Chapter 15

Netya did her best to subtly shift the basket so that it was resting against her hip in full view of the people around her. She still felt as if she was an oddity on display to them, but she hoped Fern’s advice would work.

They crossed to a large open-fronted tent hung with heavy fur drapes and stepped inside, where Netya realized the interior led to the dark opening of an earth lodge concealed within the bank behind it.

A toothless old woman shuffled out and scowled at them, before grabbing Fern’s basket from her and squinting at the contents. She said something in her own language and gave Netya a stern look, before taking her basket as well and rummaging through the assorted berries on top.

After a moment she snorted, seemingly satisfied, then said something that Netya did understand.

“Pale little girl, bring more baskets. Good for you, and for me.”

Her words were broken and inelegant in their pronunciation, but Netya had the good sense to smile and