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5
SILAS
"That settles it, then,"Kiango said with a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes.
"I told you I'm ready to face the storms!" I said, scrambling to my feet with excitement. Finally.
But he stopped me short with a hearty laugh and shook his head.
"That is not what I said," he managed between chuckles.
"What do you mean? Didn't you see what I just did? It was perfect!"
Kiango nodded, but still he did not give me his blessing. Instead, he looked to Anya.
"I don't know how you did it, but I believe you have something I do not. I was wondering if you might be interested in having a companion for your duties for the next few days?"
At this, my jaw dropped open in shock. "What? You want me to, to... follow her around? What for?"
Kiango shot me a warning look, and I clapped my mouth shut before he struck me. Still, I could not believe what I was hearing. After all I'd done and all I'd learned, now he was passing me off on a servant woman. A pleasant enough woman with bountiful curves, but still.
"I would consider it," she remarked, shooting me a coy smile, to which I could only respond with a low growl.
"Good. Silas seems to take lessons from you quite well, and I have other matters to attend to. In my absence, I would prefer that he continue on with his training as best he can until I return."
I stood, staring at the pair of them as they spoke around me, clearly indifferent to my own wishes.
"Wait! Where are you going?" I demanded, stepping between them and facing Kiango directly.
Something dark passed over his face and he hesitated a moment before saying, "There is a storm approaching."
"And I should be there! I just showed you that I'm ready!"
The outrage had been building inside me for weeks on end. Even the soft touch of Anya's hand against my shoulder was not enough to soothe my anger.
"It is not that simple," he said quietly, looking past me to scan the courtyard for anyone who might be near. "You must stay here and wait for my return. When I get back, we will arrange the ceremony for your Guardianship and you will step into Re'Utu's waters. Until then, I need you to keep an eye on things."
I tried to make sense of his request. "How long will you be gone?"
He shrugged, looking to the skies. "One can never be sure. But whatever happens, continue building your strength. You will need it before long. Stick close to Anya, and keep your wits about you. And please, check in on Ember. She will need someone to talk to. Her life is in your hands, Silas." His voice was stern as he gave me his final command, and I felt a knot of fear growing in my belly.
Before I could say anything, Anya moved around me and went to Kiango, taking his hands into hers, and he bowed his head, so they were nearly close enough to kiss. I felt a strange rush of jealousy as they shared a private moment, Anya's voice low, so I could not hear what passed between them. Then, she released him, and Kiango gave me only a weary look before turning and marching away from the ring.
I stood, watching him go, until Anya turned to face me. Strangely, I was more aware of our solitude now than I had been the day before. There was something newly daunting about standing in this circle with Anya alone, knowing Kiango was heading into danger.
"So what now?"
"I will come up to your rooms in the morning. Be ready. There will be much to do, but I think we can squeeze in a few useful tidbits while we work."
I was not all too fond of this plan, but arguing with Kiango would be a fruitless endeavor, and I had to admit that Anya had already taught me plenty. Resigning myself to a day full of chores, I nodded.
"I will be ready."
She gave me a kind smile, and I couldn't be sure if the sadness in her eyes was for me or Kiango, but then she said, "Try not to be too upset about it. I'm not such a harsh taskmaster as Kiango. Take the afternoon, and then get some rest. We'll be up with the sun."
