Maybe She Didn't Leave?

There was talk about Mayala at the fires tonight. I had listened to Saresh, I thought it was known that she had left of her own choosing. It was not until I listened to the others that doubt began to enter my mind. She didn't pack any of her clothing with her. She didn't pack any provisions. She did not take her wagon, and she didn't seem to have planned to be gone for long. Maybe something else happened. Maybe something terrible happened to her. How harsh my thoughts of earlier were. Maybe Mayala did not leave, but maybe she can't get back from what ever took her away from us. Now I am worried. I am very worried.

What if she is hurt and alone? What if she is sick again? What if she has been taken by someone intent to do harm to her? How could someone come into the wagons and take her from us? The Outriders and sleen would have known they were there before they could take her. No one can get past them except those that belong within our midst. No, she was not taken from the wagons. She left the safety of the circle of her own choosing. That does not mean she intended to stay gone. She could have encountered someone or something once she was away from the wagons proper. Who knows. Anything could have happened to her. There I was angered at her having abandoned us when it is us that abandoned her.