burst into tears.
At first Jahrra was stunned, but instinct won out and she returned the embrace, trying to comfort the woman who was sobbing against her. She smelled like hard work and baking bread and Jahrra had a sudden, sharp memory of her own foster mother.
“Come now, Thenya, you’ll frighten the girl,” Aydehn clucked awkwardly as he tried to pull her away.
The Resai woman called Thenya reluctantly released Jahrra but continued to hold her at arms’ length. She sniffed, then drew a sleeve across her eyes to wipe away the tears.
“Oh, do forgive me but I haven’t seen you since you were a new born babe. Oh Aydehn, look at how beautiful she is!”
Jahrra felt suddenly discomfited again. If she wasn’t being pinned in place by Thenya’s strong arms she was sure she would have bolted. She took a brave look at Jaax, who had a strange mix of humor and pride on his face. Jahrra blinked in slight shock. Jaax feeling pride towards anyone but himself? Now that was a frightening thought.
“Now, Thenya dear, you’ve embarrassed the poor girl. Do release her.”
Jahrra was sure her face was pink, if not crimson, but Aydehn’s words made her blush even more. She wasn’t used to so much attention and she didn’t dare look at her guardian again.
Reluctantly, Thenya let go and backed into the crowd to stand among them. Jahrra cast her a look every so often and got the impression the woman was barely holding onto her desire to fling herself forward again. But Jaax remained by her side, perhaps to keep the eager villagers at bay.
Jahrra snorted inwardly. At least she could count on him for some constancy amid the chaos. This was all too strange and unsettling, going from being a poor Nesnan to the only human being on Ethoes; to being a girl fleeing for her life, to this, an object of worship. But if Jahrra was being completely honest with herself she wasn’t too surprised. The past several months of her life had consisted of one shocking revelation after another and even on those days that Jaax was bothersome, it was nice having him nearby if only to explain things to her later.
The entire community eventually dispersed after an encouraging announcement from Aydehn in which he promised they would all get a chance to spend time with her later. Jahrra shivered at that. She wasn’t sure if she would be required to sit and greet everybody, one at a time, or if she would be allowed an hour’s rest before they returned to gather about her like bees around a patch of lavender.
As the people of Crie got back to their chores most of them made an effort to cast Jahrra one last glance of awe. She tried to ignore it but it was a bit hard and she worried that they might not even give her an hour before seeking her out once again.
The sound of Aydehn’s voice, close but spoken at a normal level, snapped her out of her thoughts. “How long will you be staying with us, Raejaax?”
Jaax furrowed his brow.
“No more than a week. There is a strong chance that we are being hunted and the sooner we get to Lidien the better. Besides,” he said heavily, “the longer we stay here, the more damage we could bring upon you.”
Aydehn nodded grimly then took a deep breath. “Best we take you to the Tree before you leave then. The day before you depart perhaps? That will give you time to rest from your long journey.”
Jahrra felt her heart skip a beat. She looked to the woman who had so openly embraced her earlier only to find her smiling with great joy. She glanced at Jaax, who looked solemn as ever. He gave her a curt nod when he saw the question in her eyes: the Tree? The Sacred Oak of Ethoes?
“But for now we must find you a place to rest.” Aydehn arched a brow at Jaax, smiling comfortably. “Ah, I’m afraid we don’t have any huts big enough for you Raejaaxorix, but surely we can offer Drisihn, ah, I mean Jahrra, a room for the week?”
Jaax shook his head. “We thank you for your hospitality but we are happy to
At first Jahrra was stunned, but instinct won out and she returned the embrace, trying to comfort the woman who was sobbing against her. She smelled like hard work and baking bread and Jahrra had a sudden, sharp memory of her own foster mother.
“Come now, Thenya, you’ll frighten the girl,” Aydehn clucked awkwardly as he tried to pull her away.
The Resai woman called Thenya reluctantly released Jahrra but continued to hold her at arms’ length. She sniffed, then drew a sleeve across her eyes to wipe away the tears.
“Oh, do forgive me but I haven’t seen you since you were a new born babe. Oh Aydehn, look at how beautiful she is!”
Jahrra felt suddenly discomfited again. If she wasn’t being pinned in place by Thenya’s strong arms she was sure she would have bolted. She took a brave look at Jaax, who had a strange mix of humor and pride on his face. Jahrra blinked in slight shock. Jaax feeling pride towards anyone but himself? Now that was a frightening thought.
“Now, Thenya dear, you’ve embarrassed the poor girl. Do release her.”
Jahrra was sure her face was pink, if not crimson, but Aydehn’s words made her blush even more. She wasn’t used to so much attention and she didn’t dare look at her guardian again.
Reluctantly, Thenya let go and backed into the crowd to stand among them. Jahrra cast her a look every so often and got the impression the woman was barely holding onto her desire to fling herself forward again. But Jaax remained by her side, perhaps to keep the eager villagers at bay.
Jahrra snorted inwardly. At least she could count on him for some constancy amid the chaos. This was all too strange and unsettling, going from being a poor Nesnan to the only human being on Ethoes; to being a girl fleeing for her life, to this, an object of worship. But if Jahrra was being completely honest with herself she wasn’t too surprised. The past several months of her life had consisted of one shocking revelation after another and even on those days that Jaax was bothersome, it was nice having him nearby if only to explain things to her later.
The entire community eventually dispersed after an encouraging announcement from Aydehn in which he promised they would all get a chance to spend time with her later. Jahrra shivered at that. She wasn’t sure if she would be required to sit and greet everybody, one at a time, or if she would be allowed an hour’s rest before they returned to gather about her like bees around a patch of lavender.
As the people of Crie got back to their chores most of them made an effort to cast Jahrra one last glance of awe. She tried to ignore it but it was a bit hard and she worried that they might not even give her an hour before seeking her out once again.
The sound of Aydehn’s voice, close but spoken at a normal level, snapped her out of her thoughts. “How long will you be staying with us, Raejaax?”
Jaax furrowed his brow.
“No more than a week. There is a strong chance that we are being hunted and the sooner we get to Lidien the better. Besides,” he said heavily, “the longer we stay here, the more damage we could bring upon you.”
Aydehn nodded grimly then took a deep breath. “Best we take you to the Tree before you leave then. The day before you depart perhaps? That will give you time to rest from your long journey.”
Jahrra felt her heart skip a beat. She looked to the woman who had so openly embraced her earlier only to find her smiling with great joy. She glanced at Jaax, who looked solemn as ever. He gave her a curt nod when he saw the question in her eyes: the Tree? The Sacred Oak of Ethoes?
“But for now we must find you a place to rest.” Aydehn arched a brow at Jaax, smiling comfortably. “Ah, I’m afraid we don’t have any huts big enough for you Raejaaxorix, but surely we can offer Drisihn, ah, I mean Jahrra, a room for the week?”
Jaax shook his head. “We thank you for your hospitality but we are happy to
Similar Books
