Life Across the Cosmos by N E Riggs

Author:N E Riggs [Riggs, N E]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sci-fi adventure
Published: 2017-10-23T06:00:00+00:00

7

The Yeti on Tikal

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay for this mission?” Anur said, holding Niam’s arm as they waited near the gateway. “You can take some time off, you know.”

Niam stared straight ahead, her eyes dull. The buttons on her jacket didn’t match up, and her hair was uncombed. David hovered on her other side, trying not to be worried. “I’m fine,” Niam said, not looking at either of them.

Anur and David shared a look behind her back. “We’re going off world,” David said. “We might be away for a long time.” He didn’t think Niam had read the briefing for the mission. She’d barely said anything since Conal’s funeral yesterday.

“That’s fine,” Niam said. Slowly she straightened her shoulders and pulled away from them, standing near the front of the division. The others looked at her in worry too but left her alone.

“She’s in no shape to be hunting yeti,” David said, shaking his head. According to Hue, there was probably only one yeti on Tikal, so the mission should be less dangerous than most. They had no idea where the creature lived, so hunting it down was likely to take a long time. “We should stick close to her, make sure she stays in the center of the group.” She’d be safest there. Bigfoot could be right next to her and she wouldn’t care right now, he thought grimly.

“Maybe not,” Anur said, staring at Niam’s back. “Maybe some action would snap her out of it.” David raised an eyebrow, and Anur winced, wrapping her arms around herself. “I know it’s not a good idea, but I’m worried. I’m afraid she might be falling into desolation.”

David considered Niam. “If she does leave the priesthood over this, is that really such a bad thing?” he asked, thinking about what Bellon had said about Conal. “She’d be alive.”

Anur rubbed a hand across her eyes. “It’s not that easy for Niam. I don’t think she has any family. She mentioned her father dying a few years ago. And we were the only ones with her yesterday at the funeral.”

“So, you think if she leaves the priesthood she might kill herself or something?” He shivered at the thought. Grief could do strange things to a person. He didn’t know what he’d have done after his parents’ deaths if not for John.

“It’s happened to other priests affected by the desolation,” Anur said softly. “Better she stays close to friends.”

David sighed. “Maybe,” he finally said. “But we definitely need to keep close to her on Tikal.”

“Agreed,” Anur said. “But let’s try and be subtle about it.” She ran her fingers through her black hair, pulling at knots that weren’t there. “Then again, maybe if she gets mad at us for cosseting her she’ll snap out of it. I just don’t know. She needs a Beloved Priest but—”

The last few Sword Priests arrived. They all wore snow boots and heavy coats over their uniform jackets. David pulled on gloves as they trooped through the gateway.

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