The snake on the tree limb continued to watch them, swaying a little to get a beetter view.<br/><br/>The young girl in Athren's grasp sighed, obviously reluctant to speak.  "I came here with my mother to collect wild berries, the black and red kinds.  But when we got very deep into the trees, she sent me in off the path to look in a bush, and when I returned to the spot where she'd been, she was not there.  I called for her, but she would not answer.  That was two sunrises ago."  She began to shiver and her eyes again filled with tears.  "I believe she left me here on purpose!  Why wouldn't she answer me or come get me if she had wanted me back? I don't want to stay here forever... but I don't want to go home either."