Elfroot. That's it. Elfroot. (book 1)

Prologue 4/4

Hehehehe

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       Jules hardly spoke to Kuu after what happened that day. Had his words really upset Jules that much? Kuu said was nothing more than something to offend him with in the moment - and he certainly didn't expect Jules' reaction to last this long. But, if Jules was truly upset, then why didn't he act like it? He merely behaved like a toddler throwing a tantrum. Unless, this was how Jules showed his anger?

    Kuu sighed, watching out of the corner of his eye as his little brother slept on the bedroll beside him. Though Kuu was indeed the Keeper's apprentice, he still shared an aravell with his family - and, seeing as both his parents were dead, and he had no other siblings, Jules was that family. Often Jules slept outside, likely up in a tree or on top of some sort of statue, but occasionally he stayed in their aravell for the night.

Even when he did, he never said anything.

"Quit staring at me. It's getting weird," Jules mumbled, burying his face in his pillow.

Kuu looked away, his face red. Though he quickly looked back a moment later and asked, "did I say something?"

Jules lifted his head. "Did you say something...?" he echoed. "Hm... I don't know. Did you? Were you the one who said we weren't brothers? If so, then YES. YOU DID SAY SOMETHING!" He returned to hiding his face in his pillow. Jules was small, and younger, so it was more acceptable to see him act like a child - yet something about it made Kuu cringe.

The white-haired elf moved closer to him. "I said that in anger. It was just words, Jules."

"Words can hurt, you know..." Jules whispered, his voice shaky.

Kuu blinked in shock. Is he... Crying?

He attempted to touch Jules' shoulder, but the young elf shook him off. "Get lost, asshole," he grumbled, shuffling away. Kuu moved back with a sigh. He didn't know what to do to reconcile with his little brother, though he wished he did. Perhaps Jules would forgive him on his own. He often did, whenever Kuu told on him or stopped him from doing something stupid.

Kuu left his tent, only to be greeted by Dak. He smiled when seeing her, and the girl returned the look. "I'm glad you're awake. The cut on your head wasn't a small one," he said, accompanied by a nervous chuckle. "It actually made me a little nauseous, seeing all that blood..."

"To think, the Keeper's First would be afraid of blood," Dak laughed, then glanced over Kuu's shoulder and into his aravel. "Is your brother still not speaking to you?"

Kuu shook his head. "No, but I don't think It'll last for much longer. Perhaps he's even faking. I wouldn't put it past him... He complains like a child, and acts like one no matter the circumstance. We'd be doomed if he were to become the next keeper and not me..." Though, something about the thought made Kuu feel a little relaxed.

Dak shook her head and sighed, "You shouldn't say that about your brother. He's trying. Haven't you noticed he hasn't left camp at all since the two of you were last scolded by Keeper Deshanna?"

He hasn't...? Kuu lowered his gaze.

Dak's smile returned, and she took Kuu's hand gently in her own. "Come, I'd like to speak with you in private. If you don't mind, of course."

Kuu had no objections, so the young elven woman guided him past the aravels and towards where they kept their clan's Halla, beautiful white deer with antlers shaped like winding trees. She stopped at the edge, next to where one of the halla was grazing. While still holding Kuu's hand, she said, "I wanted to speak with you about... A rumor I had heard. A few others were whispering that you... Intend to court me..."