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rebel and leave, such as the Woodsfolk tribe, but the Praisebees have always been the baddies, after the Carnies and Agros of course. My noggin was all jumbled. I wanted the convo to end. “You talk of long past times, the now is what we must concern ourselves about.”
    She folded her arms and leant back. It was an unnerving gesture that I found hostile. I decided to mimic her pose. She snorted. “Then let us concentrate on the moment, or as near to as is appropriate, to end my telling of how things came to pass. We have been camped in the Wilderness for some months now and have lost three ‘dults to Wolfies.”
    “Nah, not Wolfies? Gruesome and then some.”
    “It was, but that was not the worst. Our hunger drove some to seek out Carnies. When they returned nothing was the same. Restlessness and doubt swamped us. Made some quite mad. Worse still, two little ‘uns disappeared just four days ago. Since then all is fear and dread. We almost disbanded, but Daniel is good and strong. he told us that he received word from God that we were to settle in Cityplace and make it our home.”
    “Not likely for sure. The place is a fortress and no one gets in or out without prior knowledge. Even the Carnieval is monitored most severely, and those brutes only allowed in if escorted by City S.A.N.T.S.”
    “Exactly. So we decided to storm the place. We procured some weapons from a Woodsfolk that found our lair. In exchange, we gave him what little food we had. Then word came to us of the ghosties. It seemed the perfect opportunity to get in.”
    “Wow, some plan. Pity it didn’t succeed, for you and yours, not ours of course.”
    Lilith smirked. “Tell me something, Adara?”
    “Anything, if I can.”
    “Can you really bring the birdybirds down?”
    “Not too certain about that. I know I can lure the raptors.” I showed her the talon scars on my forearms and back of the neck. “Haven’t quite got the right frequency to attract the smaller sort, and not quite honed my skill to avoid being gouged a bit.”
    “Quite a gift. With such a talent, you will be much in demand.”
    “Against my will. I have no desire to hurt said creatures just to satisfy the excess greed of Carnies and the like.”
    Lilith bit her lip and I swear I saw the same fire as before light up in her eyes.

Chapter Nine  
    Bundled Off To Who Knows Where

    I put my hand inside my tunic pocket and let my fingers rest on the hilt of the knife Orva gave me. Lilith stood. I did too.
    “I shall rest. Again many thanks for the food much needed.”
    “Thanks for the info. Not sure what I’ll do with it. Not sure it matters now that your lot are under the power of the Longarms.”
    “Who knows that we still are? When we left there was much chaos.”
    “That is true.”
    Lilith bowed a little and left. The hairs on the back of my neck stuck out when she passed by me. There was something about her that I did not trust. I tiptoed into the hallway and pressed my ear to the first closed door. Not a sound except for heavy breathing, that I guessed came from Elijah.
    Softly, I footed my way to the pooplace. The door was open but the one next to it was not. I opened it and saw Lilith sitting on the bed, hunched over, gnawing on something fleshy. She lifted her head. I saw a glob of drool on her chin. She quickly wiped her face and tucked what she was eating into a soft brown pouch.
    “Adara, can I be of use?”
    “Nope, didn’t realise you were in here. I came to lie down myself. This was the room I chose when first we entered.”
    She rose and headed for the door. “So sorry, I didn’t realise you had picked this one for yourself. I shall leave.”
    “Nah, you can have it. I’ll take the one opposite. Besides, there is a strange smell in here that I find unpleasant.” I turned to leave, but swivelled round just before I reached the exit. “What were you consuming when I first came in?”
    “Nothing.” I folded my arms and cocked my head to one side. She