“No, you’re right,” Rina agreed. “I don’t think they’d be all that open about the festival, either. But he says most of the places that celebrate the smokeflower festival have become too commercial. He’s looking for more authentic folklore.”
“That’s a crock,” Kajjal said. “I have family in the South Blue Mountains, and they celebrate the smokeflower festival too. They aren’t overrun with tourists, but they’re pretty friendly, and the mountain they live on is a lot easier than Mount Snarl.”
“So...what are you saying?” Rina asked. “You think I’ve picked up a stalker?”
“Maybe that, maybe someone posing as an anthropologist for his own reasons, although spirits only know why anyone would bother. Maybe he’s just a weirdo. All I’m saying is, be careful. I don’t want to have to run this shop a
