"I do not think you are being overly cynical," is Syura's assessment. "But consider that, with any luck, it is your interest in the provider of drugs alone that resulted in his death. If he continued his chant about 'bright and shiny and new', Ahi'i, visiting later, might have become homicidal." #WitchingHour#Pangaea
"They would still be available as hostages, wouldn't they?" That is a point, unfortunately. Also, nothing has worked effectively to awaken the teens once bespelled other than a jar of water dashed in the face. This would be valuable information, if only the season for rainstorms were not so far away. "I'm missing something," Summer Wind keeps saying, and it is a sentiment that everyone shares. Exchanging news with Blue Turtle, therefore, is not that encouraging, despite the minor progress.
That night, in the witch-woman's dwelling, the strategy session, therefore, circles back to the same original problem: how to get the teens free without harm and yet ensure that all of the gliders in black, and any possible accomplices, are caught. "If we could generate a large enough distraction, like waking the full compliment of sleepwalkers at once, every single evildoer would have to respond, wouldn't they?" It is generally agreed that this is true. "But would the young people be safe?"
While the couple are sleeping, Syura performs a check on the more frequented areas of the village, and finds no magical listening devices or remnants of eavesdropping spells. This does not prove that there are none anywhere, but it is reassuring. She does this quietly, since the majority of Bowing Tree's young people, almost all affected now whereas at first it was only the pack runners, have taken up napping during the day as well. Their nights, obviously, are not terribly restful anymore.
"If it were me, and I knew that I had been seen and pictures of me were being shown about, I would first eliminate those who had created those images. Be safe. Get some rest. Yet, I think since no attempt has been made on your lives so far, that perhaps our visit to the training center may remain a secret," Syura reasons; she has already had a nap. "I will pray for such an outcome." "Thank you," reply both Kanu and Summer Wind sincerely, and go off to bed for a while, with many ward charms.
"It is possible, of course, that one of our neighbors is in league with the black-clad villains, and that is why all of our publicized plans have gone awry," Syura frowns. "I would prefer to believe, however, that there is some form of listening station located somewhere in Bowing Tree village." Kanu feels stupid. "I should have thought of that. Probably near the well where folk gossip the most..." Summer Wind runs a hand over his hair, and another through her own. "We're both too tired."
