Gardener

Chapter 20

Innocents

                   
Goddess that's devastating." Sorn stroked her fingers gently through my hair tears forming in her eyes.

             
"She can touch your hair but I can't..." Kalini grumbled softly behind her.

              
Sorn turned on her, "In Kantari our first greeting is that of touch," She pulled Kalini roughly against her. "We touch cheeks, we stroke each other's hair ensuring in our hearts and our minds that our friends are well." Sorn held Kalini's face against hers as she stroked her hair while explaining our customs. "Our culture is centered on touch and camaraderie. Regardless of the fact that we haven't seen each other since we were children it's second nature, it's an offer of comfort..." She shoved her away. "Not pity or a sick fascination to feel the difference. Do not question things you do not understand."

              
I held them apart, "Now's not the time to be at each other's throats for something so trivial." I argued looking at each of them in turn.

            
"She think she knows you..." Kalini countered.

            
"She does..." I murmured softly accent a little heavier than usual. "She knows my heart and my home she knows all the things I grew up with...but you do as well. You know the Gardener; all the struggles we've been through to learn new customs and a new language. You both know me, so how about instead of fighting over the things you think you know, learn about the things you don't and get over yourselves." I dropped my hands from between them. "Or I'll make you..." They shared a look at that ominous threat.

               
"Did you two bring a group of guards with you?" Rosen questioned finally coming back into the conversation once all was said and done.

           
"No...why?" Sorn gazed at her brow furrowed slightly.

             
Rosen gazed into the treetops ears going back slowly, "I was hoping that perhaps we were surrounded by friends." She offered softly.

              
I followed her gaze taking in the silence that had befallen us already sure of what I would find, shadows...shadows filled the treetops to overflowing darkening the lightening sky with their presence. More than I could think to count, I turned in a circle heart racing in my chest. "Goddess..." Sorn breathed drawing closer to me. "What are those?" Her voice quivered slightly with fear.

            
"Shades." Kalini replied stepping closer as well. We stood in the center of our camp surrounded by Shades, the fire slowly dying beside us. I'm honestly surprised it had lasted through the night...magic might have played a part.

           
"Is running even an option?" Rosen questioned fists clenched at her sides.

           
"Running will get us killed faster than fighting will." I replied trying to come up with a plan.

            
"Fighting will still likely get us killed." Sorn countered voice quivering.

             
"Can you even fight?" Kalini asked, and I waited for a reply needing to know if she'd be an asset or a hindrance in this coming battle.

                 
Sorn snorted, "You think my father would have let me leave the island if I couldn't...but fighting several warriors with spears and swords is different than fighting something you're not even sure you can touch."

             
"They're still men...under all those billowing shadows they're still men. Fight them as if they are." I supplied as the air grew tense. "Kalini do you have your pouch?"