CHAPTER 110

Ank

The beach is littered with Pietra and Stillean, Feneen and Hygodean, and the descendants of Harta, who found this place long ago, along with the Indiri who traveled with him. From my perch I cannot tell who is who, all of them only people at this height.

At high tide I watched three Tangata ride in, clinging to a stripped log. They came on land, shook seawater from their coats, and stalked off, unconcerned. I should have called for Hadduk, had one of his spada soldiers take them down before they can make many and more, the children of the people that stand on the beach below frightened by tales of cats in the night.

Yet I cannot, and I watch as the tide erases their prints, and wish them safety. An oderbird flew in shortly after, long neck wobbly in exhaustion, a few more coming in its wake. I uncork the bottle in my pocket, releasing the ninpops I had caught on the beach before abandoning Stille.

It will be different.

But this will be home.