The town square was nearly empty, but the houses around it were well-lit and noisy. Sioni walked around the village as though in a daze, remembering only vaguely the layout of the streets, her own house. They’d left when she was so young. She felt a tap on her shoulder, and turned around.

“Excuse me, miss, can I help you?” A young man in a red tunic, wearing a puzzled expression, offered her his elbow.

“Oh, I was just…” She couldn’t think of what to say to account for her odd appearance. She had twigs in her hair, and dirt along the hem of her skirts, and her face was probably a sight. She shrugged and nodded.

“Looks like you got lost in the woods, right? Well, it happens all the time around here. No worry, my mother will fix you up. She’s the midwife around here, but also the healer. She’ll fix that scratch you’ve got on your arm, too.” He nodded toward her bandaged arm, where Helen had…

What had Helen done? Sioni still didn’t know. They entered a tiny, warm house. The woman inside stood.

“Sioni?”