Chapter 5

Frowning, she wondered who might’ve opened the door. As far as she knew, she was the only person around for miles. She lived in the heart of the Valley of Wrenne, had all her life. The wildlife had accepted her presence and no longer ran from her approach. In fact, she’d seen many creatures on her walk to and from the river. She’d heard animal sounds only a few minutes ago.

So why were the birds silent?

Shaela wished Ford, her adoptive father, was at home. He would’ve known what to do. But he was away on business to the Open Plains of Andemni. A trapper, he traded with the Plainsmen every year, leaving for the Plains shortly after the Vernal Equinox. She’d always gone with him before, but now she was nineteen, and she wanted to see what it was like to live on her own for a bit. Ford had reluctantly agreed to leave her alone while he made the trip this year. It took a lot of persuasion on her part to make him go on alone.