《Valley Girls》


 Sunrise

    The air is crisp and sharp as I breathe in. Winter is almost fully set on the island. All that¡¯s left is the first snow, but the sky, a sheet of mottled grey with heavy looking clouds, refused to give.


    The grass crunches under my feet as I move toward my normal spot in the forest. Katta Forest, named after the island it resided on, is a lush and densely packed forest that, in other months, teems with life. Now, as I reach the clearing I affectionally call my own, I stop, listening. My eyes closed and ears strained, I can pick up on the flap of a bird¡¯s wing and its gentle song. Behind me, something rustles through the brush, and something chitters, scurrying away as it realizes it¡¯s not alone.


    I open my eyes, adjust to the darkness, and move into position. The sun is close to rising.


    My lungs burn as I take a deep breath and sing, my limbs moving in rhythm. Someone typically sings the Song of the Rising Sun while another performs the accompanying dance, but I trained myself to sing and dance at the same time. Every morning since I¡¯d become a priest of the sun god Nzam, I came to the forest to dance in his rising glory, but it never felt complete without the song.


    The dance is sharp and fast, meant to work as many muscles as possible to keep warm when darkness comes. The song was to praise the light and life of the sun and heat. Before my priesthood came to fruition, I would sing and dance at home in our living room. They found it delightful until I began to glow, the totality of my devotion shining through. I became too bright to look at and without sufficient training, I couldn¡¯t keep it down.


    Now, over ten years since I became a priest, I can keep my glow dull enough to be around people, but here in the forest, surrounded by the heart of the gods, I can let myself be.


    As the sun crested the horizon, my voice came to a crescendo, my hands rising high over my head.


    ¡°If you¡¯re going to stand there,¡± I say, lowering my arms. ¡°You could at least do the singing for me.¡±


    Peggy rolls her eyes as she pushes off of the tree she was leaning on. ¡°I could, but then I would risk getting an earful from you when you start glowing and I get distracted and mess up the words.¡±


    ¡°Just close your eyes,¡±


    She shakes her head and says, ¡°And what? Miss the dance. I don¡¯t come all the way out here for nothing.¡±


    I fall in step beside her as we make our way back to town. The farmer¡¯s market is about to be in full swing, and I¡¯m sure Mom wants us to grab what we can before all the good stuff is taken. ¡°Yeah? And I was sure it was because Vidia and Vahn were up to something.¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± she says, her voice trailing as if she wants to say more. ¡°I can¡¯t say they aren¡¯t mostly because I haven¡¯t been to the market, but there are a few new people there today.¡±


    I smiled, already knowing something was going to happen. ¡°No worries, Peggy. I was going to go when I was done here anyhow. I may have to leave all the shopping to you, though.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind. There¡¯re a few things I want to make sure we get and then I have to make a stop at the blacksmith¡¯s shop.¡±


    ¡°Oh? I thought you just got a new knife.¡±


    ¡°I did, but it¡¯s not balanced right.¡± She rolls her shoulder, massaging the muscle. I got up early to dance and she got up early to practice her knife skills. ¡°It¡¯s throwing me off. Lourens needs to learn from his dad some more.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± I say as we break the tree line. ¡°It¡¯s not because you wanted to see Lourens more. Got it.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    She clicks her teeth, looking at the town ahead. Despite the Valley being a blight on our city Thesgrea, everything always manages to look cheerful. The cobblestone streets of the city center peter out into dirt roads the further away it got, making the paths less structured and more of a path of least resistance. In the center is the Elder¡¯s Building, where anyone could go with a grievance to get resolved and where most legal business was performed. From there, it sprawled out into three distinct sectors: market, training, and residential. We, of course, are headed to the market.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about him,¡± Peggy says, her shoulders stiff and back straight. I know she doesn¡¯t have a crush on Lourens, but I like teasing her about it because Mom and Dad think she has a crush on him. She doesn¡¯t. She has a crush on his sister Antonia, but I know better than to bring that up. ¡°I¡¯ll see you later. Make sure you get Vidia and Vahn. I can see them from here about to do something.¡± From our spot on the hillside, we can see their bright red hair bouncing around the market.


    We split ways as the dirt path turns to cobblestone and I take the long way to the market. Vidia and Vahn are always up to something. Despite having everything they could need, the twins enjoyed being menaces to everyone in town. It¡¯s a near daily occurrence and they depend on me to get them out of trouble. Most of the time I oblige. Sometimes I left them to suffer for it.I work my way through town, taking in the market. Most of the people I know. Vincent sells baked goods to the vendors and Oxana always has the best oranges in town. Tahvo¡¯s is always the liveliest since he brings his chickens. Children always managed to get in the gates and chase them around, not knowing the chickens would sooner bite their fingers than be pet by heavy hands. Closer to the center is where I started to see unfamiliar faces. Further from the Valley to keep them safer.Vidia is leaning against a baked goods stand a few stalls ahead of me. She¡¯s smiling at the boy manning the stall, messing with the asparagus as she flirts with him. Vahn is loitering nearby trying to look inconspicuous and blend in with the crowd of shoppers. They¡¯re good at what they do. Vidia is just interesting enough that Vahn can move unnoticed. It¡¯s not just flirting that Vidia is good at. She¡¯s a natural storyteller and can enchant anyone she chooses. Vahn isn¡¯t without talent either. Quiet and soft-spoken, he could stand next to someone for an hour and if he didn¡¯t want it, they would never know he was there. They make a great team. It¡¯s just a shame they use their gifts to cause trouble.


    I smile as I stop by Urve¡¯s stand, perusing her vegetables.


    ¡°Yvie!¡± she says, a smile brightening her face. She moves back, wheeling around the stall and bringing me into a hug. ¡°I saw the second sunrise and wondered when I would see you.¡±


    ¡°Well, the twins are up to their shenanigans again. Figured I could make sure nothing terrible happens.¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± she says, wheeling back around her stand. ¡°Will it be one or two today?¡±


    ¡°Hmm,¡± I hum, pondering. It was always great to get them both, but it looks like Vahn will go unnoticed. I glance back at them and Vahn is nowhere to be seen. ¡°Two. I¡¯ll get Vahn later.¡± I dig into my robes and pull out a few cher as she hands me a sack.


    Urve shakes her head and pushes the money back. ¡°You can¡¯t keep overpaying me.¡±


    ¡°I can and I will,¡± I say, backing away and turning on my heel. ¡°Use it to buy Marjan something nice.¡±


    Urve blushed, shaking her head and she put the money into her cashbox. ¡°I¡¯ll get you back for this, Yvie.¡±


    I wave and start walking. One day she¡¯ll get me back, but today isn¡¯t that day. Someday after she¡¯s proposed to Diana, I¡¯ll take her up on that.


    Winding my way through the market, I keep my eyes on Vidia. As I get closer, I start to see her freckles displayed prominently, a marker of her time well spent in the sun. She adjusts her glasses as she starts to lean away, and the boy is captivated by the movement. I fight the urge to roll my eyes. If only he had seen her dance yesterday. He¡¯d look a lot less interested.


    She walks away and her voice floats to me over the din, ¡°I¡¯ll come see you later,¡± she promises.


    His grin is crooked as he leans forward and says, ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to it.¡± Vidia flits off into the distance, a smile on her face as she weaves through the growing crowd.


    I look closer at his stand. Several muffins, brownies, cookies, loafed bread, and cupcakes are missing. It¡¯s a wonder they manage to get away with it. There¡¯s just no way Vahn left without being seen with that much stuff.


    No sooner do I finish the thought, than I hear the barking yell of a man and slapping footsteps. Vahn is rushing back towards us, a look of panic covering his face, an identical copy of Vidia¡¯s. The biggest difference between them is the fact that Vahn¡¯s face is one of perpetual anxiety instead of the confidence Vidia oozed.


    A warden I recognize is after Vahn, chasing him through the crowds he¡¯s desperately trying to lose himself, but he¡¯s too panicked to disappear from their notice. Vidia is beside him, running as she waves her arms. Even from a distance, I can tell she¡¯s chewing him out for getting caught.


    I adjust the bag in my arms and keep walking.

 Binary Stars

    I stop at the stall Vidia and Vahn stole from and look at the prices. I deliberate for a moment before tapping the counter, getting the boy¡¯s attention. I smile and hand him fifty cher. ¡°For your troubles,¡± I say.


    He cocks his head to the side in confusion, but before he can say anything, the warden catches the twins by the scruff of their necks lifting them off the ground. He growls, ¡°And what do we have here?¡± Vahn juggles the goods in his hands, trying not to drop any of the merchandise. ¡°What are you doing with this?¡±


    ¡°We were going to eat it, obviously,¡± Vidia mutters. Her feet dangle an inch from the ground while Vahn¡¯s toes scrape the stone. The boy stares at them for a moment before looking back to his stock, realizing just how much they got away with. I leave another ten cher before weaving through the crowd that begins to form around them.


    ¡°Not this time, Vidia.¡± He says her name like a curse, and I can¡¯t help but roll my eyes. Warden Manish has been trying to get them arrested for months now but to no avail. It¡¯s not just my intervention that kept them from behind bars, but most of the time their shenanigans weren¡¯t anything to write home about. ¡°This time your precious teacher isn¡¯t here to save you.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not ¡®our precious teacher¡¯, warden,¡± Vidia says, her voice high as she mocks him. ¡°I can¡¯t stand her.¡±


    I move away from the people standing in front of me and eyeball the distance between us.


    ¡°Vidia,¡± Vahn says, adjusting the food in his hands. ¡°Now¡¯s not the time.¡±


    Digging into my bag, I take position, aiming for their heads.


    ¡°Oh, now¡¯s not the time?¡± Vidia kicks her leg, trying desperately to hit him. ¡°And what about when I said, go right? Was that not the time?¡±


    I take aim and throw them up, watching their trajectory arc. It¡¯s going to be a clean hit.


    ¡°I tried,¡± he mutters. ¡°How about you run with your arms full of shit and see how well you can make sharp turns.¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Manish says, shaking them. ¡°I¡¯m done listening to you whine about¡ª¡± The two rotten tomatoes finish their arc over the crowd, landing squarely on Vidia and Vahn¡¯s head. Manish starts, his grip on them loosening, letting them fall to the ground. I let out a loud gasp and start elbowing my way through the crowd.


    ¡°Oh, my stars,¡± I say, covering my mouth as I see them. Somehow, Vahn is still holding the baked goods. ¡°What happened to the two of you? I¡¯ve been looking for you everywhere.¡±


    ¡°Oh, well, we were just¡ª¡±


    ¡°They were just on their way to the Elders¡¯ Building,¡± Manish says, cutting off Vahn. ¡°They¡¯ve been caught stealing.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± I ask. ¡°I told them to get a few things for the service this morning. I¡¯ve paid the vendor for the food.¡±


    His face turns red as the crowd starts to murmur. ¡°We-Well,¡± he sputters. ¡°They ran away from me. If they weren¡¯t guilty, they¡¯d have no reason to run. And everyone knows that you always clean up after them.¡±


    ¡°True, but I did pay the vendor, and I did tell them to get food for the meeting. They probably ran because you¡¯re always harassing them. Besides,¡± I say, holding out my hands for them to grab. ¡°They¡¯re absolutely filthy. They need to be cleaned up.¡±


    They lift themselves from the ground, glaring at Manish. ¡°I told you we weren¡¯t doing anything,¡± Vidia says.


    ¡°One day,¡± Manish says, looking down on me, ¡°you won¡¯t be here to defend them. You won¡¯t be here to pull them out of their crimes.¡±


    I smile. ¡°As far as I know, they haven¡¯t committed any crimes. Unless being cute is a crime.¡± I sling my arms around their shoulders and start walking away. ¡°I¡¯ll see you later at the Elders¡¯ Building, Manish.¡±


    The crowd breaks apart as we start walking. Vidia starts to pull away, but I tighten my grip on her shoulder as we walk. ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± I say once we¡¯re out of earshot. ¡°I won¡¯t always be here.¡±


    ¡°Yes you will,¡± Vahn says, shifting the boxes in his hands. ¡°Nzam loves you too much.¡±


    I laugh. As much as my devotion to Nzam shows through the light that runs through me, I know the gods are as capricious as can be. As much as they need us to remain as powerful as they are, we need them far more. Nzam may like me enough to drink with me during his festival days and talk with me when I reach out, but I was as replaceable as his favorite bangle. Unfortunate, perhaps, but nothing he couldn¡¯t deal with. ¡°Maybe. We¡¯ll see what the future holds.¡±


    Slowly the market shifts to residential and we move past houses and parks, people training and people napping. Most of the time Vidia and Vahn would be here, in the largest park in the city. Being the youngest in the city, they avoid the training areas like the plague. It¡¯s not that they¡¯ll be turned away from the mats or that the blacksmith won¡¯t make them a weapon. Hell, our head trainer Priya would be thrilled to have them in her classes for fresh faces and nimble bodies to kick the ass of. They¡¯re welcome everywhere in a city that bans minors, but it¡¯s because they¡¯re at least ten years younger than everyone here that they stay away from it. Everyone would like a chance to fight them.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    It¡¯s only when the houses, parks, and schools fade away that I loosen my grip and Vidia pulls away, rushing to the river that cuts through the forest and behind the temple. Without stopping, she jumps into the water. Vahn laughs, offloading the food to me and following her lead.


    Inside, I set the food on the tables that had already been set out. This morning more Hunters and Trackers will be sent out to the Valley. Under normal circumstances, almost none of them would bother to come to the temple, Dad among them.


    ¡°Finally.¡± I turn to see Farah coming towards me as the door to the inner sanctum slams shut. She¡¯s not in her robes yet, only a long dressing gown that sweeps the floor as she moves to me. Her hair is pulled up in a bun with three golden hairpins sticking out and her eyes are surrounded by glittering makeup. She stops at the table, flipping open the box of muffins and taking one out. ¡°I thought I was going to starve waiting for your little urchins to get back.¡±


    ¡°They ran into some trouble.¡±


    ¡°Wow,¡± she says through bits of the muffin, rolling her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m so shocked.¡±


    ¡°They meant well,¡± I say. ¡°And I did know that something like this may happen. I was prepared¡±


    ¡°Then you should have given them the money to leave behind.¡± She takes two more muffins and starts back. ¡°We may need you soon. If they can¡¯t get their act together, it¡¯ll be hard on the rest of us. I don¡¯t want to have to send them back to Niawen.¡±


    I straighten, irritation settling in my chest. ¡°We¡¯ll see what the Elders have to say. Besides, we don¡¯t know that I¡¯ll be needed.¡±


    Farah looks at me over her shoulder, eyes narrowing. ¡°How¡¯s your shoulder?¡±


    I click my teeth and start spreading out the food. I¡¯d been doing such a good job ignoring the pain, but today was a bad day. The scars are red with pain, claw marks that remind me of the monster that did it to me daily. I¡¯d hoped that the chill would help, but it doesn¡¯t matter now. I¡¯m annoyed and there¡¯s nothing I can do about the pain that¡¯s now in the front of my mind.


    A year ago, when Vidia and Vahn¡¯s parents went missing in the Valley and were declared legally dead, no one could convince them to move back with their aunt to Niawen so I took them in.


    I placed a hand on their shoulders and told them that no matter what, they could lean on me, and I would ask for nothing in return. Grief-stricken with nowhere else they wanted to go, they agreed. Without much protest, they moved into the temple with me, and I helped them grieve.


    I knew that they¡¯d try to go into the Valley. It was almost impossible for them to want anything else since their parents could have still been alive. I wanted to take them myself when the grief wasn¡¯t so all consuming, but I was too late.


    In the early morning, a week after their parents were declared dead, they snuck out with their weapons and went into the Valley. If I¡¯d noticed any later, they¡¯d be dead.


    I jumped from the lift before Eamon finished lowering me down. I¡¯d picked the right shoes even in a hurry, I thought as I slid down the harsh slope. Vidia was on the ground, a hand pressed to her ribs and Vahn stood above her, sword at the ready as he stared down the bear. No, it wasn¡¯t a bear. Not anymore. Having been exposed to the Valley¡¯s aura, it had transmuted into something altogether different. A Valley Beast driven only by hunger and rage and violence.


    ¡°Get down!¡± I yelled, releasing my volley of arrows. All of them froze for a moment, but Vahn had enough wherewithal to duck, barely dodging my arrows. One stuck in the monster¡¯s eye and another in its throat. I jumped, pressing a button on my bow. Blades shot out along the front side of the limb, and I swung, my feet landing on its chest. I meant to take its head off, but it wasn¡¯t as injured as I¡¯d hoped. I glanced at them, blood and sweat matting their hair as they stared in fear. ¡°Run. Now!¡±


    Vahn scrambled to get Vidia off the ground, and the monster lunged. It was fast. Too fast for them to get out of the way without taking the brunt of the damage. Jumping in front of them, I shone brightly. Bright enough to blind the monster, but it was already swinging. It lost its balance enough that my injury wasn¡¯t as bad as it could have been. If not for the adrenaline coursing through me, though, what I did next would have killed me.


    Taking advantage of its blindness, I grabbed Vahn¡¯s sword and jumped, jamming his sword into its mouth and down its throat. I jumped away, abandoned the sword, and picked up my bow, aiming it at the monster, waiting. After a moment, it fell with enough weight to shake the ground. It wasn¡¯t dead, but that would have to do.


    Priya was the only one impressed by their gumption. Given my position, it would have been devastating to lose me with no preparation. It was decided while I was in surgery that they would return to their aunt.


    It¡¯s not often that I use my rank. In fact, I can count on one hand the number of times I have. As hard as I¡¯ve worked to rise, we¡¯re still a community. We can¡¯t rely on and truly care about each other if we¡¯re lording over one another. However, when it came to whether they¡¯d be sent back, I put my foot down.


    ¡°Yvanna,¡± Elder Reggie said looking wary. She was on my side almost always, but even she seemed to waver. The sweat beading my brow and the bandaged already soaking through with blood from the stitches I¡¯d ripped rushing over didn¡¯t help. ¡°I have to voice my concerns. Vidia and Vahn could have died due to their actions. This is why we don¡¯t have minors in the city.¡±


    ¡°They also didn¡¯t die due to their actions. Priya can attest that anyone else their age would have died long before I arrived. With more training they can become stronger.¡±


    ¡°Even still,¡± Elder Artur said, his voice gruff as he eyed my shoulder. ¡°I don¡¯t believe they are responsible enough to stay. In a few years, they can come back.¡±


    ¡°A month ago, I took responsibility for these two. All of their actions fall upon me, and I will take any punishment you believe best for endangering minors. However, I must remind you all that it isn¡¯t just me who wants them to stay.¡± They all sucked in a breath or clicked their teeth, irritated at the reminder. ¡°Vidia and Vahn have such a strong connection to Nzam that even without taking an oath, they glow while praying. As Nkam¡¯s head priest, it¡¯s my job to train and take under my wing those with an affinity to him. I will not allow them to leave.¡±


    Elder Artur looked annoyed, his eyes narrowing. ¡°I still cannot approve of this.¡±


    ¡°Whether you approve doesn¡¯t matter. Nkam approves and that¡¯s all the permission I need.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± he sighed. ¡°You will need a punishment. All those in favor of not recruiting a witch to heal Yvanna, raise your hand.¡± Of the nine elders, seven raised their hands. Elder Reggie and Elder Obdulia were the only ones to keep their hands down. ¡°Then it¡¯s decided. You will go back to their infirmary and rest until you are fit enough to continue your role as priest. And when you are healed, you will take on full responsibility for every action Vidia and Vahn Nervetti. Understand?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± I said, then fainted.

 Clusters

    Hunters file in¡ªmore so than normal. With their numbers dwindling steadily, I¡¯m happy to give them any comfort I can. While not everyone comes to the temple regularly, I recognize them all. Elvina huddles in her cloak near the breakfast spread as she eyes the cakes. She¡¯s the strongest tank the Hunters still have. Short and stocky, she¡¯s packed with more muscle than would seem at first glance. Having gone down into the Valley with her once before, I know she can lift a half-grown bear without breaking a sweat.


    Lazaro stands at her side, pretending not to be interested in the food. As much as he claims that eating before a hunt makes him nauseous, it doesn¡¯t take much convincing from his wife to get him to put something in his stomach. Elvina offers him a cupcake that he declines, though he never takes his eyes off of it or the savory food Farah added, rubbing the hilt of his sword as he always does when thinking hard about something.


    Eamon is sitting on the altar¡¯s steps, arms crossed and eyes closed. There¡¯s never a moment when he isn¡¯t trying to squeeze in a bit more sleep. At night he mans the lift that brings us in and out of the Valley, the walls being so sharply angled it would take half a day to get to the bottom carefully. His bow lays across his lap, the quiver on his hip angled so his arrows don¡¯t fall.


    The last two to come in are Savvas and Jojo. Jojo is vibrating with energy, dirt and flowers following in their wake as they rush to the breakfast table and start piling food on a plate. Muffins, cupcakes, eggs, sausages¡ªnothing is safe as they start to eat before their plate is even fully made. It¡¯s easy to see why Ayerin, goddess of the earth, chose them as a priest. Robust and brimming with life, happy to help and devastating when need be. Jojo is the second heaviest hitter but has the brightest personality.


    Savvas, my dad, looks at me with heavy eyes. He has been here many times before. Rarely did he ask for my blessing, but I always give it willingly. Now, as he walks into the temple, I have to come to terms with something I have avoided thinking about until now. This may be the last time I¡¯m able to.


    He pulls me into a brief but tight hug before letting go. He smiles. I ignore that it¡¯s forced.


    He turns to everyone else and they quiet before he says, ¡°Thank you all for meeting here instead of the lift.¡± He¡¯s the only one who takes a seat, though chairs have been set up for everyone. The nervous energy is palpable as they all wait for Dad to continue. ¡°Elder Artur will be arriving shortly, but we can get started now. This will be the last hunt.¡±


    Murmurs break out, questions and confusion leaping from their mouth. ¡°What?¡± Jojo asks, debris flying as they refuse to cover their mouth. ¡°We have to make a living, Savva. We can¡¯t just not hunt.¡±


    ¡°I understand that,¡± Dad says. His voice is low and grumbly. He clears it, but it does nothing to mask the irritation. ¡°Hunters and Trackers have been going missing for over a year and every time we send people in to look for them, they don¡¯t return. If they do, they don¡¯t remember what happened to the rest of their party. The Elders have decided that this will be the last hunt if any of us go missing. I don¡¯t like it any more to then the rest of you, but it¡¯s what must happen. Our numbers are dwindling faster than we can replenish them. We can¡¯t keep going on like this.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve been careful every time we go down,¡± Elvina starts. ¡°But it¡¯s not good enough. We train and retrain. We pick up more safety measures and drill in the old ones. We even stopped hunting as much. Nothing has helped the number of Hunters missing go down. I can¡¯t say that I¡¯m surprised by the Elders¡¯ decision, and I have to agree. A better solution needs to be found.¡±


    ¡°What about Trackers?¡± Eamon asks. He peeks an eye open, glancing around the room. ¡°Will they go after us if we go missing, or will they be done for as well?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Dad says. ¡°Trackers will come after us, but if they also go missing, that¡¯s it.¡±


    ¡°What does that mean?¡± Jojo asks. They finally have all their food plated and plop down in the seat next to Dad.


    ¡°It means we ban all entry and exit from the Valley.¡± Elder Artur¡¯s voice carries from the entrance as he ascends the steps. His cloak is held tightly against him as he sniffs and heads for the circle of chairs. ¡°We¡¯ll up security around the perimeter to make sure that the Valley Beasts don¡¯t overrun us, and we¡¯ll move on from there.¡±


    ¡°That would change the very foundation of our city,¡± Lazaro says, finally moving away from the table with Elvina to sit. ¡°We¡¯re here because we hunt.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Elder Artur says. ¡°We¡¯re here because we protect. That protection can look like anything as long as we maintain our mission. When Thesgrea and Naunne were founded as protector cities, we didn¡¯t hunt. We made sure to keep everyone but the very best away from the Valley and make sure that everyone was as safe as possible. Those who were willing to lay down their lives were the only ones dubbed Hunters. The name has since been watered down, most people relying on luck to get them out of the Valley. How quickly we forget our history.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true, but it doesn¡¯t mean that it¡¯s the right way to go,¡± Lazaro says. ¡°We started Hunting not just to protect, but to give back to everyone who relied on us to make sure that they were safe. We make the best weapons, have the best training programs, foster a tight-knit and capable community¡ªif we give all of that up now, what¡¯s the stop Leyfa or Norni or Ellwood from ceasing their trade with us? What do we have to give back if we¡¯re not hunting?¡±


    ¡°What they choose to do would rely on what the capital chooses to do and Valdage is well aware of the circumstances. Believe it or not, the emperor wants what¡¯s best for everyone.¡±


    ¡°Our skills aren¡¯t only used for hunting Valley Beasts,¡± Alvina says, putting her hand on Lazaro¡¯s leg. His face is red, and brows scrunched. His voice hasn¡¯t risen, but his anger is easy to see. ¡°We can be normal hunters or even go to the mainland and try our hand at being adventurers for hire. We have options.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to leave Thesgrea or Katta. I want to stay here and lives as we¡¯ve been.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Eamon says, rising from his spot on the floor. He leans against Dad¡¯s chair, a brow raised. ¡°Are you saying you want people to keep going missing?¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be combative,¡± Dad says, knowing there¡¯s nothing good that will come from that branch in the conversation. ¡°Elder Artur, this won¡¯t be forever, will it? Only until we find a better solution?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the thought process,¡± he says. He strokes his beard, frowning. ¡°I don¡¯t want to get any hopes up by saying that this will change soon. I can¡¯t know when this will be figured out, but there are those who have been working to understand the Valley. Those researchers are making their way here to observe closer. They will not, under any circumstances, be allowed to breach the Valley border.¡±


    ¡°In that case, is there even a reason for us to go?¡± Eamon asks. ¡°At this point, we might as well wait for the researchers to get here to we can get their read on the situation. Maybe just bring in some Trackers if we really need to get something done.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what we¡¯ll be doing,¡± Dad says. ¡°Not everyone here will be going if they don¡¯t want to. We wanted to make sure that those here understood that there is a chance that they will not return if they go. You already know this, but the missing people are becoming more frequent, and you all haven¡¯t been in the field in months. This is your chance to back out.¡±


    Silence envelopes the room as they take in the information. Everyone already knows the danger, though they likely weren¡¯t sure why they were picked to go next. Elder Reggie had told me already.


    ¡°They haven¡¯t been down there lately,¡± she said. ¡°They¡¯re the best of who¡¯s left and I can¡¯t keep sending the same traumatized Hunters even if they do volunteer.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m out.¡± Eamon is the first to speak up, adjusting his bow against his back. ¡°I see the Valley Beasts enough at the night lift operator and suffer the risk then. I won¡¯t do it again if I don¡¯t have to.¡±


    Savva nodded. ¡°I understand. You can leave if you want or stay through the meeting.¡±


    Eamon sighs, leaning back in his chair. ¡°I¡¯ll stay. I don¡¯t want to be left out of the loop.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll go,¡± Elvina says. She smiles at Lazaro who had just opened his mouth to say something. ¡°I love this city and our island. I want to make sure that we keep our reputation as an ass-kicking people.¡±


    Lazaro leaned down and kissed her forehead. ¡°You really do read my mind sometimes.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m staying here,¡± Jojo says, setting down their plate of food. It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve ever seen them with a plate of food and not eating it. ¡°My sister is coming here soon. I can¡¯t leave without a guarantee that I¡¯ll be back.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± Dad says. ¡°That makes this easier. We¡¯ll have an even team. The best Tracker left will be going with us to make sure to keep on the charted paths and stay together. If nothing else, we keep Chryssa safe.¡±


    I feel Elder Artur¡¯s eyes flicker to me. ¡°You¡¯ve been uncharacteristically quiet.¡±


    ¡°There isn¡¯t much for me to say.¡± I¡¯ve been standing near the table, listening. ¡°When people go into the Valley, I send them off with a prayer, knowing they may never come back. This time is no different. If I were to fawn over my parents with worry, it¡¯d be an insult.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± he says. ¡°Then will you give your opinion on what we¡¯ll be doing if this group doesn¡¯t make it back.¡±


    ¡°We at the temple are always happy to lend a hand where need be. If you need help with restructuring, I¡¯d be happy to offer my assistance and if we need to reorganize our priorities, I¡¯ll lend an ear. I¡¯m hoping that we won¡¯t have to, but I have been thinking about the best way to move forward and looking into our history to see what our cities were like before.¡±


    He smirks. ¡°Three steps ahead as always,¡± he mutters. ¡°Is there anything you would like to add to our discussion?¡±


    ¡°Talaat hasn¡¯t made much sense since he got back,¡± I say, referring to the lone survivor of the last hunting party. ¡°The only thing he remembers about that night is that he couldn¡¯t speak and had to be quiet. I try not to press him too much.¡± Since getting back, my best friend and childhood nemesis is a shell of himself. He keeps losing weight and seems to fold in on himself when anyone looks at him. He doesn¡¯t sleep because the nightmares are too vivid, and he wakes up screaming. He nods off for a few minutes at most, the longest being twenty before he jolted awake. We¡¯ve consulted witches and wizards to see if they could help him sleep without the terrors, but there was little to be done. Their draughts give him four hours, but that¡¯s better than nothing.


    Dad strokes his beard, his eyes cast down in thought. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll have to switch gear. We¡¯ll stay as quiet as possible to increase our chances of success. Are there any more questions or discussions to be had?¡± Heads shake as Dad takes a deep breath. ¡°Chryssa will take the lead in this hunt. We¡¯ll reconvene in one hour at the lift. Lazaro, Elvina¡ªthank you for coming with us. Jojo, Eamon¡ªthank you for being honest with us.¡±


    As they stand, Elder Artur raises his hand for their attention. ¡°Please keep in mind the danger you will be facing and act accordingly. I understand my callousness can be seen as uncaring, but I care deeply about all of you. Be careful, and may the gods guide your path.¡±


    Dad stays behind as everyone else shuffles out and helps me put the chairs away. ¡°Are you truly not worried?¡± he asks. He¡¯s staring at the table that Jojo attempted to clear on their way out. His hands grip the back of the chair. His knuckles are white.


    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m always worried.¡± He chuckles a little, his grip relaxing. I put my arm around his shoulder. It¡¯s jarring even after all this time that we¡¯re the same height. As a child, he was always so big. Larger than life and stronger than any Valley Beast. As I got older, he got smaller and smaller until he was just a man. ¡°I worry about you every day and today is no different. I know the risks, but like I said. I won¡¯t insult you by fussing.¡±


    ¡°You could insult me a little.¡± I pull him into a hug, and he holds me tight. Tighter than is comfortable, but I¡¯m okay with that. I¡¯d rather remember this. The feeling of his arms around me. His warmth and pulse and scent and everything that made him my dad. Too often I remember the sight of his back. I won¡¯t let that be the last thing I see this time. ¡°Your sister insults me all the time.¡±


    I laugh, pulling away. ¡°Peggy can¡¯t help it. She takes after Mom too much.¡±


    ¡°This is true,¡± he says. ¡°Will you send me off with a blessing, dear?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡±


    I turn and shout towards the door. ¡°Vid! Vahn! I know your eavesdropping.¡± There¡¯s a deafening silence before they come inside, for once looking sheepish. ¡°Did you learn anything?¡±


    ¡°We shouldn¡¯t eavesdrop on Hunter meetings?¡± Vahn volunteers.


    ¡°We should make sure we know what¡¯s happening before committing?¡± Vidia adds.


    ¡°You¡¯re both correct. Now, I have to give a blessing. Will you accompany me?¡±


    Their eyes lit up. ¡°I thought you said we weren¡¯t allowed,¡± Vidia says.


    ¡°Normally, no, but I think we can smudge it a little bit.¡± Vidia is a good singer but can¡¯t dance. Her movements are stiff like an unskilled puppeteer is pulling her strings. Vahn is a fantastic dancer, but puberty has him left wanting in terms of singing. ¡°Vidia, you will sing. Vahn, dance. I will channel and Dad, you know what to do.¡±


    We get into position with Vidia and Vahn on either side of me, standing back as Dad kneels. I reach out my hands and they hover over his head like I¡¯m placing a crown on his head. I breath in, letting the heat and light of Nzam flow through me. My blessings, real as they are, are just a plea to Nzam. A plea to protect. A plea to be watchful. A plea for understanding.


    Light fills the temple, and buttery sunlight explodes from me, washing over Dad.


    He smiles.

 Zenith

    Three days.


    That¡¯s how long we have to wait before we send Trackers in.


    Three days is short. We spend our time cleaning, praying, and practicing. My time is occupied every morning, noon, and night. Vidia and Vahn have yet to leave my side, a constant trail of chatter following me.


    My heart hasn¡¯t stopped racing since my parents left.


    On the night of the second day, I don¡¯t sleep. I stay in the watch tower with Beatrice, my glow a beacon in the night as I watch the Valley. Even the trees are twisted and gnarled, reaching up to the sky in the darkness. In the day, they shrink from the light, their withered leaves fanning out to keep the sun from reaching the ground.


    There¡¯s no human movement. Only Valley Beasts that sniff at us with anger. They know well not to try to climb the steep walls unless they want to be shot down from the watchtowers.


    ¡°Yvanna,¡± Beatrice says. ¡°You must be tired. I can continue watching if want to go rest.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I say, my eyes catching movement. It¡¯s a deer peering into the Valley. I pull an arrow from my quiver and take aim. It takes another step forward and I let the arrow fly. It starts and runs away, back into the Katta Forest. ¡°I want to stay and watch. If nothing else, I want to continue being as visible as possible.¡±


    Beatrice is quiet, but I can feel the words she refuses to say. She wants to tell me that I¡¯m wasting my time. That my energy is better served by resting and preparing. She¡¯s right, but she also knows I don¡¯t want to hear it. I can¡¯t believe that it¡¯s hopeless.


    ¡°As you wish,¡± she says, settling back into her position on the other side of the tower.


    The sunrise on the fourth day is quiet. My eyes are heavy as I descend the tower and trek toward the forest. My limbs are heavy as I move, exhaustion eating away at my normally graceful movements.


    My dancing is stiff, and my singing is stilted. When I¡¯m done, I hear Peggy say, ¡°That was the worst I¡¯ve seen in a while.¡±


    ¡°It happens when you stay up all night.¡± She¡¯s leaning against her normal tree. Light peaks over the trees, highlighting the dark bags under her eyes. ¡°You don¡¯t look much better than me.¡±


    She chuckles. ¡°I wear it better.¡± She¡¯s quiet for a moment, watching the sun rise higher as she puffs out a harsh breath. ¡°What are you going to do?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I lift my arms up in a stretch, watching her watch me. She¡¯s waiting for me to break.


    ¡°You have a choice to make. There are other Trackers.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± The air is sharp. Despite the sunrise, it¡¯s still cold as the wind whips around us.


    ¡°If you leave the temple, Farah would be in charge.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯d be pretty bad,¡± I say. ¡°She doesn¡¯t have the patience I do.¡±


    ¡°Elder Reggie would miss you.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. The others would be happier though.¡±


    ¡°Those kids need you.¡±


    I pause. My heart seizes at the thought of leaving them behind. They can survive without me, there¡¯s no question of that. Even with all of their problems, I know they can do it.


    I turn away, looking at a bird as it sings. ¡°Mom and Dad need me.¡±


    She¡¯s quiet for a while and her feet crunch on the near-frozen grass as she approaches me. Putting a hand on my shoulder, her grip is tight enough to leave bruises. ¡°If you¡¯re sure, then let¡¯s go. Messengers from Naunne are here.¡±Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    We walk in silence to the Elder¡¯s building. There¡¯s no point in exchanging more words. She knows my resolve won¡¯t waver, and it was never a question of whether Peggy would go to find them.


    Peggy doesn¡¯t have many people outside of us she relies on. I have my fellow priests and have long since ingratiated myself with Elder Reggie. Peggy, on the other hand, has never reached out to anyone else. Her quiet, harsh demeanor also does a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of keeping people away from her. She trusts everyone to do their part, but she doesn¡¯t love everyone. She doesn¡¯t even like them very much despite being the head of our home guard. Outside of us, she has herself, her knives, and Antonia if she ever makes a move.


    With the sun on a few minutes into its climb the Elder¡¯s Building is quiet. Normally it would be buzzing with people filing documents, submitting maintaining requests, settling payments, etc. Today, there are only twelve people in the lobby when we walk in¡ªthe nine Elders of Thesgrea, Elder Amata from Naunne, and three people I¡¯ve never seen. They look at us as the door swings open.


    ¡°There you are,¡± Elder Reggie says. ¡°We need to get started.¡±


    We shuffled into the Elder¡¯s chamber, a large room with a round table where only the most important discussions are had. Rarely are the nine Elders in the same place. Each of them deals with a different aspect of our government and while some overlap, none of them are really needed together. It¡¯s only when things go very, very wrong that they convene.


    Extra chairs have been pulled to the table to accommodate the extra people. I sit between Elder Reggie and Peggy who¡¯s tapping her foot with impatience. ¡°I don¡¯t see what there¡¯s to discuss,¡± she says as everyone takes their seats. Her posture is stiff, and her brows furrowed. Her drumming fingers join her foot. ¡°We go into the Valley to see if we can catch their trail. You Elders stay here and bicker amongst yourselves until we get back.¡±


    Elder Rosa clicks her teeth. She looks tired and her eyes squint as if she¡¯s staring into the sun. ¡°We don¡¯t have time for your attitude. Elder Amata is here because they¡¯re having the same problem in Naunne and we¡¯re here to discuss what will happen if your group doesn¡¯t make it back.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I mean,¡± Peggy says. ¡°We already know what we have to do. Yvie and I will be going and I¡¯m assuming one of the three Amata brought with her. We need one more person to round out our party. Two if you want to keep it even on both sides.¡± The Elders stare at her, not bothering to hide their irritation. Even Reggie seems exasperated. ¡°I¡¯ll worry about what to do after when that comes.¡±


    ¡°I understand your eagerness to go and track them down,¡± Elder Artur starts, ¡°but we have much to discuss, and you all will need to prepare yourselves.¡±


    ¡°Elder Amata,¡± I say before Peggy can retort. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to see you again.¡±


    She sniffs, looking down her nose at me. ¡°You used to be much smaller. And more annoying.¡±


    ¡°Ten years makes a big difference. How long has Naunne been facing the same problem?¡±


    ¡°About a year,¡± she says. ¡°We account for a certain number to go missing or pass away on the job, but the numbers have been steadily increasing. We don¡¯t get Hunters and Trackers in as quickly as we¡¯re losing them.¡±


    ¡°I see. Then let¡¯s start from the beginning and try again.¡± I stand, gesturing to Peggy who is staring daggers at me. I ignore her. ¡°This is my older sister Peggy Gust. She¡¯s a Hunter and head of the home guard. She keeps stray Valley Beasts from wreaking havoc on the city. My name is Yvanna Gust. I¡¯m the head priest of our temple and a Tracker.¡±


    Elder Amata cocks her head before smiling. She stands. ¡°This is Elena Eld.¡± She gestures to the young woman next to her. She looks young. With her blonde hair in two pigtails on her neck and glasses sliding down her nose, she looks like a kid. I know Elder Amata well enough that she would never do that. ¡°She¡¯s an expert on Valley Beasts who will be accompanying you. This is Jameel Severi and Nohemi Arielle. They¡¯re students of the Valley expert who will be joining us soon.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I say. I look at Peggy and she rolls her eyes. Good enough. ¡°When do you want us to leave?¡±


    ¡°Soon,¡± Elder Zahid says. ¡°We don¡¯t have the time to waste on more back and forth so let¡¯s get this done. When you three leave, we¡¯ll begin preparations for the possibility that you won¡¯t come back. When that happens, the Valley will be barred on all sides. Everyone in the home guard in both Thesgrea and Naunne will be given permission to use lethal force on anything attempting to come out of the Valley. If you are coming out of the Valley, make that you use the signals Elder Jameel made.¡±


    Jameel stands and digs through the bag at his side before producing three cylinders. He gives one to Elena and slides the other two across the table to us. It¡¯s made of stone, though there¡¯s a hum of magic to it that feels like lightning gently vibrating my hand. ¡°These will emit a blast of red smoke when they¡¯re broken. Break one when you reach the five-mile mark, so we know where we need to go. Break two if you find where they are in that time. Once they break, they won¡¯t be usable again. I don¡¯t have a good name for it yet. I¡¯ve just been calling it a smoker.¡±


    I turn it over in my hands and see an engraving of his initials on the bottom. ¡°So, if we lose these, we¡¯re screwed.¡±


    He smiles shyly. ¡°Pretty much.¡±


    I look at Peggy. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t be the first time.¡±


    She smirks, rolling her head back. ¡°Sure wouldn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± I say, tucking the cylinder into my robes. ¡°Let¡¯s continue.¡±