I’ama walked with her sister in one hand, a lantern in the other. Their feet crunching on the frosted gravel road. The right side framed with a blue painted railing to prevent people from falling into the lake. The nascent suns light reflecting off the water rimming the sky, the stars not even above the horizon.

The pitch black sky above being pushed back by the light, the shadows extending and warping upon the land below. Enveloping the grass and trees in a colorless kaleidoscope. The ever-persistent dark being warded off by I’ama’s lantern as the sisters made a turn. The bridge to the temple stairs in sight.

“When do you think this will end?” Ma’u asked

“Can you be more specific?”

“This, the apprenticeship.”

“You don’t have to worr-,” I’ama looked up into her little sister's eyes and stopped, “I don’t know… but I’ll be here when it does.”

They stepped onto the bridge over the river that led to the stairs.

“Why do things have to end?”

I’ama swallowed through a lump in her throat, “I don’t know,” she gripped her sister's hand tighter, “But I’m here.”

“Will, you?”

“I’m here now.”

They stood at the bottom of the stairs, I’ani sitting half a dozen steps up, “Ah, the first two here. Little big sister, and Big little sister. It’s going to be a while, so take a seat.”

Taking his advice they sat close together on the bottom step.

OOO

Xukali tightened the red scarf she made around her neck. Wind bellowing beside her ear like they were trumpets heralding the rising of the Suns as they peaked over the edge of the horizon.

The gusts picking up ice and slush and flinging it at her. And beside her completely unbothered by the cold stood Karu dressed in thin silk like it was summer. The two preferring to not acknowledge each other as the tension built between them like a cup. The spilling point growing ever closer.

“So,” Xukali said an edge of contempt at the edge of her words, “You chose to come.”

He gazed at her, “Yes.”

Silence

Xukali snorted, “What makes you think you can do it,” she ridiculed with a smirk.

“What makes you think impure blood like you can do it, all you’ll be doing is taking time away from him. So at least be useful and stay here.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

“Me, Useless? No,” she drawed out, “But wait, look at you. The only useful thing you can do is die, so why don’t you go ahead and do the deed yourself.”

“That’s advice your parents should’ve taken.”

“And what? Saved your father the joy of killing his own family? I wouldn’t ever do that.”

“Your parents were lucky they reigned so long, you’re lucky to be born at all.”

“I’m not my parents,” she said in a voice weaker than intended.

Karu looked at her, “The apple never falls too far from the tree.”

Both of them stayed quiet. The venom in the air sizzling, but they continued walking towards the same destination. The suns just starting to rise.

After a while they made the turn to the temple stairs, getting onto the bridge.

Xukali opened her mouth to talk but hesitated. Should I? She shook her head and continued, “Why do you hate me?”

Karu gave a dry laugh, “Why shouldn’t I.”

“That’s not an answ-”

“Sea and Stars can you two be quiet,” I’ani interrupted them, “And if you don’t I’m not taking you as my apprentices,”

They nodded and took seats on opposite sides of each other. Xukali with I’ama and Ma’u, Karu staying silent beside Relu.

OOO

Mei jumped out of his bedroom window for the second time in his life. The unfamiliar weight of the satchel on his back nearly making him fall onto the frosted-over grass.

Mist condensing on the hangover of the roof and falling onto Mei’s cloak he wore over his coat and scarf. Ignoring the droplets, Mei walked from the side of the house to the gate. Taking off his gloves to undo the lock, then behind him he heard a familiar voice.

“Huh, didn’t know you’ve developed a rebellious streak.”

Turning around he saw his older sister Xu’uina smirking at him, with his brother Ko’ipo walking out the front door.

“Wait, I thought you weren’t allowed to go out the house unless it’s a festival or work day?” Ko’ipo said looking to Xu’uina, “It isn’t a work day is it?”

“No.”

“Well it wouldn’t be his first time,” Ko’ipo said shrugging

She raised her eyebrows, “Really,” she clicked her tongue, “We gotta throw him into prison then, don’t we,” she said in a light tone.

“It’s for a job,” Mei quickly said.

“Oh, what for?” Ko’ipo asked

“An apprenticeship.”

“For what?”

Mei shrunk, not wanting to tell them, he said “I’ll give you a small bronze if you guess right”

“Can you trust them,” Xu’uina asked.

“Who?”

“The person who offered you the apprenticeship.”

Mei nodded.

“Are you becoming a priest?”

“No,” Mei said, opening the gate and walking out.

They walked over the mountain ridge as the suns rose over the horizon, Ko’ipo rattling off jobs. Mei only noticing his sister came along when they were on the trail in the valley to the temple, almost invisible like a ghost. Feeling her stare on the back of his head, making him fidget and feel uneasy, Mei said.

“So, why are you coming Xu’uina?”

“Just making sure you're gonna be safe.”

“Ah.”

Ko’ipo butted in, “Was it a trick question and you got offered the same job but with a different schedule?” he said with a smug look on his face.

“No.”

The look dropping off his brother's face like a kicked puppy as they made the turn to the temple stairs.

“Ah, ha you’re becoming a priest.”

“You’ve already said that,” Mei said with a tinge of annoyance.

They crossed over the bridge.

“Heya slowpoke seems like you're the last one here. Oh, and who did you br-” I’ani stopped talking as he looked at his sister.

Xu’uina’s eyes wide open, and pointing at I’ani, “You!”