You`re not at home.` Chief Elder Hora stood in the doorway to the chronicler`s room.

　　No.` Kala said without turning from her work, afraid Hora would see how much she was shaking. This has been playing on my mind,` she indicated a sheet of the record and hoped Hora could not see that it was blank. I want to be sure I get it right.`

　　Who was in your home this evening?`

　　What? Just my family, why? Who are you looking for?`

　　Where are your husband and daughter?`

　　Kala rubbed her eyes in exhausted frustration. Elder Hora, I don`t understand what you`re&`

　　We found two people hiding in the empty hut, but they got away.`

　　Oh?` Kala sounded confused, as if not understanding the significance, or too tired to care.

　　The old chronicler was alone in your hut. I have found you, but Talon and Sosa are still missing.`

　　To be honest me and Talon are not speaking much at the moment. None of us are sleeping well, perhaps they went to the fields?` It wasn`t hard to look weary.

　　At night?`

　　The fields are still there at night, Elder Hora. Are you saying it wasn`t youngsters hiding in the hut? It usually is. Do I need to be worried&?` She let just a little of the fear she really felt show through.

　　Hora gave her a lingering look, laced with suspicion, but it gave way to tiredness and she gave a sigh. If they`re in the fields I`m sure they are safe,` she said, better you stay here. If I find anything you need to be worried about, I will let you know.` With that the new chief Elder was gone. Kala listened to the footsteps recede. When she was certain she was alone, she put aside her sheet and slipped out of the room. Jode had taken her last record sheets to somewhere near the Elder`s council chamber. She probably should not risk doing anything other than cover for her family tonight, but if she was to be useful while Talon and Sosa were risking their lives, there wasn`t much time to act.

　　Wooden benches were arranged in rough rings facing the centre. It was one of the largest rooms in the village. Having no windows ensured the Elder`s meetings stayed private. It also made the room very dark. Several smaller rooms ran off this one, including the room she used as chronicler, though it had other purposes.

　　Taking a breath she stepped into the dark room. There was always a chance that she would be able to hide in the shadows if one of the Elder came through. Neither their sight nor hearing tended to be that sharp. It was still dark so being disturbed was unlikely.

　　Once inside the air felt heavier, damper and hard to breathe. It wasn`t, she knew and tried to keep her breaths steady and slow. What would Talon do; this new version of her husband who went on dangerous adventures? He would take deep breaths, move slowly and not panic. Kala would never have dreamed of sneaking about like this. The Elders were an unassailable group of untouchable, unquestionable people who ran her village. At one time she had been but a passenger in their boat. She no longer saw things that way.

　　If Talon could make plans to go out into the forest, her coming into this room to search for the record was but a trifle.

　　Steeled, she opened the first box, easing the lid off and to the floor with barely a sound. There were sheets inside, rolled and carefully arranged, and she began to look at the markings on the edges. Most were records of crops and food storage, others were the census that was updated with every death and birth.

　　She shouldn`t be looking at these.

　　Kala shrugged off the sense of unease and carefully rearranged the sheets so she could check them all, but there was nothing of the record here, either hers or older. Placing the sheets back in their carefully arranged rolls, she replaced the lid on the box and moved to the next. She had to check them all until she found something.

　　The next was fruitless and it was on the third storage box that she heard someone`s soft steps and softer breathing. Kala felt her muscles petrify and tried to return the lid but with shaking hands it rattled and then slid to the floor. She had to keep from crying out in dismay, made her hands settle and then placed it firmly back on, no matter the noise it made.

　　Elder Hora stepped lightly into the room. She was one of the younger Elder, Kala guessed her hearing and eyesight might not be so bad. Should you be in there?`

　　I`m looking for the record.` To lie would have looked feeble, guilty, and while naivety was no excuse for breaking fadi, if what Jode said was true, it was not her fadi to break. So why not just be upfront about it? She didn`t need to be open about every detail, and the best lies were buried among the truth. Having children taught her that.

　　Kala rose, papers poised in one hand, annoyed at being disturbed. That was the way an Elder would assume authority. It worked. Hora looked uncertain. She had only recently talked her way into becoming chief. It was likely she was projecting her screen of authority as much as Kala now did, and was feeling just as fragile beneath it. Hora was chief, yes, but also just a woman, nervous and inexperienced and trapped in a situation she could not quite make sense of. Kala drew strength from the realisation.

　　She sighed with annoyance. Have you found Talon or Sosa? Did you find out who`s been in Talon`s father`s hut?` She threw the question at Hora. I will only wait here so long before I go get my family myself.`

　　Hora hesitated. No, we&` What Kala saw was how she felt herself inside. She had to use this and keep her own fragility hidden.

　　Kala flapped a dismissive hand. Never mind,` and turned back to the boxes. I`m sure it should be in one of these, but it has been moved. Where is it, now?` She didn`t need to pretend to be stressed and angry, she just had to let it show.

　　Hora frowned again, her inexperience apparent. The record isn`t open for you to&`

　　I`m the chronicler,` Kala snapped, her annoyance growing. Hora hesitated again. She`d known the chronicler didn`t have access to the old record, but she was questioning it. Are you telling me you don`t know where it`s been moved to?`

　　Hora stuttered. Kala pushed on, rolling her eyes and flapping her hand again. She busied herself with the box lid, muttering about people being useless.

　　Why do you need the record?` Hora asked. Her questions, indeed all of her words, were normally carefully crafted webs. This one sounded born of genuine curiosity.

　　If you`ve not noticed our village is under attack and no one seems willing or able to do anything about it!`

　　Hora bristled and Kala tensed, knowing she`d pushed too far. She cut Hora off - better to control the conversation and use this anger. Elder Hora,` she began sharply, then took a breath and softened. I understand things are complicated, and that taking action is not as simple as it might seem. Everything has consequences, I know, but for me& someone killed five villagers and one of them was my son.` She was careful not to count Ego among the deaths. I want to know everything I can about him and I can`t rely on the conjecture and rumour which is all anyone, including the Elders, has to offer. I won`t break fadi, but if I can stop further killing, I won`t let one old man`s confusion stop me. If there is something, anything in the record that could help&`

　　Kala stared, wearing her anger as armour against rebuke, daring the new chief to disagree. Hora`s mouth closed and she nodded. I do understand,` she said, softly. To the others you are not yet an Elder and won`t be for many years, but I hold the position of chronicler in high regard. To me you are an Elder already and as soon as I am able, I will add you to the council. You are a voice of sound reason. We need that.`

　　Kala looked unimpressed, she was not to be diverted with platitudes and bright promises.

　　Hora swallowed and looked down, I have long tried to do something about Gris, but Jode has always opposed it. Now I am chief, it is time for action.` Hora stepped closer to Kala as if a co-conspirator.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

　　Kala bristled and took a half-step back. Elder Hora, chief, with the greatest of respect I am very happy for your triumph, but what I don`t need is the imposition of another layer of conjecture. I don`t need another viewpoint on the situation. I need to know what we know and what we don`t. I need the record.` Kala kept her voice far from conspiratorial. I need to know who is of use and who is of none.` She left this last hanging, a challenge that Hora`s pride would hopefully rise to.

　　I&` Hora looked at Kala once more as an equal and spoke as a woman not a chief. Since the record was destroyed, we lost much written knowledge.`

　　Yes. That was some time ago now. I would hope there would be something more recent that might be of use.`

　　Some Elders have continued a verbal record. No one alive today knows who Gris is, or what he is, I can tell you that, but since I tried to have Jode exiled, I have been told more&` Hora wrestled with whatever words queued in her throat. Chief Elder Kurellen was chief at the time of the fire. She&` Hora paused. It was said the previous chief-ki were always near the current chief. Hora would be very aware of their presence and it was inadvisable to speak ill of a chief-ki. She had a reputation for decisive action.` Hora spoke stiffly, vetting every word. Some say& extreme solutions to many problems.` Hora`s fear looked genuine. If this was manipulation, it was a good one. Not all Elders agree with the verbal record, some like Jode have alternatives, and only a few will hear it spoken, but&` one last glance upwards, it was thought there was a struggle for power, for control of the village at the time of the fire and there are some who think it was no accident. The chronicler of the time died in the fire so nothing of the record could be recovered even from memory, and no one else tried.`

　　Almost as if they were instructed not to?`

　　Hora looked hard at Kala, not even daring to nod. The Elders were forbidden to talk of it and we only know that several were exiled. Chief Elder Kurellen was strict in her decision that nothing of this time should be remembered. A new record was started and made no mention of the event. This whispered truth, passed on by a handful of Elders is all we know, but as with all verbal records, there are versions depending whose family speak it, and most know nothing at all. These broken whispers are all that remain of the truth. There is no surprise it has become wrapped in fadi.`

　　Why are you telling me all this?` Kala was still wary that she was being drawn into a conversation that would draw out what she knew of Talon`s whereabouts.

　　Hora looked at Kala for a long moment. I`m not your enemy, Kala.`

　　Here it comes, Kala thought.

　　But I thought you were mine. You were close with chief Jode, it was you who prevented his exile.`

　　Kala felt a heat in her cheeks at the reminder that she had already crossed the new chief.

　　I knew you talked to him afterwards,` Hora continued, and here you are searching the council chamber. Not to mention your husband is up to more than he admits.`

　　Kala wore her confused mask. It felt wrong to distance herself from Talon`s actions, but it was the only way she could protect him. She had thrown herself into this deception not only to protect Talon and Sosa, but to keep herself from dwelling too much on them. If she stopped to think about where they were and how they had ended up there, she might lose her mind.

　　I know that Elder Jode told you about the altered record, about it being fadi to allow anything regarding Gris to be recorded.`

　　Kala just nodded, wary of a trap.

　　Well it`s rubbish. If it was fadi to mention Gris in the record, the chronicler would have to be told. What Jode believes never made any sense. But the chief had been tasked with removing it which leaves me with a problem. I am the first chief who believes the alternative whispers.`

　　You think that these false fadi laid down by chief Kurellen are preventing us from protecting ourselves from Gris?`

　　Hora pointedly did not nod. We know nothing about him, the old knowledge was lost as Kurellen intended, but I can tell you this. Gris has been alive as long as the whispers have been passed on. It is not a family. It is a single man.`

　　Wait, you knew that when you tried to exile Elder Jode?`

　　As a new Elder, I had argued for some time that we should be doing something about Gris. I was shouted down, ignored, even threatened. Chief Jode tried to have me exiled for it. That`s when someone whispered the other truth to me and I knew I had to be careful. I have always wanted to do something about that man and now he has begun killing, I don`t see that we have any choice.`

　　Kala saw the path that Hora had laid. It would be so easy for her to say everything she knew, about Talon, what they had done, what they were doing. Hora was on their side. She wanted what they wanted.

　　And there was no way Kala trusted this woman enough to fall for it.

　　Why don`t you just call a village meeting and have a discussion. People might remember things passed on by their parents. Just like your whispers, maybe there are enough of them to piece together the truth.`

　　Hora was shaking her head. I took the chief position with barely enough support. Jode still has his supporters and too many on the council believe his whispers over mine. Others might not have supported him, but neither can I count on them. If they knew that I believed as I do about Gris, I would not stay chief for long.`

　　Kala shook her head. So if you can`t actually do anything, why bother me with any of this? Why are you putting me and my family in danger by even mentioning it?`

　　Hora let out a long, tired sigh and the youngest Elder began to show her age. I thought becoming chief was all I needed to do, but it still isn`t enough.` Kala almost wanted to believe her tone of tired desperation was genuine. I can`t do this alone, I need allies. I thought I could convince the council to take action. I thought I could protect people, it wasn`t enough. I wasn`t enough.`

　　It was tempting to believe her. You have to earn my trust first,` Kala said, and just for a moment she felt more powerful than the chief.

　　Hora smiled, pleased even for such scraps. I will.` Kala could see resolve building inside her and realised the young chief must feel as much turmoil in her stomach as she did. I`ll call the council here and I will explain to them all what you`re doing. I will say I support it. It will weaken my position, but only slightly and I think it will be worth it. I will demand that any other copies of record that might exist be brought to you and also that you be allowed to freely speak to the village and see if anyone knows of other whispers that may be of use.`

　　Are you sure? Won`t this upset the Elders? Won`t they try to throw you out?`

　　We both know that you should not be searching the council chambers for the record. We both know you took a risk to do it because you want to protect the village. And all this while grieving the loss of your son.` Hora clenched her jaw. If she felt anything like Kala did, it was to stop her from being sick. I need to be that brave too.` The chief paused. Okay, go home and I will summon the Elder council, then call for you and we will&` she caught Kala`s haze of suspicion.

　　Arguing with the chief was becoming a habit, probably a bad one. How do I know you`re not trying to get me out so you can find the record and&` Kala began.

　　Hora interrupted. No, you`re right. Stay here. You have my permission to keep looking. I will bring the Elders in.` She was smiling and looking at Kala the way Kala had looked at Sosa when her daughter explained the plan. Excitement and fear trembled beneath an aching mask. Hora turned to leave. In fact&` she looked back, eyeing Kala, No. You`re not old enough. I am pushing it. I`ll still try.` Hora nodded, this last spoken more to herself. Ale-ki knows, we need more people like you on the council.` With a smile, even a laugh that spoke of relief, the chief was gone.

　　It was a tempting bate to dangle, if Hora was hinting as Kala suspected. Kala wanted to believe her. Hora had talked of allies, but what if she could see how alone Kala was? She wanted Talon here, but he was gone. She could not let loneliness and panic draw her into a comforting trap. Deeds, not words, she thought, deeds, not words. Still she stood, excitement buzzing through her, muscles shaking, and it was a while before she turned back to the boxes. She could not rely on the outer markings of all these scrolls being correct. She had to open them. The record might be hidden in plain sight.

　　The excitement only sustained her so long and Hora didn`t return before Kala had chance to open up and check every scroll in the boxes. Exhaustion began to smother the energy Hora`s words had given her and Kala began to look for somewhere else to search. If she stopped now, simply waiting would not be enough to keep her awake. She would fall asleep on her feet.

　　Perhaps she should give up. Jode was firm in his own belief and would likely have erased anything of use to her even if she did find the record. Maybe it was time to move on and talk to the villagers as Hora had permitted.

　　No, not yet. Let the chief talk to the Elders, let word spread first. People would be more likely to divulge what they knew. Kala`s parents had told her stories which she had passed on to Sosa and Halo, but she marvelled at the similarities and differences with the stories that came from Talon`s family. They had compared, but she would not have shared these with anyone else. Who knew what stories other families might be passing on in secret?

　　Halo.

　　Sosa.

　　Kala felt a pressing force on her chest. Now Sosa was the only person left she might pass her stories on to. She took a deep breath and let it out in one, teeth clenched grunt. Sosa was strong. Kala had to be strong. She had to have faith in her and Talon. If they had continued into the trees it was because they could. Otherwise they would have snook back into the village unseen when it was safe. Maybe they had come back and were waiting for her in the hut?

　　Or maybe they`re already&

　　She could not think it. If she gave that thought the slightest credence she would not be able to function. It made what she was doing here all the more important. She would be ready for when they returned, she would find something to help, something they could use against Gris.

　　Two men entered, both hearthsmen and sons of Elder, both used as heavy lifters for the council. It may even have been these who had chased her family from the old hut.

　　She bristled as they approached, blocking her exit. Hora had lied. Kala was glad she`d not spoken a word about her husband. I need to leave, move out of the way.`

　　Sorry Kala,` the hearthsman had the grace to look ashamed. We can`t let you go anywhere.`

　　The man took a step backwards as Kala stared him in the eye, her anger swelling. Hora can have the grace to come and tell me herself, the lying bitch.` It couldn`t be fadi if it was true.

　　The men looked at each other, No, you don`t understand. Elder Hora is dead.`