Heir of the Curse by Deborah Grace White

Author:Deborah Grace White [White, Deborah Grace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781925898200
Publisher: Luminant Publications
Published: 2020-03-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

“Thank you,” said Jonan quickly. “We are honored to be here.”

The man’s eyes flicked to Jonan, and he looked him carefully up and down before speaking. Jo’s words had clearly identified him as the leader of their group.

“I am Darius, chief of Montego. Perhaps you were surprised by your escort. We do not get many visitors here, especially in recent days. We like to know who comes and goes in our mountains.”

The proprietary manner in which Darius said “our mountains” was not lost on Cal, and neither was the fact that his words had contained explanation rather than apology.

“Of course,” said Jonan. “We are not looking to cause you any trouble.” He looked around the central area. “We would be grateful for sanctuary tonight, however. We have traveled some distance.”

Darius inclined his head. “You will be accommodated.”

He spoke quietly to the man who had summoned him, who then disappeared once again into the town. When he had gone, Darius continued to observe them. Cal expected him to say something more, but he remained silent. It was strange, Cal reflected, how big a difference the setting could make. Had Darius walked through the streets of Nerita without changing his appearance at all, he would be an object of ridicule. But here, in his mountain home, his presence was commanding, even awe-inspiring.

The man who had left soon returned with two other citizens of Montego, a man and a woman. They gave quick nods in response to Darius’s gaze, and the chief turned back to the three companions.

“These people have agreed to host you tonight,” he said. Cal tried to give the new arrivals a grateful smile, but he was thrown by their passive expressions. “It is our custom to eat the evening meal all together here.” Darius gestured back toward the open area, and Cal saw a large fire burning there. “Please join us.”

“Thank you,” said Jonan.

The local woman stepped forward. “Come,” she said. The three of them started forward, but she shook her head. “Not you,” she pointed deliberately at Jo and Cal in turn. “Just you,” her eyes settled on Elnora.

“You can come with me,” added the man beside her, nodding to the two boys.

Cal hesitated. He had not bargained on being split up. He could see that the dwellings were all small. Still, he didn’t like the idea of Elnora being on her own.

But if Elnora was anxious about being separated from her companions, she didn’t show it. “See you for the meal,” she said quickly to the boys, then followed the woman around the edge of the central area.

Cal tried to see which dwelling she entered, but their own guide stepped in front of him, obscuring his vision. Cal noticed Darius watching him closely. He had the distinct impression that although his words might be few, the mountain chief did not miss much.

Their host led them in the opposite direction from where Elnora had gone, skirting the edge of the fire and stopping before one of the dwellings that was built up rather than cut into the mountain.

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