The Fall of the Keepers

Chapter 18 The Threat

"You've been hiding my sister away in the old Keeper's quarters?"
Ranen asked with raised eyebrows.

"Ghost's idea, not mine."
I replied, pushing open the heavy door.

Navia was sitting cross-legged on the floor chewing on what appeared to be a piece of beef jerky and staring at the wall with a blank expression. A little lantern sat on the floor beside her casting a pale glow over the room. Our movement must have caught her attention because her head snapped in our direction, her eyes wide with fear. Her jaw dropped open and the jerky fell out as she caught sight of her brother. She scrambled to her feet and launched herself into his arms, tears streaming down her face. Ranen knelt down to her level, his eyes watering as well, crushing her to his chest.

"Navia, Navia."
He murmured.

Watching their reunion made me feel more than a little guilty for not making it happen sooner. I closed the door behind us and plopped down on the couch. When brother and sister finally drew apart Navia began motioning with her hands excitedly. Ranen stared at her in confusion, before glancing up at me with a questioning look.

"Ghost has been teaching her sign language."
I explained.

"Any idea what she's saying?"

"Sorry, I'm afraid I haven't picked up on it yet."

Navia's head swiveled between the two of us with an obvious look of frustration. She suddenly ran to the kitchen and began rummaging through the drawers. I threw my hands up, feeling as confused as the Prince looked. She returned several moments later with a notepad and pencil in hand, seeming pleased with herself. She motioned to Ranen and then to the couch.

"Okay, that one I got."
He stated, flopping down beside me.

"Wow, this is a lot more comfortable than that cement floor."

I snorted. Navia settled herself beside her brother and began scribbling out something on the paper. She ripped the page off the notepad and plopped it emphatically into Ranen's lap. I leaned over to read what she had written, the poor lighting drawing out the task.

Where have you been? Why haven't you come to see me? It's boring in here and very lonely, though my friend Ghost visits sometimes. He's teaching me to speak with my hands, you need to learn too, writing things out is hard.

I couldn't help but chuckle, I had no idea the sweet little Princess was so opinionated. Ranen turned to face her head-on, so she could read his lips.

"I've been in hiding, Astrid helped me find a safe place. I'm very sorry I haven't come sooner."
He annunciated his words clearly to make it easier for her.

She gave him a pouty look but nodded anyway.

"I will learn your language, will you show it to me?"

Her eyes brightened at this. She scribbled down a sentence on the notepad in her lap.

Let's start with the alphabet.

He smiled at her and nodded his approval. She reached over him to tap my leg, then pointed at the paper.

"Me too?"
I questioned.

She nodded with a no-nonsense look about her. I gave a mock salute in response and pulled out a serious expression. Navia made a fist with her thumb pointing up.

"A?"
Ranen questioned.

She gave a sharp nod and the two of us mimicked the hand position. Then she straightened her four fingers up and crossed her thumb across her palm.