Search for the Extinct [Last of Elves book 2]

Fourteen: Kuraĝon

Kuraĝon

She knew that the girl was the priestess’. There was no other person that had those dark brown eyes. When she brought the subject up with her brother, though, he only brushed it off, refusing to speak. His refusal made her think that he knew exactly who the girl was. Eventually, she cornered him outside, in the makeshift stables they’d made for the horses, and where he was currently feeding them.

“Ali?” She stalked inside, Vakt close on her heels. “I need to talk to you.”

“Go ahead.”  His response was absent, and she sighed, resting her forearms on the stall door.

“Ali, please. What do you know of the two? I don’t trust the man.”

“I know. He doesn’t trust you either.”

“And the girl? I know you know something of her. She’s the priestess’, isn’t she?”

He glanced at her over the back of the dark brown stallion. “Why do you ask if you already know?”

She glared at him. “Then why do you refuse to answer?” she snapped. “Who is she?”

He sighed, his gaze drifting back down to the shining brown coat. “She is the daughter of the priestess,” he finally said. “Born ten years ago, near the end of Midwinter. She has never spoken a word, but she communicates very well with her body language. She’s a writer, and is fascinated with the beastkins.”

She blinked at him. “What?”

He smiled a little. “Listen, Kura,” he scolded gently. “I don’t want to repeat it.”

She shook her head slowly. “How can she have never spoken?”

“You’ve seen her, Kura. She has no need for speech right now. It’s not yet time.”

Her eyes narrowed. Something was suspicious about his words. “You knew of her already?”

“No.”

“But you’ve seen her before?”

“No, Kura. I don’t need to explain everything I do to you.”

She scowled at his back. “What about Åska? Does he still call?”

“Yes. It grows stronger every day that passes. But we can’t do anything now. The snows are too deep, and they’ll be deeper where he is. When the thaws come, we’ll move again.”

“And these two?”

“The captain wants to leave as soon as he can. We will let him.”

“The girl?”

“Stjärnawill make her own mind up.”

She stared at him. “What did you call her?” she whispered, the name stirring up thousands of memories.

“Stjärna,” he repeated. “It’s her name.”

“But … Aura?”

“Is what she has been called. No one realises what she is here for yet. Not even me. But I knew her name when I laid eyes on her.”

She sighed, absently patting Vakt when he nudged her leg. “You’re sure?”

“All I know is her name, Kura. Of that, I am sure.”

“The earth spoke to you?”

“He must have. How else would I have known who she is?”

She made no answer, trying to understand how her brother’s mind worked. Once, she had known. Now, though, after all his years away from her, she wasn’t sure. “Hunaja likes her,” she finally said.

“Yes. Hunaja was never going to be for me. If she’s chosen the girl, then she will stay with the girl.”

“Vakt will miss her.”

“I know. But there’s nothing we can do.”

Her shoulders slumped, and Vakt licked her hand softly. His shoulders were level with her elbow now, showing that he had not much more to grow. “I will stay with you, Ali,” she murmured. “With everything.”

He stopped what he was doing, and came to stand in front of her on the other side of the door. Placing his hands over hers, he kept his gaze on hers.

“I know you will, Kura,” he replied just as quietly. “But you deserve so much more.”

She shook her head. “No.”

He gripped her hand, the fingers of his right hand curling around her wrist, and then let her go. “If you must.”

She left him, Vakt following close. There were still things about the girl that she wanted to know, but there was no way to find out without the captain being there as well.