Other times, like now, as the third week ended, he was almost positive that it had been her. Either way, he wouldn’t have to wait much longer for certainty. Soon, Veneetha Azucena would go to the camp, and when she returned she would bring word and he would finally know for sure. Before she could depart, however, there was a sudden shift in the weather. It got quite cold as the wind came in off the northern sea, and Yarra began to mumble about a long and early winter to come. In the midst of this, the community was hit with an outbreak of influenza. It struck quick and hard, disabling many. Most began to recover toward the end of the week, but Ettinender and two others never recovered. These were the first casualties of the rebellion at Ulde. Then, just a day before her planned departure, Veneetha caught the sickness, and it affected her so quickly and severely that she was unable to go. Xemion only learned after the fact that Tiri Lighthammer had gone instead.
