Page 115 of Dark Island: Rescue
Idrew a quick sketch of Chicha guarding the house from her perch on the ledge of the living room window, observing the foot traffic outside. It had nothing to do with my journal entry, but she'd just looked so adorable, and the image had stayed with me. I had to commemorate it.
Sometimes I wondered if she remembered that horrible night five years ago as clearly as I did, and if she was dreaming about it when I heard her whimpering in her sleep.
"Kailin!" Gran's voice echoed through the house. "Shovia is here!"
The soft click of tiny claws on wooden floors preceded Chicha as she trotted into my room, her gray-flecked muzzle showing her age, but her dark eyes still bright and alert. She settled on my bed, watching me as I smoothed an invisible crease in my skirt. I had sewn it a little over a week ago and had been quite proud of the unique design, but I hadn't worn it yet for lack of opportunity.
Now, I wasn't sure it was suitable for a night out.
I wasn't much of a barfly, and usually I just wore a well-fitting pair of pants for an outing like this, but Shovia had told me to put on something nice, so I figured I might as well show off one of my designs.
"What do you think, girl?" I twirled for Chicha's benefit.
She tilted her head, ears perking forward, and thumped her tail against the bed in what I chose to interpret as approval.
As I opened the door and walked toward our common room with Chicha padding faithfully at my heels, I heard Shovia's animated chatter mixing with my grandmother's laughter.
"There you are!" Shovia's eyes widened as she took in my appearance. "Oh, Kailin, please tell me you're not wearing that to the pub."
I glanced down at my skirt. "Why? You said that you liked it."
"Not for a night out, and it's not just the skirt, it'salso your hair." She waved a hand over me. "You look like such a village girl with that braid."
I glared at her. "Iama village girl."
Gran chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Now, now, Shovia. Our Kailin looks lovely as always."
"Thank you, Gran." I shot her a grateful smile.
Shovia rolled her eyes. "Did you even look at the fashion magazine you borrowed from me?"
"I did, but I looked at the latest trends in clothing, not hairstyles."
"Come on." Shovia threaded her arm through mine. "You can't meet the Elurians looking so provincial." She started leading me back to my room.
"Elurians?" My mother's voice was pitched high, tinged with alarm. "I didn't know that you were meeting Elurians."
"We are not meeting them." Shovia assumed an innocent expression, but her eyes sparkled with mischief. "We are not meeting anyone. But in case we bump into Elurian pilgrims, I want us to look sophisticated."
I could see the concern etching itself across my mother's face. "Kailin, are you sure it's wise to go out tonight? The pilgrimage is in just a few days. You should be resting and preparing yourself."
Before I could respond, my father's deep voice rumbled from the doorway. "Stop fretting, Milly. It will be good for Kailin to talk to Elurians. Broaden her horizons a bit."
I shot him a grateful look, but my mother wasn't done. "I just worry, Jayron. You know how difficult the pilgrimage is. I want Kailinto be well prepared."
Like me, my mother secretly hoped I wouldn't get selected. She could barely sleep at night, worrying about Dylon. I didn't want to imagine what a nervous wreck she would be if I turned out to be a dragon rider as well.
My father walked over to me and put his hand on my shoulder. "Kailin is tough." He winked at me. "She's gonna make it, and she's gonna make us proud."
My mother snorted, but I had a feeling it was to hide a sob. "I just want our daughter to come back down from that mountain in one piece. I don't care about pride."
"She will," Shovia said. "She's got me and Morek watching her back." She cast my mother a reassuring smile before pulling me by the hand to my room.
Chicha followed us, settling into her favorite spot by the dresser where she could keep watch on both me and the door.
Closing the door behind us, Shovia walked over to my wardrobe and started rummaging through it. "Honestly, Kailin, don't you have anything a little more daring than this ankle-length skirt? Why is everything you make so modest?"
I flopped onto my bed. "We live in the mountains, Shovia. Daring isn't exactly a priority when it comes to clothing. My aim is practicality with a little flair."
