The Ancients A Tale of Survival

Conversation

Jåcóbӱ sat crossed legged in the hut that he shared with Mỷrἇ. Mỷrἇ had told him all about Ƒáeláƞ's proposal. He knew of it, but didn't know that Ƒáeláƞ was the man that his father had once talked about. It was a good match and Mỷrἇ needed protected. He could already feel Mỷrἇ's magical ability far outstripping his own. Jåcóbӱ knew that he was meant to be his sister's protector. It was something that his mother had promised him to do. Jåcóbӱ had forgotten it for awhile when they lived with Aunt and Uncle, but Jåcóbӱ had eventually remembered his promise and he had yet to forget it.

"You okay Jåcóbӱ?"

Jåcóbӱ looked up at Mỷrἇ's soft voice and smiled at his sister. "I'm fine Mỷrἇ. Just thinking."

Mỷrἇ came over and sat down beside him. She rested her chin on his shoulder and gazed up at him with her beautiful eyes. Her hand reached up and fiddled with a feather in his hair. "Thinking about what?"

Jåcóbӱ shrugged as he ran a finger down a faint scar on Mỷrἇ's face. It was a scar that Ştårbrîghţ had given her. Mỷrἇ wrinkled her nose at him as she swatted his hand away. "You've been very moody lately brother. What is it?"

"I don't know Mỷrἇ. I am glad that Ƒáeláƞ remembered his betrothal to you. I had forgotten. I was little when Mother told me about the deal between father and Ƒáeláƞ's father. I worry about you. I do not trust Maŗŗők. He watches you. I do not like it."

"I have noticed Maŗŗők watching me. That is why I try to stay close to the others. Maŗŗők doesn't seem to like Äɱďėƞ very well so I try to stay with her. It'll be easier once Ƒáeláƞ and I are finally married."

Jåcóbӱ was quiet as he leaned his head against his sister's forehead. Her breath tickled his face, but he didn't mind. They had always been close which had caused a lot of fights between their Aunt and Uncle. Jåcóbӱ wasn't afraid of losing his sister. He was afraid of Ƒáeláƞ not being able to protect him.

"You can move closer to us Jåcóbӱ."

Jåcóbӱ frowned at Mỷrἇ. "What?"

Mỷrἇ sat up and shook back her long red hair. "You can move closer to us. If you are to be my protector you will need to stay close to me. Ƒáeláƞ says that protectors either stay in a hut close to those they are to protect or they will live with the person they are supposed to keep safe. Ƒáeláƞ and I have already talked about it. He is fine with you living with us."

"That is good. I have been worried about how I will be able to protect you."

A sweet smile swept across Mỷrἇ's face. She reached up and touched his cheek in sisterly affection. "You have always protected me Jåcóbӱ. I fear no one when I am around you."

Jåcóbӱ nodded. "It is decided. I will let you and Ƒáeláƞ have your wedding night together, but after that I will stick close to your side. I do not plan on losing you like I lost Mother and Father."

A knock sounded on the hut. "Come in," Mỷrἇ sang.

Ƒáeláƞ and Maŗŗők entered the hut. A smile spread across Ƒáeláƞ's face while Maŗŗők's darkened with a dark emotion. Ƒáeláƞ and Maŗŗők sat down across from Jåcóbӱ and Mỷrἇ'. Jåcóbӱ leveled a killing glare on Maŗŗők before he greeted them.

"I am glad that you have come by my home. Mỷrἇ has explained what has happened and I am pleased about it. I had forgotten till recently of my Father's promise to yours."

Ƒáeláƞ nodded. "The elders have agreed to perform the wedding celebration later this week. Both of you will learn from our elders what a wedding is like amongst our people. For now, I have come by to talk about the marriage. Maŗŗők is here to bear witness to what we speak about. If Mỷrἇ so chooses, she can have a woman representative."

Mỷrἇ squared her shoulders. "I would like Äɱďėƞ to join us."

Ƒáeláƞ nodded as he made a slight motion with his hand. "She will join us momentarily. While we wait for her let us talk of your magical training. Have you been to Hîkîoťo yet?

Mỷrἇ shook her head. "No I haven't, but I plan on finding her later today. She is a hard woman to get a hold of."

Äɱďėƞ walked through the door without knocking. She sat gracefully between Mỷrἇ and Maŗŗők. "I am ready. Let us talk about the wedding that is about to take place and the marriage that will replace it."

Mỷrἇ leaned forward and listened to what Äɱďėƞ and Ƒáeláƞ said. Jåcóbӱ kept his sharp eyes on Maŗŗők. Maŗŗők returned his stare with one of his own. The sooner Ƒáeláƞ could tie himself to Mỷrἇ, the better. Jåcóbӱ would breathe easier once that happened. The day of their bonding couldn't happen soon enough.