Page 111 of The Kingdom's Reckoning
"The village," Kallie whispered, her thoughts immediately turning to the homes that were attacked. "Have there been other attacks since then?"
"I’ve heard rumblings of attacks near the borders and have seen several hordes fly over," Menz said, his knuckles blanching around the side of the ladder.
Kallie looked at Graeson. His father was right; the war wasn’t over.
Graeson scanned the sky, his hands flexing at his sides. "We should talk inside."
"What about them?" Menz asked as he descended the ladder.
"I can stay outside," Moris offered.
"No," Graeson said. "If a group flies over, we can’t risk them spotting you."
Kallie stepped beside Graeson, her shoulder brushing his. Menz' gaze flicked to her.
"I know you’re afraid and I know we’re asking a lot," Kallie said gently when Menz reached the ground, "but he won’t hurt you. On the off chance that he loses control, we can stop him."
The farmer had aided Graeson and the others when they had brought Kallie here, even knowing who she was and what she could do. He was a good man, one of the best.
Menz rubbed his jaw, hesitating. "Fine, but that one will not fit through my front door," he said, pointing at Nyrri.
The drakonis' ears went flat, and a small whine slipped out. Ellie scratched Nyrri beneath her chin, but it only placated Nyrri so much.
"She can hide out in the stable," Graeson suggested.
Menz flinched. "What about the horses!?"
"They might spook when they see her, but she won’t harm the horses. She’s used to being around them," Graeson explained. "If it makes you more comfortable, we can always leave her in the woods…"
Kallie held back a snort. She knew Nyrri would rather sleep atop the roof of the stable than be left alone in the forest again. It seemed she had developed some trust issues since the last time.
Menz looked between Nyrri and Graeson, still unsure. But after a second, he relented. "Fine. She can stay in the stable for the time being."
Graeson patted him on the shoulder. "Thank you, Menz. I owe you."
Menz huffed as Graeson turned and led Nyrri to the stables. The horses nickered as she entered, but Nyrri ignored them and plopped down on a pile of hay, knocking over various tools in the process.
Groaning, Menz shook his head as he opened the front door. "Come on then," he said, ushering them inside.
Kallie offered him a polite smile as she approached, and he rolled his eyes and pulled her into a tight hug.
"It’s good to see you," he said, his voice as warm and comforting as a cup of tea.
When he pulled away, Kallie’s smile was a little brighter.
She dipped inside, taking in the house and relishing its familiarity. Everything was the same as it had been the last time she was there, and the lack of change twisted in her gut. It was another reminder of how much had changed outside the house.
A small crash sounded behind her, and Kallie spun around.
"Shit," Moris cursed as he hurried to pick up a frame that he had accidentally pulled down from the wall. But as he moved, his wings smacked into a skinny table, knocking over another frame. "I—I’m sorry."
Menz groaned and shouted, "Please be careful where you’re swinging those things, or you’ll be in the stables, too."
"Sorry, sir. I’m so sorry." Moris fumbled to set the picture frame upright.
"I got it," Kallie said, taking the frame from Moris' trembling hands. She set it down on the table and brushed the dust from the frame. Beneath the glass sat a self-portrait of Menz' late wife, Lois. Her small signature was scrawled in the bottom corner.
"Come on," Kallie said, ushering Moris forward while keeping an eye on his wings.
