The fire, keeping the chill off, smoldered to hot coals during the story. Rain shivered.
“Fire’s dying.” The warrior threw the last pile of sticks on the embers.
“I am sorry,” said Aislinne. “I forget people need the warmth.”
Rain’s stomach made noises she believed were heard all the way to Hollowrock.
“That’s not all I need. You wouldn’t have any food with you?”
“I don’t eat often.”
“I remember. I was hoping.”
Rain wrapped herself farther in her bedroll, withdrawing from the conversation. Aislinne did not appear to mind.
The warrior searched her mind for the last time the two women were together and what she remembered about her mysterious friend. Nothing flashed forward except that Aislinne didn’t eat but once or twice a moon, and she never got cold. Maybe that’s why…
“Why the F
