Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 68478 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68478 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
It’s not the same, I tell myself. It’s not.
9
FARLI
Mardok’s big body is shaking with rage as I lead him away. I do not know what caused the fight between him and his tribesmate, but whatever it is, it is clear to me that it has hurt him at a deep level. He’s silent as he puts on his layers and we go out into the snow once more. A few of my tribesmates are heading back, and we walk with Georgie and Vektal, who are also quiet. It seems that the ship has brought no one happiness except perhaps me and Har-loh’s small family, because she will be better soon. Even Li-lah, who is getting her hearing returned, does not seem excited about the prospect.
It is as if all we have are more doubts and questions, and I do not know if I like it.
We use the pulley to get back down to the bottom of the gorge, and Chahm-pee prances up to me. He’s clearly been waiting here for my return, and I lavish him with praise and attention as we walk back to the village. I might as well, since no one else is speaking. But then the small, neat rows of houses that make up Croatoan come into view, and I see people walking around, pausing to talk. I see the kits playing in the street, Joden and Pacy chasing a ball as Analay and Kae race after them.
It is normal. Good. The sight of it makes me feel better.
Shorshie turns to me, a bright smile on her face that does not quite meet her eyes. “Would you and Mardok like to join us for dinner tonight? I can make something, and it would be an honor to have you visit my fire.”
I look at my mate, but he is far away, his expression distant.
“Not tonight,” I tell Shorshie. “Perhaps in the morning. I think we would not be good company.”
She gives me an understanding nod and pulls her mate away. I take Mardok by the arm and lead him toward my small house on the edge of the village. Chahm-pee prances behind us, nipping at my boots playfully. He does not understand why the mood is a grave one, only that it is time to play. I move him to the house that is his stable, put food in his basket and make sure he has fresh water. I give him a quick scratch and promise to spend more time with him tomorrow.
Tonight, I must be with my mate. With my little dvisti secure for the evening, I head to my house and push aside the privacy screen over the door. “Give me a moment to start a fire,” I tell Mardok, entering and heading to the fire pit.
It is dark inside, but I know my small house by feel alone, and my flint and tinder are where I left them. I make a spark quickly, dropping it onto a pile of tinder and blowing on it until it is large enough to hold its flame as I feed it dung chips. As I work, I wonder what he will think of my small house. It is not brightly lit like his is. My bed is not on a platform, but on the stone floor and is nothing more than a pile of the softest, thickest furs. I have a small alcove for my toilet, a stone counter for my cooking, and a fire pit. I have a rack for my weapons, a few stools, and colorful, woven hangings that Tee-fah-ni and Meh-gan have made for me. It is a small chamber, and very different from his. And it is important to me that he does not find it…crude.
As I work the fire, he moves around the house, gazing at my things. He moves toward the stone wall and peers at it. “Are these hieroglyphs?”
“I do not know that word.”
“Stone drawings? Language?”
I shrug. “They were here before we came. Some of the walls have pictures, some do not.” They do not interest me much, though a few of the humans are fascinated by them.
“Huh,” he says. “If they’re anything like these pictures, they’re ugly creatures. Four arms and no horns.”
“They are long gone,” I say, and add a teasing note to my voice. “You do not have to worry about them returning to scare you out of your sleep.”
He looks over at me, and a hint of a smile curves his mouth. “Guess not.”
I like that his mood is lightening a bit. I stoke the fire higher, adding in even more fuel so he will not be cold. It’s odd to look over and not see his eyes glowing in the darkness. No khui, I remind myself. Maybe never. And I grow a little sad at the thought. Just as quickly, I push it aside. If I will only have a few days with Mardok, then I will make the most of them. I will grieve and feel sorry for myself later, when his ship has disappeared from the sky and I am left empty and alone.