Silence of Bordervale

Part 2: Nine Years Later

"Silence has thin skin, square teeth, and only a narrow suggestion of a snout. She is ugly in the ways that all humans are, and yet I catch myself thinking she is not quite as ugly as the others. Do you think that is normal, Longtooth? I fear I may be growing too sentimental."

Patience Truthseeker, personal correspondence

The human child uttered no sound as Patience examined her wrist. She had cried out once before, when the pot handle slipped and the boiling water splashed on her skin, but that was several days ago. The burn was now a tender patch of red-and-purple skin.

How the child wished that she had been born a keltarek! The damage would not have been as concerning if she had. New scales would have formed beneath the damaged tissue, and all signs of injury would fall off at her next moult. But human skin was delicate and prone to scars.

Patience released the child's hand to address her in sign language. "The burn is healing nicely. Lissik be praised. But you must be more careful, Silence."

"Yes, Mama." the human signed in response. Patience had never asked her to call her that. The girl had simply picked up the habit from Lark, and Patience had not bothered to correct her.

"We are lucky the burn had a few days to heal." Patience went on. "I would hate for you to stand before the Elders with blisters on your arm."

A copper basin sat on the table beside them. Next to the basin was a glass bottle, stained red and sealed with wax. Blessed water. Patience broke the seal and slowly poured the contents over Silence's wrist. She dabbed the wound dry with a piece of cloth, used an ointment made from beeswax on the blisters, and wrapped a clean bandage around it.

The proper way to dispose of sacred water, once the blessing had been used, was to pour it on the roots of a tree. Patience kept a live seedling in the house for that purpose. She emptied the basin over the roots, then put the basin back on the table. "Nine years ago," Patience signed with a nostalgic gleam in her eye, "I would not have imagined using blessed water on a human. You have accomplished so much in that time."

Silence tugged the end of her shirt sleeve over the bandage. "Do you think the Elders will grant my petition?" she asked.

"Whatever happens today, I will be proud of you. But we must not be late for the meeting. Are you ready?"

Silence tapped the leather satchel that hung from her side. "Ready." she signed with a grin.

Everything about the temple reflected the character of its god. The outermost walls bore his image in relief. His statue occupied the center of the first room, though it only depicted his upper half. The statue appeared to be clawing its way out of the floor as a low fire burned in its hollow ribcage.

It was here that Silence and Patience met with the Elders. Only full tribe members could visit the innermost parts of the temple, where there was no ceiling to obstruct Lissik's view of their prayers.

Silence caught her tongue between her teeth and gave it a pinch. It was not proper to fidget in front of the Elders, but biting her tongue was an acceptable substitute. Silence was thankful for that. She needed something to distract herself from the gravity of this moment.

Both Elders carried ornate spears. Chief Blackstone's crown was made of polished steel. The points curved upward, as thin and sharp as talons. The Priestess wore a headpiece made of antlers, feathers, and beads. Some of the beads were red glass and sparkled like embers when she moved.

Silence was not looking at either of the Elders, though. Her eyes were fixed on Patience, who stood beside her to address the chief and priestess on her behalf.