Kala froze. She could not place the voice in the dark and for a moment she thought it might be Elder Jode himself.

　　She tensed, gripping one of the spears and waiting for hands to reach for her from the dark. None came. Holding her breath, she slowly turned.

　　Is it Kala? I didn`t mean to startle you,` the voice said at last. I am supposed to wait, see who comes back,` he said. You look like you`ve been here before.` So he was one of the Elder`s lackeys. Probably a hearther.

　　Obviously, I`ve been here before.` Her anger flared, a good weapon if she could control it and not the other way around. She tried to calm her mind enough to form pictures. One picture contained those things everyone knew and her words had to fit this picture. Another picture contained, if she was clever, what she wanted people to know. If her fiction fitted well enough over real events, both the known and the secret, she might be able to keep her family out of trouble. If she was really clever she could even use this to help Talon and Sosa in their endeavour. Kala hoped she was smart enough to hold these pictures in her head while she groped around for words. I, I was looking for my husband. Hora told us someone had been seen coming and going from the hut last night.` That was a lie, but what Hora may or may not have told her didn`t matter now. I thought perhaps Talon had come to check it out.` Good idea, she thought, but too much babbling. She was starting to sound guilty even in her own ears.

　　I`m sorry,` she said slowing down her thoughts and words, giving her time to think as she spoke. We`ve just been through so much already, then someone has been in his mmawe`s hut. When I realised someone had hidden spears here, I was just worried there was blood on them and they might be something to do with Elder Hora, that people would think, that well, my family was,` the babbling was under control now, deliberate, and well, we`ve been through enough, I can`t, I just can`t&` her exhausted tears were easily summoned.

　　Is there any blood on them?` he came closer to see.

　　Kala used the opportunity to take a closer look, or feel the spears in the darkness, still looking for the bronze spear and hoping she didn`t find it. Surely they would not have gone into the trees without it? Surely? And they had gone. She checked them all and it wasn`t here. So they must have it. They must.

　　Her thoughts began to spiral away and she pulled them back to her control. No, thank Ale-ki, there`s no blood I don`t think. That`s the last thing we needed was anyone to think&` she burst into tears again and the man backed away. Few men were comfortable around a crying woman, especially one they knew less well.

　　Why?` His concern was genuine. She might have sold her story. You`re not a suspect for that. Elder Hora was killed by Gris.`

　　Was she?` Kala said, nearly to herself. She had stood in the council chamber, terrified that Korassi`s partner Neka was going to give away her secrets and lapped up Jode`s accusation about how Gris had killed Hora. She hadn`t really questioned it.

　　Until now.

　　Clearly Jode knew that Hora was in favour of action against Gris. Would Jode have gone so far as to kill her to regain his power? Hora had attempted to have him exiled, which was little different to execution, so perhaps he could. Maybe revenge was enough and power was a bonus. Or the other way around&

　　Where did the chief die?`

　　On the edge of the village, we think she was looking for Gris.`

　　Well that was doubtful. Then again if Jode had sold a believable enough story, people had no reason to question it. Especially if they didn`t suspect&

　　But no one actually saw?`

　　No one has come forward.`

　　Kala thought for a moment and there it was; Kala`s plan.

　　Well I`d better find out. The chronicle will need to be accurate, especially over something so important as a chief`s death, don`t you think?` The chronicler peered at the man who nodded and took a deferential step back into the dark.

　　When Talon and Sosa returned, they would need as much information as possible about Gris. Who knew what little useful secrets people carried that had been whispered to them by parents? Secrets that until now were considered fadi to discuss in public.

　　This was how she could still carry out the plan she had hatched with Elder Hora to find out more about Gris. A slow smile settled on her face.

　　She should start now.

　　I suppose you saw nothing of the attack?`

　　Ah, well, no. I was here.`

　　Well, if you find out who`s been dumping their things in my family`s old hut, I expect to be kept informed. After you have told the Elders first of course. It may be relevant for the record.` When the man didn`t immediately agree, she snapped an authoritative, Understand?` at him.

　　Oh, yes, of course.`

　　Kala turned before her smile broke to a grin that even the dark of the hut would not hide and stalked out of the door. The first morning light had not yet shown itself and Kala was already drained, but her purpose would sustain her. It would have to.

　　She headed towards the central square, but had another thought. Drunk on emotional exhaustion and high on adrenaline, she turned towards the council building. To do this she would need to assert that same feeling of authority she had used to stand up to Elder Hora. No matter how false it felt, it had worked. If she was to begin asserting herself, she`d best start at the top.

　　Tarry stood outside ensuring the Elders privacy in the chamber and he refused to allow her entry. Far too much went on out of sight of the village, Kala thought, as she backed away with a shrug.

　　No matter. Tell the Elders when they next pause for breath that I will be needing to speak to whoever found Hora`s body. The death of a chief needs to be properly recorded and I wish to be thorough. I will begin conducting investigations and will let them know what I find out. Understand?`

　　Tarry nodded apologetically.

　　Don`t get excited, she thought, you didn`t even gain entrance, all you`ve done is pass on a message. A message, however which carried some weight, she hoped. Weight enough to not be ignored.

　　If Jode was lying then Kala asking questions so openly would panic him. He`d try to stop her on the grounds of mentioning Gris in the record being fadi, something Hora had disputed.

　　Whatever Jode`s truth, Kala had only to make it known that any inaccuracy in the record could anger the chief-ki; something they could ill afford at the moment. He might try to bluster, to dismiss her. She had to be smart, she had to be convincing and more importantly - a lesson she had learned from Elder Jode - she had to be public.

　　The central square was full of people milling and discussing in shocked and hushed tones, waiting to hear more news or find out what, if anything, the council were deciding. There was shrugging and whispering and shaking heads. There were worried faces. When Gris had killed her son, it was a tragedy. When he killed four villagers it had them frightened. Now Gris had killed a chief, they knew none of them were safe.

　　Kala first drifted between the gossiping groups. Jode had already worked hard to draw his own picture in the minds of the villagers. All the discussions were centred not only on how Gris had killed Hora for talking about him and potentially breaking fadi, but also how the other four who died were rumoured to have been out hunting him as well.

　　Neka had only just admitted this fact to the council, so someone must already have started circulating that story whether they knew the truth or not. Jode was good at this. She should be careful not to cross him directly. Her aim was to aid her husband, not bring down a chief Elder, not even if he deserved it. Justice for Hora would be nice, but protecting Kala`s family was the priority. Knowing Jode was guilty might give her leverage enough to keep him off balance if he got in her way. That would have to be enough.

　　She stopped by a group and asked if they had seen anything, but was greeted with only shaking heads. Did they know where Hora had been found? What had she been doing out there? No one knew.

　　Isn`t it a little strange?` she asked.

　　Perhaps she was looking for Gris?` one of them suggested.

　　On her own? She`s young for an Elder but there`s no way she`d go after Gris. I mean he killed Korassi and that big hearther, Devon.`

　　They dissolved into a grumbling exchange.

　　But Elder Jode said&`

　　He didn`t see her, though.`

　　He wouldn`t lie.`

　　He`s only saying what he thinks is likely.`

　　No he said that`s what happened, so that`s it.`

　　How can it be, if he didn`t see?`The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

　　Kala felt a little rush of something. It might have been power. Maybe just more adrenaline. It also could have been panic. She moved on to another group.

　　Excuse me, I`m just looking for anyone who might have seen anything. Or if anyone knows who actually found the body.`

　　A woman nodded. She looked so upset Kala thought it had been her. Elder Jode found it himself.`

　　Did he, now?` Kala said almost to herself. Who else was with him?`

　　I`m not sure. The first I knew was when Elder Jode announced she was dead.`

　　Kala thanked the woman and moved again, pausing at a third group.

　　Excuse me, did anyone see what happened to Elder Hora? Or did anyone see her walking through the village before she died? Did anyone see who she was with?` Kala cursed her muddled brain for not asking the first two groups these questions. She stopped trying to figure out what she could do next. Just walk around asking people and trying to drop some different ideas into conversations? Possibly, but she felt like that would take too long to achieve anything of actual use. What would Elder Jode do?

　　He`d have called all these people to attention and told them all what he wanted them to know. She was chronicler. A chief had died and no one had yet claimed to witness the event. She might have been killed by Gris, but equally it might have been one of their own, though she would not dare utter that. Not yet.

　　With trembling legs, she climbed up the small platform outside the council chamber that overlooked the square of gathered people. Her heart beat so hard, her breaths seemed to jerk in and out of her body.

　　Excuse me,` Kala said, but this was no small, whispering group. This time with a deeper breath, excuse me.`

　　No one turned.

　　Listen, this is important.` This time she shouted. A few heads turned and a quiet rippled slowly outwards. Kala waited awkwardly for a level of quiet she could compete with but as she opened her mouth found that all her questions has deserted her. Her ears felt like they were on fire. She forced air slowly into her lungs. Hora had always talked so slowly, calmly, never rushing.

　　I`m Kala, the chronicler.` Everyone knew, but starting simple gave her head time to catch up. What did she want? She took another breath. I need to speak to anyone who saw chief Hora before she died, anyone who was there when her body was discovered and anyone who saw any sign of Gris before or after her death.`

　　There was a ripple of whispering and discussion. She raised a hand and it died down.

　　We need to be certain that the death of a chief is recorded in the chronicle correctly, we must honour the chief-ki. All of them. We owe them that in return for their protection.` This was met with a rumble of approval and then a deeper quiet. Elder Jode found the body, but so far we only have speculation on what happened. Neither he nor anyone else has seen. We must be certain of the details of her death. I cannot allow anything incorrect to be put into the record, I cannot risk angering the chief-ki.`

　　Are you saying it might not have been Gris?` someone called.

　　Kala resisted the urge to say no, and reached slowly for her words. The village is at a point of imbalance. It is my duty, our duty, to ensure that this is rectified. We cannot allow, conjecture into the record on something as important as this. It would be better to record uncertainty than allow fallacy, but better still would be the certain truth.`

　　There was a murmur of agreement. Kala let out a breath. She had avoided contradicting Jode and his version of events. She was not here to oppose him, she was not here to make enemies. What she needed was to find out everything about Gris and this was a perfect cover. Not even Jode could argue against the need for the record to be correct at a time like this. If the chief was unsettled in the process then it would only be of benefit.

　　Kala stepped from the platform. Someone had clearly sent a message and this one had grabbed more of the council`s attention. Elder Jode was waiting for her, his face was calm, but his eyes were furious.

　　What are you doing?`

　　Recording the details of our chief`s death. No one saw anything and we cannot afford the record to be&`

　　Yes, I heard.`

　　She smiled sweetly at him, speaking loudly so most of the quiet congregation could hear. Good, then you understand. As chief, no one knows better the balance we keep with the ki who protect our village; the chief-ki most of all. I promise you, and everyone gathered here,` she bowed her head in deep respect to the villagers, I will do everything I can to ensure we honour them.`

　　Approval rumbled again through the chatter and many people returned her head bow, showing appreciation for her commitment to the village. Perfect.

　　Kala began to walk, afraid that if her legs didn`t move soon, they would buckle. Her whole body was on the verge of trembling.

　　In fact, chief Jode,` she spoke before her head took over and stole the words, would you be so kind as to show me where Elder Hora`s body was found?`

　　She took a little pleasure from his reaction, but he did as she asked, unable to do otherwise in front of half the village. There was a moment of regret when she realised this might leave her alone with him, but many villagers followed as well.

　　They all wore the same expression of fear, but she saw hope, hope she had given them, that things were going to be put right. Someone was doing something and that meant they could feel safe again.

　　But they weren`t. Gris had killed villagers, he had killed her son, a child. He had killed a chief and if that was a lie, then they had another murderer in the village. Things were far from safe.

　　As Kala stood, looking at the place where Hora was found, one thought came to mind. If she was going to murder someone, it would be here. The route to the spot from the council chambers was a quiet one. It went past several large store buildings. While it was conceivable Hora would come here to be alone with her thoughts, she`d told Kala to wait while she gathered the Elders. She would have had no reason to come out here.

　　Hora`s body had been taken, but her blood remained. Her body might have lain undiscovered for days. How handy that Jode happened to be passing by this quiet spot at just this time to find her body.

　　She spotted a young boy whispering to his mother, who attempted to chastise him to silence without making any sound herself. Kala made a note to speak to them later.

　　Chief? Why were you out here, when you found her?`

　　It took a beat before he answered, he was quick, but the hesitation was there.

　　I often walk here, it is quiet and peaceful. A good place to think. I know Elder Hora thought the same.`

　　But chief Hora was looking to gather the Elder council, why would she come out here?`

　　As we know, she was planning to take action against Gris, something many of the council are against. I imagine she came out here to decide how best to convince them.` He gave a long thoughtful shrug, I don`t claim to know, but that would seem the obvious answer.`

　　And what were you out here thinking about?`

　　He started and then frowned at her. What?`

　　When you came out for your walk, what were you out here thinking about?`

　　Again it took a moment before he blustered, I don`t see how that`s of interest to the chronicler.`

　　She didn`t respond, it was enough to leave his usually well balanced demeanour ruffled. Dangerous though, this was not about Jode, she reminded herself.

　　No, but there may come a time when he could cause trouble for my family and I want to give him second thoughts.

　　When did you see Gris?` Kala knew he hadn`t, but& Was he walking away or did you see him attack Elder Hora?`

　　I didn`t see him, I just&`

　　Kala interrupted, Oh,` she laughed and rubbed a hand on her head, My apologies, chief, I keep forgetting, you didn`t see anything happen.` She turned to the crowd, sure to involve them. I will need to see anyone who did, please spread the word.` She turned back to Jode. What I don`t understand, then, is what chief Hora would have come out here to consider that needed such careful planning. My understanding was that the decision to act on Gris had already been made. There was no convincing left to do. The meeting was simply to decide what action to take.`

　　Jode opened his mouth, presumably to tell her she was mistaken.

　　At least,` Kala said before he could speak, that`s what Elder Hora told me when she bade me wait in the council chambers for her. Her intention was to be back in mere moments.` Members of her small audience exchanged looks.

　　The woman with the young boy stepped forwards and gave her son a gentle push, though he tried to scuttle back and hide. He looked up at Jode, terrified then at his mother and finally at Kala.

　　It`s okay,` Kala said. You`re not in trouble, it is perfectly safe here. Neither me nor chief Jode will shout at you, we promise. Remember,` she glanced up at Jode, Hora-ki is watching. She will look kindly on anyone who helps.` Kala smiled at Jode`s discomfort, but directed it at the boy.

　　It was me. I told the chief, Elder Hora I mean, to come here,` the small boy spoke his piece and then tensed waiting for his mother to deliver some punishment.

　　Why?` Kala asked, confused, but trying not to show anything that would frighten the child.

　　She was looking for all the Elder and asked me if I had seen any. They all walk around here all the time.`

　　Sosa had spent her free time playing among the stores. No doubt this boy did the same.

　　And you saw Elder Jode out here first did you?`

　　The boy nodded. Kala crumbled a little. That meant Jode was out here first. He hadn`t followed her out, or convinced her to come for a quiet conversation. He had simply been out here as he claimed. Fair enough, if that was true, he was not a suspect. She might lose some leverage but she also wasn`t going to make an enemy.

　　How long after chief Jode was out here, did you see chief Hora come out looking?` She probably shouldn`t push this&

　　Not long.`

　　Yes, I saw him too` another voice from the crowd. and I saw Hora come by. The boy is right, it was only a moment before.`

　　Perhaps Jode was innocent after all? So, why did he still look uncomfortable? Kala tried to watch him indirectly, judging his body language.

　　Then I am to blame for her death,` said the chief.

　　What?` Kala looked at him astounded.

　　He splayed fingers on his hands and looked regretful. Had I not chosen to walk this way, Elder Hora may not have encountered her end looking for me. It is very unfortunate.`

　　You`re lucky,` Kala said and Jode`s eyes shot up to hers. If the council was in agreement about taking action against Gris, any council member out here is lucky not to have been attacked too.`

　　Who knows what powers he has?` Jode managed to look grim. Perhaps he knew my opposition to such action and chose not to disturb me. Further reason for the council`s decision to leave Gris alone. It is only with our interference that he has become aggressive. They agree it is our continued meddling that has brought about further violence and death. The council has begun to see sense.`

　　Things had worked out well for Jode, but perhaps he was not a murderer. Perhaps it really had been Gris, after all. Worse, part of her continued to wonder if he might be right.

　　Thank you, chief Jode, for your time and your help.` Kala quenched her animosity. Starting a feud would do no good. I will find out what I can for the record. If you do think of anything else you would like me to include, please let me know.` It didn`t hurt to pander to the old man`s pride a little. Thank you, chief.`

　　Jode was still uncomfortable, she could see him working too hard to create his own pictures. Perhaps he was simply wary of being implicated. He made a showy gesture of thanking her and departed.

　　Several others stopped Kala, all with stories similar to that of the boy. Many people had noticed Jode take his quiet walk. He`d stopped to speak to many of them. A suspicious mind might think he had gone out of his way to be noticed.

　　Excuse me, Kala-chronicler?` A finger tapped heavily on her shoulder. You want people who saw chief Hora?` Kala knew the voice. Dorrel was both broader and taller than the hearthmaster. She had often worked with Talon in the fields and anywhere else a strong back was required.

　　Kala smiled kindly. That`s right. Did you?` Sometimes Dorrel talked without making much sense.

　　Dorrel nodded rapidly. Chief Hora asked me to find Elder Jode,`

　　Kala stopped walking and turned fully to Dorrel. But you couldn`t find him?`

　　Oh yeah.` Dorrel bit the end off a banefruit and separated the skin from the edible fibre. Told him, but he said he`d come soon.` She took a huge mouthful.

　　He knew Hora was looking for him?

　　Mhm.` Dorrel said, still chewing. Couldn`t make him come. Dorrel`s not allowed to move people. People don`t like it.`

　　No,` Kala agreed, appreciating Dorrel`s restraint. Whoever taught her this rule had done well. Did you tell Elder Hora you`d found him?`

　　Dorrel stopped chewing, cheeks still bulging and thought. No. Didn`t need. Elder Hora, was already coming. Someone else must have said.`

　　Kala thought. Thank you, Dorrel. That`s very useful.`

　　The fruit paused before Dorrel`s mouth. That`s okay.` She beamed at Kala. People don`t usually listen to Dorrel.`