The Beast Within

CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN

Laith stopped talking for the longest time and Noe was about to urge her to stop if it was too much but she sighed heavily again and forged on.

“Mother used her body to shield mine even as they swarmed around us, it must have hurt her yet she did not make a sound. I know this because one grabbed my leg and it felt like the hottest and coldest of fires at the same time but she did not want me to worry. I don’t really remember what happened, mother had beautiful Spirit Magic with which she would fill the house with and let me play with them but mother said that I made fire, lots of it, big enough to surround us and shield us from the Shadows but she was already very hurt.

“She hurt all through the night but when morning came she felt better, although her arms and legs had gone black like she was turning into a Shadow herself. We made the long journey to a non-Mage village where we learnt that Mages were being captured so mother said we would have to hide our magic.”

“We stayed there for the longest time but mother was sick and it kept getting worse, then she died but I did not know who to tell. non-Mages found me eventually and I was brought here.”

A deeper silence reigned after Laith’s long tale, Noelani glanced out a window only to realise how late it had become.

“By the Pillars, how did it become so late?” She muttered to herself, hastening to her feet. “I still have to clean you up and make supper.”

“I can help with that,” Auris offered, also getting up.

“That would be much appreciated.” Noelani smiled gratefully. “But, first…” she trailed off, hoisting Laith higher in her arms. “Laith, how old are you?”

Laith thought for the briefest of moments before speaking. “I will be nine in a few moons.”

Noelani was pleasantly surprised, from her small form and her lack of speech, it was evident that she had judged her age wrongly.

“Well, this is Auris, your big sister, and your big brothers, Adrik, Ceraun and Haneul.” She introduced them all quickly, knowing fully well that there would be enough time later to get to know each other.

“I best be off to my work.”

Hours later, Laith had fallen asleep immediately after the meal.

She had gaped with wide eyes at the food, mouth watering for she said that she had not had warm food ever since she was brought to Thrika, she did not even know that she was supposed to collect her rations, mostly surviving on scraps and benevolent Mages who had food to spare.

“Laith will share my pallet with me, it is big enough and I would rather she did not sleep all alone.”

They affirmed her words, promising to clean up the dishes while they made Noelani go to bed, she had been hard at work cleaning up Laith and cooking supper.

Laith was a sight to behold when she was all cleaned up, her hair was slightly longer than it seemed when it was washed and combed, framing her doll-like features in a halo of darkness, sea blue eyes staring out of a pretty face.

“Do you think Noe would mind if we took Laith to train with us.” Ceraun blurted out, hope in his eyes.

Adrik snorted. “Mother would chew your head out if you ever suggested that.” He stated matter of factly rinsing off the dishes

“No, no, I’m not going to make her train but so that she would not be lonely all day.”

Everyone stopped what they were doing.

Haneul had been cleaning the dining table while Auris washed the plates, they stopped to stare at Ceraun who was drying the clean plates with a piece of rag.

“What?” He asked after a while, noticing their stunned expressions.

“It’s strange that you care if Laith is lonely or not.” Adrik was the one to respond.

“Why? I am her big brother, am I not?” He asked, affronted.

Auris hid a chuckle behind her soapy hand.

“I never said...”

“Or would you prefer that she remained in this dim cold hut all day with nothing to do or worse still wandered off and got missing?” He rounded up on Adrik.

“I don’t think…” Adrik started to say in a dry voice.

Haneul cut in, already predicting an endless argument that could escalate to a tussle. “Noe may perhaps want her with her at the sewing pit.”

“Or we could leave this discussion till the morrow where the two people involved may give their opinions.” Auris concluded, giving them a blank expression. “I would like it if you all concentrated on the task at hand so we could get some sleep.”

Her words silenced the rest but not Ceraun. “Sleep?” He repeated, unimpressed. “Why don’t you race me, Auris?” He implored.

Auris threw down her sponge into the water in exasperation. “Because there is no sun, I would be no better than Laith at this point.”

“Actually, I would say Laith is faster.” Haneul muttered under his breath as he wiped down the table.

“What was that?” Auris asked, her eyes narrowing.

Haneul straightened up quickly in slight panic. “Nothin…” A wet sponge to his face cut off the rest of his sentence.

Ceraun immediately clenched his teeth to hold back his laughter, not wanting to anger Auris further, Adrik did not think that far and laughter bubbled past his lips at Haneul’s stunned expression, earning him a spray of foam to the face.

Auris waited for the longest time for whoever would be unfortunate to chortle again. “Now that we are all in order, I will repeat it again, let’s concentrate on the task at hand so we can get some sleep.”

It was not a suggestion so they had to agree with her or risk soapy water getting in their eyes again.

Just as they rounded up, Noelani wandered out, looking ready for bed.

“By the Pillars, you are all rowdier than a full tavern.” She commented drily, a hand on her waist.

“It’s all their fault.” Auris made no hesitation to blame them, sweeping out of the kitchens after saying goodnight to Noelani.

The boys were flustered at this turn of events left to wilter under Noelani’s scolding gaze, the moment she let them leave, outrage cries of Auris’ name rang out as they bounded in what seemed to be the direction of her room.

Noelani just shrugged with a slight smile, Auris could handle herself, she had better return to her room so that Laith would not look for her.