Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
It takes them a while to pass, and even when the last straggler races after the others, we remain where we are, silent. We watch as they head through the valley, and where the path forks, they head off in the opposite direction from where we came from—moving deeper into the mountains instead of heading for the shore.
I touch I’rec’s back with cold fingers when the last of them disappears out of sight. “Are we safe?” I whisper. When he nods, I ask the question burning on my mind. “Where are they going?”
He glances back at me. “I do not know. I have never seen so many together all at once.”
“Should we warn the others?” Daisy asks, biting one of her nails.
O’jek thinks for a moment and then glances at I’rec. “They do not head for the fruit cave or the beach. It is not our concern.”
Oh, are we near the path to the fruit caves? I didn’t realize. “You think they’re the ones that stole all the fruit?”
“Not if they are coming from that direction,” O’jek says, pointing where the exodus emerged. “Unless they are circling back. But those do not look as if they have eaten fruit.” He gestures at his mouth. “Their fur is not colorful here.”
Excellent point. Something tells me that they’re not the cleanest eaters. O’jek’s got a point that they’d probably be multicolored if they’d eaten the bright red, pink and orange fruit. “Maybe they’re hiding from sky-claw?”
I’rec’s tail gives my leg a squeeze. “We would have seen signs on the snow that sky-claw were in the area. They would have left spoor.”
“Oh.”
“But it is a good idea,” I’rec tells me, and he looks proud at my suggestions. “You have the mind of a hunter.”
I know he’s just flattering me because he wants to get laid, but I have to admit, I like the look of approval he wears on his face, as if he’s delighted that I’m trying to solve the puzzle of the metlaks. It makes me feel good that he’s proud of me, even in small moments like this. “So what do we do now?”
“We wait a bit longer, to ensure they are not doubling back, and then we go on our journey.” I’rec rubs my knee absently. “We will keep you safe.”
“I know.” I’m not scared. I’m just wildly curious at this new puzzle piece. What would make the metlaks flee in such a large number? Does it have anything to do with the missing fruit?
What is changing? And why?
We don’t see any other metlaks for the rest of the day. Their appearance has changed the mood, though. We’re no longer having a lovely jaunt into the mountains. Now we walk in silence, worried that rounding the next corner might mean some new sort of issue. There’s a lovely safety in just a normal sort of day, and with two strange occurrences in such a short timeframe, I can’t be the only one that’s worrying.
Close to sunset, we change directions, leaving the valley we walk through for a spot tucked away in the cliffs. It’s a hunter cave, full of supplies—blankets, dried food, and the markings of a cache nearby. This particular cave is spacious but narrow, with a chamber in the front and one at the back, where I see the remains of an old fire pit. Daisy volunteers to start a fire and make some tea, and I supervise, even as I watch I’rec and O’jek out of the corner of my eye. They’re discussing the situation in low voices at the front of the cave, and I can tell just by the way that I’rec’s tail lashes that he doesn’t like whatever conclusion they come to.
O’jek returns to the back of the cave after a moment and presses a kiss atop Daisy’s head. “Was it easier to start the fire this time, my heart?”
“I’m getting better,” she tells him enthusiastically, beaming up at him. “Tea is next.”
He smiles at her, rubbing his thumb over her cheek, and then tilts his head toward the front of the cave. “I will take watch, just in case there are more metlaks in this direction. Call my name if you need me.”
I discreetly turn away as she gives him an adoring look, because they’re getting a little too cozy for comfort and it seems rude to stare. Instead, I watch I’rec as he stomps into the back of the cave and makes himself busy with unrolling furs. I know that mood of his. He’s pissy because someone disagreed with him and he didn’t get his way.
Luckily for him (and Daisy and O’jek), I’m getting better at defusing his temper. I get to my feet and move to his side. Yeah, he’s super grumpy, tugging at the leather straps that hold the furs rolled closed with his knife as if they personally offend him. I slide my arms around his shoulders, leaning over him. I whisper into his ear, “I think it’s already dead.”