Page 169 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
“Do we need a contract?” checked Mikoto.
Signaling to someone, Glint gruffly said, “Nothing likethat. The contract between you two has been made, accepted, and sealed. You arehers. She is yours. May your household flourish.”
Yulin came alongside and touched Mikoto’s elbow. “Ratherthan a contract, you shall have a chronicle. I hope I can do justice to the day.”
Mikoto mumbled something grateful, though he lost track ofthe sentence midway through. The Five had come to surround him—Starmark, Fullstash,Duntuffet, Alpenglow, and Dimityblest. On every side, they gazed at him withuniversal satisfaction.
“Is it really that strange?” he managed.
“We need a mirror,” remarked Hannick.
Salali snapped his fingers. “Ginkgo. Your phone?”
The half-fox bounded over and produced the device. Snappinga picture, he studied his phone’s screen, and eyed it critically before handingit off. “It’s prettier in person.”
In the photograph, Mikoto’s eyes were as wide as afirst-time camper’s fresh off the bus. And in the center of his forehead was amark. Not quite a sigil. It seemed to be more decorative.
“The colors keep shifting and changing,” said Ginkgo. “BetchaTenma calls itprismatic.”
“Is it a blaze?”
Glint took his arm and cleared his throat. “Radiance wouldcall it a miracle.”
Mikoto smiled at that. It was her pat answer whenever anyoneasked her about the star that marked her forehead.
“My boy, do you understand what this means?”
“He doesn’t,” said Salali. “Who wants to tell him?”
“Choose me!” Zisa wiggled into their midst and flung hisarms around Mikoto’s shoulders. Just like always. “I am his brother-in-law, soit should be me.”
All five yielded with smiles.
“What do you wish to tell me, Brother?”
For once Zisa didn’t fritter around the edges. “Waaseyaa hasmy blessing. You have Tzefira’s. Which is different, but the same. Are youglad? Glint is.”
Mikoto scanned the group. Hannick was thumping Glint’sshoulder. Bram Duntuffet and Salali were laughing against each other’sshoulders, as if to hold each other up. What was so funny?
Waaseyaa eased to Mikoto’s side, slipping his arms aroundhis waist and hugging him with more emotion than he usually showed.
“Uncle?”
“I live on because I have the benefit of a tree’s blessing.”Waaseyaa laughed in a way that made him seem much younger. “Mikoto, brother ofmy brother, you have a wind’s blessing. It means you willlive.”
Then Glint was grappling all three of them in a spine-bendinghug and doing a poor job of hiding his sniffles.
Yulin lent his support, one hand firm at Mikoto’s back. “Asyou are aware, noble heart, Glint has never liked letting go. And you havespared him the necessity.”
Mikoto could only be boggled, so he settled for a nod. Andhoped they’d let him return to Tzefira soon.
“Well, boys! Guess we’ll have to train him up right, since he’sthe only one we’ll ever need.” Salali tipped his hat. “Mikoto Reaver, Eternal Headman.”
FIFTY-NINE
Unions and Reunions
Tenma prodded at his ice cream, lost in thought.
