Rumors started to creep into the sea people village, like the tide coming slowly, tiny waves on the sand. Or, Laylit thought, standing knee-deep in the sea, helping Cora pull fish out of her net, like little fish that came close to shore nibbling at their toes. Whenever Laylit sat at the communal fire in the evening, she heard bits and pieces of the stories.
After the men had discovered her, Laylit had continued to keep to herself for a while, only really spending time with Cora. But as the villagers got used to her presence, she stayed out more and more. The sea people didn"t comment when she joined them, and that encouraged her to stay, to sit on the edges and listen. Too much attention would have sent her back to the hut.
Cora often went straight home after the evening work was done a
