Shan Yu's daughter liked to tell stories of her ancestors and the battles they won. She recited them like history but Mal listened nonetheless. The Xiongnu had been militant, and though they were defeated, their tactics weren't without value. So Mal listened, and learned of war, and planned her victory.
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Fresh water was hard to come by on an island where even the rain came soured, but the Lost were scavengers before all else. Once fresh produce could be crushed by mortar and pestle, breaking xylem and releasing enough water to stave off terminal dehydration, if not the unpleasant symptoms.