It was dark by the time Kindra and Bryant reached the tree line of Gaerlom. At first, she didn’t know what she was looking at—the huts were unlike anything she had ever seen, and the water beyond melted into the dark horizon so that it felt like she could see forever. There was a constant roaring crash that put her on edge. She touched the hide on her face and scowled.
“Who do I need to talk to?”
“The Breens. That’s who Kaye stayed with—they will be sympathetic.”
She scanned the silent village. “And how do I find them?”
Bryant pointed to a hut near the trees. “They live there.”
“Good. Let’s go.” She stepped into the open and turned when he didn’t follow. “Well?”
He shook his head. “I cannot follow. The Tarrin will kill me.”
“Who’s Tarrin?”
“The wingless.”
She walked back. “I’m wingless and I haven’t killed you. Yet.”
He glared at her. “The Gaerloms will kill any Faye who comes too close. They fear us.”
She laughed, humorless. “You don’t even have weapons.”
He shrugged and his eyes flicked over her head. Something in them darkened and Kindra turned to find a skinny young man with Faye hair. He was holding a spear and staring at Bryant with hatred. When his eyes finally hazarded a glance at Kindra’s face they widened, and he grabbed her away from the trees by the wrist.
“For Awena, Kaye. What did he do to you?”
This must be one of the Breens. Kindra pushed his hand away as he tried to touch the hide on her face and his eyes flashed with hurt and betrayal. Oh for Trina’s sake, he was in love with Kaye.
“I’m her sister, Kindra.”
He looked from her to Bryant—his eyes narrowed—and back again. “Where’s Kaye?”
“She’s been kidnapped by a man named Pike. He attacked Fie Eoin with the help of the Obsidian Nation.”
“He attacked Kaye early this spring. How did he know she went home?” He eyed Bryant as if the Faye was likely to have told Pike anything. Bryant's shoulders rose just a bit in threat as he glared back. Kindra wished she'd left him at the cliff.
“He didn’t. He was there to kill me.”
“It looks like he almost succeeded.”
Timin reached out again, and Kindra slapped his hand away. Why did he keep trying to touch her?
“I need a weapon and an army,” she said. “I was told I could get at least one of those here.”
His eyes flashed hurt when she slapped him away again. “Why don’t the Faye help her?” Timin nodded to Bryant. “She chose him, after all.”
“The Faye do not fight,” Bryant said.
“Maybe they should learn.”
While Kindra agreed with that statement, she didn’t have time to waste on posturing and jealousy. “Listen,” she grabbed Timin’s arm. “Kaye needs help, and so does Fie Eoin. From what I know, you were a good friend to her. We need your help and the help of your tribe. As for him,” she nodded to Bryant, “if you provide me with two spears, I will teach him to use them, and one Faye will fight, at least.”
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They both stared at her for a moment, and she got the distinct impression that this was not the first time someone reprimanded them for infighting. Good for Kaye.
Timin nodded. “We have an extra spear or two. “
“I need an army.” She looked at the huts around them. The village was no bigger than Fie Eoin, but if every able-bodied man came with her, that should be enough to kill Pike, save Kaye, and perhaps even run the Obsidians out of Fie Eoin long enough for the warriors to regroup.
Timin bowed. “I’ll go to the chief then. You can find spears at my home—the hut with the penguin.”
“Penguin?”
Bryant grabbed her elbow. “I know which one.”
She looked from his hand to his face, and he dropped her arm. Then she turned back to Timin. “Good. When you have the chief’s attention, you’ll find me in the penguin hut.”
Timin met Bryant’s eye and it seemed they shared a bit of humor at her manners. She didn’t need another reminder that she wasn’t her sister. Then he bowed and left them standing just outside the village as the roar continued.
“What’s that noise?” Kindra finally asked in agitation.
“The ocean. The hut is this way.” He grabbed her elbow again and led her to the penguin hut. He stopped in front of the door and put out his hand so she could enter first. Coward.
Kindra tried to knock on the doorframe as she would in Fie Eoin, but there was no wood and the sound was muted against the mud of the hut. She peeled back the side of the flap and peered in. “Hello? Is this the penguin hut?”
A man and woman looked up in surprise and confusion. “Kaye?” the woman said.
“Her sister,” Kindra said as the woman stood and opened the door flap further.
“Please, come in, come in.” She ushered Kindra inside before spotting Bryant, and her gaze went from him to the man in the hut and back again. They both stiffened a bit, as if they knew each other but didn’t want to admit it. “Come in,” she finally stepped aside as Bryant ducked through the door, face unreadable.
“You must be Kindra,” the woman said. “I’m Abigail Breen.” She stared at the hide on Kindra’s face before catching herself and motioning towards the man. “This is Gabe, my husband.”
Kindra nodded, but Bryant didn’t move. He was standing as stiff as a tree. It seemed his hostility extended beyond Timin to the other members of the Breen family.
“Yes, I’m Kindra,” she said. “And this is Bryant. Timin said we could get a couple of spears here.”
Gabe looked from her to the Faye. “Bryant can’t use a spear. Faye law…”
Bryant cut him off. “I did not realize you cared about Faye Law.”
“Bryant,” Gabe chided as if he knew the Faye man.
“I apologize,” Kindra stepped forward, not looking to lose any favor with the only tribe who could help her. “Bryant is concerned for Kaye, as am I. Fie Eoin has been attacked and Kaye taken prisoner. We only came because your son said you could provide a spear.”
“It is fine,” Gabe said, eyes still on Bryant. “I know why he said it.” His shoulders sagged and he looked at Kindra. “You are welcome to our spears.”
Kindra bowed low as Abigail grabbed the spears for her. “I thank you. We’ll wait outside.” She took both spears in her hand and grabbed Bryant by the elbow to drag him outside. Once they were away from the hut she stopped and turned on him.
“What is wrong with you? You don’t anger the people who are giving us spears and men. We’ll never rescue Kaye that way.”
“You don’t understand.” Bryant looked towards the mountains and crossed his arms. Kindra shoved a spear at him.
“You said you would fight for Kaye. I’m going to teach you to do that.” She waited until he looked at her and grabbed the spear. “Is there anything I should know before we get started?”
He stared at her. “I don’t want Kaye to stay in Fie Eoin.”
“Why would she?”
“Because,” he swallowed. “She is to be High Priestess. Whatever happens in the next few days, she will end up either dead or the head of your tribe, and I do not wish for either.”
Kindra’s hands tightened around her spear. “Why would you think that?”
“It was a test. Everything that happened to her this winter. She has failed, over and over, and this is her last chance. If she chooses you or me over the tribe, she will not live. And, I think, neither will your tribe.”
Kindra stared at the roaring ocean and pressed her lips together. “What is the choice?”
“The tribe, or us. She must choose the tribe. It is the same choice all of your High Priestesses must make.”
An image of the High Priestess came to her, and Kindra wondered what her choice had been. “You would rather she choose you? Over the Seven Tribes?” She looked him in the eye. “You would wish us dead so you could be with her?”
His gaze fell to the ground, and she thought of Gar, who would divide his tribe and kill his chief for Kindra, if it came to that.
“If you want any chance of her choosing anyone, you will help me save the Seven Tribes.” She adjusted his grip on the spear. “Hold it like that. It’s not ideal against swords, but the Obsidians mostly use spears, and this will keep you farther back from your enemies. This is a stabbing weapon, just try to push it between the ribs.”
She made him practice until Timin returned to say the chief and village would hear her plea around the fire circle.