“Do you have bad dreams often?” Mumu asked.

We sat across from each other, the moonlight falling around us. I still felt harrowed from dreaming of the Deer God, but my heart was my own again. That is to say, I’d calmed down. Mostly. The experience had kicked up some of the old baggage from my first family.

“Not often,” I said. “Not anymore. I used to though, for a long time.”

Give Mumu credit, she didn’t make fun of an eight year old saying they did anything for a long time. Instead, she nodded and said, “The world is a whetstone, and our tears ease the passage of our blades against the stone. It’s painful, but we turn towards the future so that we are sharpened and not dulled.”

“That’s wise for someone so young,” I said.

There, Mumu did snort. “And look at who is saying these words, our very own Eight. The way you hold yourself, the way you speak--sometimes, I think you’re a forest spirit pretending to be a human child.” She looked up at the night sky to admire the moon that’d come out from behind the clouds. “The words aren’t my own, but our Lodge Master’s. I’m merely borrowing his wisdom.”

“What’s the story between you and him?” I asked.

She smiled, wry and affectionate. “He holds me as a daughter of his heart, which let me tell you is a perilous thing. He is a man of high expectations.”

It was my turn to snort. “I’ve noticed. I suppose that explains the wager between you--he doesn’t want you chewing rocks.”

“Mostly,” Mumu said, “but it’s also good for the lodge, a way to bring us all together.”

“Don’t tell me you actually like being called Little Mumu?”

“No, but I understand our Lodge Master’s purpose.” Mumu sighed. “The whetstone is never comfortable, but knowing its purpose makes it tolerable.” Her teeth gleamed when she grinned. “And when the time comes for me to become Lodge Master, our brothers and sisters will have seen me earn it.”

“Mumu is ambitious,” I said.

“I was born with Talent. It’s only right I make the most of it.” She patted me on the knee. “And I have finally heard you call me Mumu. I’m pleased.”

“You don’t mind?”

“I dislike being called Little, but Mumu is fine. Just as I call Haoleise, Haol, and Integnei, Tegen--we are brothers and sisters of the lodge. It shows our affection.”

“So I can call you Mumu, even after the ten days are up?”

She playfully smacked me. “Of course! Not only are you a lodge brother, but you’re part of my team.” She shook her head in mock dismay. “No wonder you were always so formal. You just didn’t know any better.”

“There’s a lot I still don’t know. Thank you for explaining.” I bowed to her, hands over my heart. “And thank you for your help earlier.”

My sudden earnestness caught Mumu by surprise. She scratched her cheek and looked away. “Mmm...as long as you keep learning, you’ll find your path.”

“Our Little Mumu, so wise.”

Mumu sputtered. “What did you call me?”

“The ten days are not over,” I said. “Once they’re done, I’ll call you Mumu, but until then--”

She grabbed me in a headlock. I tried to slip free, but her arms were steel.

“Now, what were you saying?” She said, growling.

“I--uh--changed my mind and decided the Lodge Master is being needlessly cruel. I’ll call you Mumu.”

She smiled. “Such a clever child, our Eight.”

###

I kept watch during Mumu’s turn to sleep. Our conversation had been a welcome distraction, a respite to settle my emotions, but it was time to check the notification that’d been blinking in my Status since waking from the dream.

Soul Mark: The Way of the Hunter changed to Soul Mark: The Way of the Hunter

Huh? A closer look revealed:

Soul Mark: The Way of the Hunter A Soul Mark fundamentally changes the deep silverlight and soul of the recipient, thereby modifying the application of the World Spirit’s systems. Henceforth, when opportunities arise to evolve your path, the options presented will hew towards the Way of the Hunter.

The hunter strengthens the herd; brings balance to the land.

The Deer God had modified the Soul Mark. The last line was new.

I wasn’t a fearful child anymore--I didn’t run from the encounter with the Deer God--but I still worried. How would the change to the Soul Mark affect me? I didn’t know.

My thoughts circled and circled. All I knew was that healthy predation was good for the land. It kept animal populations in check and allowed plants and animals to flourish. When gray wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone, for example, the area’s biodiversity grew in just a few years.

I remembered the hours spent in my previous life looking at reels of elk winter-browsing on young willow, aspen and cottonwood trees. The work was for a one-hour special we produced for the Smithsonian on the relationship between wolves and elk in Yellowstone.

The trees were critical to the forest’s beavers and helped them to survive the winter. So when the reintroduced wolves preyed on the elk, the beaver population rebounded as a result. That meant more dams and a cascading benefit to fish and birds. There was also the carrion left by wolf kills--they were a buffet for scavengers and insects. The whole ecosystem became healthier.

It wasn’t all bad for the elk either. Sure, their mortality rate went up, but elk became smarter--avoiding the wolves by moving in smaller herds and sticking to the heavy timber areas.

The hunter strengthened the herd and brought balance to the land. Okay, sure, I got it. But what did it mean for the System?

###

I wasn’t able to sleep and sat with my thoughts for the rest of the night. Mumu woke up an hour before dawn and kept me company until the sun rose over the treetops. We brewed a pot of mint tisane in Bindesei’s kettle and listened to the music of the forest waking.

She was disappointed that there’d been no sign of Bindesei in my dreams, so when the light grew stronger, we searched the area for clues to his murder (and his treasure). We thumped the stone walls, moved equipment aside, and even dug a couple of exploratory holes. All we found were stone and dirt. No clues, and no treasure.

“Maybe Bindesei was on his way to retrieve his treasure before he died,” I said. “To retrieve it before fleeing. If so, then it might be near where he died.”

“An interesting idea. If it were me, I wouldn’t leave my treasure behind,” Mumu said.

“You have treasure?” I asked, my eyebrows rising.

“I am a treasure, if you listen to certain sweet-talkers,” Mumu said with a grin.

“Should I try to steal you away then?” I asked, grinning back.

“Alas, it’s too early for our Eight. Or, more truthfully, too late.” In the dawn light, Mumu blushed. “My heart has already been stolen.”

“I should offer my congratulations to Haol and Dena then. When will the marriage ceremony take place? There are hunters betting on it.”

“Oh.” The blushing maiden became curious. “How interesting. How much?”

“Just a couple of taak. That you’d marry before or after the fall season.”

Mumu looked away, disappointed. “Tsk.”

“Wait, were you seriously considering changing your marriage date to take advantage of the bet?”

“Of course not,” Mumu said. “Not for such a small amount. It wouldn’t be worth the effort.”

I had a suspicion and peeked at her Talents again.

Mulallamu the Hunter, Human Talents: Scout-Born, Tracker, Wild Sense

Nascent: One with the Land, Money Lover, ???, ???

And there it was--Money Lover.

“Why are you giggling?” Mumu asked, confused by my snickers.

“Nothing,” I said, shaking my head. “Let’s...uh…let’s check around the area where Bindesei died.”

“Yes, Bindesei’s ghost must be appeased.”

###

I was putting up a good front, but my internal equilibrium was still off-kilter. Everything felt slightly askew. The sensation was even stronger when we left the relative safety of Fort Sugar Shack.

I slipped into the land, and my senses went from skewed to overwhelmed. I was abruptly buried under the verdant forest, awash in colors. The birdsong became a calliope, and the forest scents filled me from nose to feet. Insects crawled across my skin, color smeared into sound, and scent melded with taste and touch. The sensations paralyzed me.

I thought I’d been able to become at one with the land before. Turns out that was a pale imitation. To truly be at one with the land was an experience of a very different kind.

Mumu touched me lightly on the elbow. Electricity sparked down the length of my arm. Her voice sounded watery. “Good, good. Your Stealth Skill improves. But we can’t spend too much time practicing our woodcraft. The militia trains today.”

Her voice gave me a place to focus, and the world spun a little less as a result; enough for me to find myself within the land. The boundaries were murky, but it was enough. I shuffled my feet after her.

Trees loomed and rippled as small creatures appeared to pass through them. A bush waved in greeting. A squirrel chirped angrily, warning me against stealing its hidden acorns. While it scolded me, another squirrel--this one with gray fur and red eyes--moved behind its back to sneak a few away.

I was at a loss. At one with the land was one of my most useful skills--a skill that I’d spent a lifetime mastering--and now it was running out of control. I felt like I was stumbling drunkenly through the forest.

Somehow, I managed to keep up with Mumu. I tried to moderate my experience of the land, but I was either in or out; there was no middle ground. Without the land, I was exposed and vulnerable to predators. With the land, I was like a tree ready to fall, rocking unsteadily in the wind.

Just what the fork did the Deer God do? I didn’t dare curse him, but I came close.

I chose safety over comfort and stuck with the land. Which is how I found Bindesei’s ghost when I finally stumbled into the small clearing with his skeletal remains. He was gray-bodied and red splattered where he’d been stabbed. His eyes were red too, except where they’d been angry before, now he stared fearfully at me.

Holy sheetrock, I was awake and seeing a ghost.

“What’s wrong, Little Pot? Is there a sign on the tree there? A marker pointing to the treasure?”

I licked my lips. They felt dry and swollen. “I--I’m seeing Bindesei’s ghost now.”

Mumu’s eyes got big, and she quickly scanned the area for danger. “Here? Now?”

“Yes.”

“But I thought you dreamed of him,” Mumu said. “That it was a sign.”

“I did.”

“But now you see his ghost. Is this a thing that you can do?”

I shook my head, which caused the world to swirl. “It’s never happened before. Not while awake anyway. Mi--my grandmother could see ghosts though, and other spirits. She claimed to anyway.”

“It’s a Family Talent then. But it’s strange--I looked at your spirit reading when you joined my team, and there was no sign of such a thing on it.”

I checked my Status and realized there were blinking notifications. They weren’t there earlier and must’ve triggered after I became at one with the land.

Congratulations. You have reached a Spirit milestone. Don’t freak out. Better read me first.

“My Spirit Attribute reached a milestone,” I said, explaining. “I think I got another Talent as a result.”

“Oh, oh, that’s good. That’s amazing! You have five Talents now--our Eight is a genius!” Mumu picked me up and spun me around, laughing.

The disorientation turned my stomach over. ”Down. Down! Put me down! I’m going to throw up.”

Mumu set me back on my feet, her face worried. “What’s wrong? Is it the Talent? Something you need to become accustomed to?”

My stomach was queasy, but at least I didn’t feel like vomiting anymore. “Just...just give me a moment. Let me see if I can get used to it. I’m going to close my eyes for a while.”

“Then I will watch over you,” Mumu said.

“Thank you.”

“Silly boy. I am your hunt sister, your proud hunt sister. Now, do as you need to.”

She didn’t have to tell me twice. I clicked the notification from System-Eight first.

Don’t freak out. Better read me first. Hoo, but this one’s a doozy.

First things first, am I in trouble?

Not that I can tell. You’re definitely not possessed. You don’t have to worry about that.

I sighed in relief. I didn’t think the Deer God would do that, but without mi abuela for guidance, I wasn’t sure. Then what’s happening?

It’s your new Talent. The others have been useful, seriously useful even, but this one changes things.

Don’t tease me. What is it?

I can’t tell you. It’s the other notification’s job to do that, and I have to stay within the lines of what’s allowed.

What I can say is that at one with the land is pulling in double the sensory information compared to before. Anything you can do to help speed up your ability to process and react to that information will help. There, that’s a hint even you can get.

You mean Dog’s Agility?

*Ding. Ding. Ding.*

See, I knew you would get it. It won’t be perfect--there are probably other tools out there more suited to handling a situation like this--but it’s what you have available.

I wonder if Ikfael Glen will have some suggestions too.

I was just about to recommend that. Great minds, and all.

Dang. We’re out of time already. I won’t be able to answer--

S-Eight? S-Eight? Are you there?

There was no response, just the feeling of somber care left in his aftermath. I’d never seen him so serious before. Hesitant, I clicked the other notification.

Congratulations. You have reached a Spirit milestone. You have reached a Spirit milestone. Checking for new Talents. *Error.* A Nascent Talent has already been uncovered. The base benefits of Spirit 15 are also now active: increased spiritual power, resistance to negative spiritual Conditions, and sensitivity to the spirit world.

I’d assigned the free Attribute point I received from reaching Level 3 to Spirit, and this was the result. And Mumu was wrong--the Talent I received as a result was my seventh. The first two just didn’t show up on my Status (Visible). They were there on my Status (Hidden) though:

Talents Jack of All Trades Talent Scout Qi Sensitive Uncanny Tracker Multilingual Enduring Spirit Hunter

I took a deep breath and looked closer at the new Talent.

Spirit Hunter The world is not what it seems; only a pale shadow of something more beautiful and more terrifying. Though you’ve run from it, the spirit world is always around you--a gift, a curse, and an opportunity. Provides limited access to ghosts, spirits, and other spirit-based entities.

My heart already felt like a hummingbird hovering inside my chest, and somehow it now beat faster. I knew from mi abuela how dangerous the spirit world could be. In many ways, ignorance was terrible; people were influenced by it all the time and completely unaware. At the same time, ignorance was protection. Ignorance kept one from interacting with dark, unfriendly powers and being lured by them.

In my previous life, there were some things I specifically avoided when I went looking for mi abuela’s legacy. Even after Helen died--yes, I found comfort in knowing her spirit was still with me--but I never tried to contact her. I never tried using mi abuela’s craft to contact any spirit. This world seemed to have protections my old world didn’t though. That lulled me into a false sense of security. Into thinking I could go looking for ghosts. Instead, I’d found the Deer God. Or, more accurately, he’d found me.

I cracked an eyelid. Mumu watched the forest, spear in hand. Not ten feet away, Bindesei’s ghost kept a wary eye on me. The tree behind him seemed to want to brush him away with one of its branches, but the ghost wouldn’t budge. I closed my eye again when I felt the forest start to spin.

Would Dog’s Agility really help with the nausea and sensory overload? All I could do was try.

Focusing inward, I started to feel fuzzy, my thoughts blurring with the uekisheile’s concern. Not about Dog’s Agility--we’d made great progress in learning the pattern. No, it was for me--for Ollie/Eight and the fear filling my meridians. They…we were doing our best to understand Ollie/Eight’s response to the strange experience.

Ever since we’d left the Red Room, we’d watched and learned; often keeping quiet until we understood more about what was happening. The cave, the forest, the glen, Voorhei, and now the spirit world--each was an expansion on what we knew before. A new place to learn, to make relationships, and find meaning other than just consuming qi.

Life was dangerous, but danger was the risk we take for living. How would the spirit world be any different?

It was the consequences we should worry about. If a physical body is hurt, one can live or die, and if one dies, the spirit simply moves on. If the spirit body is hurt though, the damage carries into the next life, or in the worst case, the next several lives.

Then we should learn to defend ourselves, we thought. Like we do with the bow and spear, with qi and magic. Life exists, and we exist within it. We have to face it or otherwise hide in a cave for the entirety of our existence. The same is true for the spirit world.

The realization that the uekisheile’s thoughts and mine were blended knocked me out of the land. Bindesei’s ghost disappeared, and the world around me steadied. I found Mumu standing over me. Apparently, I’d tipped over.

“Little Pot?”

Don’t freak out. Don’t freak out. S-Eight said not to freak out. Did he know this would happen? Why didn’t he warn me? It felt like I was being erased. Like I was disappearing. Crud, I’m freaking out. I started to hyperventilate, the breaths coming short, fast, and uncontrolled.

“Little Pot! Steady yourself!” Mumu grabbed my shoulders, and a burst of qi blasted into me, jolting me out of my panic.

I felt the uekisheile gather the extra qi, but they otherwise kept to themselves. I knew what they were thinking though; just knew without them having to signal with their qi.

Ollie/Eight-is-slow. Sharing-is-good. We-want-to-share-more. But-we-will-not-make-you/we-afraid. A tendril of their qi brought Mumu’s qi into my heart for assimilation. We-will-learn-together.

The uekisheile didn’t intend me harm. They intended only good, but an invasion was still an invasion even if the invaders liked you and wanted to be your friend. Their good didn’t necessarily mean my good.

###

An hour passed with me trying to deal with what happened. Not very successfully, but I had to put up a brave front for Mumu, who was looking at me with more and more concern.

“Your new Talent is very challenging,” she said. “Sometimes they are like that. We should go to the World Speaker for guidance.”

“I don’t know that I’ll be able to handle this. So much has already happened--this...this is just putting me over the top.”

She shook her head, as if to deny my worry. “Everything is practice, Little Pot. Everything. You will be well. Our World Speaker is clever. She will help you. Can you stand? Can you travel with the land?”

She helped me upright. I touched the land, and felt myself go sideways. More urgently, Bindesei’s ghost was inches from my face, peering at me with fascination, his earlier fear gone. Startled, I pushed him away, and he flew back--through the upset tree and into foliage behind it.

Mumu dropped into a fighting stance, instantly wary. “Where?”

“The ghost--Bindesei’s ghost was too close. I just reacted is all. Sorry.”

Mumu’s wariness lingered. She looked around, but even if she could see him, the ghost had disappeared. “You have gained an uncomfortable Talent, Little Pot.”