Shortly after Fen's departure, the two running boys skidded to a halt in front of where I sat. The boy with brown spikes instead of hair spoke first. "I'm Kam, and this is Resh." He gestured to his friend, whose legs appeared to be built more like an animal's than a person's. "You're a Normal, aren't you?"

"Yes, unless you count babysitting as a special ability."

Kam looked to his friend, a perplexed crease on his forehead.

"I think she's joking," Resh whispered.

"Yes," I confirmed. "It was a joke. Sorry. You run pretty fast, don't you, Resh?"

"The fastest!" He beamed and ran in place for a few seconds, his bare feet kicking up dirt.

As if wanting some of the attention, Kam spoke up. "I can predict the weather!"

My eyes widened at him. "You can?"

"Uh-huh. These tingle when the air changes." He pointed to the spikes on his head.

I peered at them, which were unlike anything I'd ever seen. "Can I touch one?"

It was his turn to peer at me. "You're not scared of them?"

"Nope. I think they're interesting."

In response, he tilted his head toward me, which I took as assent to touch the spikes. I reached out and ran a finger up along one of them, fascinated by the tiny bristles lining its surface.

Kam giggled. "That tickles."

I retracted my hand. "You are both very gifted."

Kam's eyebrows knitted together. "No, we're Aberrations. That's why we're here at Camp."

I frowned, saddened that kids would adopt such a term to describe themselves. "Well, I think you're both special."

Both boys grinned, and Resh bumped his friend's shoulder before saying, "Bet you can't catch me!" With a kick of dirt, they took off running.

I stared down at the remaining morsel of charred meat in my hand. I was tempted to chuck it into the woods, but since food didn't seem so plentiful here, I didn't. Maybe it was time this place had food that was more than just barely edible.

With a resolute nod to no one in particular, I stuck the meat scrap into the pocket of my dress and stood. I headed straight for the three-eyed man, who sat at the edge of camp, gnawing on a root of some kind.

"Hi!" I said, stopping in front of him.

All three of his eyes blinked at once. I noted they were the same brown color as most Plainsmen.

I continued. "You seem like the kind of guy with an eye for detail. Well, three of them, actually. But you know what I mean, I hope."

He narrowed his three eyes at me, like he was getting ready to take offense.

I was fascinated by how the center eye sat higher on his face between the other two, and each one had its own eyebrow. I told myself not to stare, and put on my best smile. "I didn't introduce myself, did I? I'm Nirrin. What's your name?"

"Orlo." His voice remained flat and humorless.

"Orlo, I was wondering if you could help me. Are you good at finding things?"

His expression changed a little, a touch of pride reflecting in his eyes. "The best."

"Perfect! I thought you might be the right man for the job." I led him to a nearby tree, where a cluster of mushrooms grew out of the bark. "Find me more of these, and . . ." I hunted around the base of the tree until I found what I was looking for. "These." I picked the leafy herb and showed it to him, grateful that the two tended to grow close to each other. "I'm going to make everyone a tasty meal."

Orlo grinned—probably at the prospect of eating something other than tree bark and charcoal—and went to find a sack in which to collect his findings.

By the time the sun had made its way across the sky, my preparations were nearly complete. I'd secured a metal pot—not as large as the one in Foresthome, but a decent size. I'd also secured a knife from a very reluctant woman with black stripes on her skin. She now watched me intently, probably to make sure I didn't sink the knife into anyone's back.

I was slicing mushrooms when I heard the familiar echo of a girl's voice within my brain.

Nirrin? she said.

"Tessia?" I looked around and found her standing some distance away, a handful of potatoes balanced in her arms. I grinned at her, and she gave me a timid smile back. "Are those for dinner?"

She nodded.

"Well, bring them over!" I gestured enthusiastically, excited at the prospect of making a nice meal for these people. Maybe even winning them over. "I can definitely use those. Nice find!"

Tessia's smile widened, and she came closer. As she did, the striped woman slunk away, putting distance between herself and the girl.

Tessia's eyes flicked to the woman, her smile faltering, before turning her attention back to me and holding up the potatoes.

"These are perfect!" Noting Tessia's faded smile, I lowered my voice. "Was she thinking mean things?"

She lowered her eyes and shrugged.

"Some people can't help being stupid," I said. "I've been at this for an hour, and she still thinks I'm going to kill everyone"—I directed my raised voice to the striped woman—"with this tiny knife!"

She scowled at me.

Illis is very fearful. She means no harm.

"Illis? She wouldn't even tell me her name." I made a snorting sound. "Like I was going to do something bad with it. I think the only reason she gave me this"—I waved the small knife in the air—"was the promise of good food."

The others are very excited by the idea.

"Let's hope I don't disappoint." A pinprick of anxiety quivered within my chest. What if they didn't like what I prepared? Would they run me out of Camp? What then?

I don't think Fenrook would let them banish you.

I looked at her, torn between elation that Fen would defend me and embarrassment over my anxiety being known.

Tessia wilted. I'm sorry. Your feelings are private, and I intruded. I'm a bad person. She turned on her heel and disappeared into the trees.

"Tessia, wait!" I stood, but she was already gone.

Such a timid creature Tessia is. Let's give her a vote of support.