Doublesight by Terry Persun

Author:Terry Persun
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781620151044
Publisher: Booktrope Publishing

24

THE IMAGE WAS GONE from Raik. His aura appeared shapeless.

Lankor refused to step any closer to the man. “This makes no sense.” He tried harder to see Raik's beast image, but to no avail. A shiver went up his spine. He turned around and glared at Zimp. “What have we done here?”

Zimp did not speak.

Lankor looked from her to Brok, the elder of the group. A breeze spread over the ridge, shifting the firelight into snake-like shapes. A vast, cold, and earthen scent entered his nostrils.

Brok began to speak, then quit before a word could be formed.

Lankor urged him on, but Brok didn't proceed.

Raik lifted his head. He shook briefly then raised a hand toward them as if to keep them at a distance. “I'm sorry. I am not the warrior you believed I am. I can only cause harm to come to you.”

“What are you saying?” Lankor overcame his own reluctance to advance. Raik had tried to help him ride properly. Raik had been the only doublesight Lankor felt comfortable around. What could be so wrong? “Hammadin said that you would teach us to fight, and now you say that you cannot? Well, I'll tell you now that it doesn't matter. Hammadin is not with us. This night we have made our own pact.”

Raik curled into a tighter ball. “Y-you're scaring me.”

Zimp got up and stepped close enough to touch Lankor's shoulder and draw him away from the frightened Raik. She removed her red cloak, unfurled it, and kneeled to place it over Raik's shivering body.

“I lied,” he said. “That is what happens with me. I am no good. I can't fight. I am fearless and fearful, courageous and cowardly.”

Lankor heard Zimp whisper, “You are with friends. If we must, we will protect you. We will teach you to become a warrior.”

Raik gritted his teeth and turned. Zimp's cloak fell away. “Will you keep them away?”

“They are your protectors as well,” she said. She motioned for Lankor to step back. She helped the small man to his feet.

His body appeared less coordinated, jerky in its movements. The fluidity of the snake was gone.

Raik stumbled closer to the fire while gripping Zimp's hand. His eyes turned down and looked away from Lankor and Brok.

“We have given you a promise of our allegiance,” she said. “Trust in that.”

Raik nodded reluctantly. He glared directly at Lankor and Brok as though he mistrusted them. His lips shivered and grew whiskers. His hands fidgeted, thinned, and shortened. He shifted more quickly, as though he were afraid to stay human any longer.

Lankor immediately fell to his knees and tried with all his will to be small and harmless.

The small, adult mouse that sat before them shook in its own fur, its tail twitching.

As Zimp lifted it into her hands, the mouse stepped forward and rose on its haunches as though ready to fight.

Lankor spoke to him. “You are safe, my little friend.” Almost before he finished his words, Raik began to shift back into human image.

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