Almost Thwarted

Anticipation was maddening, burning residual magic, but Dakshana waited, hoped Srina and Minka found hunters who'd make them happy. Dakshana knew she must find a hunter, but the villagers thought her cursed: parentless, roaming sleeplessly after Ashoken's disappearance. It would be difficult for Chadstone to court her, for her dowry was self-made, small. She wondered if she should hide deeper, claim no hunter found her, flee. She was a talented poet so she could claim she was a wandering storyteller. Another clan would let her choose a hunter freely. She took a deep breath and chose which way to run.