Chapter 13
I sat near the head of the gathering place in the center of Emsha. I’d tried to take a seat further back, away from the center of attention, but Tarvia had been quick to drag me up here. I tried not to fidget as Jennik and Thone went through their speeches.
Rik was right; Magra had no patience for my stubbornness now that the emergency was over. She’d all but tied me to the bed to keep me resting until my body had sufficiently recovered. I’d had to get my news filtered through the various visitors. Fortunately, Rik visited frequently, and his accounts were the most informative.
The creatures the leader had sent to kidnap children had reached the village, even made it into the inn undetected. They’d gotten within only a few paces of Fasha before she saw them. Her screams had nearly deafened them. Then the boys tackled the creatures while Tarvia rushed over with a scalding pan fresh off the fire. Their return in defeat had been the hissing that distracted the leader enough for me to get the ring. Rik reported that two of the creatures had rather interesting burn marks around their heads.
After I put on the ring, the men had kept the creatures off me long enough for the rest of the fighters to reach our group. A few creatures had seen the direction the battle was going and fled. The rest were wiped out. The leader had tried to escape, but he’d still been crippled by the pain of the bond being broken. Jennik had calmly seized the leader by the ankle, saluted Thone, then dragged the creature away with the rest of the Krenish men following. No one from Emsha knew what exactly happened to the leader, and no one really cared to.
The men of Emsha and Krenish had spent a couple days collapsing and filling in tunnels while I recovered. Axen even helped stomp on the places she could reach to pack the dirt solid. The men figured, there might be more creatures out there, and they might return someday, but there was no reason to make it easy on them. And if they ever felt the ground rumble like that again, they’d know what to look for.
Then the people of Emsha helped Krenish rebuild. Thone made it clear there were no strings attached. The people of Emsha knew what it was like to have their homes destroyed, and they were glad to help others recover from the same tragedy. Rik did an impressive imitation of the chagrined expression Jennik wore when he heard Thone say that.
Now we all sat here, Krenish and Emsha alike, watching as Jennik and Thone formally signed a treaty of peace between the two settlements. No aggression. Mutual defense. Open hunting ground rights. Trading as desired with no obligations, and fair deals only.
No tributes, no demands, no bullying.
Rik had happily told me he was glad Jennik had finally come to his senses and recognized how much the two settlements could benefit each other if working cooperatively instead of against each other.
I suspected a good deal more of it had to do with the fact that Krenish no longer outnumbered Emsha in fighting men. And it looked like that would be the continuing trend, with the amount of travelers I saw stopping for services in Emsha just in the few days I spent resting. But it seemed that some part of Jennik’s agreement was also inspired by Emsha’s kindness and by their unified work against the creatures. I hoped in time he would come to see what a treasure the people of Emsha really were.
The ceremony wrapped up, and I stood with the others, applauding as the leaders shook hands. Children hurried through the crowd, putting steaming plates of food on the table.
The smell tempted my stomach, but as everyone finished clapping and began turning to find their seats and dig into the food, I took advantage of the disorder to slide through the crowd and slip into Magra’s to collect my things. I left through the front door. I wasn’t sure why, but I didn’t want to draw out any big farewells.
I glanced back between the buildings. The people chatted and laughed, men telling dramatic stories about the fight in the underground cavern, children listening with large eyes, women talking about the future of the two settlements. Peaceful. Happy. As it should be.
I turned my back and slipped into the forest. Axen waited for me only a bit deeper. I’d be on her back in a few minutes, and then we’d be on our way.
“You’re leaving?”
I jumped and spun, startled.
Rik stood a few paces behind me. He almost looked lost.
I nodded. “I don’t typically stay put, remember?”
“But that was because of the creatures. They’re gone now.”
“I still prefer my life the way it is.”
“Oh.” He shifted his weight. “I, um, we’ll miss you. All of us.”
I nodded, feeling acutely awkward. This was why I’d tried to slip away unnoticed. “I’ll miss all of you, too.”
“Right.”
I turned and resumed walking.
“Alita…”
I exhaled and faced him again. “Yes?”
“I’ll miss you.”
“You said that already.”
“No.” He shook his head and took a few steps, closing the distance between us. “I mean, I’ll miss you. Me. I’m sad you’re leaving. I’m glad for you, because I know this is what you want, but I…” He glanced down, then back to meet my eyes. “I wish you were staying.”
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t have if I’d wanted to.
“I hope you stay safe. And I hope that maybe someday you can come back and visit us again.” He held my gaze. “Visit me again.”
It took a minute before I was finally able to nod.
He stood in silence, and all I felt was his nearness. Then he walked away.
I had to remind my feet that they were supposed to be moving. I turned my back on him and continued on to where Axen waited.
Axen squirmed, lying on her back and lightly pawing the air as she stretched like a housepet.
I folded my arms. What do you think you’re doing?
Enjoying a good back scratch.
I can do that. Roll over. We’re leaving.
She pawed at the air again and let out a contented rumble as she wiggled back and forth. I like it here.
Exasperation flashed through me. Then we’ll make sure to come back and visit. Now let’s go.
You like it here, too. You don’t really want to leave any more than I do.
I found myself looking over my shoulder. I could still see Rik’s departing form. He’d almost reached the road.
Her snout bumped me hard enough to push me a few steps his direction. Go kiss him already, will ya?
I scowled at her.
She returned the look.
“Rik.” It was out of my mouth before I could change my mind.
He stopped and turned, a sort of hopeful smile on his face.
My heart gave a little skip. I hesitantly stepped forward and found myself jogging to him.
He stepped closer, looking unsure.
And then I was in his arms, my lips pressed against his. He grunted in surprise, but then his stance softened and his arms wrapped around me in response.
I didn’t know what I was feeling. The only thing that came close was when I was with Axen. Like everything in the world was right. Like nothing could go wrong again. Like I was home. Only one clear thought rang through my mind.
Maybe staying in one place wasn’t so bad after all.
THE END
Pronunciation Guide and Glossary
Alita (uh-LEE-tuh)
Axen (AKS-‘n)
Erret (AIR-‘t)
Fasha (FAH-shuh)
Jaska (JAAS-kuh)
Jec (JECK)
Kaisal (KY-s’l)
Lashia (l’-SHEE-uh)
Luka (LOO-kuh)
Magra (MAA-gruh)
Rik (RIHK)
Tarvia (tahr-VEE-uh)
Thone (TOE-nay)
-da (dah): The Elf honorific suffix indicating elderhood, a position of high honor and respect amongst the community.
Elf (ehlf): One of the four races of Kenara, a short people group with large, single color eyes, small noses, and
ears featuring a pointed tip.
Emsha (EHM-shuh): A small village along the main road populated by Traditional Elves.
Endonsha (ehn-DAWN-shuh): A planet with a single landmass covering two-thirds of the surface. This landmass is divided into two countries, one of which is Kenara.
Grickle (GRIHK-‘l): Unpleasant reptiles with four legs, a brightly colored tail, and a vile odor.
Kadrian (KAY-dree-‘n): One of the four races of Kenara, a tall people group with high, almost pyramid-shaped pointed ears, flat noses, and wide eyes featuring a vertical slit of a pupil.
Kebbit (KEHB-‘t): Large rodents considered to have succulent meat, but are near-impossible to hunt due to their skill for creating decoy dens and false trails.
Kenara (kehn-AHR-uh): The eastern country on Endonsha’s landmass, where the cities of Emsha and Krenish can be found.
Krenish (KREHN-‘sh): A moderate-sized city along the main road populated by Sectarian Elves.
Maman (MAH-m’n): A term of familial endearment used by Elf children for their mothers.
-me (MAY): The Elf honorific suffix indicating a deep and romantic love.
Papan (PAH-p’n): A term of familial endearment used by Elf children for their fathers.
Raisa (RAY-suh): The Elf honorific for women.
Regal (REE-g’l): Standard Kenaran currency.
Rekin (REHK-‘n): Very large rodents with lithe bodies, short padded feet, and protruding fangs. They are plentiful on Endonsha and valued for both fur and meat.
-ro (ROH): The Elf honorific suffix indicating particular respect and honor.
Sectarian (sehk-TAYR-ee-ehn): A sub-sect of Elf culture where women are subjugated and oppressed, treated as little more than slaves.
Sentinal (SEHN-tihn-‘l): Mount animals, somewhat rare but speedy due to their massive size. They have long, slender legs which stretch above the treetops, round bodies, stretched, snaking necks, and a nose like an upright spear set on a round head.
Tabe (TAH-bay): The Elf honorific for men.
Tree-snit (TREE-sniht): Small rodents with large eyes, furry round bodies, and skinny tails, most commonly found clinging to tree bark of a close color to their fur to hide from predators.
Wastik (WAH-stihk): A general Kenaran term for insects or pests which are to be exterminated.
About the Author
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About Cy Bishop
I enjoy life in the Pacific Northwest with my family and a constantly excited, thick-headed black lab. I obtained a degree in Counseling Psychology from Northwest University in Kirkland, WA, which I use to create fully dimensional characters with unique personalities and quirks. When not writing, I can usually be found reading, watching movies, or wasting entirely too much time on the internet.
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Other books in The Endonshan Chronicles:
Sanaraheim
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