“I’m—I’m not a sorceress, horde king,” I whispered, wanting him to know that, at the very least. “I don’t have the power to destroy a horde. I would never do anything like that.”
I didn’t know why it was so important to me for him to know that. But that word had echoed in my mind long after he’d gone. It made my mind go sour.
His jaw tightened. “You have more power than you think.”
My brow furrowed.
“Come,” he growled, his tone hardening, like he already regretted saying that. “We will go see Lokkaru now. She is awake.”
I nodded wordlessly, following him when he turned from me and walked towards the bulk of his horde.
It was still early in the morning, the sun so bright I had to use my hand to shield it from my eyes. Not many Dakkari were awake. Thevolikiswere quiet with sleep and rest and those that did roam around stayed to themselves, only inclining their heads to their horde king in respect before regarding me with suspicious interest. Then they continued with their morning duties.
Thevolikiwe stopped in front of was like all the rest, situated towards the middle of the encampment. Reaching out, I stroked my finger over the hide that covered the domed home. It had grown impossibly soft with the passing years.
“How old is she?” I whispered, studying the hide, not wanting to meet his eyes.
“One hundred and five years.”
The oldest living member in our village had been seventy before they’d passed on. Could the Dakkari really live this long?
I didn’t doubt it.
“Nevretam terun,” Davik called out.
A soft voice came from within and the horde king held thevolikiflap entrance open for me. Taking a small breath, I ducked inside. I felt his heat behind me when he followed a moment later.
Thevolikiwas brightly lit, a fire roaring in the golden basin. The home was much smaller than theVorakkar’s, which was to be expected, but was comfortable and warm. A high bed of furs was in the center, though the elderly female we sought was on a cushion on the floor, seated before a table which was covered with her morning meal.
At first sight, I thought surely Davik was mistaken. This female was not one hundred and five years of age. Her hair was silky and black, hanging to the middle of her back. Unlike the other Dakkari females I’d seen while riding through the horde the night before, Lokkaru wore no adornments or beads in her hair. Her clothing consisted of a long, thick dress the color of moss and a white fur shawl draped across her shoulders.
When she peered up at us, I saw her eyes were yellow, not red like theVorakkar’s. Her age showed more in the deep wrinkles of her face, in her slow, careful movements as she brought a goblet of steaming liquid to her lips.
Once she finished sipping it, it shook as she replaced it back on the table. Inclining her head, though she was one of the first I’d seen to hold his eyes, she greeted, “Vorakkar.”
“Terun,” Davik murmured, inclining his head in return. “We have come to seek your help.”
She blinked, long and slow, and then her gaze shifted to mine. I was tempted to press into her mind…but I was slowly realizing how intrusive it was. How easily I’d always used it, almost as a greeting towards others. Uncomfortably aware that Davik would know if I used my gift, I simply mirrored his actions, dipping my head towards her.
“What help could I be?” she asked, in the universal tongue. Her voice was scratchy, as if unused, but soft.
Davik’s hand came to my lower back, surprising me. He led me forward, had me sit across from Lokkaru at the table, and he knelt next to me, sitting back on his heels.
“You confided in me once. When you first asked to join my horde,” he started. “Do you remember what we spoke of?”
A look of confusion passed over her features. She looked around hervoliki. A strong scent of incense perfumed the air. “I have always lived here.”
“Nik, terun. You joined my horde ten years ago, after the cold season. You were living inDothik, selling fruit you stole from theDothikkar’sgardens.”
A mischievous smile crossed Lokkaru’s features. It was so unexpected and surprising that I felt my lips twitching in response. Had she really beenstealingfrom theDothikkar? Ten years ago would have put her at ninety-five years old.
“You tried to sell me somehji. I knew the only place to gethjiin the capital was from his gardens,” he said.
Out of the corner of my eye, I looked at Davik. His voice had gone a little quiet, soft. He liked this female, respected her. He’d discovered her stealing from theDothikkar…and instead of turning her in, he’d taken her into his horde?
“Lysi,” she said, now grinning. Her eyes brightened. “TheDothikkardoes not even likehji. He had too much of it and the guards always napped around sunset.”
Davik smiled and my breath almost left me. It wasn’t his dark, cutting smile, or his mocking one. It was genuine. And it was beautiful.
