Aina's Breath by K.S. Villoso

Author:K.S. Villoso
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: K.S. Villoso

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For a long time after that, he thought he was back in their small hut in Gorent, a damp book on his lap. His brother was watching the rain drip along the thatched roof. There was a fascination on his face that Enosh found irritating. Not too long ago, he would’ve joined him in revelry, even insisted they brave the storm to catch snails before the birds could get them in the morning. But life wasn’t that simple anymore. It couldn’t be, not after the way Soshain died.

He woke up to darkness and the strong stench of herbs and candle-wax. Sapphire was leaning against the wall, her skin so pale that it startled Enosh a little when he saw her breathe. She turned to him, her eyes half-lidded, and lifted her hand. The copper chain was threaded through her clenched fist.

“Your sister left that there, didn’t she?”

Sapphire didn’t respond, and for a moment, Enosh thought she didn’t hear him. But when he started to get up, he saw her bend her head over her knee. A soft sob escaped her throat. Not knowing how to respond to that, he dropped his head in an awkward bow and stepped through the door. A chill clung to him like a thin blanket.

Daro was standing outside, a lantern by his foot. “You were both out for a while,” he grunted. “Stepped into the agan.” He frowned as he handed him a strip of bread.

“You sound like you distrust us.”

Daro’s face darkened. Enosh had never had the time to study it before. He found the opportunity to do that now. The man’s features were blunt, almost Gorenten, but with lighter skin. Without the Dageian soldier’s uniform and the thick, Dageian accent, he could easily pass for someone from the northern isles. Enosh broke the bread and mulled over that while he chewed.

There were many scattered nations north of the mass of land the Dageians had claimed for their own. Gorent was just one of them. Meirosh used to speak of taking Enosh and Kefier with him to visit. There was one island, Shi-uin, that was covered in thick ice—the result of a visit from the Dageians, though that was all his father would say on the subject.

He looked at Daro as the man wiped grease from his trousers. “I’m going to send Mahe ahead to get supplies for us. A couple of horses, maybe. I don’t know if we can afford it. I don’t know either if Sapphire can walk but the healer said she should be able to ride in a few days.”

“Send her to the nearest city. Bashi-dor, I think? From there she should be able to withdraw from my accounts. I don’t think Yn Garr would’ve bothered to drain them, though there’s a risk he’s sent out men to keep an eye out.”

Daro shrugged. “Mahe can handle it. Give me the details and I’ll send her in the morning.” He cleared his throat. “You’ll have to forgive me, Ferral.

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