But Wina wouldn't let it go just like that.
"You! I told you—!"
The floodgates opened, and Wina's scolding poured forth. Gara stayed silent, head lowered in guilt and regret, enduring the repeated warnings he'd heard many times before.
While she lectured, Gara gave Fian a subtle signal to wheel the cart inside. Fian obeyed, slipping past without a word. Wina barely glanced at him before continuing her tirade.
Gara was still thinking about what to do with the meat and hide when Rea, in the middle of carrying her tiny children into the house, suddenly retched.
Both Gara and Wina turned sharply toward the little ball of white fur.
They rushed to her side. The white squirrel, lively just moments ago, was now foaming black from the mouth.
Gara's heart clenched—he remembered the crystal Rea had eaten. The serpent must have been poisonous… and the crystal likely carried the same toxin.
Without hesitation, Gara forced his water between her lips as he carried her into the house.
