Chapter 22: Challenge Part 2

I remind myself that I'm not doing anything wrong. It's logical. I just want to grieve a friend's death in peace. Surely that's a cross-cultural thing - can they stop me for it? With my heart pounding, I reset my course and head for the Castle.

People notice immediately. They stop working and watch as I head for the Castle, out and in the obvious open. I hear a shift of movement behind me as a chorus of whispers erupts. I'm the first to leave the digging lines without being dismissed. It's only a matter of seconds before Tetlak launches himself at me, waving his staff like a caveman and gesturing me back to my place. But what will he do if I don't go? They just announced the death of the member of a dying species. Is he bold enough to kill another? I don't have time to wonder.