"That particular sort of cowardice seems rarer here," Ulla remarks. She imagines that comes as a relief to some people. It's mostly a jarring change to her. "There are cowards in any race, sildroher included. People who are afraid of anything or anyone different."

She grew up among a sea of whispered rumors, ostracized by most of her own people.

"Of course, I suppose I'm not quite sildroher anymore. There's only one of whatever I am."