Chapter 5

The girl smiled and turned so that Netya could see her wounded arm. It was wounded no more. Her bronze skin had reddened, and it looked as though she would be left with a scar, but the painful gash was practically healed already.

“I have heard your people are hurt more easily?” the girl said.

Netya gazed in wonder. Either she had slept for days, or the wound had healed overnight. “How did you do that? How do you do any of the things you do?”

“It is just the way we are. I can forgive your friend. He did not hurt me badly.”

Netya edged closer to the fire. “Your people must have very powerful magic.”

The girl seemed amused. “We would not call it magic. And if it is, even the wisest of us do not understand it. Besides, I think you would know more of such things than I.”

“Me?”

“Your hair.” The girl moved closer, setting her bowl to the side as she reached out to touch the long black braid that hung over Netya’s shoulder. “Only the wisest leaders