Chapter 8
Ben walked somewhere in the middle of the group of seekers and rangers Isika had picked to journey to the Hadem. They were several days into their journey, and he was deep in thought, reliving a conversation between Auntie Teru and Isika.
"This is getting to be so familiar," Auntie had said, washing dishes one night before they left.
"What is?" Isika asked, drying a cup with a hand towel.
"You, leaving on dangerous journeys. Me, waiting for word."
Isika stopped drying the cup and flung her arms around Auntie Teru, burying her face in the older woman's neck. Ben averted his eyes, looking back at the table he was wiping.
"I'm sorry," Isika said. "This will all be over one day, I hope."
"Oh, don't listen to me," Auntie said, but Ben could hear the tears in her voice. "I'm onl
