Pilgrim of the Storm
Page 22
Kaaliya came to a full stop at the foot of a bridge across the central canal and grabbed Firetongue's closest arm. "You kill each other while mating?"
Firetongue issued a series of clicks. "Hardly. It wouldn't be nearly as satisfying if we did. Your form is probably too fragile for the process." She ran an antennae along Kaaliya's neck and clipped her mandibles shut. "So be careful which man's trail you choose to alter." She then sauntered onto the bridge.
"I wasn't trying to…alter anyone's trail." Kaaliya stumbled with the Ek'kiru saying as she rushed to catch up to Firetongue. "Though I'll give you, there were a few awkward moments." She recalled sitting on the bench of the vardo and Sidge pushing his mandibles toward her face or the drunken night he'd asked her to stay.
"He was a confused one. His maturity had ripened far outside the presence of his own kind. Your intentions may have been misunderstood," replied Firetongue continuing to walk coolly across the bridge.
"Oh?"
"Dear, it was obvious. Much as the condition of these lights is obvious to me." Firetongue stopped beneath another lamp mounted on the bridge railing and raced up the pole leaving Kaaliya speechless.
Kaaliya had often been accused of being flirtatious. In more common circles, where she'd practiced her craft in the early days, those skills had always remained on display. With her current clientele, she'd found a more refined approach necessary. Perhaps on her trip through the countryside she'd slipped into old habits, a mistake she couldn't afford in the Attarah's court.
He had been an Ek'kiru raised entirely by humans. At the time, a novelty, however, the source of the confusion became clearer the more she thought about his situation.
A brief flash from the release of the emberseed pulled her attention back to Firetongue, and she watched the illumination fade on the Ek'kiru's chitin. Without regard for the imposing height above the glassy canal, Firetongue skillfully descended and leapt to the bridge, continuing her stroll.
Confidence in her every move and those direct statements, Kaaliya knew she'd misjudged her companion. She'd thought this new house servant young because she'd never seen her before.
If being direct was part of this conversation, Kaaliya knew she could keep pace. She caught up to Firetongue as they descended the far side of the arched bridge.
"How old are you?"
"I will tell you," she said, without breaking stride. "If you tell me why you think you can see the difference in these lights while other humans cannot."
An unexpected question. She'd assumed Chakor left his Ek'kiru servants to these tasks because he'd prioritized his drinking time.
"None can?"
Firetongue shook her head using an exaggerated motion. It was the first time she'd bothered to mimic human body language.
They had walked several more blocks before an answer came to her. More lamps repaired, and the massive timbers of the city gate loomed across the bannered square. Here, she'd given in to Sidge's harmless request for a drink. He'd been so shy and timid, the empty shadow of the recessed gate behind him, framing the last time she thought they'd meet. Such a strange Ek'kiru but she'd met stranger beings.
"I'm not sure why the lights make sense to me, but I met a troll once who could probably explain," Kaaliya finally said. "Trouble is, trolls aren't known for their conversation skills."
Firetongue stopped in the center of the square surveying the lamps. Other more natural lights flickered behind opaque shutters of treestone heartwood in the windows of the establishments and homes surrounding the square. Satisfied, the Ek'kiru started back down the boulevard.
"Tell me the story about this troll then."
"First, tell me how old you are."
Firetongue gave one loud clack. "Four hundred and seventy-five of your festivals."
Not the first time this evening, Kaaliya found herself speechless. She followed in silence, trying to come to grips with everything she'd learned and positive her "dangerous" friend, Sidge, would have been equally surprised.
FORGE OF THE JADUGAR
Continue the pilgrimage with Sidge and Kaaliya!
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WELCOME TO THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED!
I'm your guide, Russ and we're about to embark on the twisting pathways of my imagination. There will be side trips. There will be a penchant for the scenic route. Even if I wanted to take you straight to Disneyland, we'd likely never arrive - there's just too much out there to see. Buckle up and expect the unexpected.
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This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialog are drawn from the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Pilgrim of the Storm. Copyright 2015 by Russ Linton. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used without written permission except in case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
ISBN: 978-0-9903169-4-7
Edited by - Heather Bungard-Janney
Cover Art - Jeff Brown
Design - Russ Linton
Contents
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER V
CHAPTER VI
CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VIII
CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER X
CHAPTER XI
CHAPTER XII
CHAPTER XIII
CHAPTER XIV
CHAPTER XV
CHAPTER XVI
CHAPTER XVII
CHAPTER XVIII
CHAPTER XIX
CHAPTER XX
CHAPTER XXI
CHAPTER XXII
CHAPTER XXIII
CHAPTER XXIV
CHAPTER XXV
CHAPTER XXVI
CHAPTER XXVII
SNEAK PEEK - FORGE OF THE JADUGAR
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