I nodded at Arokan when he looked at me and he squeezed my hip. “I will be there,” my husband replied. His eyes tracked over the fiftypyrokis, just outside the camp and he asked, “Where are you heading?”
“A human settlement to the east,” the blonde replied and my head jerked to him. His gaze flashed to me. Carefully, he said, “The numbers of akinnuherd grow dangerously low. We suspect hunting.”
Dread pooled in my stomach and I couldn’t help but say, “They only try to feed themselves. Before the cold season comes.”
“Even still,Morakkari,” the blondeVorakkarsaid, “these are the laws of theDothikkar. We must investigate.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw my brother appear, Mirari next to him. Lately, they had been inseparable, despite the rocky beginning of their friendship. And I was glad for them.
My brother held out his hands at his sides, as if to ask what was going on. I nodded at him, reassuring him, and theVorakkarturned and saw him.
When the blonde turned back to regard me, I told him, “My brother and I came from a village, probably much like the one you will find on your journey. We only tried to survive and it was a hard life. We were desperate and hungry and foolish.” I felt Arokan’s gaze and it gave me strength to say, “Now, welive. We live a free life, a happy life, because of my husband’s mercy.”
The blondeVorakkarabsorbed my words. I didn’t know if they would have any effect, but I would try. I would always try.
“We only ever needed mercy,” I finished, hoping he understood what I was trying to tell him.
The blondeVorakkarregarded me closely. His gaze was intense, as if he could see to my very bones. Arokan was the same way, quietly intelligent and observant. In the back of my mind, I wondered if allVorakkarswere like this.
Yes, I decided. They had to be.
TheVorakkarsaid, “I will think on your words,Morakkari. But I make no promises.”
“That’s all I ask.”
TheVorakkarinclined his head again, his gaze returning to Arokan, “We will take our leave.”
“Lik Kakkari srimea tei kirtja,” Arokan said.
I’d never heard the combination of those words before, but I thought they meant something like:may Kakkari watch over you.
“You as well, brother,” the blondeVorakkarreplied. His eyes met mine. “May Kakkari protect you all.”
Then he left, his two warriors flanking him. My breath hitched when I saw his back. Just like my husband’s, it had been stripped by the whip. I would never get used to the sight.
Then, we watched from outside our tent as theVorakkarled his warriors on theirpyrokisaway, kicking up dust as they went.
Heading east.
“He is merciful, Luna,” Arokan murmured in my ear. “He is a good male. But just like allVorakkars, he must be strong too.”
“You can be all three,” I told him, turning in his arms, looking into my husband’s eyes. “Youare.”
Then he said something I didn’t expect. “Only because you have made me so. Only because you have made me a better male, a betterVorakkar.”
I smiled. “Then I have hope. Maybe he will go to that village and find hiskassikari. Maybe he will have no choice but to be merciful and she will make him better for it.”
Arokan grinned, leaning his forehead down to touch mine.
“There is always hope,rei Morakkari. You have taught me that too.”
The End
