Page 16 of Ryld's Shadows
* * * *
The darkness and familiarity of the cave was comforting, at first. The dark gray walls, mostly bare room, and lack of distractions allowed Ryld to stay calm. Outside, he had worries and responsibilities. The price he must pay for all the delights the outside offered. Staying in the cave for longer than a few days started to have the opposite effect from the initial comfort. Ryld knew this from experience and this time was no different. It was time to go home.
There was one obstacle yet before he could do so. He must have a new minder. Lysander said he would come today. Then Ryld must decide. This had caused him no end of worry, and the shadows slinking in the undergrowth of the small forest were the size of house cats. If they got much bigger, he might have to retreat to the cave.
Ryld took a deep breath and closed his eyes. No. He didn’t want anotherscene. He wanted to go home, wanted to touch his things, wanted to go for a walk and see all the lights and color and people. If this new minder was like Cress…or worse, he would need to be responsible and choose.
The first voice to reach him through the trees wasn’t Lysander’s, though. The sharp, precise tones belonged to no one in Counseling. A glimpse of white hair through the trees.Kai.
A small part of Ryld was disappointed when he spotted someone with Kai. He knew, of course, that Kai was the head of his own department and terribly important. The thought that he would be Ryld’s new minder had been childish. He knew that.
Oh. But the person with Kai…
“Hi, Ryld.” Hank gave him a little wave from behind Kai’s shoulder. “How’re you doing?”
“I-I’m…” It was custom to give a brief answer to the effect that there wasn’t anything wrong. Except it was also not polite to lie. “…better.” It was as if finding the right word had a sort of power of its own to make it true. Ryld relaxed. “Were you hit by a vehicle?”
Hank chuckled, a deep, warm sound. “No, no, I took your advice and stayed out of the road. But some goblin kids didn’t like that I was walking on their street. So I guess you could say I was hit by a pack of goblin kids. Though I’m better, too.”
Ryld smiled. “Good. Are you here for Counseling?”
“Hank is here at my request.” Kai had stepped to the side, so they had clear sight of each other while he observed their conversation like a crow waiting for prey to emerge. “Remember that we spoke of someone who might be appropriate as your new minder. A half-goblin. That is Hank.”
When Ryld only stared, Kai went on with a little flourish toward Hank. “Would you like Hank to be your new minder, Ryld?”
Ryld stood. The shadows swirled around him, invisible fingers brushing through his silvery hair. “You said I could decide?”
“Yes. You can decide, or you can leave it to Lysander if you prefer.”
“How long?”
“How long?”
“How long before I have to decide?”
Kai tilted his head, looking more corvid by the moment. “You may take as long as you need to, Ryld. But I’m told that your return home hinges upon your decision.”
Ryld made a small motion with his hands, then clenched them to make them stop and be still.
“That hardly seems fair,” Hank put in. “He has to choose me now or stay when he clearly wants to go.”
Ryld brought a hand up and pointed forcefully at Hank. “Yes! Those words.” He put his hand back down quickly. Pointing at people was impolite.
He expected Kai to be annoyed. Important people were often annoyed with him. Instead, Kai clasped his hands behind his back and rocked from heel to toe. “Well, then. I am open to suggestions.”
Hank scratched at his head, mussing the already shaggy, thick hair. It was a red brown. Not a goblin color. “I dunno. I think…and I don’t mean any offense, sir.”
“Go ahead. Call me that one more time.” Kai flashed sharp teeth in a parody of a smile.
“Sorry. Habit. Um, but I kinda think the whole minder thing is, well, it’s a little shitty.”
Kai rolled a hand in ago onmotion.
“Would it be okay…I mean, I know Counseling won’t let Ryld go home by himself. But I could go as a…as a companion? A helper? Just until Ryld can decide on someone official again.”
“Yes!” Ryld shouted the word. He winced and put a hand over his mouth. Shouting wasn’t polite. Shouting drew attention. Shouting would make people stare disapprovingly. He waited, but neither Kai nor Hank told him to be quiet.
Slowly he removed his hand and spoke the word again, quietly. “Yes. That is what I decide. I would like Hank to be my…companion.”
