Search for the Extinct [Last of Elves book 2]

Ten: Kuraĝon

Kuraĝon

She stayed in the shadows, distrusting of the captain and the girl. Vakt stayed with her, rumbling deep in his throat. He didn’t trust them either.

Almost sullen in her silence, she refused to speak, even during the evening meal. She would speak to her brother later. Alone.

It made for an uncomfortable meal.

Ailill wasn’t one for speaking at the best of times, and with Kuraĝon refusing to speak, the house was silent. More than once, she caught her brother’s quiet glance, but she didn’t comment. He understood her inside out, and knew why she was quiet.

“Come.” Ailill’s voice broke the silence, and the girl looked up, almost scared. He beckoned to her, and led her to one of their spare rooms. It was small enough, room for a bed and table, but it was cosy. “You can sleep here.”

Slyly, Kuraĝon glanced at the captain. “I’m sure the captain would be comfortable here, near the fire, Ali?”

Her brother shot her a glare, but she could see the humour twinkling in his eyes. The captain shared his glare between the two of them, nearly fuming. “I’m not leaving her.”

“She’s not going anywhere,” Kuraĝon informed him, her voice snapping. “It’s cold and dark. No one is going anywhere.”

“Hush, Kura.” Ailill’s tone was mild as he returned to the table, collecting the used dishes. “The captain can sleep where he wishes. If it’s outside, then so be it.”

Before she could answer, Vakt pushed forward into the light, stalking towards the girl. She froze in shock before edging backwards, her eyes fixed on the beastkin.

He was nearly as tall as she was.

“Vakt.” Kuraĝon’s voice broke the silence, and the young creature stopped, still staring at the child, curiosity in every line of his body. Behind him, Hunaja had decided to join him, and was inching forwards so slowly that she almost wasn’t moving, clearly eager to know about the strange new people.

“Hunaja.” The quiet murmur had the young beastkin returning to Ailill’s side, staying with him as he moved about the room, the firelight making their shadows strange and alarming.

Amused despite her wariness, Kuraĝon sat on the edge of the table, watching as the girl shrank backwards, sticking close to the captain’s side.

“Keep them away from her.”

“What does it look like?” Kuraĝon snapped, glaring at the captain. “They know she’s unsure of them.”

The human returned her glare, matching her snapped tone. “Then keep them away.”

“Fine.” Her chin lifted, Kuraĝon stormed outside, Vakt close on her heels.

The wind was cold, but she welcomed it, glad for once to be away from the heat of the fire. It was beginning to snow, the flakes resting gently on Vakt’s tawny fur and on her eyelashes, matting them together.

She didn’t care.

She was away from the humans, and that was all that mattered. Let her brother deal with them. He was much more used to them.

She tended to the horses in the quiet, making sure that the girl’s small mare and the captain’s gelding were comfortable, and then stayed in the rough stables. She had no wish to return inside.

“Kura?”

She spun, startled. “You left them alone?”

“What’s wrong, little sister?”

She stared at him for a long time, and then looked away. “It doesn’t feel right,” she said, finally. “To have them here. It’s … wrong. I don’t know.”

He studied her, and then came closer. “I know,” he answered softly. “They’re human. But they can’t return in this weather. You know that.”

“So they’re staying?” She glared at him. “Pig’s piss, Ali! They can’t stay! The man knows who you are!”

“I know.”

“Then why are you letting him stay?”

“Because he knows, Kura. We can’t change that now. All we can do is make sure that he doesn’t tell the priestess. And our only chance of that is if he stays.”

“And what if he does tell?” she challenged. “What will you do then? We’ll be hunted again, Ali! They won’t let us go this time.”

“I know.”

She lost her temper, and swung her fist at him. He ducked, and she missed. She glared at him.

“Go hifreann leat Ali!”

He only leant on the stall door behind him, just waiting for her temper to die down.

At last, she sighed. “Ali, I’m scared.”

He came forward, resting a hand on her shoulder. “I know,” he said softly. “They will be gone. As soon as he can get through the snow. I promise.”

She shook her head slightly, turning away from him. “I don’t trust him, Ali. He’s too wary for us. I don’t want to lose you again.”

“You won’t, remember? It’s alright, little sister. We’ll still be safe. He may tell, but he won’t know where we are. If they do come, we’ll just lead them off, like we’ve done before.”

“But they won’t stop,” she whispered, her eyes pleading. “They won’t ever stop looking for us. They want us dead, Ali. You know that.”

“I do.” He nodded, walking back to the entrance. He glanced back at her, his dark eyes seeming to glint at her. “They won’t find us, Kura. We know the land far better than they ever will.”