Just inside the cave entrance, Shail froze to listen. Pressed up against the rock wall as he was, even the morning light left him cast in shadows. No eyes would see his presence. Even sharp ears wouldn't hear him breathe because he forgot to for seconds that left him turning red and dizzy. It reminded him of his fits and he dragged in a deep breath to calm himself. Every word they said though, he could hear clear as the pale blue sky outside.

They had come for him? Oh god, his village was here. For a second, he let hope take over. But as he listened carefully to the words, they cut him through.

After a pause, the village head turned to the man at his side. They whispered something, their words getting lost in the wind. For almost a minute, they talked in those hurried whispers before the headman finally pushed the younger man behind him, cutting off an angry shout of, "We should just-!"

"You said indefinitely?" he asked, a hint of hesitation in his voice. It was obvious to tell though, he was hooked.