Navy eyes flashed open. No longer in the snow, Tiber struggled to raise her head. Her vision was hazy; however, she could hear voices. She groaned. Her body was not in pain, but her head had a terrible throbbing. Tiber was shocked that she was even alive. She remembered the fury in Aqila's eyes, the storm she raged, and the incredible power that she possessed.

A part of her still refused to believe that the last two days' events were real. Unfortunately, a steady feeling of dread began to consume Tiber. She failed her mission. Not only did she not gather any information on Jai, she knew Nahal would not spare Neptune any details of the degree of her failure. She had come so close. How did things go so wrong? Fluttering her eyes briefly, she saw a face peering down at her. She sat up quickly, a little too quick.

"Take it easy. I'm here. I am relieved Muraco and Shasa found you when they did," a man with deep blue eyes and dark brown hair embraced her.

"I'm okay, Dad," Tiber buried her face into her father's brown-skinned neck, trying not to cry.

"What happened? Who attacked our tribesmen?"

Tiber's eyes went wide. She couldn't tell her father about her ventures. Her father would never approve, and if he knew about the Seer, she would be in deep trouble. "Nahal and I found them there, and then I got knocked out. It happened so quickly. I don't remember seeing anything," she lied.

Her father cupped her round, chestnut face, "I will find who did this and make them pay." He quickly stood to his feet and adjusted his heavy black parka before exiting the icy cave. Tiber realized that she was in the medicine lair. Nahal was several feet away from her, still unconscious. She was puzzled as to what could have happened to the tribesmen. Aqila didn't do anything to them unless she finished them off after suffocating her. But something didn't seem right. How would she have taken on the tribesmen and Nahal? She was powerful, but could she have been that powerful? Was Aqila a Seer at all? Was she something greater? Was she a L-

"Tiber, love, you're awake," a tan-skinned woman rushed towards her. Her dark blue eyes glistened with concern. She lightly cradled her stomach before sitting beside Tiber.

"I'm fine, Shasa, and you should be taking it easy."

"I was so worried about you. Muraco and I decided to go walking so I could get some exercise, and our hearts stopped seeing you and Nahal. Muraco was worried you two might have had a fight or something until we noticed our tribesmen. What happened?"

"I don't know. Nahal and I found them like that, and someone knocked me out. I'm just sorry that I didn't see anything."

"I'm just glad that you are alright, love. My world would end if something happened to you. I can't believe someone would attack us like that first thing in the morning. These past couple of weeks have just been so stressful," Shasa rubbed her small, barely noticeable bump.

"Wait! How long have I been here?"

"Two weeks," Shasa gently answered before stroking Tiber's hair.

Tiber felt like she was about to have a heart attack. She couldn't catch her breath. Neptune would be furious with her, and if she angered him, he wouldn't save Shasa. How could she have gambled with her sister's life like that?

Shasa called the healer over to Tiber. "It's okay, Tiber. Take deep breaths. In and out, that's right. Shasa, I'm afraid something took her by surprise. She needs to rest now. I'll look after her," the steel blue-eyed young woman spoke.

Shasa stood and gently cupped the healer's beautiful ebony-hued skin, "Thank you, Sita, but if there is any way that I can help, let me know," Shasa sighed before slowly walking away.

"Thanks, Sita," Tiber murmured.

"Of course, now continue with the deep breathing exercises. Are you okay? You seemed so stressed. Was the conversation with Shasa a little too much?"

"I'll be okay. Maybe my talk with my sister was a little much," Tiber sighed.

"Well, your father wants to hold a tribe meeting once Nahal awakens."

"Oh, a tribe meeting about what?"

"I don't have any details, silly. However, the meeting won't be far off. Nahal has been stirring all day. He may be awake tonight. Just rest up for now, okay."

Tiber watched Sita walk away to tend to the multiple injured tribesmen. It was fascinating watching her work with so much care and attention. At least twenty people were being tended to, and Sita was just as calm as possible. On the other hand, Tiber had a dreadful feeling about her future. Will Neptune come looking for me? Will he still help Shasa? She sighed. The most important thing is that no one discovers what really happened. If her father finds out that she captured and attacked the Seer, he would be furious. That would be considered an act of war, and her tribe could exile her. Also, he must never know that she is working for Neptune. Many Waterbearers regard Neptune as a leader and believe he should have sole control of all Waterbearer tribes. Her father may feel dishonored knowing his daughter is working for someone who could rob him of his position.

Tiber thought about what she would say at the meeting should the topic be discussed. She and Nahal would have to conceal the truth about their dealings. She wondered how much the tribesmen would remember about Aqila. If they said they saw Aqila, the tribe might make a move against the Windmasters. Although the Windmasters had recently been at war with the Landkeepers, they were victorious. If they had any soldiers that were half as strong as Aqila, the Tribe of Snow and Ice would be in great trouble.

Coughing disturbed her train of thought. Sita turned to Nahal, "You're awake! Take it easy now. It seems like you had some poison in your system. I have never seen anything like that before. Sorry it took so long."

Nahal slowly sat up, "I appreciate all you did to ensure I survived, and that's what matters now. Sita, I hate to inconvenience you more than I already have, but I have a specific tea in my tent that would help me relax. Would you get it for me?"

"I would, but I don't think I should be going to your tent," Sita averted her gaze. She sighed, "I guess I can ask your brother Muraco. I'll be back."

Sita hurried from the medicine lair, leaving Tiber and Nahal as the only ones conscious.

After several minutes, "That was awful, making Sita feel all uncomfortable and awkward like that after she saved your life," Tiber hissed at Nahal.

"My life wouldn't have needed saving if you weren't a traitor to the cause," he spat.

"Nahal, I did not betray you. The Seer was a Storm, and that was probably why she was able to escape."

"You've got the point. Despite the poisoning, I noticed she did a good job hanging in there. Still, Neptune will be furious to hear this. And with all of these tribesmen like this, your father will probably want to have a meeting."

"It's already scheduled. He was just waiting for you to wake up."

"Hmm, is that so? How long have I been out?"

"Shasa said two weeks. I woke a little before you," Tiber explained.

"That's not good. Neptune probably already knows that we failed. Tiber, no one can find out about this."

"I know. Just follow my lead."

"Your lead? Did you forget you got us into this mess? You captured the Seer and poisoned her."

"Yeah, you violently attacked her to the point she fought back, and the other tribesmen had to suffer."

"I wouldn't have had to attack her if she wasn't here, now would I?"

"Just work with me. We're like brother and sister. We really need to work together."

"I'm back," Sita called with a small herbal packet in her hand, "I told Muraco and Chief Dalit that both of you were awake. They are preparing for a meeting in a few minutes."

"You told my brother?"

"And my father," Tiber questioned. She didn't even have time to think of something to say.

"I had to tell Muraco so I could go into Nahal's tent. It would have been improper not to, and I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea. Muraco told your father, Tiber. They seem anxious to have this meeting. Nahal, I will make your tea once the meeting is over. You have my word."

Tiber fell silent for several minutes while Nahal talked to Sita. He didn't seem bothered by the prospect of being questioned about what happened two weeks ago. Tiber was nervous as icy hell and worried about the consequences, and Nahal was acting like there was nothing wrong. Tiber turned to the cave entrance and saw Mika approaching, and she purred when Tiber pet her beautiful spotted head.

"I guess it's time for the meeting," Sita murmured.

Tiber slowly mounted her snow leopard, "Sita, are you coming?" The steel blue-eyed girl nodded. With that Tiber left and Mika carefully climbed up the mountain to the meeting cave. It was packed, which was unusual. There was a pit in her stomach at the thought of speaking in front of the entire tribe. Her father woke his black feather headdress and sat on a solid ice chair adorned with a beaded yak pelt.

Her father, the Chief, motioned for Tiber to come up the front. She felt self-conscious as various shades of blue eyes watched her as she approached the front of the cave. Right as she stood beside her father, Nahal and Sita entered.

"Nahal, join us up here, my son," Chief Dalit called, motioning him forward.

As Nahal stood opposite Tiber, the Chief continued, "The Tribe of Snow and Ice, we have survived a malicious attack on our people. Nahal, Tiber, focus and tell us what you can about that morning. Anything you remember will be useful."

Tiber cleared her throat, "That morning, Nahal and I heard noises near the river. Together we went to investigate. As we got closer, we noticed some of our tribesmen lying unconscious. Then I was knocked unconscious."

The Chief raised his eyebrows, "Alright, Nahal."

"Tribe of Snow and Ice, Tiber captured and poisoned the Seer. She brought her back to the cave where I confronted her. The Seer was sick from the poison, and I questioned Tiber's judgment. She expressed interest in making an exchange of some kind, gambling with the Seer's life. As I continued to try to reason with her, the Seer was also a Storm was overriding the poison. In a state of alarm, she was in self-defense mode. She was summoning an unbelievable power as a last resort to save herself. I do not know the details of what happened to the tribesmen, as I never saw them. Tiber eventually tried to help me calm the Seer. Then Tiber had a change of heart and continued to attack the Windmaster until neither of us was conscious. And that is the truth."