. “He’s just a friend.” She said.
He climbed out of the stream and shook off. “A good looking friend.” Weseil said.
Ruffer came up offering formal salutations to the two older yetis. Mawei’s mother acknowledged him and turned back to Mawei. “Where would Sinker and Sichil have gotten such an idea?”
“They were lying mama. They’re just trying to get me in trouble.” Mawei said. She had never lied to her mother about anything this serious before, and she wasn’t sure it was working, but she continued. “I got in a fight with them after Rei’s report. They hate humans and they said uncle Rei was a traitor, so I had to fight them. I won the fight and sent the two of them running, so they must’ve invented their silly story as payback.”
“If they made it up they’ll be in serious trouble.” Mawei’s mother said. “The council believed them and sent a pair of yetis to Rei’s wild to check. I thought Rei might’ve done something really stupid this time.”
“They sent yetis to his wild?” Mawei asked.
“Of course they did. If your uncle was consorting with a human, then that human would have to be destroyed. It’s part of the new ‘active defense.’” She said. “The humans are just too dangerous.”
“They would kill the human?”
“Kill is a strong word.” Mawei’s mother said. “Don’t forget that humans are tulpas, they can’t really be killed. They can only be made to cease existing…”
“Rei means well,” Weseil said, “but he might try something crazy like befriending a human. Ever since he was your age he’s been obsessed. Imagine how he must’ve felt when he realized all his work studying humans was just to determine how difficult it would be to make war on them.”
“And this is the second report of Rei travelling with a human.” Mawei’s mother said. “So when the twins came spouting fairy tales they were believed. He’ll have more than harsh words for the pair that are tracking him. He’ll certainly try to fight them.”
“Who did the council send after him?” Mawei asked.
“The twins father Sanai, and a big highland-yeti named Hatcher. I don’t think Rei would stand a chance against those two.” Mawei’s mother said. “Did you and Ruffer get caught in the smoky woods?”
“Yes,” Mawei said, “it was awful, wasn’t it Ruffer?”
Ruffer shrugged. “Not really. It was much worse at the last Gather.”
“I guess we should leave these youngsters by themselves to enjoy the rest of the horripilation.” Weseil said to Mawei’s mother.
“Yes I guess so.” She looked strangely at her daughter. “Mawei are you feeling okay? You look worried or distracted.”
“I’m fine mama.” Mawei said. “I’m still thinking about the smoky woods.”
“Don’t worry,” Weseil said, “Ruffer will protect you, won’t you honey?”
“Yes ma’am.” Ruffer said.
Weseil took Mawei’s mother by the arm and they went back into the forest, giggling. As soon as they were out of sight Mawei began to run. She was fast and Ruffer had to push himself to get out in front of her. “Where are you going?”
“Get out of my way,” Mawei said, “I’m going to save the child.”
“But what about the snow-yeti’s blessing tomorrow? If you aren’t there your mother will be suspicious- she’ll know that you lied about the human.”
“You think I care about getting in trouble for lying? The child’s life is at stake, you can stay if you want -I’ll go without you.”
“No, I want to go,” he said. “I can help, I just can’t miss the blessing this year. Can’t we go tomorrow morning, after it’s over?”
“I’m leaving now.” Mawei said. “Come or stay, I don’t care.”
She tried to go around him but he got ahold of her arm and held tight, keeping her in place. “You don’t understand,” he said, “I saw something up in that tree Mawei, something that hurt me. I haven’t felt right since. I’m all messed up inside and I need the blessing. I feel like everything in the world is wrong. Everything Mawei.”
“What did you see up there?”
He shut his eyes and shook his head again. “Talking about it will just make it worse.”
Mawei pulled her arm free. “I’m sorry Ruffer, I have to go.” She said. “You stay and get your blessing, I’m leaving.”
“You really think they’d kill the little human?” He asked.
“I know they would.” She said.
Ruffer thought for a second. “Maybe I could find a snow-yeti who would bless me after we save the child.”
“Santie gives blessings anytime of year if you bring her some fish or mushrooms.” Mawei said. She started walking and Ruffer hesitated a moment and then caught up and fell in step beside her.
“Santie,” he said, “I’ve heard of her.”
“If you help me save the child I’ll show you the way,” Mawei said, “but we have to hurry. Rei’s wild is a two day journey, but we can make it by tomorrow night if we go fast.”