Attala was feeling safe for the first time in months and for reasons she could not fully define, a little disappointed. For all the time she had been tense with worry, Attala had been certain that Adon was going to force her to have relations with him. Knowing how dangerous the man and his clan were, she had been playing him along to protect her family. By not giving him what he wanted, but not denying him completely. Now Adon was dead, along with his family, and she was safe. More importantly, her father was safe, not lying dead with a knife in his back for having the temerity to try to protect her honor. So why did she feel that there was suddenly a big hole in her life? Walking in the woods or across the village, no longer had the feeling of danger or the excitement it once had. “Take these to Jalia,” her mother commanded and Attala picked up the bag that held preserved meats and hard bread that would stay edible for days. Jalia was alone in the barn when Attala walked in. “We have prepared food for your journey,”
