Intent

Aru didn't know who planted the frost willow or what it represented. In his mind, it was a tool that he could use to gain the cooperation of the Maya. But that seemed to have backfired.

"My mother planted the frost willow," Maya said with fiery eyes. 

'Maya's mother! When you think about it, why haven't I heard anything about her?'

Unease began to shroud Aru. 

"Where is she? Is she alive?" He immediately asked.

The unexpected question confused the duo. They could sense the anxiety in Aru's voice as he asked that. 

Weren't they talking about the frost willow? Why did his interest suddenly change from the frost willow to her mother?

And what does he mean by asking if she was alive?

Is that a new kind of cursing? Maya thought in anger. 

"Of course she is alive." Maya wanted to smack the stupid head of Aru and see what was inside.

It certainly was something devious.