Wi Chas drifted among the tree branches, heading for the last of the pastures Jarn used for a meeting place. The first two places had not held any fires. One more to check, and I can hunt, he thought. Wi used this flight as a warm–up before hunts. Normally he hunted at dusk and dawn, rather than during full dark. The temple’s two Hooark Juniors attended ceremonies at those times and were less likely to spot him. If Jarn had a victim for him, hunting later in the evening was pointless, as the victim would be in bed.

The third clearing came into view, as did the colors of Moon bloom incense in the fire burning near its northern edge. Wi circled the clearing. He did this for each meeting, checking for any who had followed Jarn. They had agreed that any Rataan who dared to follow Jarn...

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