They paused in a morrin tree for lunch, picking several handfuls of the dark, sweet berries. Ninto found some grubs inside a rotting log. Their sharp, sour flavor tempered the berries’ sweetness.
“You don’t like the new animal, do you?” Ninto asked Ani as they were eating.
“It killed Kirito and it’s killing Ilto,” Ani said. “If Ilto dies, that will be two elders gone in two months.”
“Ilto is the oldest Tendu in the village. It’s time for him to make room for you. He has chosen to die instead of leaving the village. Don’t blame the new creature for Ilto’s choice.”
Ani looked away, not wanting to see her tareena’s words, but Ninto brushed her shoulder with her knuckles, and she looked back.
“Besides,” continued Ninto, “I want to get to know my tareena better in the years I have before I leave the village and let Baha take my place. Perhaps when you’re an elder, you’ll stop worrying so much about what the other bami think, and be my friend.”
Ani turned deep brown, ashamed that Ninto had noticed her shyness and embarrassment. “I’m sorry, kene,” she said, using Ninto’s formal title, “I meant no offense.”
“It’s all right, Ani,” Ninto said. “It’s difficult having a tareena. It hasn’t been easy for me either, watching someone else fill my place with Ilto. But I like being an elder, and Ilto is very proud of you. I promised him that I would watch over you after he dies. I want to be your entoo when you become an elder. Will you let me?”
Ani turned magenta with surprise and amazement. Ninto was highly regarded by the other elders. Her offer of support and sponsorship when Ani became an elder was an unexpected honor.
“I would be honored, Ninto, but I hope—”
“That Ilto doesn’t die,” Ninto finished for her. “He will, Ani, and soon. He loves the village too much to leave it. He’s healing himself more out of pride than because he wants to live. He’ll choose the date for his funeral as soon as he’s sure that the new creature will live. Now let’s find the new creature and bring it back before Ilto starts looking for it himself.”