Page 48 of In Between Darkness
Back in the written room, Mr Knight is going over the maintenance for the elions. The class gathers around him, sitting on the crescent-shaped benches. He points out a large board that is plastered onto the main wall.
“This board splits the jobs equally between first, second, and third years. When you have taming duty, you are required to either be in charge of feeding time, which I know you all got to see on your first day, the cleaning and restocking of bedding areas, and lastly, tending to the farm animals.”
He points out the quill pen stationed on top of the board. “This is an enchanted pen; you all used one on your first day. Prick your finger, and the pen will sort out the jobs between you fairly. You should get around two jobs a week.”
The class nods and forms an orderly line leading up to the board. We each prick our fingers and sit back down. I watch as the pen writes, rearranging the names on the board, then plants itself back in its holder above the board.
“Perfect, everyone have a look at your duties,” Mr Knight says. He retreats to the corner of the room and begins talking to Veronica. I trace my finger along the board looking for my name.
‘Asha Calloway, Elijah Malroy, Jaxon Zedman - Bedding’
Jaxon? I wonder if that’s River’s Jaxon. Looks like I’m on bedding duty twice this week and feeding a couple of times next week.
“Right, you can now pack up and head to third meals, the bell is due to go in a few minutes. I will see you all next week,” Mr Knight announces and smiles at the class. “Asha, can you hang back for a moment?”
Nala flashes me a look.
“It’s fine. I’ll meet you down there,” I mouth to her, and she gives me a nod and walks out of the room with Charlie in arm.
“Yes, Mr Knight?” I say, walking towards him.
“Nakka tells me that Craize has taken a liking to you,” he says, throwing me a smile. “That’s rare for him.” His eyes examine my face with intrigue.
“He clicked to me. I couldn’t understand him, but I think he was trying to tell me something.”
My eyes dart over to Veronica in the corner of the room, who has not stopped staring through me since I got here. I look back at Mr Knight.
“Well, Asha, that’s why you’re here. In the next class, we will be delving into the taming languages and how to interpret their clicks and noises. Hopefully, we can help you figure it out,” he says, and my face lights up. “Don’t expect to pick it up straight away, but at least you’ll have some understanding of it.”
I nod my head in acceptance.
“Go on, get to third meals. I’ll see you next week.” His bright white teeth flash at me as he rests both of his hands in his deep pockets.
“Thanks, Mr Knight,” I say, gifting him a small smile before exiting the room.
After that experience, I am sure that Craize knew my mother somehow. I need to find out what he was saying.
Nala is sitting next to me on one of the red sofas in the library. We have been going through taming books for at least an hour, and my brain is starting to give up. Charlie gave up long ago. I guess reading is really not his thing, and I don’t blame him. There is so much information on the elion language, it is unreal. Nala is in her element. She is studying each book so closely that I fear she will be able to recite them all by heart soon.
An elion’s language is complex. The length of a click is just as important as its tone, and how many clicks it produces without a pause also plays a fundamental role in what the elion is trying to say. It’s all very complicated. Each book has its own way of summarising that once your bond gets past a certain threshold with an elion, the clicks will sound as clear as words, acting like a sort of telepathic communication. Nala looks at me with an open book, her fingers pinching the spine to keep it propped up on a certain page.
“Look here,” she points to a section of the book.
I lean closer to her and peer over the book’s edge.
She reads aloud, “Two clicks followed by a hum can mean ‘brave soul’ and is often what an elion will say when it senses courage in a tamer - I swear that’s what Craize said to you the first time.” She is right. I do remember the two clicks followed by a hum that escaped Craize’s mouth last week on the platform, but then again, there was so much adrenaline pumping through my veins, I may have misheard.
“Hmm, brave soul? Maybe that’s because I stepped in front of you,” I question, shrugging my shoulders.
“Evening, ladies.” River emerges from behind an aisle and plonks down next to me. “What are we reading?” he questionsand takes the book from Nala’s hand. I snatch the book back playfully and hand it back to Nala.
“Weare reading a book on the elion languages,” I smirk at him, gesturing to Nala and I, and he acts offended.
“Okay, I know where I’m not welcome,” he jokes, but puts his arm around me. “Jaxon is a third-year tamer. I’m sure I could persuade him to help you.”
A smug look draws on his face. “But it’s gonna cost you.” He smiles big and his dimples deepen. He taps his finger lightly on his cheek. “One kiss from the girl with the eyes.”
I roll my eyes at him in response, but can’t help letting out a girly giggle.
