Shared Between Them by Korey Mae Johnson

Author:Korey Mae Johnson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 1490477373
Publisher: Stormy Night Publications
Published: 2013-03-21T23:00:00+00:00

* * *

“What do you say, Cousin?” Draevan asked when they’d put out food for their elfling. The servants had refused, point-blank, to come into the room and serve her. It had been shocking, but their horror, which was like that of someone who had been ordered to serve a giant spider, was so sincere that Draevan and Taric were too stunned to get angry with them.

Poor Kyra looked at the banquet Draevan and Taric carried in from the hallway like they had set out precious jewels before her. It was pretty obvious that if the forest hadn’t provided it, then Kyra hadn’t ever eaten it, or had only done so rarely.

Taric looked back at Kyra, took in the sight of her eating with both hands, and turned back. “I say if she keeps eating like that she’s going to explode.”

Draevan lifted his eyebrows as if to say, ‘You know what I mean’.

Taric sighed. “Oh, you mean the strange class-system the elves have and that Kyra seems to be settled impossibly low in the food chain? I don’t agree with it, if that’s what you’re getting at, but honestly it’s a system that’s not going to matter in another year.”

“Why do you say that?” Draevan asked, a wrinkle of confusion appearing on his forehead.

“Because the entire class of untouchables is being caught and executed—there’re barely any left. Our Kyra will soon be all that remains.”

“Are you saying all untouchables are thieves and poachers?” Draevan asked, and Taric nodded with confidence, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “Well, are they untouchable because they’re outlaws, or are they outlaws because they’re untouchable?”

Taric sighed and rubbed at the back of his neck with his palm. “I’m afraid it’s the latter. From what I understand, an elf would never hire an untouchable, never feed one or give one charity. If one uses a higher-born elf’s sheets, the sheets must be burnt. If they eat from one’s plates, the plate must be destroyed. They’re not allowed in schools, they’re not allowed in the kingdom. They spend their lives being hunted or avoided. All they’ve been able to do is eke out an existence.” He shook his head. “The poor thing.”

Draevan nodded, but then his eyes widened with realization. “No…” he argued, putting up a hand. “It’s fate.”

Taric had to argue with this. If he left it up to Draevan, he’d say everything was fate.

“Think about it!” Draevan said, shaking his hand in front of him to silence Taric’s bickering. “Our son won’t just be the greatest warrior destined to bring down the Dark Wizard, Taric. It’s her son that will do that… Even if we died and never got to raise our own son, or had to go into hiding, she could actually make the best of it. She’s a survivor, Taric.” He shook his head and grinned. “Fate brought us to her.”

He watched any signs of worry of the future leave Draevan’s face just that quickly.

Taric furrowed his brow and shifted his eyes back and forth awkwardly.

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