{"id":641,"date":"2026-08-17T17:24:59","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T17:24:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=641"},"modified":"2026-08-18T22:12:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T22:12:54","slug":"the-people-on-the-other-side-of-the-hill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=641","title":{"rendered":"The People on the Other Side of the Hill"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tales from the Universe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Moral Dilemma:<\/strong> When two groups sincerely believe the other is dangerous, and both can point to real harm as proof, how do you decide whom to trust without letting inherited fear make the decision for you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everyone in Vale knew not to cross the hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Children learned it before they learned multiplication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>River.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mill.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hill.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Don&#8217;t cross it.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Simple geography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond the hill lived the people of Rook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale called them Rooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rook called themselves people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This distinction had apparently escaped Vale for several generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin first crossed accidentally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He was fourteen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His dog was stupid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These facts combined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPox!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The dog vanished through the trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By the time he remembered the hill, he was already standing on top of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Houses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smoke from chimneys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin expected something more sinister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Possibly skulls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There were laundry lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This was disappointing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPox!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Downhill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin descended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He found the dog eating from a bowl outside a farmhouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A girl stood beside him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She held a shovel like a weapon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pox continued eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Traitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou&#8217;re Vale,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin looked at his clothes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow can you tell?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou look terrified.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou&#8217;re holding a shovel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou crossed the hill.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy dog crossed the hill.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The girl looked at Pox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe seems happy here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe has low standards.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her name was Mara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fifteen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She had been told never to cross the hill either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecause Vale people steal children.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe say you steal children.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat seems inefficient.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBoth sides stealing children.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMaybe we&#8217;re exchanging them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The shovel lowered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin took Pox home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He told nobody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Naturally he returned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He and Mara met near the hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At first to compare stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale said Rook poisoned wells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rook said Vale burned crops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale said Rook ambushed travelers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rook said Vale raided farms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both had monuments to people killed by the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both had names.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Graves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This was not a misunderstanding invented from nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People had died.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat started it?\u201d Nerin asked his grandfather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Rooks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey attacked the old bridge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecause they&#8217;re Rooks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat isn&#8217;t a reason.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His grandfather stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou&#8217;ve been asking strange questions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara asked her grandmother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cVale stole the river.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow do you steal a river?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDam.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBefore that, water reached our southern farms.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDid Rook attack the bridge?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTo stop the dam.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That sounded important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin checked Vale&#8217;s records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The dam had been built first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Rook had attacked surveyors before construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rook records said the surveyors were trespassing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale records said the land had been purchased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rook records said the person who sold it did not own it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale records contained a deed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rook records contained another deed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">History became increasingly rude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then sheep began disappearing from Vale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tracks led toward the hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People knew immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRooks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCould be wolves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His father laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWolves don&#8217;t cut fences.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Good point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale organized patrols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rook did too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because their goats were disappearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each side concluded the other was preparing raids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This was efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin told Mara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe aren&#8217;t taking goats.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe aren&#8217;t taking sheep.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSomeone is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They stared at each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then both said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cProbably.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That word carried more weight than expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Vale patrol caught a Rook boy near the hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He had a knife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everyone carried knives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This did not matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He was arrested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rook demanded his return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale demanded the livestock thieves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rook said there were no thieves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale said exactly what thieves would say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rook mobilized twenty men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale mobilized thirty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The hill filled with people who had inherited excellent reasons to be frightened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin found Mara at dusk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe need proof.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOf what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat neither side is doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat if one side is?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat if your people are taking our goats?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat if yours are taking our sheep?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They looked at each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their friendship had survived stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">History.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rumors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It had never survived evidence because they hadn&#8217;t found any yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWould you tell me?\u201d Mara asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf Vale was doing it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin wanted to say yes immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead he thought about his father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Grandfather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neighbors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People who had known him since birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMe too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neither knew if they were telling the truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They followed the tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Terrible idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The tracks led east.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not toward Rook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not toward Vale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Along the hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then into an abandoned quarry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Inside:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sheep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Goats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Six men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Three from Vale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Three from Rook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara whispered:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The thieves were working together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Selling livestock south.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using the feud as camouflage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Any missing animal would automatically be blamed on the other village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perfect crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Powered entirely by inherited certainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin recognized one man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His uncle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara recognized another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her cousin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The discovery did not feel triumphant anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They returned home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now came the difficult part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tell whom?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If Nerin accused his uncle alongside Rooks, would anyone believe him?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rook?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Same problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both councils?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the thieves might flee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin suggested gathering evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara agreed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They returned with a small camera borrowed from a traveling surveyor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This technology was new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wonderful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They photographed the quarry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Faces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Proof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then Nerin&#8217;s uncle caught them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He grabbed Nerin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara raised her knife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His uncle laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou&#8217;re with a Rook?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin struggled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLet go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDo you know what they did to your great-grandfather?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara shouted:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDo you know what Vale did to mine?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The uncle looked at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That stopped everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou know?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen why\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecause everyone knows.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He released Nerin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The other thieves gathered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rook and Vale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Standing together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou don&#8217;t hate each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One man shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSome do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen why steal from your own people?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another answered:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecause they&#8217;ll blame each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara looked sick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou could start a war.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The man laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey&#8217;ve been almost starting one for eighty years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo that makes it acceptable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMakes it useful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin understood something then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hatred did not need everyone to believe it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes it only needed enough people to expect everyone else did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They escaped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Barely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The photographs went to both councils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The thieves were arrested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin&#8217;s uncle included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His father did not speak to him for three months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou betrayed family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe was stealing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou exposed him to Rook.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe was stealing from Vale with Rook.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat isn&#8217;t the point.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It seemed exactly the point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The livestock crisis ended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The feud did not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eighty years did not evaporate because six idiots stole goats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But something changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale and Rook created a joint investigation council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mostly because neither trusted the other enough to investigate alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Distrust accidentally produced cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Humans are strange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin and Mara eventually married.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This caused approximately the amount of trouble expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both families objected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then attended anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin&#8217;s grandfather sat on one side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara&#8217;s grandmother on the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neither spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During dinner, Pox stole meat from both plates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Diplomatic breakthrough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Years later, Nerin served on the joint council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A fight broke out near the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale boy injured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rook boy accused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Witnesses disagreed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Old stories returned immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey&#8217;ve always been violent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey&#8217;ve always lied.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin stopped the meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everyone looked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe investigate this fight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Someone said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou can&#8217;t ignore history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI didn&#8217;t say ignore it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin looked around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHistory tells us what questions to ask.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He tapped the evidence on the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt does not get to answer them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The investigation found the Rook boy had started the fight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He was punished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some Vale residents celebrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSee?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin hated that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because guilt had become evidence for an entire people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Months later, a Vale man attacked a Rook merchant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Same process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale man guilty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rook residents said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSee?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin hated that too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One evening he and Mara climbed the hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Older now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lights in both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From this height, impossible to tell where one ended and the other began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara pointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRemember when you thought we stole children?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou thought we stole children.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou did steal one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin groaned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat is terrible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI&#8217;ve waited thirty years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They sat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara asked:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDo you trust Vale?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSome people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRook?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSome people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMe?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUsually.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She hit him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin looked toward the old quarry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Abandoned again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFunny.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI thought growing up would tell me which side was good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mara nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDisappointing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cVery.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The wind moved across the hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once, children had been told never to cross it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now a road crossed directly through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People still argued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still remembered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still distrusted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes for good reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes terrible ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The road remained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nerin had learned that trust did not require pretending nobody had ever harmed you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nor did caution require inheriting every enemy your ancestors had made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You could remember the graves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read the records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lock the door when evidence told you to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Open it when evidence changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And when everyone around you said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>You know what those people are like,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">you could ask the question that had once carried a fourteen-year-old boy over a forbidden hill:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which people?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tales from the Universe Moral Dilemma: When two groups sincerely believe the other is dangerous, and both can point to real harm as proof, how do you decide whom to trust without letting inherited fear make the decision for you? Everyone in Vale knew not to cross the hill. Children learned it before they learned [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-641","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tales-from-the-universe"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The People on the Other Side of the Hill - Depth Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=641\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The People on the Other Side of the Hill - Depth Guide\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Tales from the Universe Moral Dilemma: When two groups sincerely believe the other is dangerous, and both can point to real harm as proof, how do you decide whom to trust without letting inherited fear make the decision for you? Everyone in Vale knew not to cross the hill. Children learned it before they learned [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=641\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Depth Guide\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-08-17T17:24:59+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-18T22:12:54+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"ifiockitsune\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"ifiockitsune\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/depthguide.com\\\/?p=641#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/depthguide.com\\\/?p=641\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"ifiockitsune\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/depthguide.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/14b294ce600f58c067559a7da881ec5d\"},\"headline\":\"The People on the Other Side of the Hill\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-17T17:24:59+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-18T22:12:54+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/depthguide.com\\\/?p=641\"},\"wordCount\":1576,\"commentCount\":0,\"articleSection\":[\"Tales from the Universe\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/depthguide.com\\\/?p=641#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/depthguide.com\\\/?p=641\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/depthguide.com\\\/?p=641\",\"name\":\"The People on the Other Side of the Hill - Depth Guide\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/depthguide.com\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-17T17:24:59+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-18T22:12:54+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/depthguide.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/14b294ce600f58c067559a7da881ec5d\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/depthguide.com\\\/?p=641#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/depthguide.com\\\/?p=641\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/depthguide.com\\\/?p=641#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/depthguide.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"The People on the Other Side of the Hill\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/depthguide.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/depthguide.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"Depth Guide\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/depthguide.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/depthguide.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/14b294ce600f58c067559a7da881ec5d\",\"name\":\"ifiockitsune\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d97e9bc625f92dc0afa2630fc43ca1fbec835b8f0138d1addee73426f53060b5?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d97e9bc625f92dc0afa2630fc43ca1fbec835b8f0138d1addee73426f53060b5?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d97e9bc625f92dc0afa2630fc43ca1fbec835b8f0138d1addee73426f53060b5?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"ifiockitsune\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/depthguide.com\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/depthguide.com\\\/?author=1\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The People on the Other Side of the Hill - Depth Guide","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=641","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The People on the Other Side of the Hill - Depth Guide","og_description":"Tales from the Universe Moral Dilemma: When two groups sincerely believe the other is dangerous, and both can point to real harm as proof, how do you decide whom to trust without letting inherited fear make the decision for you? Everyone in Vale knew not to cross the hill. Children learned it before they learned [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=641","og_site_name":"Depth Guide","article_published_time":"2026-08-17T17:24:59+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-08-18T22:12:54+00:00","author":"ifiockitsune","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"ifiockitsune"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=641#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=641"},"author":{"name":"ifiockitsune","@id":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/#\/schema\/person\/14b294ce600f58c067559a7da881ec5d"},"headline":"The People on the Other Side of the Hill","datePublished":"2026-08-17T17:24:59+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-18T22:12:54+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=641"},"wordCount":1576,"commentCount":0,"articleSection":["Tales from the Universe"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=641#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=641","url":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=641","name":"The People on the Other Side of the Hill - Depth Guide","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-08-17T17:24:59+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-18T22:12:54+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/#\/schema\/person\/14b294ce600f58c067559a7da881ec5d"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=641#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=641"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=641#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The People on the Other Side of the Hill"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/","name":"Depth Guide","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/#\/schema\/person\/14b294ce600f58c067559a7da881ec5d","name":"ifiockitsune","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d97e9bc625f92dc0afa2630fc43ca1fbec835b8f0138d1addee73426f53060b5?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d97e9bc625f92dc0afa2630fc43ca1fbec835b8f0138d1addee73426f53060b5?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d97e9bc625f92dc0afa2630fc43ca1fbec835b8f0138d1addee73426f53060b5?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"ifiockitsune"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/depthguide.com"],"url":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?author=1"}]}},"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/641","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=641"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/641\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":642,"href":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/641\/revisions\/642"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=641"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=641"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=641"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}