Niamh danced in a clearing that cloudy morning. The barren branches of the willow trees swayed with her as a chilled breeze ruffled them to life.

She swept in motions that would better fit an entertainer than a traveling soothsayer. For she had seen every role in her life, she had kissed each line in Snake's Ravine and had become stronger for it. Fitter for the world beyond.

Even when the spring gripped her and turned her into a beacon for the scavengers. None could come near, here. None would threaten her when she had pledged herself as a number. But numbers still had names, still held feelings. Numbers meant magic in ways beyond what the common folk thought.

Which is why she danced down a scented trail, fit to find one more of these numbers and know their face like the back of her paw.

A pale woman with eyeliner like the divine!

Niamh only stopped her dancing so she could peer. Her lips peeled into a soft smile for a moment. This one spoke in a manner that seemed familiar, homey.

It is the way of spring, to bring forth new beginnings and close old ends. She spun once more like a ballerina unable to rest before her final show. Then she sunk, lowly to lay upon her side on the cold ground. It did not bother her to not be seen by those clouded eyes. Power could lie in words more than the physical form.

What other new life may come?

A riddle talker she became, prepared to map the Ridge's life through this eyelined woman.

And once more she found confirmation that Hagar was not a man for lies.

She had danced in the way of children's play with him and he had said the same too. Now a woman who seemed nothing like him confirmed again. Which also had revealed that this one would not be the lead woman. Not the one he had told her of.

She had found a good man to make debts with.

Niamh. She purred warmly as her tail softly tapped against the earth. But I am more than a dancer you see. It was the not-husband man who brought me here. Her eyes glinted with warm intrigued and she allowed it to slip into her voice too. She would hide no pleasure from one who spoke so freely.

I am a trader from the south and I have come to bolster this Willow Ridge. Or what remained of it, what there would be in the coming weeks of springs arrival perhaps. What is the name of the one with eyes like the divine?

Ra, divinetouched she became in the mind of Niamh.

Bearkissed first. Now Divinetouched. She had begun to collect the crew and she knew there could not be many more. Not if the numbers had truly been as small and frail as they had sounded. Enough to come calling the aid of a trader dancing on hot spring winds.

Yet a frown came upon her. So soon! They had only just met and this one discussed going back to a homeland. Niamh understood greatly, but found she did not wish this. Not for either one of.

Do you tell me they do not listen to the words of a seer here? No one comes to council with you when things are in such a dark hour already? Perhaps what occurred here was the hand of the divine then, to wring out those who had a blessing and ignored it. A seer! And none wished to use her visions!

There was a girlish protective flare that licked like acid inside her stomach.

They had not come to understand and now they paid the price. It was not the way she had wanted it to be, not for any. Yet if one forsook enough and enough...

To not even dance or sing? No rejoice? Misery sounded self-imposed. Still she had coaxed Bearkissed into dancing through the meadows with her like two newborn fawns prancing. So he had proven capable, but perhaps the belief lacked. Perhaps these northern lands were just as she had heard whispers of.

It only meant she had been destined to be here. Faced with a sister of faith.

You are only this way for things beyond you. A sneer crept over her features. The blame cannot be worn like furs. She offered a small paw closer within reach, even if it might not be seen perhaps the movement could be heard. Felt in the budding electric magic that sparked between them.

Let us work together now for a greater good. Even if they may not listen to the seer and the soothsayer, hm? I will restore you like a shrine! And now her voice lifted in laughter warmer than the cold air around them.