their cave, patiently awaiting the day its brightness was extinguished and it was theirs again.

    And the Shillitoes had been cave-dwellers so long they had probably lost their skills and appetite for outdoor living, if that’s where they came from, and were hardly inclined to move. All pieces of the puzzle were in place, save one.

    “What caused the Shillitoes to seek a new home in the first place?” asked Diliani.

    “Not know,” said Silarude. “Not remembered.”

    Diliani had gleaned as much information from the wrinkled Grygla as she felt comfortable doing.

    What an innocent and marvelous existence we had—she caught herself using the past tense—in the woods...

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