Page 75 of Veinblood
“So what? We reveal ourselves and guarantee destruction? At least hiding gives us a chance!” Meren slams a hand down onto the table, and I jump.
“A chance to do what? Watch our children grow upafraid of who they are? To see abilities wither from disuse? To purge ourselves, because we’re too scared to fight for something more?” Kalliss throws his hands up in disgust. “Vorith and I both believe that Elowen’s return is the sign we’ve been waiting for. You’re outnumbered.”
“Being outnumbered doesn’t make me wrong. It just means more people might die.”
Both men are red-faced, angry, and I grab for the first thing I can think of to try and deflate the tension that’s fast reaching explosive levels.
“I’d like to meet some of them. You’re talking about people I have no knowledge of. If you are insisting that their fates all lie in my being here, I’d like to see them.”
All three masters turn to look at me, then Vorith nods.
“That’s a good idea. Come. Let me show you who we’ve been protecting.” She looks at the two men. “You two stay here.” Her tone makes it clear that she doesn’t approve of the way they were fighting.
We step outside into the evening air. The settlement is made up of small homes scattered along paths that wind between small gardening areas, and workshops. There are no people out, but smoke rises from chimneys, which makes me think most are inside eating an evening meal.
“How many live here?”
“There are about sixty families in this village. There are others scattered throughout Meridian. Small communities,carefully hidden. We’ve learned that larger groups draw too much attention.”
“Do they know about me?”
“They all know of the prophecy.”
Vorith leads me to a small cottage beside a pond. The water is still, creating a mirror that reflects the stars. It gives the entire area a peaceful, almost serene, atmosphere. She walks to the door and knocks.
A woman opens it, and smiles when she sees Vorith.
“Nika, I’d like you to meet Elowen.”
The woman—Nika—looks at me. “You’re the one being sought by the Authority.”
Her directness surprises me. If the proclamation has already reached here, how many other villages has it been seen by?
“I … yes.”
“Come inside.” She steps back, and waits for us to walk past before closing the door behind us.
Woven rugs cover the floors, shelves hold small carved figurines, polished stones, and pressed flowers. The smell of a stew cooking fills the room. It could be any home in any village, except for the subtle tension that underlies everything.
A man looks up from where he’s seated by the fire, mending what looks like a torn tunic. Two children play on the mats near his feet—a girl of around six with dark curls, and a boy who I think is slightly younger.
“This is my husband, Garel, and our children, Seram and Bek.”
The little girl, Seram, stares at me. Her brother is more cautious, inching close to his father.
“Hello.” I smile at them.
“Your hair is odd,” Seram says.
“Seram!” Nika admonishes her, turning to me. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right. Do you like living here?”
Both children nod.
“We have friends,” Seram says. “And good food!” She pats her stomach, and I stifle a laugh.
“Mama tells the best stories,” Bek adds.
