Never

Prologue

Dawn was just breaking over the distant mountains as Lily made her way down to the lagoon. Bali had promised to meet her there by daybreak on this, her last day of freedom. Trying not to think of what tomorrow would bring, she picked up the pace. She had so much to tell Bali, and today would be a very busy day, and she had to enjoy and appreciate every part of it. The sky was streaked purple and pink, the dew still sparkling on the grass under her feet. She breathed in. It's going to be okay.

When she reached the lagoon, Bali had not yet arrived, so she slipped off her moccasins and waded into the clear green water. The sun rose steadily higher over Kantogoa as she waited, skipping stones and collecting shells.

"Lily!"

She looked up. There he was, sprinting over the hill down into their hidden lagoon. He was out of breath when he reached her. "Sorry I'm late. I wanted to bring you this." He held out a small deerskin purse. "Look inside."

She opened it carefully, reaching inside tentatively. Last time Bali had brought her a surprise 'gift', it had been a snake. This time, however, she pulled out a small beaded necklace. A pendant made of an arrowhead and pink stones dangled off the chain with a feather on either side.

"Oh," she said in wonder. "It's beautiful, Bali. Thank you."

"I made it myself," He said, seeming pleased. "To celebrate your last day of being a normal citizen-" he made a face "-your most majesticness,"

She shoved him, sending him tumbling into the water with a hoot of laughter. After carefully placing her necklace on a flat stone, she dove in after him.

Lily and Bali spent the morning splashing and laughing, diving for clams and sunning on the shore. They swam through underwater plant forests, chasing fish that were much too fast, and seeing who could hold their breath longer. When Lily accidently angered a passing snapping turtle, they decided they had better leave for fear of losing their toes.

"So," Bali began as they ate their lunch, "We should do something special to commemorate this being the last day of your childhood. I mean, tomorrow you'll be our chief."

"Chieftess," Lily corrected him. "And I can't wait, either, because it means I get to boss you around."

"Yeah right, good luck with that."

She made a face at him. "Anyway, today I'd like to go to the caves."

"Nuh-uh. The yona are making their homes there right about now."

"Well, maybe I'll fight a bear." Lily said defiantly.

"It would EAT YOU." Bali told her matter-of-factly. "Trust me. Don't go messing with those things. Remember?" He pointed to the scars across his ribcage. "That one was just a baby. I ran off before the mama could get me."

"All right, so we won't go to the caves." Lily lapsed into silence.

"So... are you nervous, then?" Bali finally spoke.

"Yes. I just can't be a chieftess. I can't do it."

"Yes, you can, Lily. You've got the bossiness down, at least." Bali laughed.

She rolled her eyes, looking out, away from Kantogoa.

"....Lily!"

"Yes?"

"Look!"

Lily turned, trying to see over the hills to the campground. Billowing out from the tall trees was a massive cloud of black smoke.