Annani's eyes lifted from the little statue, hope and caution warring in her expression. "What makes you think that this is connected to Khiann?"
"It's just a hunch," Kalugal answered honestly. "But consider the precision of the likeness, the care with which it was crafted. Someone went to extraordinary lengths to create this representation of you, Clan Mother, and the Fates made sure that Jacki and I found it. It does not seem like a coincidence."
A heavy silence fell over the room as the implications settled over them.
"We will give it a try," Jasmine said, looking at Fenella and Kyra.
Fenella nodded, but Kalugal noted the wariness in her posture. She didn't look confident in her ability.
"When do you want to do this?" she asked.
"No time like the present," Kalugal said, casting a glance at Annani. "It's up to you, Clan Mother. Are you ready to do this now?"
Annani cradled the figurine, her expression softening as she gazed at the miniature version of herself. "My heart cannot bear further delay, not when hope stands before me."
She held out the figurine, offering it to Jasmine, who sat closest to her. "If you are willing, I would be grateful for the tiniest morsel of information the three of you can glean."
Jasmine extended her hand. "Of course."
"Perhaps we should move to the living room," Kalugal suggested. "Where there is more comfortable seating, and you three can arrange yourselves however works best for you."
As the group rose from the table, Kalugal caught Jacki's eye across the room. She offered him a small smile of encouragement. They had been right to gift the figurine to the Clan Mother and involve Fenella, Kyra, and Jasmine. Whether it would lead anywhere remained to be seen, but even the smallest chance was worth pursuing.
Kalugal followed the others into the living room, waiting for everyone to find a spot to sit before claiming one for himself.Fenella, Kyra, and Jasmine sat on one of the larger sofas, and the others arranged themselves in a loose semicircle, with Annani taking the armchair directly across from the three women.
"How do we do this?" Fenella asked.
"We should all be touching," Jasmine said. "Like we did before."
Fenella nodded. "Let's do this."
As Jasmine unwrapped the figurine and placed it on the coffee table, Kalugal felt the air in the room grow heavy with anticipation.
The moment had arrived, and he had a feeling it would be even more monumental than any of them had expected.
