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Those muscles tightened as I shook my head, dislodging the thought. Now was not the time for daydreaming. We needed to find a cave to stay in while we waited for Stet to come for us. We were now almost twenty-one. Both of us were ready to go back.
Tamerin studied the surrounding cliff walls. He pointed one long arm towards a dark spot in one of the faces in front of us.
“There is a cave. I can’t tell how much space it has, but it is near the place you want to be.”
From what I could see with my enhanced vision, it didn’t seem large enough for all three of us. But I could only see a few feet in. Perhaps it went deeper into the mountain, opening up more. I knew that one couldn't tell the size of a cave from its entrance now.
Lexi stated the obvious. “What if we go all the way there and it doesn't hold all of us? Or only one or two of us could fit? What happens then?”
Tamerin shook his head, not answering.
“We—help.” The words were halting, and a bit garbled, but what was worse, they came from behind us. His approach had been stealthy and his footsteps silent.
All three of us whirled around, staring at the man who stepped out of the trees, laughter gleaming in his eyes.
"Oh, gods, Grulp!" Lexi wheezed out. "Where did you come from? You shouldn't scare us like that!"
Grulp chuckled, enjoying the game he loved to play with us. Even with taking over the running of the clan, he would search us out, attempting to sneak up on us without our knowledge. He didn't always make it.
While his English wasn't great, it was good enough that we could understand him now. When we would meet the clan at the hot pools, Lexi would exchange the names of things with the youngsters. The clan leader had listened and learned along with them, not wanting those younger than him to know something he didn’t.
My sister patted her chest several times before lowering her hand. “Jeez, Grulp, you won this time. I swear, I didn't hear a thing!”
Childish laughter came from the sparse foliage behind him. Lexi leaned to one side to peer around the man.
“I see you have a shadow, Leader.” This time, her speech was more formal, despite the joy in her tone.
Grulp shook his head, closing his eyes.
I chuckled. Kids were kids, no matter where they lived.
Grulp put out one hand and a tiny figure darted from the brush to grab it, giggling the whole time. He swung the little girl up into his arms and kissed her head, whispering something to her as she laughed.
She turned and peeked over at us.
“Lex-eee! Pupu says tunnel goes—” she flung one hand out towards the spot we had been looking at. “We take you and Sorree and Tamtam. I go, too!” She ended her words with a squeal.
I had to smile at her. She was so full of life. My sister chuckled, putting her arms out towards the tiny bundle, as if to take her from her father. The sprite leaped across the space between them.
“I swear, you are part flying squirrel, Shanni,” Lexi exclaimed, catching her.
Shanni giggled before squirming down to the ground and scampering off to our left.
“This way! Come!” She turned and disappeared into the brush.
Grulp rolled his eyes, making a sound similar to his name. Tamerin laughed and slapped him on his shoulder. “Little girls are the death of all fathers.” He repeated the statement in their language and the leader belted out a laugh, shaking his head.
“Come. Follow.” He knew those two words and while they were a bit garbled and rough, we understood what he was saying.
Lexi led the way, quickly chasing after Shanni. I followed her, with Tamerin and Grulp walking behind us. The clan leader must have trusted his daughter to find the way, since he acted as if there wasn’t any danger here.
I wondered if it was wise, and I caught up to my sister. “Keep your eyes open. I don’t understand why Grulp is okay with Shanni foraging ahead, but I trust nothing on this planet.”
She nodded, pulling out her knife.
In the last few months, my sister had discovered blacksmithing. Bladesmithing in particular. Her knives were balanced, beautiful and sharp. Her swords were something people might kill to keep once they held one in their hands. I was carrying one of them myself and I loved it. It made me feel protected and able to protect anyone.
Yes, her weapons had a presence, as if they were half alive. Mine sang the song of Protection and Love, and had told me its name was Eri.
