Porcupine Ridge gold dust

The name was a mouthful. He'd do his best, but for now, he saw her as "Nutu"—lynx seemed far too ferocious, at least at the moment, for this shy youngster. He gave her a brief smile, nodding at her greeting.

I'm Hex, he replied. You're safe here. We've got food and shelter.

His face held gratitude as he turned to Muskrat, nodding briefly toward his chief warrior. There was something else he needed to discuss, and he did so without lowering his tone; no need to alarm the girl with sotto voce suspicion.

There was a woman on the next peak over—pale, with a reddish streak down her spine, he explained. A child with her. She didn't look right. Could be sick. Be wary.

He'd have to let Aquilae know, too. He doubted the pair would stray into their land. . .but the madness was unpredictable, and he'd guard against any outcome while he still could.