The Waters of Destiny ( English Version of " Les eaux du Destin"

Chapter 29: Closer ties

Here's a closer look at Metkayina's future leading pair. Feel free to vote if you like it or comment.

Several days later,

A'onung's point of view

I was thinking about how to approach Twaly. If I could talk to her without her wanting to kill me, that would already be a victory. Since she and her mother had been able to ride a Tsurak, a certain respect for them had been established within the clan. Her sister, on the other hand, had a seemingly insatiable curiosity and an overflowing creative spirit, trying to understand us better. This amused the parents, even if few had the patience to keep up with her seemingly endless barrage of questions. I noticed my young betrothed seemed to be starting to make her preparations for the patrol, carefully inspecting her spear, strengthening its point while her crossbow and "quiver", as she liked to call it, with its ammunition, were neatly stowed away inside. I found this strange, but it wasn't the first oddity in the family. I couldn't help admiring her magnificent warrior figure, as well as her beautiful hair set with pearls in certain places, giving a lovely melody to my ears. I swallowed my saliva, feeling my heart beat nervously. For I could see that the young woman was as beautiful as she was fierce. I was about to move forward, gathering my courage when she stopped and turned to face me.

Her orange eyes, staring back at me, shone with that wild glint, as if ready to destroy me. I didn't think anyone was as terrifying as my mother, until the Koltyans arrived. She moved her head, looking at me as if demanding to know why I was there, not helping my nervousness.

Me: Uh...

Twaly: What do you want?

The voice was so cold and sharp, like the whip of a furious wave.

Me: I know I haven't been on my best behavior.

Twaly: To say the least.

Me: I know it was stupid...But seeing you with him...I thought...

Twaly: That we were together?

I lowered my eyes and ears, seeing clearly that she'd guessed.

Twaly sighed: Boys...they're all idiots.

Me: I know it was stupid and serious. But...could you give me another chance?

She looked at me again, with that sharp look.

Twaly: Give me one good reason why I should, A'onung.

Me: I've understood my mistakes and then...If you, the Toruk Makto and your mother, managed to ride a Tsurak, then maybe you're not so different.

The young woman looked at me with cold calm, as if inspecting my soul. Her orange eyes seemed to pierce my mind, as if assessing me. I could hear the beating of my heart, as stress overcame me. After this seemingly eternal moment of silent inspection, she finally spoke.

Twaly: Maybe there's a way to see if you've changed.

She rose to her feet, walking with warrior grace. Her braided hair had pearls in it, while her clothes showed her commitment to her future clan life. Only her five fingers stood out to me. The vegetal leaves matched her warrior figure so well, setting it off to perfection... But when I saw this, I felt a strange sensation. On closer inspection, I could see that beyond this proud, confident facade lay a certain sadness and distress. It surprised me, wondering where it could have come from.

Twaly beckoned: "Are you coming?

This brought me back to reality, and I shook my head. No, I must have been dreaming. How could someone like her, looking so perfect, suffer from such a malaise?