The Beast Within

CHAPTER SEVENTY

Auris' fears had been unfounded because Laith was having the absolute time of her life, laughing and squealing with each leap and sprint that Ceraun did.

Naturally her response to it meant that Ceraun did it more often, Adrik could not even complain because her excitement was tangible.

They easily let Ceraun win because Laith was clamoring for him to, cheering him on whenever he took the lead, it was almost like she had completely forgotten the existence of the river that she had longed for mere moments ago.

They got to the river bank and Ceraun went down again to help her off his back only to lift her high in the air and spin her around making her laugh.

When they were all gathered round, Laith then realised that she had a goal, it was evident with how she suddenly started swivelling her head around, distracted from Ceraun carrying her high in the air.

Her smile returned when she saw the flowing river, pattering closer when Ceraun let her down.

They all watched her with eagle eyes, ready to snatch her up if she tried to touch the water but they did not want to ruin the experience for her.

She walked cautiously to the edge of the river bank, her steps a little awkward like she wasn’t quite used to wearing shoes again just yet.

Her restraint was commendable for she held her hands tightly squeezed in front of her. “Say, can I touch it?” She asked with hopeful wide eyes.

“Yes but no drinking it because the water is poisonous.” Haneul said to her, walking to securely keep the package in his hands under the slanted rock.

Laith’s response was to nod with severity, squatting low beside it.

The rest started to get ready for their daily routine while keeping sharp watch over Laith.

~*~

The day had gone so smoothly that none had noticed the passing of the time, the day drawing to an end far too fast.

Laith was asleep and Ceraun carried her again, in his arms this time because he could not risk her falling off his back while he ran.

It was no surprise that she had fallen fast asleep, after she had gotten over her fascination with the river, she had bounded over to them to try and copy everything they did.

It was not the least bit distracting or irritating and she might have learnt more than a couple dangerous skills.

They had found out that her fire burnt in water but only if it burnt from the source because dropping handfuls of flames into the flowing, pale blue water below only extinguished them.

So she had to put her hands under the flowing water and let it burn to achieve that, it was incredibly impressive.

Her energy had been boundless, climbing up boulder after boulder, gathering up pebbles for no reason other than they were pretty and smooth.

Now she was fast asleep and the sun was hanging low in the sky, almost past the time that they should be returning back to the town.

They started back, hearts lighter than it had been in days and Adrik thought that perhaps Laith was not such a bad addition to their patchwork of a family.

Laith was still asleep even when they had gotten to the top of the slope again, she was curled up, fast asleep in Ceraun’s arms, black curls obscuring her face.

No one bothered to take her from Ceraun’s arms for he looked immensely content with her there and they would not like to disturb her sleep.

So they started off walking back to their hut, they walked briskly, eager to get back, it was easier to without Laith to worry about.

Noelani was yet to return when they got back which was not entirely surprising, it was still a little bit early.

Adrik was tasked with watching over Laith while they went off to collect their rations, it would have been fitting for Laith to follow them but that would be for another day seeing as she was still fast asleep.

So Auris took her to Noelani’s room to put her to bed before they were to leave for the gate.

Adrik watched them leave with apprehension, worrying his lower lip at the thought of being all alone with Laith, what if she woke up? What was he supposed to say to her till the others came back?

He could only hope hard that she did not wake up soon or that his mother returned before she did.

His hopes fell on deaf ears for just as Ceraun, Auris and Haneul had left, he heard the dreaded sound of telltale footsteps.

Laith yawned as she pattered out, she had not slept for long which was no surprise, her body was still unused to getting peaceful sleep so she slept for very little amounts.

It was a miracle that she had been able to sleep through the night but perhaps, Noelani’s presence had something to do with that.

“Adrik?” Laith mumbled, rubbing her eyes sleepily as she drew nearer to him, leaning on his leg where he was sitting on a rickety chair by the dining table which was joined to and a part of the kitchens.

“Where is everyone else?”

Adrik gulped, preparing himself to answer.

~*~

“We left Adrik all alone with Laith, think he’ll be okay?” Auris asked in slight worry as they made their way to the gate.

“He got used to you, he’ll live.” Ceraun dismissed.

Noelani was just returning at this point so she saw them leave but they were too far to try to attract their attention, plus, even if she could, there would be no need to.

She knew where they were headed anyway and they all looked in good condition so she would just have to pray to the Pillars just like she had been doing all day and wait for their safe return.

She continued her interrupted journey to the hut, wondering why Laith was not with them; they had suggested taking her along with them when they were going to get their rations again.

She wondered what could have happened for her to not follow them again.

She got to the door and slipped in quietly, making her way to the kitchens where she had to keep her food ration for the day before she changed into her house clothes.

“I’m home.” She called out when she got there, merely as a force of habit.

So you can imagine her surprise when she saw Laith scrambling off a smiling Adrik’s legs to hurry into her arms with shouts of ‘Noe!’ ‘Noe!’

She easily caught her miniscule weight, picking her up into her arms.

She had barely properly greeted the little girl before Laith jumped into rattling off how her day went, starting from the very first thing that happened as soon as they had left the house.

Adrik smiled sympathetically, getting up, he was well aware of Laith’s story anyway so he left his mother to it, wandering out of the kitchens to busy himself with something else.

He could still hear Laith’s clear voice passionately narrating her tale to Noelani.