Whitebark Stream I clearly looked happy

The assumption made was correct, which came as little surprise; Kaori was not one to forget a face, even if seen only in passing—and to forget a face such as his was no easy feat, anyway. Before she could ask more, he was sharing his worries, thus silencing her. The word for the disease that he spoke of was one of many but no less recognisable; a maddening plague, driving wolves to commit atrocious acts before claiming their lives. Even the mere thought of it and a chill was running down her spine, a small tremor shaking her as the girl shivered.

“Does the woman who welcomed us here know why we left?” she asked, equally curious as she was suspicious. Were those foolish enough to engage in battle seeking to ruin them? “Is she aware of the illness?” And if she was, what did she plan to do, should one of their own be overtaken by it?