The Tale of Nefret by M.L. Bullock

Author:M.L. Bullock
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: M.L. Bullock

Chapter Nine

The Girl Who Climbs—Paimu

“Paimu! Come down from there. It is well past time to eat!” Ayn called impatiently. I could tell by her expression that she was less than happy with me.

“Go away,” I shouted from the top of the palm. I would never admit that I was afraid—too afraid to come down. Besides, the sun had set and Nefret had been gone for two days. I wanted to be the first to see her return with some great prize, for I had no doubt she would. Like Mahara who outsmarted the serpent and the winged lions to retrieve her clan’s magic treasure, Nefret would not fail. She could not!

“You know she won’t be back today. Be patient and come down. My mother has even made a honey cake just for you.”

“No. Go away.”

Ayn sighed in exasperation and then called up the tree again. “I suppose I could find Pah and have her come get you down, since I can’t climb too well. She is probably rested from her travels.”

A surge of panic hit my hungry belly. “I will come down now. The sun has gone away, and I cannot see anything anyway.”

Ayn chuckled. “Indeed you cannot. Come now. Mother is waiting.”

I crept slowly down the slick trunk, using my thighs and ankles to counterbalance my hands and arms. Somewhere below the tree were my shoes, a present from Nefret, my only true friend. With an impressive leap, I landed on the ground and wiped my dirty hands on my clothes.

Ayn crinkled her nose. “You smell terrible. When was the last time you bathed?”

With my hands on my hip I said, “You don’t tell me when to take a bath! You are not my mother, Ayn!”

She grabbed my hand and pulled me with her. I struggled for a moment until her strong hand patted my behind. “Listen! Nefret asked me to take care of you, and that’s what I am going to do. We can do this pleasantly, or you can make it hard on yourself. Which do you want?”

I snatched my hand away and rubbed it. It didn’t really hurt, but I wanted her to know that I did not approve of her touching me. I did not care to be touched unless I did the touching. Even Nefret did not touch me. “I know you don’t really want me with you, Ayn. Nobody ever does. Why shouldn’t I smell like the goats? Even Nefret gave me away! I am just your punishment.” I had not intended to vent such emotion, but the words tumbled out of my heart before I could think about them.

She tilted her head and gazed down at me. Ayn was not a pretty girl, not like Nefret with her dark red hair, olive skin and cat’s eyes. Even Alexio was prettier than Ayn, but she was strong and brave—and foolish, as she proved the other day.

Ayn stood much taller than me. In fact, she stood much taller than all the girls her age, but she did not seem to mind or notice.

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