Daughter of Ninmah by Lori Holmes

Author:Lori Holmes [Holmes, Lori]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Independent
Published: 2020-04-26T04:00:00+00:00

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25

No Turning Back

The girl was coming home. Sefaan could feel her energy approaching. She was agitated and hurting, desperate for the familiarity of her tree.

Sefaan kept to the shadows as Nyriaana leaped lightly into her living space. It was an indication of her state of mind that the girl did not notice that she was not alone. Sefaan knew she had come at the right time.

“Hello, Nyriaana,” she spoke as she stepped from the shadows. “I am glad you have finally decided to come home.”

The girl let out a soft yelp, her hand flying to her chest. “Revered Kamaali!”

It gave Sefaan a small sense of comfort to know that one person at least still regarded her so. She hid her smile however. They had bigger issues to attend to. “Not stealing out tonight, child?”

The colour drained from Nyriaana’s face. Sefaan could almost hear her heart pound. “W-what do you mean?”

“I think you know what I mean.” The time for playing games was over.

“I-” The girl floundered, opening and closing her fists in a tense motion, appearing very much like a naughty child who had been caught pulling heads off blossoms.

Sefaan almost laughed. “You look as guilty as one sentenced to zykiel.”

Nyriaana fell back a step as the fear contracted across her face. Sefaan regretted her choice of words instantly. The memory of her teacher’s recent punishment was still fresh in her mind.

“Relax, child,” Sefaan said gently. “No one is going to punish you.”

The girl made an effort to compose her features as she studied Sefaan’s own. The tension eased from her shoulders somewhat as she saw no anger upon Sefaan’s face.

“I take from your flouting of the Elders’ wishes, that there was an important reason for being out in the forest alone, young one?”

Nyriaana opened her mouth.

Sefaan waved a hand. “No. Don’t speak. You do not have to tell me and I will tell no one of your secret excursions. Fear not. You obviously felt it was worth the risk! You took my advice.”

The girl lifted her chin once in stiff acknowledgment.

“Good. I told you to follow your heart and you did so. I came only to ask, why are you fighting it now?”

Colour flushed back into her cheeks as anger finally freed Nyriaana’s tongue. “Because it is not right! Sefaan… please. The path I started down… it was wrong. It would not have ended well.” She was blinking rapidly and she looked away.

Sefaan touched her arm to draw her attention back. “A path does not have to end well to be the right one, child. Just ask yourself this; could you truly turn from the path you speak of, now that you have embarked upon it? Even if you knew for certain it would end in despair?”

The tears were threatening to spill. Sefaan could read her thoughts clearly. So many paths had ended in despair over this boy. Rebaa’s, Jaai’s… Sefaan felt her own sorrow for these sad but necessary losses as the warm wetness flowed down the girl’s cheeks.

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