Page 78 of Tiger's Trek
Will it prove a vicious game?
Fading embers I once knew,
in a world that feels so new.
Just two strangers turning pages,
trying to break out of our cages.
But maybe all this is a dream.
Perhaps we’ll wake beside a stream.
Recall the place where once we fell
as we sought a tale to tell.
Fading embers I once knew,
in a world that feels so new.
Just two strangers turning pages,
trying to break out of our cages.
Fading embers in the night,
fill me, heal me with her light.
Fading embers set me free.
In her arms, I want to be.
But everything’s... fading...
“Oh, Danik,” Veru whispered. Her words were so soft she was certain the only one who heard her was Max.
“It’s a pretty song, boy,” said Yuga. “We’ll see if you still feel that way tomorrow. Sleep well.”
With that, the old woman rolled back and forth, making her old, rickety bed creak and groan loudly in protest, and then grabbed her stirring wand that protruded from her stone pot, which she’d placed on the floor next to her bed and wrapped her arm around it, cradling it to her cheek like a young girl would a doll, and then began to snore loudly. Veru settled back into her chair, managed to close her eyes, and even slept when Maxsim purred loudly, vibrating his body on her lap.
* * *
The next morning, Veru was determined to confront the old woman once and for all.
“We thank you for your hospitality,” Veru said bluntly, “but we really need to be moving on. As for payment, we’ve more than sufficiently paid you for our stay. You asked us to clean your home, and we did as you asked.”
Babushka Yuga seemed very pleased with herself. She even hummed as she stirred whatever concoction she was making over the fire. “Oh yes. I agree with you, dear. You certainly kept your end of the bargain. My home has never been this clean. As promised, you are free to leave. You’ll find the door unlocked.”
“Thank you,” Veru said.
Before the old woman could change her mind, Veru picked up her bag and headed to the door. She sucked in a breath and twisted the knob, then let it out when she found out it opened. Turning back to offer a winning grin to Danik, her expression of happiness faded into one of confusion when she saw him still standing in place with his bag over his shoulder. She gave him a meaningful look, but he simply shook his head.
Yuga paused. “Oh, didn’t I mention? The agreement was for you only. Your man must stay until he accomplishes a task of his own.”
“You’re kidding me. Another task?”
“Of course, you’re more than welcome to aid him. I imagine he helped you a great deal in finishing your work.”
