“Hello,” I said, afraid to scare her away. I angled my arms down to show the rune stone. “Thank you for this.”
She bowed her head low, lifting it again to watch me.
“D-did you know my grandfather?” I asked, not knowing how I expected her to answer.
She lowered her head as if nodding. Could she understand me?
“He passed away. I’m sorry,” I explained.
She looked away like she was processing the news.
“Do you have a name?” I asked.
She faced me again, and then she began walking my way. I didn’t know what to do, so I froze in place, clutching the stone to my chest until she stopped in front of me. She bumped her soft nose against my hand and turned her head away, exposing her neck.
“You want me to touch you?” I asked.
She nodded once.
I rested my hand against her neck. Her coat was silky soft, and up close it shimmered.
My name is Ponsaria,a calm female voice spoke from an indeterminable location. I glanced around, searching for the source.I’m speaking to you through our physical connection. Please don’t remove your hand.
“Okay,” I said. I was too stunned to move, anyway.
Boris was a good friend of mine. He visited me often to tell me about the human world, which I cannot visit for my own safety. I’m sorry to hear of his passing, and I’m sorry for your loss. I’ve seen you from afar, Cassian. I see how you’ve always cared for the beings around you, humans included. I told Boris to never tell anyone he saw me, but I permitted him to tell you.
“Me? Why?” I asked.
You’re special, like Boris. You use your power for the good of your community. You are the kind of human I want occupying this land, and I’m afraid the one who wants to take it from you is not.
“Do you know who placed these rune stones?” I asked.
I do.
“Will you tell me?”
Ponsaria huffed through her nostrils.You can see me because your intentions are pure, Cassian, but acting on even the purest intentions can still result in the wrong outcome.
“What are you saying?”
I suspect you already know.
I stroked her soft neck as I thought about it. “I don’t believe my own family would turn on me.”
Becauseyouwouldn’t turn on your family. You also wouldn’t kill a fellow human, and yet humans kill humans every day.
“I don’t want to believe it.”
You don’t get to choose reality. You simply get to live with it.
“Are you saying itwasJasmine?” I asked, glancing at the stone in my free hand.
I struggle to find the stones myself, but I’ll uncover as many as I can. Don’t give up, and please don’t tell anyone you saw me. I must go.
“Wait! You won’t tell me?” I asked.
I can’t help you with that, but you’ve already found someone who can.
