Wings of Fate

13. Questions

Despite her promise to Kalian the night before, Moira did not make his tentmates join him on the dawn patrol. Instead, Kalian went out with the usual group, giving her the perfect opportunity to question those who had been around him the most since he joined their unit. Moira didn't learn much from the first man and woman who shared Kalian's tent, but they encouraged her to speak to Delilah and Bellamy.

She'd already planned on speaking with the latter, but their mention of Delilah snagged her attention. Moira chose to question her first. She found the pretty, soft spoken female taking her turn doing laundry with several others. The storm last night meant their rain barrels were full, and with more rain on the way, no one was hesitant to take advantage of the new water supply.

Delilah looked up as Moira approached. She straightened instantly, fear filling her bright green eyes. "Commander. Is there something I can do for you?"

"You can carry on with your work. I just wanted to ask you a few questions." Moira perched on a boulder, folding her arms together and crossing her ankles as she stretched out her legs. Delilah nodded and continued scrubbing a tunic. "What do you think of Kalian Deirdre?"

Instantly, the female's cheeks turned pink. Moira fought the urge to roll her eyes. Every woman in the camp was blushing at Kalian these days. If the male noticed, he never reacted. She was grateful for that, at least. She could use a few less cocky soldiers in camp.

"He seems nice," Delilah said. "Sad and aloof, but nice."

"Sad?"

Her blonde head bobbed. "There's just an air about him. It's...heavy. I don't know how to describe it exactly. He doesn't sleep much either. I've woken up several times to find his bedroll empty."

"Do you know where he goes?" Moira's thoughts circled back to a report Malachi had given her; the time he'd claimed Kalian was near the Vetiti after dark and on his own.

"I've seen him sitting just outside the tent a few times," Delilah replied. "Others, I think he just walks around camp or maybe goes off somewhere to be alone."

"Does he have nightmares?"

"If he does, I've never heard him."

"Has he told you anything about his past? Anything that might make his reservations a little less...suspicious, and easier to understand?"

Delilah shook her head. "He hasn't told me anything about himself. He mostly just ignores me. Bellamy might know something though. They've been talking more these days."

Moira bowed her head and stood, ready to move on. Delilah bit her lip. "What is it?" Moira urged.

"Malachi and I have spoken about Kalian a little. Malachi knows about my interest in him and keeps warning me to leave him be. I don't know if he has a reason for saying that, or if it's just to save his own interests. It could be something worth looking into."

"I'll do that. Thank you." Moira flipped her ponytail over her shoulder, calling as she walked, "Let me know if you think of anything else." She didn't bother looking to see if Delilah acknowledged her order.

She came across Malachi next. He was busy running through a variety of sword maneuvers, demonstrating them for some of the unit's untrained recruits. They were quick to copy his movements once he'd finished. Moira cleared her throat and Malachi turned to her, narrowing his brown eyes.

"Commander," came the clipped greeting.

"Tell me your thoughts on Kalian Deirdre," Moira said, skipping the unpleasant pleasantries she usually offered him.