Search for the Extinct [Last of Elves book 2]

Nine: Ailill

Ailill

He was watching the travellers closely, keeping pace with the under the cover of the dark trees. They had completely closed in on them, and he watched as the man shifted, clearly uneasy. The path they had entered on was no longer visible.

“Aura, we’re turning around.”

In front of the man, the girl shook her head, urging her small mare on faster. Ailill grinned to himself as the man cursed under his breath and sought to catch up. Kuraĝon’s voice got to her before he did.

“Visitors?”

Both horses skidded to a stop beside each other, and the riders stared at the woman standing in front of them. The man lifted his chin.

“Excuse us,” he said. “We’re not meaning to intrude.”

A smile flashed over Kuraĝon’s face, and Ailill melted back into the trees, heading for him. They had discussed what would happen if they were found out, and he knew what was going to happen. Dimly, he heard her reply.

“Of course not. But you can’t leave yet.”

They would both be blindfolded and bound to their saddles. He shut the beastkins inside the cottage, and leant against the door, his cloak drawn low over his face. He had recognised the man, and had no intention of being recognised himself. Not yet, in any case.

“What are you going to do with them, Kura?”

He watched as the man stiffened at his voice, and knew that he’d been right. It was the high priestess’ captain.

“They were coming this way.”

“So you brought them here.” He made himself sound amused. “Come on, then.”

They released their wrists, and removed the blindfolds. Without wasting a second, the captain slid down off the horse, but he was too late to get to the girl.

Ailill easily carried her inside, taking the opportunity to study her face. She had the look of the priestess, with the same dark brown eyes and curious light in them.

“She won’t be hurt. Come.” Kuraĝon’s voice sounded behind him, and a smirk crossed his face. The captain would understandably be concerned if what he’d heard about the child was true. He heard the man’s sigh, and knew that he would have followed her into the small cottage. He needed to be sure that Aura was safe, after all, or the priestess would have his head.

Gently, he settled the girl on one of their chairs, and walked to the back of the room, keeping his back to them.

“You’re alright?”

The captain’s voice was low, concerned, but still carried through the quiet room.

“Is she yours?”

He turned, leaning against the table he had been working on, and listened to the conversation with interest.

“No,” the captain answered. Ailill nearly snorted with amusement. He wasn’t surprised at the answer, and it seemed that Kuraĝon wasn’t either.

“Thought not.” She turned away, vanishing outside, and the tension in the room dimmed.

The girl pushed the captain away, her curiosity obviously overriding her caution. The man sat back, powerless to stop her as she ventured over to Ailill, stretching out a hand.

“Do you have a name, child?”

His question made her freeze, and she glanced back at the captain, who shrugged. “It’s Aura,” he replied shortly. “She has no voice.”