White Star Phase by Scott Beckman

Author:Scott Beckman [Beckman, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-05-08T23:00:00+00:00

☆ ☆ ☆

In the camp, only Shavyn and Erona remained. Valkil and Malquin had been gone a while, recruiting Aioni. Ahlaha had gone to bathe in the nearby river and they could hear her singing.

“Do you suppose she’s talking to herself or singing an actual song?” Shavyn asked without looking up, working on a broken boot clasp. “Is there a difference in Moridah?”

“I don’t know,” Erona said. She lay on her back, hands under her head, eyes closed. “Why don’t you ask her?”

“I can’t understand a thing she says. Even when she speaks Camarein, her accent is too strange. You catch any of it?”

“Sometimes.”

A breeze picked up and Shavyn sighed. “I could do with more of that. It’s hotter than a fever.”

“Malquin says we’re not too far from the oasis.”

“That’ll be wonderful.” Shavyn paused. “You’ve been talking to him a good bit on the road. You getting along?”

“He’s nice,” Erona said. “I think he’s been heartbroken for so long he doesn’t know how to be happy.”

“He tell you what happened between him and Valkil?”

Erona squinted at Shavyn. “Sort of. Not really. Do you know?”

Shavyn shook his head. “Valkil never even told me had a brother. It must be some secret.”

“Well,” Erona said, “I like him.”

“Better than Valkil?”

“I don’t know.” Erona thought a moment. “I like Valkil, too. I don’t think anyone could help but like Valkil. Seems strange that so many people seem to hate him instead. Malquin, for example. This Aioni person, whoever she is.”

“I don’t understand it either. Valkil can be a tough teacher but he’s always been kind to me.” Shavyn hesitated. “Do you like Malquin better than me?”

Erona laughed, then thought better of it. “I’m sorry. Are you serious?”

Shavyn kept his eyes on the boot clasp, though he only fumbled with it idly. “I can’t tell if you’re laughing because it should be obvious that you do like Malquin or so obvious that you like me.”

“Shavyn,” Erona said, “you’re a sweet boy. I’m grateful to you for being the first in Verden to believe me. But I don’t think it’s the right time to begin a romance.”

“Why not?” Shavyn asked. “Could be that hunting the therill is the last thing we do…”

“It killed my friends,” Erona said, tone sharp. “My mother. Talking about it gets me hot, but not in the way you’re hoping.”

Shavyn looked at her at last. “I’m so sorry. I only meant, I think we’re both scared. I thought maybe I could cheer you up if you’d let me.”

“You know what would cheer me up? Kill me a therill, Shavyn. Bring me its head. I promise you I’ll love anyone who does that for me.”

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