She became still.
Elias continued.
"I'd consider it a responsibility. And perhaps, if we learn to know each other, something good."
Ren looked at him for a long time.
Then asked, quietly, "Would you still say that if you saw my face?"
Elias met her gaze through the veil.
"I'd rather know what's behind your eyes than what color they are."
She gave a startled laugh.
Then lowered her head.
For the first time, Elias heard her laugh without sadness mixed into the sound.
And he realized he wanted to hear it again.
Not because of the land.
Not because of his father.
But because the woman beside him was beginning to matter.
The truth about Ren's veil emerged that afternoon.
Willow Song asked Elias to visit.
When he arrived, the old woman was sorting dried plants beside her shelter.
She looked at him carefully.
"You spoke with Ren."
He nodded.
"Yes."
"What did you tell her?"
"The truth."
Willow Song smiled faintly.
"Good."
She gestured toward the seat opposite her.
"There is something you must understand."
Elias sat.
The old woman took a long breath.
"Ren was born with eyes like her grandmother."
Elias waited.
"One dark brown. One pale blue."
He nodded.
"That's unusual."
"Yes."
Willow Song continued.
"Her grandmother was a respected negotiator. She understood the speech of different communities and spent many years helping people settle disputes without bloodshed."
Elias listened.
"When she grew old, people remembered her by those unusual eyes. Some trusted her. Others feared the influence she carried."
The old woman's expression darkened.
"When Ren was young, men began saying she would become like her grandmother."
"Is that why she wears the veil?"
"Partly."
Willow Song looked toward the river.
"Five years ago, a wealthy contractor visited the camp."
Elias knew the answer before she spoke.
"Silas Crane."
She nodded.
"He had heard about Ren."
Elias frowned.
"What did he want?"
"An arrangement."
"What kind?"
"He offered Iron Elk money, horses, and influence with officials if Ren would marry a man associated with his company."
Elias stared.
"Why?"
"Because Ren's grandmother had helped record the old river boundaries. Some people believed Ren knew where those records were kept."
Elias felt his pulse quicken.
"And Crane wanted them."
"Yes."
The old woman continued.
"Iron Elk refused the arrangement."
"Good."
"But Crane did not stop asking questions."
Willow Song lowered her voice.
"He began sending men to watch the camp. Some tried to approach Ren. Others offered gifts."
Elias frowned.
"Then her father hid her."
"Yes."
"Behind the veil?"
Willow Song nodded.
"Iron Elk believed that if outsiders thought Ren was unattractive, cursed, or somehow dangerous to marry, they would leave her alone."
Elias shook his head slowly.
"That's a terrible thing to tell your own daughter."
The old woman's expression became sorrowful.
"It is."
She continued.
"At first, Iron Elk told her it was temporary."
Elias listened.