Ka’ya Stargazer glanced away from the group of young men, all still in their teens, who stood near the fountain. She placed her jug on the wide rim and propped her bow against the side. Their voices faded to silence and she could feel their wary gazes on her. Ignoring them, she picked up her jug and filled it before retrieving her bow.
“Huntress,” a voice called out from across the wide road.
Ka’ya turned and watched as two of the tribal Elders approached her. Her lips tightened in annoyance. They never approached her singly. Fear – it had a smell to it with which she was all too familiar. At times, the fear of the tribe threatened to choke her.
“Yes, Elder Mayleaf,” Ka’ya greeted with a bow of her head.
“We were told you had returned from the caves. You were successful in killing the
