Page 16 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
Yulin had been amused. And pleased. Mikoto could tell.
Noble was quick and clingy, which put him constantlyunderfoot. While Mikoto made his rounds, the bouncing, twirling pup keptgetting tangled in his own leash. Mikoto finally resorted to keeping Noble inthe pocket of the long, sleeveless vest he was still getting used to wearing. Wornover Mikoto’s usual summer tunic, the vest bore the crests of Wardenclave andits five founders. It marked him as headman.
So with a puppy in his pocket and time on his hands, Mikototurned onto the narrow path that led into the pasture behind Glint’s compound.And the enormous tree overshadowing it. The way in was a secret andwell-warded, but not against family. Or against the headman. And Mikoto wasboth, for Waaseyaa’s most recent wife had been Gabe Reaver’s eldest sister.
“Uncle,” Mikoto greeted.
Waaseyaa had ruddy brown skin and the straight black hair ofmany First Nations people. He was arrayed in a fawn-colored tunic trimmed withorange embroidery that was a sure sign of Glint’s longstanding affection andprotection. Waaseyaa always wore this same tunic. Or one similar. Maybe he hada trunk filled with nearly identical shirts. Or maybe his clothes enduredbecause he did.
“Hello, Mikoto.” Waaseyaa sat amidst his tree-twin’s roots,his hands occupied with a child who couldn’t have been two yet. The little boywas a determined climber. “I remember when you were much the same as this one.”
“Not sure I do.” Mikoto’s glance flitted to the large felinesprawled nearby. “Except that you were patient with my hairpulling.”
Waaseyaa kept his hair in a braid that was remarkable forits length. If he wasn’t in the habit of looping it around his shoulders, the trailingend would have dragged on the ground.
Mikoto awkwardly asked, “Is he one of yours?”
“Not of my line. His father is one of the instructors.”Waaseyaa pulled the toddler into his arms. “Timur needed a hand, and both of minewere free. This is Gregor. And that one is Fend, Timur’s partner.”
Showing his palms to the Kith, Mikoto asked, “Where isZisa?”
“Sulking.” Waaseyaa looked up into the tree’s canopy. “Hecannot be as hospitable as he would like when the guest room is warded againsthim.”
Mikoto addressed himself to the tree. “Would you like tomeet my new puppy?”
Zisa’s arms slipped around him from behind, hugging tightlyas he hid his face against Mikoto’s back. His question came out muffled. “Youcame to see me?”
“I did. YouandUncle.” Mikoto patted one of the armslocked around him. “Glint gave me a puppy. He seemed to think I neededcompany.”
Zisa lifted his head and Mikoto smiled into eyes the sameshade of yellow-green as the tree’s leaves. He’d never minded getting close toZisa. Uncle had explained things a long while back, and Mikoto liked beingtrusted with the truth. Zisa loved to give, but he’d never take. And the moreyou accepted him, the less he flirted.
“Your house is farther than Brother lets me go.” Zisa kissedhis cheek. “Visit more, and I will be good company.”
“I will.” Turning in Zisa’s embrace, he looped an arm aroundthe tree’s waist for a sideways hug. “But you are expecting more interestingcompany. I saw it on the schedule.Youare someone’s cabin assignment.”
“Really?”
“Right there on Merl’s spreadsheet.Cabin: Zisa.”
The tree looked to his twin, all dimples and delight. “Hearthat, Brother? I am a cabin!”
“I can understand why Argent Mettlebright is so protective.”Waaseyaa caressed little Gregor’s mop of curls. “He asked nicely. How could werefuse?”
“Did you know we have company already?” Zisa asked coyly.“There is adragoninside. He is beautiful.”
Mikoto carefully lifted Noble from his pocket. “You thinkeveryone is beautiful.”
“Lifeis.” Loosing his embrace so he could take thepup with both hands, Zisa exclaimed, “Why, he is no bigger than an Ephemera!What is his name?”
“Noble.”
Zisa tittered. “How will Yulin tell you apart?”
Mikoto smiled and shrugged and … relaxed. He’d expected allthe usual condolences, but Uncle and Zisa were simply glad he’d wanted to visit.Maybe that was how tree-kin had to be. Maybe that’s why Mikoto liked cominghere so much. They were always present in the moment, always glad to share itwith him.
Uncle indicated the place at his side, and Mikoto joinedhim.
“I know this garment.” Waaseyaa’s fingers lightly caressedthe vest’s threadwork. “Is it heavy?”
