Kellen awoke the next morning to Nokom shaking him gently on the arm. He’d trained late into the night, practicing the steps of the storm mana dance and his own improvised line dance. Most of the time, he was up before Nokom out of habit, but he’d fallen into a deep sleep when he and Vex finally called it a night. Dawn peaked over the rolling hills behind them but no one else had stirred yet. Kellen knew he could have only slept a handful of hours. Almost out of unconscious habit, he reached into his beast heart and willed the refreshing mana throughout his body. After practicing this on almost a daily basis, he could restore himself and still sense some mana left over. The progress was small but undeniable.

Expecting to start some kind of physical training, Kellen sat up, feeling almost as good as if he’d had a full night’s sleep in a bed. Instead, Nokom thrust a bundle into his chest. Kellen’s arms wrapped around it instinctively, and he looked down to see what it was. First glance in the morning light appeared to show a tunic and pants like the Earth Badger traders wore, along with what looked like a small stack of leaves bound with chord.

“Before we leave, we are going to trade some of the bear’s remains for supplies, Nokom said. “I have taken it upon myself to purchase you some fresh clothes already. There is a stream nearby — use the leaves to wash yourself. If you hurry, you may have some privacy since you are a bashful young man.”

Glad the morning light hid his face reddening again, Kellen muttered a thanks to the old woman. Gathering a still sleeping Vex in the arm that wasn’t holding his new clothes, Kellen set off for the creek. He made a wide path around the Earth Badger traders. Aside from a pair on guard duty, everyone else was still asleep.

When he reached the edge of the creek, Kellen suppressed a shiver. There wasn’t frost on the ground, but the morning was cold. Washing would be a far cry from a hot shower. In the spot he chose, the creek narrowed to only a few feet across but looked to run deep. Preferring to be up to his waist or chest in the cold water to splashing in a few inches while he shivered in the open air, Kellen put Vex and the bundle down to strip out of his clothes.

The thick blue hoodie he’d worn the morning he and Allison headed out into the field had seen better days long before coming to Oras. Between bear attacks, storms and rampaging buffalo, Kellen was grateful it hadn’t been shredded. When he peeled it off, he half expected it to stand up on its own. The blue was so caked in dust and dirt that it looked gray.

His jeans were even worse: ripped at the knees and showing wear in dozen other places. Kellen counted himself grateful he hadn’t been reduced to wearing jorts yet. These really did almost stand up on their own, as stiff as they were from sweat and grime. Like the hoodie, they hadn’t exactly been his Sunday best to begin with.

While Vex slumbered on a flattened spot of dead grass, Kellen quickly pulled off his socks, underwear and t-shirt. These had fared worst of all and he thanked the heavens, the Wild Mother, and whoever else would listen that the restoring mana refresh ability Nokom had taught him also cured chafing and athlete’s foot. He shuddered to think of the misery. Given he could only scrub his underwear and socks in cold water, it wouldn’t be a pleasant experience putting them back on. Once he was sure his old clothes were within reach to pull in for a quick rinse, Kellen sat down on the bank and pushed into the creek.

He hissed as he sank into freezing cold water up to his chest. Teeth chattering, Kellen forced out several breaths. On a whim, he concentrated on his beast heart and willed the mana through his limbs. To his surprise and delight, his body warmed and the goosebumps faded, though he guessed it was only a temporary solution.

Soap. He’d been so concerned about privacy and the cold water and his disgusting clothes that he hadn’t even thought of something to scrub himself with. Sighing, he reached for the clothes he’d planned to clean when he saw the bundle of leaves. He pulled one from the packet, surprised at how slick his wet fingers made it. Intrigued, he rubbed the leaf between his hands. A minty foam arose and understanding dawned on their purpose.

Hoping he didn’t harbor a hidden allergic reaction to whatever plant the leaves were from, Kellen scrubbed himself clean. Between the quasi soap, the mana refresh, and the cold water, he felt better than he had since arriving in Oras. There were even enough leaves left to scrub his clothes, though they were a poor replacement for detergent and laundry softener. Spurred to bathe quickly as the extra warmth faded in the bone-chilling water, Kellen dunked his head last, washed his head and face, dunked once more to rinse, and pushed himself up onto the bank.

At Kellen’s exit, a splash of water hit Vex. The little fox uncurled and shot straight into the air, spluttering and shouting.

“Hey! What the —”

Kellen scrambled to cover himself with the bundle of clothes from Nokom. It didn’t matter that Vex could pop into his head and read his thoughts at times. He still wasn’t going to stand buck naked in front of him.

“Oh, thank the Wild Mother,” Vex said, shaking and puffing out his fur so it looked like he’d stuck his nose in an electrical outlet. “You won’t believe how bad you smelled, dude.”

Ignoring his Mana Beast, Kellen squeezed the last drops he could manage out of his underwear and pulled the damp boxers on. It wouldn’t be fun to wear them before they dried, but he refused to go commando. Next, he pulled on the trousers, which felt like a pair of canvas work pants but were more comfortable than he would have guessed. The shirt was the same material with toggles fixed on the top half of it, like a pullover. It wasn’t the warmest attire, but it was clean and gave him something to wear while his earth garments dried. Choosing to leave his socks off, he dried his feet and pulled his boots on, bundling pants, hoodie and t-shirt together.

“How do I look?” Kellen asked, raising his arms. He felt like a South American farmer, or maybe a monk in the cream-colored clothes.

“You don’t look like an Earth Badger trader, if that’s what you’re wondering,” Vex said. “But you don’t stick out like a boil on a buffalo’s rear end, either.”

“Thanks,” Kellen said in a flat voice. “I’m glad I’m a step above butt boils.”

Climbing up the sloping creek bank, Kellen saw the two camps stirring in the morning’s first light. A couple of the Gray Dawn warriors — Clouds that Burn and Cohwea, Kellen thought, peering in the dim light — were saddling the horses while the others stood in a circle around several Earth Badger traders, a blanket of goods lying between them.

The remaining Earth Badger people looked to be salvaging the last of their goods, either bundling it up to carry in packs or loading the two remaining carts, each hitched to a llama big enough to pass for a baby giraffe. In a world where buffalo started wildfires from fire out of their noses and hooves and where horses had horns like rhinoceros, he didn’t think he wanted to know what these deceptively harmless, fluffy animals were hiding.

Everyone paused to watch as he and Vex approached the bartering group. Kellen waved awkwardly and looked down at the ground. “We’re famous!” Vex said. “Good morning everyone!”

Although the adults didn’t crack a smile — Kellen didn’t blame them. They had little to smile about the last two days — the children ran out, giggling and laughing. Vex puffed out his cheeks like he was holding his breath and squeezed his eyes shut. To the delight of the children, streams of golden bubbles rose from his large ears and floated toward them.

Kellen laughed. “You are a Mana Beast of many talents.”

Vex twisted around in Kellen’s arms and looked up at him. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you for days!”

Continuing toward the group, Kellen glimpsed Shani staring at them with an almost curious look on her face. As soon as noticed Kellen looking back, she turned her attention to the group. Kellen let it go. He’d tried reaching out enough to know it would be in Shani’s own time if she ever thought of him as anything else but outsider baggage.

A multi-colored blanket was spread across the ground with several items laid out on it. The knives and short swords surprised Kellen. While he’d seen that all of Gray Dawn carried metal knives, and had metal spear and arrow heads, swords seemed out of place. And these swords and knives were masterfully made with waves of folded layers catching the sunlight. The hilts and handles were mostly plain, but Kellen knew enough about from welding shop to tell good metalwork when he saw it. All of them were wide-bladed and single-edged with a slight curve to them, sort of like a combination of a katana and a machete.

Aside from the weapons, a number of pins, buttons, pans, kettles, necklaces, rings and bracelets were on display. These ranged in make from bronze to iron, and steel. Kellen guessed the Earth Badger Empire’s major export was metal based on the items they showed. The way the traders hovered close by the blanket with hands on their weapons while Tama and Nokom inspected the goods suggested this was all they had left after Ubira’s attack.

“I wish we had more to offer — the slavers took much after our beastcaller fell,” Zaramah said, confirming Kellen’s guess. “I will be honest with you. The claws and mana dust you trade with is much desired among the Earth Badger crafters. I will give you a very good deal for as much as you will sell.”

Chief Tama said nothing as her eyes wandered over the trade goods in quiet contemplation. Kellen doubted a man like Zaramah who made his living by trade and barter would have shared how eager he was for their mana beast remains if he couldn’t make a tidy profit off of them when they reached a town. Tama seemed to sense the same.

“We do not have any crafters back in our Gray Dawn camp,” Tama said. “So we are willing to part with the claws. The dust we will need if we must fight Ubira and his warriors.”

“For your four claws, I would give you six swords, a dozen knives, one hundred arrowheads, and your choice of twenty items of jewelry, though none of them are mana enchanted.”

Kellen’s mouth dropped open. Even without an understanding of currency, the offer sounded like a small fortune. He’d underestimated just how valuable the bear’s remains were. Out of impulse, he felt in his rolled up jeans for the single bear claw and mana stone he’d taken just to keep from offending Tama and Nokom. No wonder they’d been so giving, but then again, he had wanted nothing from the bear, anyway.

A looked passed between Tama and Nokom. Nokom shook her head and Tama nodded in agreement with her mother’s assessment.

“We will take all eight of your swords, a dozen knives, and one hundred arrowheads, plus the metal trinkets for three of the claws,” Tama said.

Zaramah and the Earth Badger traders feigned offense. They weren’t outraged enough to suggest the offer had been that poor, however.

“Four of the claws and I will include ponchos for all of your band that were woven from the mana-rich wools of the ice vicuna found in our highest glaciers. They will shed the water and keep you warm if the mountains are your destination.”

Tama pursed her lips. “Done,” she said at last.

Zaramah sagged in relief, showing just how much he had riding on the deal. He turned to the traders standing behind him and clapped his hands. “It is a deal! Gather the ponchos for our friends.”

While Gray Dawn moved the purchased items to a separate blanket and sorted them between all the warriors, Kellen looked over the ruined camp of the Earth Badger traders. The Gray Dawn warriors might have thought it cowardice that the Splintered Stone people did not pursue Ubira, but he saw a different picture. Most of these people were not fighters, even he could tell that. They were innocents trying to make a living the best they knew how when Ubira had ruined their lives, killed their loves ones and likely stolen others away forever. While there was nowhere on Earth or Oras he wouldn’t go to find Allison, he understood their decision to hold on to what they had left.

His mind went to the mana bear's claw hidden in the bundle of his jeans and shirt. Kellen felt like he’d showed up at a homeless shelter with a Rolex in his pocket. When the Gray Dawn warriors gathered the last of their items in a blanket and departed to divide the equipment wares, Kellen approached Zaramah. Reaching into the bundle, he pulled out the bear claw. Even curved it was almost as long as his elbow. The turquoise claw was rough like raw crystal. When Zaramah saw the claw, his eyes widened.

“You had another?” the trader asked. “I am afraid we have nothing left of value to —”

“I don’t want anything,” Kellen said, offering the claw. He didn’t want to cause a scene. “You need it more than I do. Just take it.”

Zaramah stared, wide-eyed, between Kellen and the mana bear claw. “I cannot.”

“Please, take it,” Kellen repeated. When Zaramah hesitated, he held it out to the other nearby traders. “I’m serious. Hopefully, it can help.”

Almost reverently, Zaranah allowed Kellen to place the claw in his open hands. A moment later, Shani was at their side, shouting.

“What are you doing, you fool? Do you know what that is worth?”

“It’s mine to give,” Kellen said. He didn’t sound as confident or firm as he wanted to. Still, he knew he’d done the right thing.

“Then you should have given it to us! We have fed you, protected you all this way. We gave you a storm horse to ride and this is how we are repaid?”

Vex hopped up on Kellen’s shoulder, fur bristling. “Hey, leave us alone! If it wasn’t for me and Kellen you wouldn’t be here at all.”

Kellen cringed. He appreciated that Vex had his back, but the Mana Beast had picked just about the worse rebuttal possible.

Shani didn’t argue. Refusing to look at the little fox, she shot Kellen a withering glare and stomped back to the others.

“We have a little more food and some smaller pieces of jewelry that may interest you?” One woman among the head traders offered.

Kellen shook his head. “Consider it a gift.” To his surprise, Zaramah knelt down and bowed at Kellen’s feet. Kellen flushed and groaned inwardly. They’d definitely caused a scene now.

“The Splintered Stone caravan is in your debt, spirit traveler,” the trader said. “I will not shame you by refusing your gift. Let me offer something in return, as a token of our gratitude.”

Reaching for his right bicep, he removed a copper band with a crystal set into the metal. “Show this ring anywhere in the Southern or Eastern Earth Badger Empire and they will recognize you as a friend of our people. Whether you need a place to stay for the night, a meal, transportation or a fair deal, any merchant is bound to give it to you in exchange.”

Muttering a thanks, Kellen let Zaramah hand him the band. To make it fit, he’d have to bend it down to about half its size, given the difference in their arm muscles. Out of habit, he went to pocket it in his jeans only to realize he wasn’t wearing jeans and that his new pants didn’t have pockets. Zaramah laughed. “Our clothes are tailored different than yours, I think. I have one last thing.”

He motioned to one of the young men, who rushed off toward the last two wagons still on its wheels. When he returned, the boy carried a wide belt with a number of square pouches looped through it. The buckle was bronze with a geometric pattern carved into the face. The shape was a little off, but the size alone would have made it worthy of any rodeo cowboy. Muttering another thanks, Kellen accepted the belt and buckled it on his waist.

“A little more sunshine and you could almost pass for an Earth Badger trader!” Zaramah said with a barrel-chested laugh.

Kellen thanked him again and the traders departed. He found himself alone between the traders and the Gray Dawn warriors, alone except for Vex. He sucked in a deep breath, hoping things wouldn’t be too awkward when he rejoined the group. Would the rest of the band resent him for giving away his only possession of value like Shani had?

Nokom and Ira stepped away from the group as he approached.

“I know it was dumb,” Kellen said. “But I don’t need it and they’ve lost everything. And you said it was mine.”

“It was yours to do what you wanted with,” Nokom said, raising her hands in a calming gesture. “It is the mark of a great chief to give to those in need.”

“We have wasted enough time this morning,” Shani said, swinging into the saddle of her storm horse. “While we stand here talking, Ubira is getting away.”

“Wait!”

They turned to find an Earth badger boy jogging toward them, leading the group’s only remaining horse. Kellen guessed he was in his early teens, but already had the build of a middle linebacker. There was no doubt which would win a weight-lifting contest between the boy and Kellen.

“I am coming with you,” the boy said. He stopped in front of them, arms folded, legs set in a wide, resolved stance. “They took my mother.”

Tama looked ready to send the boy off with his tail tucked between his legs until Zaramah joined them and placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “This is my nephew, Obishidan. His mother is my brother’s wife, may he rest in the earth. If you would have him, I will lend him our last horse.”

Tama studied the teenager then finally shook her head. “This is no journey for boys. If you want to help, send a warrior.”

“I am a warrior!” Obishidan took a defiant step forward, jaw set. “And I will follow you either way.”

Sighing, Tama shook her head, resigned. “I do not have time to argue with boys. If you send him, it may be to his death.”

“I am prepared,” Obishidan answered before his uncle could reply.

“Then let us go,” Tama said. “Shani is right. Time grows short.”