Precious was caught with the simple call. No more chances to run. No way to change her mind. She was stuck. She tried to remind herself that this is what she came out here for. Not everywhere had knowledge of Curses. Maybe the Curse would just stop if people around her stopped bringing it up. That was the mantra that ran through her head as the grullo approached her.

Precious lowered her head to meet his in the customary greeting, her forelock falling in her face. Blue eyes sought his for any sign of trickery. Her mind reaching back to her flight from her home tribe. A sacrifice was a sacrifice even if it was cursed. Dogun hadn’t seemed that way though. It was just needless fear.

That’s what she told herself.

“Yeah, the Inlet…” She looked around. It was cold already, on the Crossing she had realized summer was soon on them. Here, the land seemed to have forgotten that. “Is… Isn’t it spring?” She asked, hoping her question wasn’t offensive. She watched him closely, still coiled like a spring. Her head and tail were low, though. She couldn’t relax, though she tried.

Just breath.

Just breath.