Mortals & Deities (34 page)

Arderi Cor swam out to where the boy had last surfaced, then tread water. The fast-moving current kept him even with Elith, even though she ran as fast as she could in the calf-deep water. “Behind you!” Her yell cut across the top of the river and Arderi Cor spun.

Charver Vimith broke the surface once more about a pace behind him. Lunging, Arderi Cor caught the boy’s flailing arm and pulled him to his chest. Rolling to his side and keeping the boy’s head above water, he swam one-armed toward Elith. She continued running even with him until he was almost to her, then she moved further out into the water’s depth. When she was close enough, she reached out and grabbed them. Taking hold of the boy’s arms, she pulled him up before helping Arderi Cor to his feet.

He breathed hard, yet flashed her a confident smile. “Another fine day in the jungles of death.” Bending over, he sucked in more air.

A quote from the Book of the Twelve came to her mind—one about tempting fate twice in the same day. She decided not to voice it.

Arderi Cor does not seem to appreciate the teachings of the Twelve.

The boy had collapsed on the bank in a fit of coughing. Slipping an arm under Arderi Cor’s, she helped him to where the boy lay.

Without being prompted, Arderi Cor plopped down next to Charver Vimith and gave the boy one of his smiles. “I had no idea you liked to swim so much. Mayhaps when we are back in Mocley, you can show me more of your swimming techniques?”

Coughing too much to answer, the boy frowned at Arderi Cor and shook his head.

Rohann Vimith came running up and slid down next to his son. “Charver! Are you all right?” Engulfing him in a hug, the man rocked him back and forth. “I was so frightened.”

Looking over his shoulder, Elith saw the Mah’Sukai and the Kithian walking up—the Kithian looking like a half-drowned rat. His head hung low and his shoulders slumped as he stopped and glared at Rohann Vimith holding the boy.

“I am fine.” Arderi Cor raised one hand in the air from where he lay on his back. “Nix. Do not fret over me.”

Rohann Vimith reached over and patted Arderi Cor’s shoulder. “Thank you, Arderi. Thank you for saving my son.”

If anything, the man’s words deepened the Kithian’s glower. It was then Elith realized how much self worth the Kithian put in his ability to protect the boy. He must see what happened as a personal failure.

The boy could be used as a weapon against him if needed.

She filed that bit of information away as well.

Arderi Cor hacked at the vine wrapped around a broken branch he wanted for their fire. Once the vine cut free, he bent over and plucked the log from the ground. Adding it to the small pile tucked under his arm, he headed back to this eve’s campsite.

After the incident at the river, the group trudged through the jungle in a more somber manner than before. Rohann still walked out in front, his renewed interest in his son after the boy’s near death lost in his fervor to find their destination. Klain sulked at the back of the party, as if ashamed he had almost lost the boy to the river. The boy, caught in the middle, began hanging out more with Arderi and his brother as they traveled. Arderi did not see how Klain could blame himself for what had happened. The Kith had done his best. Besides, Charver was fine. It was odd seeing the Vimith boy spending so much time away from the Kith.

At least the boy is not hanging around with his father.

He did not know why Rohann made him nervous.

There is something off about that man. I just cannot put my finger on what it is.

His brother was his brother. Never much for the outdoors, Alant seemed even more at odds with the wilds of the jungle.

He belongs in a city, not out here.

Then his gaze fell upon Elith. Try as he might, Arderi could not figure out the strange gray girl. Beautiful, exotic, intelligent, and deadly—he knew he was smitten. He could not help himself. She was deep and thought provoking, tough as worn leather, and probably more dangerous than a horde of those lizard creatures that attacked them more than a tenday gone. Still, something about her seemed vulnerable. And it was that vulnerability that attracted him to her. A smile sprang to his lips.

Besides, I think she likes me!

Each time they stopped, either for a rest during the day or to sleep at night, he tried to strike up a conversation with her. He felt he was gaining ground. She spoke to him more openly, and her questions to him were not as rigid as they once were.

Rounding a massive fallen tree trunk, he strolled into the campsite. A fire crackled away, its smoke rising high into the canopy above. Alant and Charver huddled over the fire, rotating a makeshift spit that held some type of large rodent he had killed with a bolt of lightning. The thing looked revolting, mouth gaping open and burnt legs sticking up, although it tasted quite good. It had the flavor of pork and the texture of chicken. One was large enough to feed the entire group, even with the Kith taking multiple helpings. Alant had bagged several over the past few days.

Elith leaned against a tree on the far side, picking dirt from under her nails with that amazing stick of hers. Rohann sat between her and the fire, talking quietly to himself. The Kith was nowhere to be seen. It all appeared so natural.

If you could forget that we are leagues from anywhere, surrounded by the gods alone know what.

Then again, other than the occasional flight of birds with bright, colorful plumage, the past tenday had passed by without turmoil. A pleasant change of pace, as far as Arderi was concerned.

Crossing to the fire, he set his burden of wood next to Charver. “That should last us the eve.” With a sigh, he sat down.

Alant reached over, picked up one of the logs and tossed it under the roasting meat. “Aye. It should at that.” Looking at his brother from the corner of his eye, he smiled. “I never thanked you properly.”

The statement puzzled Arderi. “What? Thanked me? What are you going on about, Alant?”

With a shrug, Alant turned the handle on the spit a quarter turn. “I do not know. Everything, I guess. Not judging me when you found me back in Mocley, for the most part.”

A pang of guilt passed through Arderi. His brother had never asked him about how he had helped him with those vines over the gorge. That alone was more thanks than Arderi needed. Reaching out a hand, he placed it on his older brother’s shoulder. “Alant. I do not care what newfound powers you have, nor how you came by them. It is not like you are the only one with secrets to keep. Besides, I know in my heart you are not what Master Rine claims a Mah’Sukai to be. I knew that in that dark alleyway. Well…I knew it once we stopped trying to kill each other.” He removed his hand and ran his fingers through his long, brown hair. “Yet, none of that matters out here. All that matters is that we find this person who has your answers and figure out what to do next.”

“Aye, that is true. Except…it does matter.” Alant smacked a bug off his upper arm. “You believed in me, Arderi. You did not have to, yet you did. Even after you were told what I had become. Even after you saw my eyes and I tried to kill you. You still accepted me. I just want you to know how much that means to me.”

Had it been Siln, the brother that was of an age between the two of them, he would have smacked him for being a wool-headed fool. Alant was different, however. He had always been the level headed, serious one. Arderi’s cheeks reddened, embarrassed by his brother’s words. “You would have done the same for me, Alant. We are family. We look out for each other.”

Taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Alant nodded. He then stood. “Aye, brother. We are at that.” Glancing around the campsite, he waved a hand in the opposite direction from where Elith stood and glanced down at Charver. “Tend the food for me will you. I need to relieve myself.” He took one step before he leaned down and whispered into Arderi’s ear. “And if you could, try and keep that
girl
away from me for a few moments. It is nerve-racking that she always follows me, even when I want a bit of privacy.”

His statement brought a chuckle to Arderi’s lips. “Fine. I will see if I can keep her out of your business for a time. Yet, do not be gone too long or I will send her after you.”

“Thanks.” And with that, his brother walked into the jungle.

True to his words, as soon as Alant disappeared into the foliage, Elith extracted herself from her spot against the tree, slid her staff into its holding pouch across the small of her back, and started after him.

Waving her over, she angled Arderi’s way. “Do not think to stop her, Arderi Cor. She will not let the Mah’Sukai head out on his own. Even if he has an issue with modesty.”

Arderi shook his head and gave her a wide grin. “Oh, I would not think to stop you. I just wanted to say that it would be better to follow him without letting him see you this time.”

As he knew they would, his words caused her to bristle. Charver giggled and Elith turned her flat gaze on him. “If she wishes not to be seen, Arderi Cor, she will not be seen.”

Arderi and the boy laughed as Elith stalked off after his brother. Turning his attention to the meat, he reached out and turned the spit another quarter turn.

After they had eaten, the watch order was discussed. This was always an ordeal since trust hung in short supply between many of them. It usually worked out that Arderi took first watch with his brother taking the last. Elith would stand during the aurns in between. Klain and Rohann took shifts that overlapped the three, ensuring that most of the time, at least two sets of eyes and ears were alert to danger. After a surprisingly short discussion, this is how the eve’s assignments fell.

So, after helping his brother find a suitable resting spot, Arderi hitched his sword belt and toured the perimeter of the camp. He had almost finished the circle when the Kithian stepped out from the shadows.

“You gave me a fright.” Arderi shook his head in annoyance.

Klain grunted. “You Humans have such a disadvantage in the darkness. I am not sure how your race has survived so long.”

With his growling voice, Arderi was not certain if the Kith’s statement was meant to be a joke. He decided to take it as one, and chuckled. “Well, I am looking for dangers coming from the jungle, not ones from inside the camp!”

The Kith bared his fangs, and for a moment the urge to reach for the hilt of Dorochi came to Arderi. Then he realized the lion-man was attempting to smile. “I suppose you are correct in that. Still, you should be wary of dangers from anything in this god’s forsaken place.”

From the corner of his eye, Arderi caught a glimpse of Elith making her way up behind Klain. Raising a hand to swat at a non-existent insect, he waved her off. The last thing he wanted was for her to sneak up on the lion-man unaware. Thankfully, she took the hint and melted into the darkness. Though he knew she would not wander far.

Continuing on to a large stump he had seen on his initial survey, Arderi sat down, shifting his sword into a comfortable position. The Kith followed in his wake, stopping a few paces off and staring out into the darkness beyond.

So, our meeting is not happenstance then.

Turning around, Klain looked Arderi in the eyes. “You have handled yourself well for such a young cub.” Once said, the Kith looked around as if embarrassed he had spoken.

“Thank you. You, as well.” The last Arderi added as an afterthought.

An uneasy silence fell between them, and Arderi regretted having waved Elith away. Glancing to the Kith’s hands, he watched Klain extend and retract his claws. The lion-man appeared ready to strike.

Finally, the large Kithian took a step forward and glared down at Arderi. It took all of his self-restraint not to draw sword at the look. Then, in the blink of an eye, the lion-man’s features softened and he crouched down in front of Arderi. “I owe you a debt, Human.”

Flexed muscles relaxed, and a smile split Arderi’s face. “So, does this mean you are not upset from our first little encounter back at the Rillion villa?”

A low growl rumbled in the Kith’s chest and he ran a tongue over his front fangs. “I may have acted…rash at our first meeting.”

Of all the things Klain could have said, an apology was not high on Arderi’s list. “It is…” Arderi pulled in a slow, calming breath. “It was as much my fault. I should not have drawn a blade on you.”

At his words, the lion-man’s shoulders loosened. Placing his hands behind him, Klain sat down on the ground and pulled his legs beneath him. “Aye. You may be the only Human who has ever pulled naked steel on me and lived.” His fearsome smile came in earnest and he growled something that may have been a laugh. “Still. You saved my life from the lizard creatures, and I never thanked you. Then, you saved Charver when I could not.” The last few words the Kith mumbled so softly, Arderi barely understood them.

“You could have mentioned to me that you could not swim. I would have carried the boy.” Arderi had not meant to offend, though the look in Klain’s eyes showed a deep hurt at the mention of his lack of swimming ability. Leaning over, he plucked up a small flat stone. “Besides, it was my brother who killed that big lizard and healed your wounds. I was more a bystander for that one.”

“Be that as it may.” With a grunt, Klain stood. “I wished to thank you for your service. I will not forget your deeds.” Breaking eye contact, he headed back toward the fire.

Arderi watched him leave, chuckling to himself.

Aye, and I seem to remember you saying something to that effect the first time we met. Only, I had expected a different outcome from those words.

Returning his attention to his task, Arderi began his watch of the jungle.