Broken (Disappeared #2)

Chapter Six

"You won't believe what's happening out there," Izel said, sitting heavily on the opposite bench.

Tipelli sat down next to him. Both of them looked so upset their eyes were almost starting out of their sockets. Their hands trembled on the table. They were large and intimidating men who were skilled hunters and fighters. If they were afraid, then there had to be a very good reason.

Ahuil and Theodosia looked up from their breakfast of porridge and stewed apples. Weak sun filtered through the elm leaves and cast dancing patterns on the wooden platform and tables. Above them, scores of beds hung from higher branches. People were starting to descend down the little hammock elevator and join them at breakfast.

"We did our rounds this morning but this time we went a bit further to get a sense of the situation out there," Tipelli said, stroking his long blond beard. "We saw all these flickering shapes just beyond the settlement. So we crept up, quietly as we could." He swallowed hard. "The half-beings ... well, I don't know how to say it ... they're not halves anymore. They look like real people now, just walking about like everything's normal. Dressed different from us. They look a little different, too. But definitely human."

Ahuil put down his spoon and looked from one guard to the other. "Can we still get to the Ahtle?"

The twins looked at each other and shrugged. "Not sure," Izel responded. "Thing is, if they're real we might be able to kill them now."

Tipelli nodded in agreement. "This is our chance. We should just get our arrows and spears and knock them out."

Ahuil held up his hands. "Listen, listen. We can't do anything until we figure out how many of them there are."

"We're wasting time," Izel said. "They're multiplying as we speak."

"We're not dictators," Ahuil countered. "If we want to wage war, we have to hold a vote. Today, let's just do what the people asked us to: speak to the Ahtle and see if he can help us."

"You're right," muttered Tipelli to his brother. "He doesn't believe in any strategy."

"I'm risking my life for what we're about to do today. So is Theo. I guess that doesn't mean anything to you," Ahuil said, getting up abruptly. "Enough of this squabbling. Let's find Xochitl and get going."

Theodosia donned her tan overcoat over her simple linen dress to ward off the chill. They found Xochitl alone at the base of the elm tree, practicing swordplay. She sheathed her blade when she saw them.

"Have you lot been fighting again?" she said, crossing her arms. "Seriously? And just before we're all going out to risk our necks for some stupid sorcerer."

One of her brothers started to speak but she glared at him angrily. "Shut it, Tipelli. I don't care if the Ahtle's sitting on a mountain of magic dust — that creepy creature doesn't care a sliver for any of us. Anyone who's seen him before knows that."

She took Theodosia's arm and turned her back on the men. They began to walk into the forest. The younger woman gazed at her with awe and admiration. Xochitl wasn't afraid of anyone. Theodosia wanted to be just like that.

"Have you seen the Ahtle before?" she asked after a moment.

"Yes, and I wish I hadn't," Xochitl replied. "I went with Ahuil and his brothers when we were younger. His parents went to consult the Ahtle because there was a serious division between two factions of Nextic. It was about to tear our people apart." She held up a low fir branch for them to pass under.

"And what happened?"

Xochitl shrugged. "He had nothing to say except for a bunch of riddles. In the end, Ahuil's parents solved the problem the old-fashioned way, through diplomacy. The thing is that most people haven't seen the Ahtle. So the legends and rumors about him refuse to die down." She paused a moment. "What is happening to our forest? I almost don't recognize it anymore."