She was so preoccupied with all this new information, she’d even almost forgotten Oku, except that he was a constant presence at the back of her mind, sending unconditional love and support for whatever she chose, even if it wasn’t him.

     That’s what finally did it. She knew her decision, and there was nothing anyone could do to change it.

     Aise began to pack a duffle bag with some things she thought she’d need, stuffing it under her bed and clambering under the covers when she heard footsteps on the stairs. She pretended to be asleep when mother opened her door to peek in, and stayed that way long after the door was shut again, until she thought she’d burst if she didn’t move. She moved silently about her room, gathering up the few belongings that she just couldn’t live without and packing them into her bag. She also rolled up her blanket and tied it tightly with a bit of rope, so that she could take that with her as well.

     After that she waited. Long into the night, until the little blue-ish moon, Vina, had set. Her parents would surely be asleep by now, but still Aislin moved stealthily. She opened her window and tossed out the blanket and duffle, glad that she’d wrapped her one breakable belonging, a little crystal and seashell box that mother had given her to hold precious things, in some clothing before putting it into the middle of the sack so that it’d be cushioned on all sides, just in case.

     She was also glad that her parents’ room was on the other side of the house, so they shouldn’t hear the soft thumps her things mad when they hit the ground. That done, Aise took one last look around her room, fighting back tears as she traced her fingers over the night table that father had made for her.

     She’d probably never be back. She’d miss this place, and her parents... but she knew that if she stayed, they’d make her give up Oku. They’d take away her chance at being happy here, and take away her choice, without really meaning to.

     I’m coming, Oku, she sent him, and smiled at the warm, happy return that she got back. He was still quiet, a little shocky from her parent’s reactions, but he’d be alright as soon as she got there. She’d tell him that it wasn’t his fault and that she’d never have left him, even if her parents had made her do something drastic, like never go back to the skiff again. She’d find a way to be with him.

     *I know,* he said softly.

     Aislin tiptoed down the stairs, pausing to listen every few feet or so. She stepped over the squeaky stair, and skipped the last few steps to the bottom, landing soundlessly on the floorboards. She’d kept her boots off for that purpose, since she was always much quieter in her bare feet than she was with shoes on.

     She didn’t even bother to leave a note this time, since she knew her parents would figure it out on their own when she was nowhere to be found in the morning.

     It was cold outside, though not the frigid chill of morning yet. Aise saw that a thick fog was coming in off the lake as she picked up her things, slinging the bag over one shoulder and holding the blanket with the other arm. That would be good, it’d mean that she’d have cover until almost midday tomorrow, which would get her further away from home.

     Surprisingly, she didn’t slip once on her way to the skiff, and hefted her things into it quickly. Oku had come out of the hold to meet her, chirping softly and curling up in her arms as she hugged and comforted him.

     I need to go get some things out of the cabin, she told him softly, after he’d calmed down and was purring. Come with me, it won’t be long, and I can carry you the whole time, so you won’t get landsick. Oku nodded and climbed to wrap himself around her shoulders. The girl smiled and headed out into the darkness.

     After gathering some things from the cabin and locking and shuttering it’s windows tightly against whatever wind and rain would hit while she was gone, Aislin paused at the garden. She’d done just what uncle J had said in his note and taken good care of it. The herbs were growing nicely and some even had little flowers or fruits on them. She still didn’t know what each was for, however, but she’d managed to find a herbology book in the cabin. It was written in siran, but that’s okay, she intended to learn that language anyway. There was a book or two for just that purpose in her arms as well. So she picked some berries from those that had them, and hurriedly transplanted one of each of the others in small containers she’d found in the cabin.

     It took her a couple of trips to get everything in the skiff, but at last she was finished. She solemnly untied the moorings and hopped aboard, looking back as she pulled out and raised the sails. It didn’t seem strange to her that there was wind here when there was fog elsewhere, but she wasn’t particularly paying that close attention to the weather right now anyway. Her mind was on other things.

     Worried about his bondmate, Oku trilled softly, turning it into a hum halfway through and humming the first line of the lullaby song. He put comforting thoughts into it this time, so that Aise knew that he was worried about her. She smiled at him, still sitting on her shoulders, and hummed along softly.