Search for the Extinct [Last of Elves book 2]

Thirty: Kuraĝon

Kuraĝon

She stayed away from the priestess, distrust still strong in her even after ten years. Vakt seemed to share her feelings, for he stuck close to her, often growling when the warriors came near her. She thought she recognised some of them from the brief time she had been at the temple before, but none recognised her. She had changed, grown up, and she was an elf. The one they had known ten years before had been a young teenaged girl, a human who had the misfortune of having no family.

It hadn’t taken her long to find the place the warriors kept their spare weapons, and she picked out a short sword, one that was suited to her weight and skill level, before going in search of a hapless man to defeat in a few moves.

It didn’t take her long to find one, or to defeat him. More came, eager to try themselves against an elf – and a girl, too – but they were all too easy for her. She wanted to go up against her brother, but he wasn’t around.

Irritated with him, she shot a glance up at the terrace that she’d seen him on, watching her. He wasn’t there now, but she knew exactly where he’d be.

With the priestess.

She sighed, watching Vakt as he ventured away from her, curious about one of the younger warriors. The young man watched, fear in his eyes, but Kura merely rested on the borrowed sword, waiting to see what would happen. As the beastkin approached the young man, he backed away, not daring to take his eyes off it.

“Keep still. He won’t hurt you.”

She let out a sigh of relief. He was back. She looked over her shoulder at her brother, who for some reason had his cloak slung over his arm, carrying it carelessly. Kú was in her usual spot on his shoulder, clinging to him with sharp claws.

The warrior’s eyes lifted off Vakt for a brief second, looking towards the older elf before riveting on the beastkin once more.

Kuraĝon sighed. “Vakt.” It was a murmur. She didn’t want to call him off, but she sensed that her brother, and the priestess, would be more than a little exasperated with her if she didn’t.

The beastkin stopped in his tracks, and then turned, returning to his place at her side. She buried her hand in his thick fur, and he seemed to sigh, leaning against her. The warrior ran, fleeing them, and she snorted, amused.

“You enjoy terrifying them?” Her brother’s voice was dry, as she’d known it would be, and she looked at him.

“What else am I to do?” she asked softly. “It doesn’t feel right here, Ali. I hate it.”

“I know. I do too. We’ll leave soon.”

“How do you know?” she challenged. “We’re still prisoners here, even if there’s no ropes and chains. We can’t leave.” She jerked her chin towards the gates of the temple grounds. “They won’t let us pass. I tried.”

He only snorted. “Of course you have. Little sister, we will be fine. She’s not planning to hurt us.”

It didn’t ease her suspicions. “I don’t trust her,” she muttered.

“Do you trust me?”

She stared at him, amazed that he could even think to ask the question. “Why do you ask that?” she demanded.

He merely tilted his head slightly. “Do you?” he repeated.

She scowled at him, furious. “You fool! Of course I do. I trust you with my life!” She stalked towards him, poking her finger into his chest with every word. “How dare you question that?”

He waited in silence, until she glared at him, daring him to respond. He did, much to her annoyance. “Finished, Kura?” His tone was purposefully mild, as she knew it would be. It only made her temper flare more.

“Kirous seitsemän räkäinen orpojen teitä!” she snapped, but he only laughed. She swore again, not caring who heard her. “Damnú ort, Ali! I want to go home.”

“I know. But we can’t. Not yet.”

“Pig’s piss! I don’t care. I want to go now.”

“You sound like a child,” he told her, mischief lighting his eyes. It was too much. She flew at him, the borrowed sword swinging through the air, only to be met by his. The sound of ringing metal resounded in the air, and out of the corner of her eye she saw warriors turning to watch them. Reluctant to have an audience, she pulled away, dropping the human-made sword to her side.

“I want to go home, Ali. Please.”

He tugged at her hair, but she pulled away from him sharply, not wanting to be near him.

“Please, Ali?”

“I will talk to her.”

“Tomorrow. I want to be home tomorrow.”

He seemed to sigh, but nodded. “If that’s what you want.”

“Please. The stone makes it hard to breathe, Ali. I can’t stand it much longer.” She hoped that he understood. Thankfully, he seemed to, for he nodded again.

“I will talk to her,” he promised again, sheathing his sword. Bending, he picked up the cloak that he’d thrown to the ground, and Hunaja came over, purring deep in her throat. Vakt bounded over to meet her, and they played while she watched them. When Kuraĝon looked up, her brother was gone, and she could only hope that he’d gone to do what she’d asked.

She refused to acknowledge the fear that he wouldn’t leave the priestess again.

Kura’s Curses:

Damnú ort – damn you

Kirous seitsemän räkäinen orpojen teitä – curse of the seven snotty orphans on you