Search for the Extinct [Last of Elves book 2]

Thirty-Five: Kuraĝon

Kuraĝon

Once at the heart of the forest, even the beastkins were silent. Kuraĝon watched her brother closely, unable to see what he was thinking.

“Ali?”

He didn’t answer, and she fell silent. She wasn’t quite sure what to expect now. Glancing at Aura, the young elf noticed that she too seemed confused. With a sigh, Kuraĝon loosened her hold on her reins, allowing her mount room to graze if he wanted to.

“Ali, what now?” she asked softly. “Is this where we need to be?”

He continued to stay silent for a few moments, and then shifted in his saddle to look over his shoulder at her.

“Not quite,” he said softly. “But we’re close.”

“How much further? We’re tired, Ali.”

That made him pause, and he nudged his horse back to her. “We’ll stay here.”

“You’re sure? You won’t disappear?” She was worried about him. There seemed to be a sort of madness in his eyes, a weird light. She knew that he wasn’t going to be the same again, even if they didn’t find the fabled beastkin.

He stopped his horse next to her, and brushed his scarred hand down her cheek briefly. “I’m sure,” he murmured. “It’s not that safe to vanish, Kura. Don’t worry so much.”

She gripped his wrist before he could pull away. “You can’t leave me again,” she said fiercely, not caring that the girl could hear her. It wasn’t important.

He nodded slowly, and drew his hand away, out of her grasp. “I won’t, Kura,” he said, and dismounted in a smooth, practised move. “Let’s set up,” he continued. “We’ll stay as long as you need to.”

She nodded, following suit. Taking the reins of all three horses, she tethered them nearby, making sure that they were comfortable before coming back. Aura was already crouched, making the fire pit as she’d done while they were travelling.

“Do you need any help, Aura?”

The girl shook her head, not looking up as she deftly created a circle of rocks. Kuraĝon moved away, going to her brother’s side.

“Is there anything I can do to help, Ali?” She didn’t mean setting up the camp.

He looked at her, blinking as he came back from wherever he’d been. “You’re keeping me here,” he said, but there was no trace of anger or rebuke in his voice. Instead, his tone was thankful.

“Is the call that bad?” She kept her voice soft, unsure how much volume he could stand. He seemed fragile, almost like he was being pulled to breaking point. Still, he found a smile for her.

“Yes, Kura. It’s bad. He’s lessened it because I’m close, but it’s not gone.” He stopped talking, raking his eyes over her face. “I’m sorry, Kura.”

She gave a quiet snort of laughter, shaking her head. “There’s been nothing you can do about it, Ali,” she answered. “I’m worried about you, though. You’ve barely been eating. The stories have faded. I don’t know what to do. You’re not the same anymore.”

“All the same, Kura. This wasn’t your journey. You didn’t need to come.” He tugged at her long plait, cutting off her protest. “But I thank you for coming, sister.”

She sniffed, batting his hand away. “Bí ’do thost,” she muttered. “How much further is it going to be?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know,” he said honestly, keeping his voice lowered. She snuck a glance back at the child, who was playing with the two beastkins and Kú. “But we’re close.”

“Do you have any idea where we’re going?”

He hesitated, and she knew.

“You do. You’ve known where we’re going all along.” She stared at him, disbelieving. “How could you keep that from me?”

He shook his head slowly. “I don’t, Kura,” he said softly, taking a step away from her. “All I can hear is his call. All I can see is the path to him. I don’t know where he is.”

She shook her head, unable to decide whether she believed him or not. “Ali,” she whispered.

He just watched her, his emotions hidden. She didn’t know what he was thinking. She took a deep breath.

“Ali, where are you taking us?”

“To Åska,” he answered softly. “To the First Beastkin.”

Kura’s Curses:

Bí ’do thost – Shut up