Mino sensed his clansmen drawing near. He walked to Nina's side and lowered his voice.
"Nina, I have something to take care of. You go on ahead. I'll catch up shortly."
He intended to draw his tribe away from her.
Nina felt a flicker of confusion but didn't press him. "Alright. Be careful."
"I will."
With that, Mino turned and sped off in another direction.
It was nearly dusk before he finally shook off the Spirit Cat tribe and rejoined Nina and the others.
As night approached, they found a cave suitable for resting. Mino and the others busied themselves cleaning it and preparing dinner.
Meanwhile, Nina sat with Yinny and Didi in her arms. She took out the primal stones.
"Little pearl," she murmured softly, "go ahead and eat them."
The spirit pearl glowed brightly, radiating a warm light that enveloped the two stones. Under its brilliance, the stones gradually dissolved into nothingness.
