Page 9 of Restoring the Ngozii

Jeff pauses a few steps from the porch and turns to us. My gaze wanders around the village, wondering why he stopped. Nothing seems amiss as people go about daily chores and mingle. Kosiiba can still be seen walking down the path behind Kari and Vahru as they head to prepare for their so-called mission. My eyes land on Jeff as he smiles at me, patting my shoulder.

“Why don’t you and the others get some rest, you’ve been up for most of the night. We’ll be just fine with the other hunters guarding.” Willa clings to his arm as he waves goodbye to us all before walking away, leaving my team and I to sort things out.

“I think I’ll take that advice after making sure the plans for the day are set and everyone knows their rounds. See you guys later, stay safe.” Terax nods to us all and heads off to do his part in managing all the hunting teams turned security guards.

Nakarra shuffles on his feet, his loose, choppy hair lifting in the light breeze, tangling around his curly horns, as he turns back towards the chief’s house. “I’ll double check that all my traps around the chief are set before I head off.” Without a single glance back, he heads off, circling the back of the house.

“I’m going to relieve Kosiiba so he can prepare before leaving with Kari. Then I’ll get some rest.” I nod to Atsatsa as I stretch, not sure what else to say before I take a step to walk away.

“Would you like company? My charges are safe in the chief’s home. I don’t need to check in, and seeing as I’m not all that tired…” He raises a brow at me, his pale purple eyes watching me as he purses his big lips, and I shrug.

“Why not.”

He grins as he takes a step to follow me, the wind and motion lifting the colorful feathers in his hair, and we walk leisurely up the path to Vahru’s house in silence. My gaze darts all around us to make sure we’re not followed or have unwanted visitors. With the odd machines I’ve seen flying in the sky lately, I’m ultra aware of my surroundings, not sure what to make of the strange devices. Are they listening? Watching? Can they harm us? I have no answers to my questions, and despite it being mentioned by one or two others in the team, we’ve yet to bring this to the lieutenant. My gut is twisting more and more each day that I fail to tell him, the urgency building as I increasingly fear that they’re a serious danger to us.

Entering the clearing surrounding Vahru’s modest home, we find Kosiiba sitting on the steps, his eyes drooping until he sees us, standing up and jogging down the steps to greet us. “Hey, guys. Need something?”

“Like we need anything from you, runt.” Atsatsa rustles his hair, making Kosiiba growl at him as he punches his ribs. Kosiiba quickly brushes his hands over his hair before readjusting his ponytail. He can be very particular about his appearance when he wants to be. Since noticing his mate, it’s become a habit that’s increased tenfold. He clearly wants to impress.

I can’t say that I blame him. Had I found my mate, I’d want to impress her, too. However, he should be much more concerned with the mission he’s found himself a part of. My gut twists yet again, but for a much different reason this time. Despite the immense amount of magic that Tavionna has displayed thus far, showing herself in a mug of tea and somehow delivering a poisoned treat, I don’t think she’s shown her full might. Kari is underestimating her enemy by a large margin, and it may cost her everything. She’s making poor moves and assuming that her heartfelt gestures will be accepted in kind, but I don’t think Tavionna is the kind to accept such gestures without just cause. She’ll see this as a ploy, and that’s my biggest fear.

Kosiiba alone against some magical priestess, even with Vahru, they don’t stand a chance. What if this is the last time I see the poor kid? He’s been welcomed into our hunting party with little fuss, and despite us giving him a lot of hash for his age, he’s very gifted with his knives and has the heart of a namirii. I’d trust him with my life, just not alone against Tavionna.

“We’re here to relieve you for a moment so you can go clean up, weapon up, and prepare yourself before you leave. We didn’t think you’d trust just anyone to watch yourspecial captain.” Putting a little lightness and teasing to the last two words, I clasp my hands together by my face as if I’m some lovesick woman.

Kosiiba rolls his eyes and steps into my space. “Mock all you want, Cruzig, but Captain Kari and I now have a special bond you’ll never understand because you don’t put your whole heart into guarding your charge. I do. It means everything to me, so thanks for watching her back for me, but don’t expect me to be gone long.”

He storms past me, shoulder-checking me on the way, and I spin to watch him leave. “Kosiiba!” I shout, halting his steps, but he doesn’t turn. His shoulders are tense, clearly visible since all he’s wearing are hunting pants and his knife belt across his chest. Even his tail is still in his frustration.

“Look at me.” My voice is soft but commanding, calling him to turn. He does, but the fire in his eyes is clearly visible as he glares at me. “I didn’t mean to offend, son. Is that what happened between you two in the chief’s home? Some sort of bond?”

He takes a deep breath, stepping back towards us as his gaze becomes unfocused, his voice low and conspiratorial. “I don’t really know. I voiced my vow to her for the first time, and when she accepted it, something seemed to click into place within me. Somehow, I could feel her emotions in a dulled way, could sense where she was, and something in me told me that no matter the distance, I would always know when she was in danger. We’re connected on some very deep level, not that I understand it yet, but I do know that I’lldiebefore someone else becomes her guard.”

His dark green gaze meets mine as he stares up at me, determination and a hint of confusion glimmering in his eyes. “Sounds like you’ve bound yourself by some oath. I’ve not heard of such a thing before, but it is incredible. We’ll keep her safe while you’re away, promise.”

“Thank you.” He nods and turns to leave, this time, marching down the path with his head high.

“Kosiiba,” Atsatsa calls after him, and he turns back to look at him. “When Cruzig said weapon up, we meant it. Don’t go there unprepared, okay? We want you back in one piece.”

There’s a long pause as we stare at each other, Kosiiba’s eyes bouncing between us. We may never say it, but we love that kid like one of our own, like a brother. He may be significantly younger than us, but he’s just as skilled and needed. He gives a firm nod before turning and jogging off.

“I hate his hair like that, it drives me crazy. One of these days, I’m going to either cut it or find some way to rid him of all those stupid hair bands. Either wear it down or cut it off.” Atsatsa grumbles and shakes his head, making me laugh. He’s complained about his hair for years but never does a thing about it. I’m sure he never will, it’s more fun to leave it as a joke between us.

There’s a pause as we both let our gazes take in the woods around us. “Come on, let’s circle the perimeter, just to be safe. Who knows if Kosiiba even did it when they got back.” I wave for him to follow me as I start circling the house, watching for any traps or signs of others. The only sounds around are those of bugs, the crunching of our bare feet in the grass and leaves, and the nearby river.

“Do you think Kari’s plan will work? That Tavionna will let them help her?” Atsatsa gazes at me thoughtfully, one eyebrow arched slightly in question. My eyes drop to the deep scar on his arm, the one he seems to wear as a badge of honor, and I sigh. For all that he’s been through, I don’t know how he finds the positivity he does.

“I’m uncertain, to be brutally honest. I have many doubts.” I grumble as I keep walking, not saying another word until we make our way back to the front of the house. We stand away from the porch, closer to the path, so we’re not overheard. “If I were in Tavionna’s shoes and hated them as much as she claims to, I wouldn’t accept help from them even if they were my last resort. There’s always another way, right? So, why wouldn’t she find that other way instead so she doesn’t look weak?”

“Mmm.” Atsatsa soaks in my point for a moment, not offering anything else as we listen around us. I wish I’d brought my bow, but I left it on Jeff’s porch, assuming that I would return to it after the meeting. Luckily, we each wear knives across our chests in a sling or in our belts like Atsatsa, so we’re not unprepared.

“Is it really Tavionna that you’re concerned about, or is it Kari’s plan that you simply don’t trust? Do you really doubt that even those who might be evil can make good choices?” Atsatsa studies me, his face intentionally blank as he awaits my answer. He has no intention of mocking me for my thoughts, he’s simply curious. It’s one of the things I love about talking with him, why he’s Terax’s second. He’s open-minded, willing to take in all viewpoints and suggestions before making a decision. He’s smart and careful, making him deadly and a major asset.

“It’s not that I don’t trust Kari or her plans, I can see why she would believe this route is best, and perhaps she’s right, but there’s this knot in my stomach, something I can’t quite put my finger on. There’s a fear that something won’t go right or they’ll get worse before they get better. It just feels too easy a solution.”

“Sometimes the easiest solution is the best and most effective.”

I side-eye Atsatsa, noting the way his dark brows are lifted from his purple eyes. They’re a pale purple, quite different from his darker purple skin, and are a rare sight in the village. He’s an anomaly in many ways.

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