“Geographic correlation between duskburst specimens and pack seal locations suggests deliberate placement. Indigenous range for duskburst does not include creek tributaries. Soil composition is incompatible with natural growth. Conclusion: Someone might have planted them there.”
I had half the picture. The question was why. The answer required information I didn’t have access to here.
I needed flistworn root extract, an astringent base, for a separate experiment I’d been putting off. The kitchen kept medicinal supplies on the third shelf, on the east wall. Helen had mentioned this the last time I was there. This would be a perfect excuse to do some snooping. I had a feeling my version of snooping would end up being asking Helen directly, but the ingredient gave me a reason to be there.
I grabbed my ingredient list and headed back downstairs, Acorn keeping pace behind me.
The kitchen smelled like roasting meat and something sweet I couldn’t identify. Heat rolled from the ovens, and at least six people strode around the space. Helen stood at the central prep table, scooping up cookie dough and placing it on a baking sheet with the fierce attention she gave everything.
I walked over to join her.
She glanced up, the spoon hovering in the air. “Victoria.”
“I need flistworn root extract. The concentrated kind, not the diluted preparation.”
“Third shelf, east wall. Blue jar with the yellow label. Measure it yourself. I’m not your assistant.”
I respected the way she didn’t defer to me. “Thank you.”
While I crossed to the shelf, Acorn launched himself toward a small bowl sitting on the floor near the hearth. I’d seen it before but hadn’t thought much about it. Just another bowl in a kitchen full of them.
I located the jar, measured out the amount I needed into a small vial from my pocket, and was replacing the jar when Helen spoke again.
“Your squirrel’s been fed.”
I turned.
Acorn had his face in the bowl, his cheeks already bulging. He pulled out a piece of dried fruit, examined it before stuffing it into his mouth with the others.
“The alpha asked me to keep food stocked for the little one,” Helen said without looking up from her task. “Specific instructions. No salt. Fresh or dried only.”
My chest did something I didn’t have time to examine.
Acorn grabbed another piece of fruit and scampered over to leap onto my shoulder with his cheeks so full his face looked lopsided.
I tucked the vial into my pocket. My brain was already half back in the laboratory, running through the correlation again. “I found duskburst growing near the northern water tributaries.”
The words came out casual, like I was thinking out loud, but I watched the staff.
Helen’s hands slowed.
“It doesn’t belong there,” I said. “The soil composition doesn’t fit. There’s no drainage, too much moisture, and it has the wrong sun exposure. I think someone may have planted it there.”
She looked up, her gaze meeting mine. “The old alpha used to have us gather that for his ceremonies. He never said what it was for. Just that it mattered.”
“Ceremonies?”
“He performed them in specific locations, though he didn’t talk much about them. Alpha business. You know how that is.”
I didn’t, not related to this, but I nodded.
“In the north?” I asked.
She shrugged. “I believe so. He headed in that direction.”
“You watched.”
“Not purposefully. I was at the sink once, washing dishes, when he left. I suspect they were important.”
