Page 61 of Return of the Nine

Ritgar stood up with his arm around his sister. “It seems thatwomen have saved us at all critical points in this adventure. Can we be going now?”

Ekinar shook his head. “No. We can’t find our way back without her. Let her rest.”

As if his words were prophetic, Teyha heaved in a deep breath and struggled upright. His heart lurched as her bloodshot eyes focussed on him. She smiled weakly. “I am okay, but I have one question, does anyone here actually want to see the Temple of Shadows?”

The expressions on their faces were enough to lift Teyha’s spirit. “If someone can carry my pack, I can take you there now. It isn’t far.”

Ekinar helped her to her feet and slung her pack over one shoulder, surprised at its weight. “You carried this all this way?”

“Well, it was heavier when I started. There are a lot of emergency kits in there as well as the flares.” She tottered but stabilized when Ekinar offered her his arm.

Holding to his arm, she smiled at the amassed Shadow Folk, “Well, do you want to see the temple?”

Nosku cleared his throat. “If we are able to, please. We appreciate your assistance in this matter.”

Teyha blinked. “Um, my pleasure. It is always good to share knowledge when one can. Who knows, you are probably the only folk of the Nine who have been to this area since your ancestors left.”

Ritgar and Hiska took on an anticipatory posture. Hiska asked quietly. “Can we go? Please?”

Teyha laughed, “If you want to head for that third pillar, turn north, go around the rocky outcropping and then see if you can find your temple. It’s wiley.”

The teens and Nosku took off.

Teyha smiled up at Ekinar and walked slowly with him.

“You did an excellent thing getting them all out.”

“I know. I just wish I wasn’t so tired. I have a lecture in two days.” She smiled. “I will need to get some sleep before then, and I don’t know when I will fit it in.”

They walked slowly toward the outcropping that Teyha had identified, and as they reached the first turn, shouts of astonishment echoed along the rocks.

“I believe they have found it.” She chuckled as the excited chatter reached them.

Ekinar held her steady as they rounded the curves of the path, and when he saw the Temple of Shadows, he let out the same amazed sound as the others.

Chapter Five

A pyramid of buff stone with a polarized cap sat in the centre of the valley floor. It was beautiful, and Teyha smiled the same way she had when her parents had been at her side.

Ahead of them, Nosku and the teens were running toward the temple entrance. Teyha smiled at Ekinar, “If you want to run down there, I can manage on my own. I will get there eventually.”

“It has lasted thousands of years. It will manage to survive for the ten minutes it will take to walk there.”

“Very practical.” She was relieved. Her body was not up to supporting itself. “Once we get there, if you want to run around and be all Shadow Folky, I will understand. Just park me in a corner and let me flip out my bedroll, and you can cease to babysit me.”

He turned the dark flickering shadows surrounding his face. “You wouldn’t mind?”

“I wouldn’t mind sleeping here under full sun.”

He chuckled. “Fair enough. I will wake you at sundown.”

She gave him a thumbs up but wasn’t sure if it translated. “It means everything is good.”

He nodded. “I have taken the Gaian euphemism classes. They also included some colourful language that I will need help with one day.”

Teyha laughed, “Call Daphne. She is an expert on language not fit for mixed company, though she rarely uses it herself.”

“I thought I might come to one of your lectures and meet you after for tea or dinner.” His words—though casual—dropped heavily between them.

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