“My heart is pounding really hard,” Toci whispered to me as we made our way down a trail Isobeau and Ruis had discovered. Enough light filtered through the trees that I could see her eyes were wide with excitement and maybe fear.

“Me too, Toci,” I responded, “Everybody is being really brave. I am so proud especially of you, Ife, and Ina.”

“They are good girls,” Toci said absently. I knew she was worried about sending them ahead.

There was ...