One week had passed since Tiber had arrived at the Jungle tribe. She was not an official member, but everyone had been quite hospitable towards her. She was learning to be a vanguard from Rilian, who was actually highly proficient with her Element. Tiber felt like the more she learned about water, the more she learned about herself.

Today Rilian had a critical mission, so Cove planned for her to meet with him instead. She was nervous. She made promises to herself and her people and feared that she wouldn't be able to keep any of them. Tiber was sitting on the floor in the kitchen area of Rilian's tent. She just retrieved the last bit of jam from the bottom of the pot for her bread.

"I hope you saved some for me," Cove entered.

"Sorry, you just missed the best part," Tiber smiled back.

"So Rilian's going to be out for a little while, on our behalf. I will not be able to go with you for most of your journey. However, I wanted to catch you up with things. A few of your tribesmen petitioned me about your whereabouts. I told them I had not heard or seen anything unusual in my tribe. But, I did tell them that they could come to see things for themselves."

Tiber's mouth dropped, her bread nearly falling out.

"It's okay. Calm down, hear me out. The last time they saw you, you didn't look like this. You look like a woman now. You're dressed in Jungle tribe clothes, so you should be able to blend in. To be quite honest, most of the tribes have intermixed, and that's perfectly fine. So, I don't think it will be a problem if they come through. I don't want you to be nervous, though. As of right now, your tribe has not accepted my offer to come here. Now, I hope you are not mad at me about this. I wrote to Aqila and asked for an audience with her here."

Tiber felt weak, "Why? Did you miss the part where she almost didn't leave with her life!"

"Listen! You don't have a lot of time! Your sister is heading into her last trimester. You don't have time! Neptune might have a bounty on your head. Your father is dead, and a new chief could permanently ban you from your tribe. You don't have time to argue with me on this. I know you don't really know me well, but you must trust me. I know I'm a young chief, but I have been trained well. I told Aqila I needed an audience to verify past facts for a tribe member whose life was in danger. Aqila said that she had another equally pressing matter, but she would arrive later in the week. But she also said that she would not be coming alone."

"What does that mean?"

"Well, she's engaged to Kavi, and I received news a few weeks ago that she is officially a full Seer. They'll probably be coming together. You know, romancing. You know how those Windmasters are with their soulmate."

"She's marrying the son of a ruler? I am dead. You just signed a death wish for me."

"Tiber, please. I would not have invited them if I thought they would kill you. In that case, I should just tell your tribe that you're here. You're going to have to trust me, just a little more. Kavi is king material. No doubt about it. He is the most logical person I know. You never see the man sweat. Big picture, little picture, he gets it. And initiating violence is not the Windmaster way. Everything will be okay. Now, for your part. We can't wait anymore. You have to make contact with your tribe ally. Which requires sneaking back in. You won't be alone. Rilian will help you. Tiber's she is completely in control of her Element."

"I'll do it. I trust you, Cove. I don't trust myself right now, but I trust you. I trust Rilian, and I know that she has my back. But, what-"

"The worst-case scenario is that your allies have not found anything or got caught. In that case, we need Aqila more than ever. We need her sight to prove something is wrong," Cove reassured her.

"Alright, when do we go?"

"This afternoon. You know nighttime is the hub of Waterbearer life. So anyone could spot you at night. Rilian will meet you near the border, and Kano will be several paces behind you the entire time. I told you that we have to give Aqila some information for this to be worth her while."

"I understand, and I'll be ready."

Cove left Tiber in the tent. It was approaching midday, so she did not have much time to prepare. She wanted to prove to Cove that she trusted him and that he could trust her. He has really been there for her when her own tribe shunned her. She was afraid of Aqila coming to the Jungle tribe with her fiance. She was fearful of crossing paths with her. Tiber shivered, remembering those angry silver eyes gazing into hers. It felt like she was being suffocated. And the worst of it was that she pushed Aqila to that point. Everything Aqila mentioned had been true, especially about Neptune. But even the things she said about the Universe. It scared Tiber to believe in the Universe. She was slowly trying to open up to the fact that the Universe was powerful and could bless and protect.

She rode Mika into the tribe grounds, walking among the jungle brush. Everyone was so kind to her. This part of the village was occupied by women and children. Some women cooked together, while others gathered water and washed clothes. In the distance, it was school time for the children. Closer to the river, water classes were being held, training the tribe members in fighting techniques.

Tiber never knew how resourceful the Jungle tribe was. Most of its members could pull water from other sources or manipulate water within another source. It made sense seeing how lush the jungle stays. She noticed that each tribe had a slightly different style and proficiency. In her tribe, turning water into ice and snow was necessary and vice versa. This strategy required the development of pinpoint precision. The Jungle tribe lacked the elegance of form. However, their fluidity and resourcefulness were advantageous. Due to the skill level needed to be productive, this tribe was physically the strongest and most adaptable tribe. The Beach tribe was the most graceful. Their fighting stemmed purely from tribal dance. They could move large amounts of water at once while utilizing other techniques, increasing their power level.

It was indeed a perk to trade techniques with Rilian, and Tiber saw the results as her proficiency with water expanded, having been here for only one week. To be honest, Tiber realized her elemental appetite increased after her changing. She felt more hungry and powerful. She just has not had the chance to explore her ability thoroughly.

She had been lost in thought and had not noticed that Mika had stopped. Tiber was close to the school, and one of the young school girls was giving Mika some attention. She had a fish enclosed in a ball of water.

"I just want to give her a fishy," the child smiled apprehensively. She had rich brown skin with cool undertones that emphasized her bright blue eyes.

"Open Mika," the cat obeyed and ate the fish offered by the child.

"Yay! Thank you! I wanted to feed your cat the first day I saw her. Hi Mika," the child roughly pet Mika, much to the leopard's annoyance. Mika spits the water from the girl's fish-filled ball into her face.

"Mika!" Tiber groaned.

The child laughed, "It's okay, sorry I made you eat all that water, Mika," the girl's brown curls were a mess all over her face.

"Luana, what are you doing," a young woman hurried over to the child. "I'm sorry about her behavior, Tiber."

"It's alright, no harm done, Anahita," Tiber smiled at Luana's mother.

"If you say. Well, I hope you come by the sister's tent to pick some clothes for the summer festival."

"The festival- I-I well-"

"Come on, Tiber, it only comes around once a year. At first, I thought you were here because you had married one of the tribe brothers. Since that's not the case, you should enjoy the festival. That is what it is for, bringing tribes together. If you decide to go, please come by the sister's tent. Luana, stop playing with Mika. I have to get you cleaned up," Anahita waved as she marched Luana towards the river.

"Tiber, it is about time we leave," boomed a voice behind her. It was Kano. She barely recognized him without his tribal paint on.

"Yes, I'm ready."

"Cove wants you to see him upon your return."

Tiber nodded and signaled for Mika to go. The leopard seemed to miss her old life of running free and hunting in the wild cold of the mountains. Tiber hoped they were not moving too fast for Kano. Her mind was running with ideas of how she could get Sita's attention. Her fears were slowly being replaced by the solidity of her plans. She decided to take a leap of faith and pray to the Universe that things would work out. Cove kept urging her to trust him earlier, and she did. Tiber decided the only way she could trust herself was to forgive herself. Putting faith in the Universe was helping her heal her broken heart and her broken pride.

Tribal pride was a significant factor for Waterbearers. Without a tribe to call yours, one was lost. Tiber was beginning to feel more torn than lost. She made new friends and allies in another tribe but left her loving sister back home. A part of her wanted to embrace her new life and call the Jungle tribe home. However, she would never be at peace with that until she cleansed her tribe of its afflictions and saved her tribe as her father asked. This was the last quest he asked her to fulfill, save her tribe. Tiber vowed to father, herself, the moon, and the Universe that she would save them or die trying.

"Easy princess, you're about to run in face first," Rilian splashed Mika with water, causing the leopard to unsheath its claws.

"Sorry, I was preoccupied," Tiber dismounted, "I have a plan. We are going to go straight in and talk to Sita."

"Okay, that sounds great. Didn't know you were suicidal, but death is not my calling, so I'm going home," Rilian rolled her eyes, "Now, how are we going to just walk in?"

"Let me get some of that paint," Tiber smeared Rilian's forehead, applying the turquoise paint to her cheeks. "Let's grab some berries and plant leaves. We will act like we are medics in training, and we want to exchange this stuff for some of Sita's supplies."

"Oh, that actually makes sense. You've recently changed, so you don't look the same to them anymore. But, will your ally recognize you, this Sita girl?"

"Yes, she will. I know she'll recognize me. And Mika having changed in appearance too helps our cause."

"Shh, someone's over there," Rilian pulled Tiber back several feet. Someone was walking near the icy river. They appeared to be filtering water from the river.

"Tiber, I thought your medic was a girl," Rilian whispered.

"I can't tell who that is right now," Tiber whispered.

The man looked up and turned towards the pair hiding in the thick brush of the border hundreds of yards off. The man came running towards them. Could he see them? Rilian and Tiber steadied themselves in a fighting position. The man was running then came to an abrupt halt as he was a mere few feet from them.

"Who's there?"

Tiber peeked out slowly, "Chelan?"

"Who are you?"

"I'm a medic in training, and my peer came with me to get herbs from Sita," Tiber lied. Rilian slowly came out from the brush, followed by Mika and Onca.

"Go back in the brush," Chelan looked around, "hurry, for your safety."

Tiber and Rilian quickly went back. Chelan again looked towards the mountain before joining them.

"Really, Tiber? What are you doing here?"

"How did you know it was me?"

"Why the icy hell would a Jungle tribe medic know me by name, hmm? Sita isn't available, and you shouldn't come back here without being more careful. Everything here has changed."

"What's happening?"

"I can't be seen because I've been temporarily relieved from my post. Nahal set me up and was going to charge me with being an accomplice in your father's murder. Sita got me off, so I'm helping her until my status is cleared."

"How can Nahal do that? He's not chief," Tiber protested.

"He might be soon. Your father's decree is missing, so we don't know who he chose as chief. And tribe custom is after thirty-one days, the tribe has to vote on a new chief. Nahal has been taking charge, and a lot of people like him. Don't be surprised if he's voted in. Sita is having dinner with Nahal tonight."