Chapter 64

Alice

The hours passed, and the next day came quickly.

The matriarch was to have a meeting at the border with the guests and the mayor of the human village. They all offered to go as shields, but she had to give in to my participation, in a distant way and without sticking my nose in directly, in case she needed the barrier amplified or removed.

The humans had realized that it would be impossible for them to try to find water if there was an impenetrable land barrier that wouldn't let them do what they wanted to do. They had learned the hard way and had to wait for the council.

So when we looked for Greta and Mr. Fert, I kept my distance and exercised prudence so as not to upset the man.

He looked at me with surprise, but was much more demure.

"I'm sorry for my behavior yesterday," Mr. Fert said, and I nodded. "I had a very emotional reaction to your appearance and didn't think about the discomfort this would create for you. I apologize for the bad timing."

"You have nothing to apolog