~ SASHA ~
When the females walked into the village, it was quiet, and no males in sight—they'd all sunk into the surrounding trees to watch from a distance.
Sasha breathed a little easier when she saw them. Most of the females looked a lot better than they had a couple of hours earlier when they'd arrived.
Their heads were up, their eyes brighter, and searching their surroundings instead of downcast.
But there was a lot of tension and a lot of clasped hands. Sasha knew they were going to have a long road to walk.
Lhars and Kyelle helped her and Zev pass out some food—the males staying to the edges, eyes down, and letting Sasha and Kyelle do all the talking. By the time they were all settled and eating, Lhars and Zev had backed away and Sasha had a chance to walk among them, checking in. There were a few she was worried about and met Kyelle's eyes when she spoke to them. The female nodded. She understood.
