Search for the Extinct [Last of Elves book 2]

Forty-Seven: Ailill

Ailill

As he'd known, they were surrounded as soon as they stepped through the gates of Highstone. When the guards saw that Aura was with them, though, they relaxed slightly, but still escorted them straight to the temple. The beastkins kept close together between his stallion, and the gelding that Kuraĝon was riding, almost invisible in the shadows of the horses. She kept her mouth shut despite the curses that he knew wanted to jump out, and watched him. He knew that the moment he tensed, she would move. Already, the high stone walls of the city, the reason for its name, were pressing down on them, making it hard to breath. Neither of them could understand how anyone could live there.

Once at the temple, one of the younger guards disappeared inside, presumably to inform the priestess. When he came back out again, they were beckoned inside, leaving the horses behind. The beastkins followed them, the sight of them making all the guards go pale with horror.

Kuraĝon hid her smile, and walked close to Ailill. "What are you planning?" she murmured.

He glanced at her. "How're your sword skills?" he returned cheekily. She stared at him.

"What?"

His eyes flashed with mischief. "Don't worry. They haven't bound us."

"Yet," she muttered, clearly determined to stay looking on the dark side.

He snorted, outwardly calm, but he'd twined his fingers in Åska's thick coat, knowing that she could see it. "Ali?"

"Just wait," he replied, the torchlight of the passageways lighting her face up eerily. "Let's see what happens, first."

She nodded as they stopped outside a curtained doorway.

"Priestess," the guard said respectfully, nudging it aside a little. "Your daughter has returned."

"Let them enter."

He motioned them inside, thankfully not following, and Kuraĝon lifted her chin slightly at the sight of the woman. He sighed, knowing that she still didn't like or trust her one bit.

To their surprise, Aura didn't move forward to greet her mother. Instead, the girl stayed next to him, her eyes dark.

The priestess blinked, but didn't say anything. After a moment, she spoke, and addressed her words to Ailill, meeting his gaze.

"You found what you were searching for?"

He inclined his head a little. "It appears so."

The woman scowled slightly, and he saw Kuraĝon hiding her smile again. It seemed that she wasn't the only one who was easily irritated by his answers.

"Then why are you here?"

"Because it also appears that we had no choice. Care to explain our nice escort?" Bitterness dripped from his voice, revealing his dislike.

With a sigh, the priestess took a careful step forward. "You all distrust me." It was quietly spoken, no trace of an accusation.

At that, Aura went to her mother, but Hunaja didn't move. She was still loyal to him, the one who had raised her.

The priestess looked down at her daughter, but the hurt was still clear in her eyes. "You've grown, Aura."

The young girl smiled a little, her fingers flying. Why?

Again, the priestess let out a sigh, and looked back to him. "I don't expect either of you to understand."

He merely lifted an eyebrow, finally walking closer. Åska stayed close, a large intimidating shadow. "If you don't explain, Naameh, we never will." He moved outside, brushing the dividing curtain aside. "Why don't you try?"