Herai by Aaron.D.Key

Author:Aaron.D.Key [Aaron.D.Key]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-12-06T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

OUTSIDE DWELLERS

ONLOOKING

The man was sitting on a log, staring at a trunk decorated with a pale blue star-shaped lichen.

‘Now I know why Hilad cares if Jakem lives or not. And we know who Sola is. I must admit, I thought Jakem’s beloved would be more interesting than the muted man Koa went to see. Hardly a fair exchange for the life of an Old One.’

‘A snivelling wimp! I daresay Jakem would have found that out eventually, if they had been destined to live together.’ He curled his lip in disgust.

‘Not that bad, surely! I just meant I was expecting someone with more … personality. I suppose he was left with significant injuries that meant he could do less. He is no doubt a good man and he has bought a child into life.’

He stood up and walked away as if trying to avoid the conversation, although he knew it was a pointless exercise.

‘Shall we see how Herai gets on with the Outside people?’

WITHOUT

I waited and nothing happened, nothing stirred, and then I wriggled patiently until the rope around my shoulder fell loose. Without my cage I could see that I was in a room of wood, double-layered so that no light shone in except through a square that looked like a shuttered window. The floor was soft, dry soil and the walls on three sides were almost hidden behind stacks of clay pots. The roof was tangled like the branches of a bramble, and interwoven thick and strong. The room smelled rich and earthy. It seemed like the shelter of an animal that had laboured long and hard to make it perfect for a winter’s rest, too soft, too warm and comfortable to be a place where men lived. I waited still, after struggling in vain to loosen my hands, with an unjustifiable sense of calm.

The waiting was beginning to get tedious. I was contemplating an exploration of the dwelling I was in when I was eventually disturbed by a confused movement. The door was opened and in its slanting frame of light I saw a figure holding a knife. I did not move. I resisted the temptation to struggle to my feet.

‘Don’t be alarmed! I have been told that I am too trusting and that I must be prepared to defend myself.’ While speaking, the person cut the rope that tied my hands and helped me to my feet.

‘This is a good knife; a well made knife. Did you make it yourself?’ he asked.

He handed me back my knife and I shook my head. He told me to walk beside him. We left the wooden room and I watched him closely. It was now nearing the end of the day and the sun, which had vanquished the clouds, at last lay in contented streams between the widespread trunks of sky-yearning trees. The sun was without warmth, like the ghost of its real self. Within a semicircle of these protecting giant trees there were many wooden huts larger than the one I had been kept in.

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