Her mind returned to the early evening when Mitis had dragged her to the festival. Kay had hoped that she could slip away before anyone could notice, but the guardsman and his wife had noticed her. Before she could even brush them away, the several-week-old baby was put into her arms.
“She continues to grow well. If it wasn’t for you…” The mother started.
Kay felt nervous under the attention but couldn’t bolt with the child still in her arms.
The guardsman clamped his large hand over her shoulder and squeezed hard in thanks. Far too stoic to say anything while eyes were on them.
“You will be her soul guardian, won’t you?” asked the mother.
That wasn’t a phrase that Kay had come to understand, and she stared at them blankly for a few seconds before Silens came to her rescue.
It’s like a godparent.
The mental communication was still something that Kay wasn’t used to, but it was the only way that she and Silens could continue to converse while she was unable to speak with the villagers.
She looked at the baby and wanted to shake her head. Mitis interrupted with a squeal, something that Kay could never get used to.
“Yes! We haven’t had a soul guardian in this village before.”
“We grant it.” Said the father.
Kay found her eye lowering to the ground; she was hoping someone would notice how uncomfortable she was. Silens took the baby from her and said softly.
“The child is overwhelmed. Let her have some time to think about the offer. It’s a big responsibility, especially for someone who has no blood roots in the community.”
“I don’t care for that.” Said the mother as she took the baby back. “I came to you out in the forest because I couldn’t feel the baby move. I was sure she was dead, and when there were no cries, it confirmed my fear. Kay breathed life into my baby.”
Kay tried to cross her arms before her, but Silens gently lay a hand on one and gave her a soft look. “She will make a good shaman when I leave for the next life.”
That thought had terrified Kay. If Saita never came back for her and Silens died, she would not only be abandoned, but she would be amongst people she didn’t know. It was a thought that had sometimes kept her up at night. But not tonight, this night was disturbed by the torrents of rain coming down.
“Would it be bad to trust?” she muttered to herself.
The village adored her and Silens, but she wondered how they would feel if they knew who she was. She had heard some of the older residents using tales of the Serpent to scare the youngsters into obeying.
She couldn’t place the time she was in without a Wolven, but these stories didn’t sound like things she had done or even could do. It may just have been her name being used and not her deeds.
“You know what trust got you last time. You lost your freedom.” She hissed.
“Do you believe you are still trapped?”
Kay just about jumped out of her skin when the older woman entered her room.
“Wear a damn bell!” she muttered as she turned to face Silens.
“Answer my question.”
“I can’t travel as I wish. I’m stuck on a planet and can’t talk to the residents because of your insistence, despite knowing the language. I guess being trapped in the damn cage gave me a lot of time to learn.”
“Even if you were still with Saita, do you believe you would have more freedom?”
Kay tsked and said, “I would have been on a much shorter leash because she doesn’t trust me.”
“I trust you. If you want to travel, then do so.”
“And the so-called language barrier?”
“I think you’ve learnt enough by your silence and listening to know how to communicate with these villagers at the very least. Likely, some of the remote villages may already know about us. You won’t be seen as a threat, despite lacking what makes the people of the planet unique.”
“Are you throwing me out?” demanded Kay, feeling the usual triumphant gloat building in her chest at knowing that she was being discarded again.
“Not at all. I’m giving you the freedom to make your own choices. There’s a hunting party scheduled for some water…buffalo would be the closest word you would understand, for the end of this storm. Why not let the huntsmen make use of your unique hunting skills and earn a name as a hunter? You’ll have more opportunities in other villages as a hunter than as a shaman. Most villages will have at least one, but a good hunter. Those are rare and worth their weight in gold.”
“But Mitis is so close to her due date. I can’t just leave…”
“And that’s a choice you need to consider.”
“But Saita…”
“Saita asked for a favour. How I manage that favour is up to me. You dream of freedom. Consider my offer, and we will talk more. You will always have a home here. It wouldn’t be the first time I take in a child that isn’t of my womb.”
Kay turned back to the window, biting down hard on her molars as she was overwhelmed with emotions that hurt too much for her to admit.
“You are wanted, Kay. By me, by the villagers, by Saita. She doesn’t see it yet, but she will. Sleep well.” Said Silens softly as she left the room.
For a change, I am ahead with my writing. Yay! Next week, we're back to Saita and her journey through time.
For those of you who have never heard of Fell Dragon you can find Book 1 here, Book 2 here, Book 3 here, and Book 4 here, Book 5 here, Book 6 here, Book 7 here, and Book 8 here
If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. I love discussing my books!
As the series continues, it will combine with another book series I wrote. To avoid confusion about what is happening, introductory chapters will be introduced separately so that you don't have to be lost. However, these chapters will contain spoilers. You can find these chapters here:
Races Explained
Banishment
Royal Guard
Saasha’s Direct Family
Saith Characters Recap
Human Characters Recap
Alternate Timeline Brucel
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Haven't read the other parts yet? Follow these handy links:
Part 112>>You are Here>>Part 114
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