Page 29 of Larz

“They needed help,” I replied simply, but my heart hammered knowing that each word spoken in defense of Hailee and her kind edged me closer to betrayal in the eyes of my people.

“Your loyalties seem... divided,” Jorak observed, his silver eyes narrowing.

I held his gaze, unwilling to back down. “My loyalty is to what is right.”

Before he could challenge me further, Hailee approached, her face smudged with soot and exhaustion. “Larz, we need to talk about what happened.”

“Not now,” I muttered under my breath, but she pressed on.

“No, now. Someone from your tribe did this.” Her voice was firm despite her fatigue.

Jorak bristled at her accusation. “You have no proof!”

Hailee’s eyes flicked to mine for just a moment—a silent plea for support. I stepped forward, placing myself between them.

“Enough,” I commanded. “We must focus on rebuilding, not casting blame without evidence.”

Jorak scoffed but fell silent under my stare. He turned and walked away, his disdain palpable in the air between us.

Once he was out of earshot, Hailee’s expression softened. “Larz, why did you defend me to him?”

I glanced around to ensure no other Zorvians were within hearing distance before answering. “Because you speak the truth.”

Her brow furrowed as she studied me. “But you’re risking so much—your position here... your people’s trust.”

“I am,” I admitted. “But seeing you all in danger tonight clarified things for me.”

Hailee’s gaze held mine for a long moment before she broke away to look at the darkened horizon. “What do we do now?”

“We unite,” I said firmly. “Zorvians and humans must work together if we’re to prevent further sabotage.”

She nodded slowly. “Okay. But Larz, can you actually convince your people to do that?”

I paused before answering; her question struck at the heart of my turmoil. “I will try.”

The next day brought with it a tense calm as both Zorvians and humans navigated the aftermath of the fire together. We cleared debris and began repairs on the damaged structures under a sky that mirrored our strained truce—a vast expanse filled with clouds that hinted at storms yet to come.

At midday, I stood before a gathering of Zorvian elders in the great hall—an imposing structure that bore witness tocountless debates and decisions that had shaped our society over generations.

“You speak of unity,” Elder Mira said skeptically as she eyed me from her seat among her peers. “Yet you ask us to trust those who have brought destruction upon themselves?”

“One of our own set the fire,” I countered with resolve.

“And how do you know this?” Elder Torun challenged.

I met his piercing gaze without flinching. “Because I know our people—their tactics and their fear.”

A murmur rippled through the assembly as they absorbed my words.

Elder Mira leaned forward, her voice dropping to a more contemplative tone. “And what would you have us do?”

“Work with them,” I stated plainly. “Show them our ways—our respect for life and land—and learn from them.”

The elders exchanged looks—some contemplative, others still doubtful—but none could deny the conviction in my voice.

Hailee and I stood alone on a rocky outcrop overlooking both human settlement and Zorvian dwellings. It was later that evening when Hailee confronted me again; a symbolic middle ground where we could forge or fracture futures.

“Larz,” she began hesitantly, “back there... with your people... are you okay?”

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