Darin thought about that. It was possible that some of the Eluri would know who she was thanks to a vision of some sort, but they should be able to travel anonymously for a little while. It also seemed that they would be able to travel in relative safety without anyone trying to attack Ridahne for no real reason. That was good. Though Darin had no real stories she could tell. Her life before this trip had been boring and predictable, and if the Eluri had any farmers at all they would already know the tales. Though it sounded like there were a few difeerences in how their little towns were laid out. That was alright. Darin was excited to see the differences even though she knew Ridahne was right; people mostly just wanted to live good lives.

Then something else struck Darin and she found herself asking without realy thinking, “Wait! It’s a religion? That’s why you tattoo your face? Will you explain it too me?” Then her brain caught up with her mouth, “Are you allowed to explain it to me?”

Darin hadn’t even thought the oijh were a religious thing. She thought it was mainly cultural. Then again, Darin hadn’t had much exposure to religion in her life. She had a vague idea of some type of deity or deities existing. She figured that a higher power had to exist in some form or another. Darin just didn’t worship any or claim to be a follower of any of the ones she knew about. She knew other people did. Some of the traders that came to Lively did. She also knew that some of the traders refused to talk to each other because they believed in different gods. Darin didn’t much see the point in that one. Everybody believed in The Tree. Everyone was a person. What did it matter if someone believed in a different god than another? Darin wasn’t sure it did matter. As long as a person did good Darin saw no reason to hate them.

Then again Darin wasn’t sure she really hated anyone. Well, her father, maybe, but she knew that was unfair of her. Though that didn’t stop her from hating him. She had been more afraid of Mark than actually hating him. She might hate the Sols, but she wasn’t sure yet. She knew she actively disliked them, though she was reserving judgment on hating them until she met them for herself. She could at least do that for her Seed-Chained. That much was easy enough. She wasn’t fond of people, but there was no one (except her father) that she really hated. Hate just seemed like a useless emotion. That didn’t change the fact that it could be valid. Darin knew that too.

Darin continued her line of thought, “I would like to know if you can tell me. You don’t have to feel like you have to. I know some people are tight lipped about it. Some of the traders that come to Lively will talk about their religion while others won’t. I’ll admit that I didn’t really pay attention to what I was allowed to hear. I never thought I need it. The Tree helps guide us in choosing good over evil, and nature provides most of what I need. I suppose it makes sense that some higher power is at work. I just never gave it much thought until recently.”