Search for the Extinct [Last of Elves book 2]

Twenty-Eight: Ailill

 Ailill

With a deep sigh, he moved outside, dislodging Hunaja from her spot. He could listen just as well from outside, and he could avoid the emotions surging back from overwhelming him. Closing his eyes, he listened to the soft murmur of his priestess’ voice, taking comfort in it. He wanted to remember her voice.

A yell of shock distracted him, and he looked over the railing to the courtyard below to see a warrior reeling backwards. Kuraĝon was in front of the poor man, a short human-made sword in her hands. Ailill grinned, and rested his forearms on the railing, watching curiously.

She was clearly in need of some venting of her anger.

The poor man was no match for her, and was disarmed within a few moves. She scowled, her expression visible even where Ailill stood, and she gestured with her sword. Before it could go any further though, Ailill heard his name, and turned.

“Yes?”

His priestess looked at him, pleading in her eyes. “Please, Panthera. Help me.”

He took pity on her, and came in, pushing past the curtain. “What is it?”

She glanced at her daughter, who was watching them out of careful eyes. His priestess’ eyes.

“I … I don’t know what happened after the fire,” she said softly, his eyes also on him. “I don’t know what you did.”

He shrugged. “I slipped out and ran,” he said simply. “The fire covered it. No one saw.”

Aura studied him. But why did you run? If you knew my mother was … She didn’t finish.

“I couldn’t stay.” With a sigh, he sat down, and Hunaja came over to him, curling under his legs. Kú scrambled down to curl on his lap, and he kept his hands on her, comforting her as he spoke. “The townspeople wanted me dead. And they would have killed Kura if I hadn’t kept myself hidden.”

They both stared at him, but the priestess was the first to break the silence.

“You knew that?” It was a whisper, and he nodded, sighing as he scratched Hunaja’s head absently.

“Yes. They wanted me dead, priestess, and if they’d known about Kura, they would have done the same to her. It was safer for her for me to leave, and let the people think I was dead. The River was renewed, and I could take my time finding her again.”

Where did you find her? Aura’s hands were slow, like she wasn’t sure what she wanted to say. He nodded to the priestess, letting her explain. She glared at him, but spoke.

“I scared her away, and she ran,” she said softly. “And then I sent the youngest warrior after her, so that she would be safe here. I didn’t know she was an elf then, Aura. I thought she was just a girl. I just wanted to keep her safe, like Panthera had done.” A tear slipped down her cheek, and she rose, putting her back to them both as she gazed out a window. Her hands tightened on the windowsill, her knuckles going white, but Ailill didn’t comment.

Aura looked at him. And you found her instead?

He nodded. “Yes. I took her home with me. We’ve stayed there ever since.”

But … but you weren’t surprised to know about me. I don’t understand.

She looked between them in confusion. He sighed once more, making the priestess turn around.

“What?” she asked.

Aura repeated her question, and the priestess’ eyes went wide. “You knew about her? How?”

“Sit down,” he said softly. For once, there was no trace of teasing or amusement in his voice. He was being serious. She stared at him, and then obeyed, not taking her eyes off him.

He took a moment to collect his thoughts. His right hand was resting on the arm of the chair, and he spread his fingers as far as they could go. His thumb and first fingers were fine – they straightened with no trouble. The next three fingers were the ones that were curled, with his last finger barely able to move now. The scars from the burns were still clear, going nearly up to his elbow on both arms. They always ached in the cold. As he spoke, he rubbed his right hand absently.

“I didn’t stay in our home all the time,” he said slowly, trying not to reveal too much. “I came back to the city often, watching for you, priestess. You never saw me, but I saw you. And then I saw your daughter. And I watched for her as well. I’ve been roaming your city for ten years, my priestess.”