JaKaelath rests on her bed, but her tent roommate will not let her sleep. JaKaelath thinks about how she reminds her of a scavenger version of Marcela with her giddiness.

  "Will you ever go back there?" She asks.

  "No," JaKaelath responds, I don't think I will ever return. I grew up a scavenger; this is the life I know. I've found peace over the last two weeks I've lived here. I know there are some who don't like me even here, but most are ok. Most of the people in my old camp were ok, if they didn't have Kallian ruling over them. I am done with the cave. There is really only one person I'd like to see again there, maybe two". This is home now, this is where I belong. I may one day return my boyfriend's horse if it becomes safe enough to travel the Great Rugged Plain again, but I don't think that will happen anytime soon.

  They talk well into the night before falling asleep. JaKaelath thinks of her friends back in the camp, JaMaya, JaLena, Janeda, Kragon, and even Joric, whom she at one point counted as a friend. Then she thinks of the people in the cave she misses, Drookan and Francesca. The gentleman Dowath, then her thoughts add on "The hot gentleman Dowath". She smiles. Then she thinks of Francesca, "The Perfect Ponu", "The Nature Girl", the what-if story of her life. She would love to meet up with her again. Francesca is too soft for this world, maybe, JaKaelath thinks, she can help toughen her up, give her a better chance to survive than anything the Ponu are teaching her.

  The next morning, there is a ruckus in the camp. JaKaelath soon sees the reason: Dowath, 2 of them, circling overhead. This is a rare occurrence. Dowath rarely try to attack in the forest, especially one as dense as this. Not enough room for maneuverability, harder to fly, and easier to get trapped. People ran for their defenses. JaKaelath also ran to grab a weapon, then a young boy ran to the opening shouting, "They come in peace, they come in peace". He soon explained they had picked him up outside the village. He thought his young life was over; instead, they gave him a message: they are landing in peace. It was given to him by a Ponu woman.

  JaKaelath stood ready, would it be Dana, or perhaps even Francesca? Then, she saw her dread become reality as one of the Dowath landed and his Ponu dismounted. It was Emma.

  Emma sees JaKaelath but walks to the center of the gathering space in the middle of the camp.

  "How are yall doing? Don't mind my friends, they are not the bad kind; these are the good kind. They won't hurt anyone here. I promise." She looks around. "Where is your leader?"

  The village elder walks forward, "State your purpose, Ponu". Emma continues, "I mean you and your village no harm. I only want an audience with the one I am seeking. We received word she may have come here. She is a Ponu whom we believe was raised by scavengers. I see her standing over there in the crowd. I only ask for an audience with her, and then we will leave. Please grant us this request. The elder looks over at JaKaelath. "Do you want to speak to this Ponu woman?"

  JaKaelath says, "Yes, but alone, in the tent. Emma looks pleased with that arrangement.

  The two women enter alone.

  JaKaelath also notices the Dowath Emma arrived on, Dmeko, a female Dowath, sister of Dmoko and known for being fanatically loyal to the Ponu-Dowath alliance. Also, a good friend of Drookan.

  "You know I don't think we ever really met while you were in the cave. That was some mission you did. Fooled almost everyone," Emma says with her trademark smile.

  "I saw you," JaKaelath snaps back. "I saw how you humiliated my camp, my people."

  "Are those the same people trying to hunt and kill you, honey? Listen, sweetie, I did what I had to do, but I am not here about that; I am here about you. You've got a whole mess of people interested in you back in the cave."

  "So?" JaKaelath counters.

  "So, Dana and Lana want to see you".

  "I am not going into a cage; these people shouldn't suffer because of me. If you have any honor, give me 5 minutes to leave the camp, so none of them get hurt, then come get me if you can."

  Emma shows shock at the assertion, "Oh heavens no, Darling, we are not to take you by force. Dana made a big deal about that. They want to run tests on you, but it has to be your choice. Here's a little secret for you, Kaela: Dana's been through some shit. Someone wanted her badly, Geeryo; they kidnapped her and put her through all sorts of humiliation to learn why she was different. She escaped almost at the cost of her life. She does not want anyone to go through what she did, so if you tell us no, I will just walk away."

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  JaKaelath's expression does not change, "Here's a little secret for you, Emma, I don't like you, never have, never will. You are not taking me anywhere. There's only one person in that cave I might even consider going back with."

  "Yes", Emma smiles, "We thought you might say that". She walks outside the tent, waves at the lone Dowath still circling. He descends. In moments, JaKaelath recognizes him, "Drookan!" She runs to meet him. They hug.

  "So now that the reunion has happened, will you now follow us back? We'll even let Drookan carry you."

  For JaKaelath, there is enjoyment of seeing Drookan again, but an almost disappointment that he is being instructed by Emma; he seems slightly distant. For only the briefest of moments, she fears that after their last encounter, their bond may be lessened.

  "So what's your decision?" Emma smiles.

  "She is staying," Drookan interjects to the surprise of all.

  Emma is stunned, not sure what to say; this was not part of the plan. Drookan was supposed to help, not hinder the plan.

  Drookan smiles. "She is right, Kaela, Dana does not mean you harm and won't imprison you, but why return? You have peace and happiness here. I know where you are. If you like, I can visit from time to time. It's always good to see a good friend. Why even take the chance?

  Unlike Emma here, I am not taking orders from Dana. "He adds, "Neither is Dmeko, push come to shove, she will be with me on this."

  Emma is caught off guard; this was something she didn't expect. Her expression turns slightly to anger. She calms and turns towards JaKaelath, "Please consider our offer, and tell your Dowath..." Drookan interjects, "Tell me what Emma? Don't actually become the bully you sometimes pretend to be. This woman has found peace and a home. We should go back."

  Kaela could not be more prouder. She tells Drookan, "Thank you". This moment means more to her than he could imagine.

  Emma leaves in a huff, Dmeko carrying her back, but not before giving a wink of approval to Drookan. Drookan smiles at his Ponu before leaving to join them. He knows he will get an earful from Dana when he returns, but it was worth it. Kaela needed a victory over the woman who had brought so much humiliation to her people.

  That night nearby, Emma and the 2 Dowath set up camp. It is a two-day flight back. They want rest before making the journey. Emma realizes she is in a no-win situation with Drookan. If she tried to confront him in front of his close ally Dmeko, it would backfire. He is too well respected among his kind. Her group of Dowath would instead lose respect for her. With her position, she needs their total loyalty and respect. She decides to take the loss and move on. She has never failed Dana before, but feels she will understand. What happens next was startling.

  Drookan was the first to catch the scent of an intruder; it was JaKaelath. Everyone, including Drookan, is shocked.

  She walked to the camp. "I've given it some thought. I would like to see Francesca again, I would like to come back on one condition only. Drookan has to be at my side at all times. He's the only person there I truly fully trust."

  Emma smiles, "Just so you know that I am not totally bad, sweetie, I have to tell you something, your 'twin' Francesca is not there right now. She left to explore Vault 20 to find her sister Charlotte, so don't let that be a factor in your decision. I know Dana was wanting to tell you this, but Lana found out you two are related. In fact, she thinks Francesca is your aunt, that Francesca's sister Charlotte is your true mother."

  A knot ties in JaKaelath's stomach. Vault 20 was the vault she had told Francesca she was from.

  That, compounded with the information that Francesca could be related to her, fills JaKaelath with an urge to return as soon as possible to make sure she is safe.

  "It is all set," JaKaelath says, "I told the elder and my...other aunt and friends I have made here that I will be gone for a short while. They will look after my horse and my other stuff while I am away.

  I only brought this. She shows a bag. The sleeve of a Ponu suit is sticking out. Emma smiles and gives JaKaelath an unwanted hug.

  Drookan is confused but accepting.

  They rest, she notices the slight distance in Drookan, but puts it up to what happened in their previous meeting, where she told him there was someone else.

  The next morning, they head out.