Azaria Read Free Page A

impressing others with his great intellect. It never seemed to work for him the way he wished it would. "Sorry, Ta'araki. I guess your daughter will be in a bit of trouble."
    "I will take care of this, Hadir."
    "Of course, Ta'araki," Hadir answered. "What do you think Ta'araki will do?"
    "She’ll be angry and suspect I’m hiding something."
    "So you mean not to tell her? But she gave you direct orders to-"
    Azerban interrupted him again, more sternly now. "I told you, Hadir. I will take care of this. If Fahim questions you, tell her your tracking skills weren't good enough to discern any other information. She’ll believe you."
    "Yes, Ta'araki," Hadir answered, his head hanging in front of him.
    Azerban regretted his harshness, but it was necessary. He was sure his acolyte would do as instructed. Hadir had always been loyal to him first. It was part of the reason he liked him so much. He was more worried about his daughter, specifically how he should handle her trespass. It was a grave crime to spy on a Ta'araki gathering. How could she be so stupid? And of all the events Azaria could have chosen, why did she have to choose this particular one? He cursed her silently as they made their way back to the Temple, questions buzzing through his head like pesty water-flies. How should he handle the matter? Should he confront her? And her friends? Or should he pretend he never saw them? What if they told others of what they’d seen? Would they be smart enough to keep quiet? Azerban closed his eyes and shook his head, frustrated and confused. Even as they approached the Great Temple, his mind was swirling with indecision, a disposition he wasn’t use to. One he found he detested. Nevertheless the best path forward remained hidden and all were strewn with hazard.
     
    The three young Natu did indeed follow the wind, each silent as they ran, lost in their own shock. Azaria led the way out of the cedar patch, toward a cliffside that shadowed the river below. Atop the steep cliff lay a trail which led back to Boar Camp. She knew there’d be little cover immediately ahead to hide if any Ta'araki had chosen to follow. But short of running through the high grasses just north, there was nothing to be done of it. Charging through the grasses would make too much noise and only slow them down, increasing the chances someone would catch up with them. And there was no way down to the river from here. They'd just have to run as fast as they could and hope for the best.
    She didn't slow to a more moderate pace though, until she was sure the Ta'araki would not catch up. Luckily, the elders weren't known for their stamina or racing abilities. Her calf and thigh muscles ached. She couldn't remember ever keeping up a sprinters pace for so long. She could only imagine how Tiriz must feel, who'd never had any interest in becoming a Runner. She interlocked her hands behind her head and inhaled deeply, hanging her head back as she struggled to control her breathing.
    As the three approached their camp, they were met by a small pack of large, black dogs. One of the canines ran straight at Azaria and jumped up to her, resting his gray paws on her shoulders and licking her face with vigor. "Hello Grayfoot!" she greeted him, scratching behind his sizable ears with both hands, happy for a comforting presence. His uncanny knack for arriving at the right moment always surprised her, but never more than now. He hopped down and ran circles around her, stopping only to sniff Dogahn and Tiriz, before jumping on her again. "Down, boy. I'm happy to see you too!" she said, pushing him off. She bent down and stroked the sleek fur along his back. His coat was shear, and his snout long and thin. His slim frame sat high atop lanky, but powerful legs. All four domesticated beasts sported the same athletic build, well-suited for chasing down the vast herds of gazelle that partly drove her ancestors’ nomadism. Only small variations differentiated one from