

But of course! Of course, the local woods distrusted them. Whether by spirits or a wandering local, he could not ignore the feeling of the wary, frightened, hate-filled eyes staring out of the forest, burning his skin. The entire village may have been frowning at her, but when she spotted the enemy forces camping under the Sacred Hill, they had no choice but to listen.

Other girls may have worked happily, danced beautifully, or sewn themselves pretty dresses, but they could not climb or run or swim as well as she did, the silly, giggly, empty-headed creatures that they were. Their frowns followed her like a cloud, but she didn't care. They felt she was too spirited, too forward, too boyish, not as feminine and as graceful as a young woman should be.
