Alison took an immediate dislike to Adrina. She knew her sort instinctively. Adrina was the kind of girl who grew up quickly and made other girls feel inferior. She was the sort who went out with older guys in smart cars ... or whatever they had in this realm.
The coracle reached shore and Fury held it steady while Alison clambered on board. She expected his sister to greet her. Instead, the dark-eyed girl sat back and examined her in silence. When at last she spoke, it wasn't to ask about her health or where she came from. Adrina's sole concern was for the bundle of red cloth that Alison carried beneath her cloak. She wanted to know if it was safe ... had it been kept dry?
They entered a channel. Alison sat opposite Adrina and nursed the red bundle. Fury paddled quietly. No one spoke. Alison sensed a strong feeling of animosity. Fury was the older of the two siblings but not much older. In manner and appearance they were totally different. Fury was mild and gentle. Adrina was arrogant and overbearing. His face was windswept. Hers was smooth and she used make-up to enhance her already striking features.
The reeds slipped by and Alison tried to relax. Her mind turned to Tom. Her mother thought he was trying to seduce her. Nothing could be further from the truth. Tom was twice her age. He was like a big bother to her. He'd never made any sexual advances. She'd gone to him for advice. Now Tom was somewhere else and she'd have to face the challenges of her new world without him.
'Look out.'
A shout jolted Alison from her thoughts.
'Get away from it.'
Adrina yelled and Alison wondered what all the fuss was about. An animal with tusks and flippers was lying on a mud bank a short distance ahead. The current carried them towards it then took them away. Everything was going smoothly. The animal didn't look threatening.
'You should look where you're going.'
Adrina yelled at her brother.
'That monster could have killed us.'
'Nay,' Fury shook his head. 'Brother Walrus knows we come in peace.'
'Oh, does he ... Little Bear?'
Adrina spat out Fury's totem name.
Alison thought it was beautiful. Adrina said it with contempt. Alison saw the image of the goddess that Adrina wore about her neck and guessed she followed a different religion. Religious strife was nothing new to Alison. Some of the worse conflicts in her former realm were based on religion. The realisation that everything was not perfect in her new realm came as a shock.