AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘And what about you, Koreau?’ Sana’a asked, her voice brimming with curiosity. ‘You’ve got a history that’s just as mysterious as his. Don’t tell me you’re not carrying any secrets of your own.’
He smiled with a sardonic twist to his mouth, the lines of his face barely shifting. ‘Ah, Sana’a, ever the perceptive one. But let’s say I’ve had my fair share of hardships and perhaps even a confidential hit list of all those who wronged me. So maybe some things are better left unsaid, and some secrets are never shared. You know?’
His eyes twinkled as if he saw right through her, and she pressed her lips, understanding his unspoken words.
‘Perhaps we can share more when we meet next, very soon,’ the känon drawled.
‘You staying the night, Koreau?’ Killen asked, strolling towards the pair from the kitchen where he’d been packing up the leftover meal.
‘Nada’,’ said the peace giver. ‘I have a wife to return to. I just wanted to meet you; now my heart is at rest. Yet because you are the rightful bearer, I also worry for you.’
Killen’s smile faded, a shadow of concern crossing his features. ‘We can take care of ourselves,’ he said, glancing at Sana’a.
Koreau leaned in. ‘Friend, let’s put it this way: she’ll take care of you.’
When Killen arched his eyes in mock warning, the older man laughed. ‘Regardless, be careful out there. This world is dangerous, and its shadows can hide many things.’
Sana’a nodded, her gaze lingering on Killen for a moment before she turned back to Koreau. ‘Thank you for coming,’ she said. ‘I hope we’ll meet again soon.’
With a chin dip, the peace giver turned and leapt into the air, moving so fast that he disappeared into the night as if he’d never been there at all.
Chapter 28
‘We raise a glass to your honour. Kuvu!’
The table at the íkhara’s dining hall overflowed with platters of hearty food.
The air was filled with the aroma of warm bread, savoury meats, and the distinct scent of hoppy brew.
A fat cauldron on a sideboard held a bubbling soup alongside a giant keg.
Dusk filtered gold and orange shards of light into the kíota’s dining room, where five figures sat around the central elongated table.
Killen, Kione, Sana’a, Kaxim and Kultur.
The older man rose from his seat with a rare smile.
‘Now that the Kíríga has finalised the most crucial aspects of his koya training, I called for a kervisia, an íkan-infused beer ceremony, to commemorate this auspicious event.’
With a flourish, he served tankards of spirit packed with golden tendrils in smooth mugs carved with intricate designs depicting scenes of ancient Katánian myths.
The frothy amber liquid poured with reverence, now swirled with an almost magical quality.
The keeper of the kíota raised his stein and brandished it.
‘Kuvu!’ He bellowed, then slugged back his portion.
Killen, Kione, Sana’a and Kaxim repeated the chant and downed their drinks.
The Kíríga welcomed its mellow flavour with a slight bitterness, savouring its deep, hoppy, complex notes that lingered on the tongue.
It took a few gulps, and he’d swallowed the lot.
Slamming back the mug onto the table, he grinned.
‘More?’ Kultur invited.
Killen gave him a narrowed gaze and a severe glare.
