“Let me help.”Eilidh giggled as she placed one hand on the door and slid it open easily.
“It seems I’m going to need to work on my upper body strength to get in and out of places around here.”Morlie shook her head.
“I’m sure you will figure it all out quickly,” Eilidh encouraged.
“Thanks for everything, again.I hope to hang out with you and your friends soon.”
“Definitely.”Eilidh started to turn away but turned back.“Tomorrow, after the midday meal, we get time off.My friends and I will hang out if you want to come.”
Standing inside the room, Morlie smiled at her.“I would.I need to check with Kai, but I don’t see it as a problem.”
Her sister had said she was Aodh’s’ in exchange for Morlie’s health.Morlie wasn’t sure what Kai’s responsibilities were in the agreement with the leader.Morlie knew she refused to be stuck in the room while Kai did whatever.
“Great.”Eilidh headed toward the steps again.
Morlie stopped her by saying, “May I ask you a question?”
The other girl leaned against the wall before the stairs.“Sure.What’s up?”
Licking her lips, Morlie wasn’t sure how to ask her question.She didn’t want to offend her new friend.She decided to just come out with it.“Kai told me that your people weren’t affected by the effects of the war.How is that possible?What are you?”
Eilidh stared at her for a long moment.No color radiated through her designs to indicate Eilidh was experiencing some tremendous emotional response, so Morlie wasn’t sure if the tall girl was angry at her questions.
Gripping the edge of the thick door tight, Morlie began to apologize, “Sorry.That was rude.You don’t have—”
“We’re Drahk,” Eilidh said.“An ancient kind who have been around for centuries.We aren’t indestructible but heal fast and adapt to any environment.We have dragons, so don’t be alarmed if you see them soaring above you tomorrow.”
Morlie gasped.Her heart pounded.“Truly?Like the kind that torched villages and locked fairytale princesses in towers?”
Eilidh let out a roaring laugh as a small puff of smoke came out of her mouth.“Well, not in many centuries, but they are pretty fierce.”
“Can I meet one?”Morlie took a step forward.She was nervous about what she’d heard but couldn’t deny being more intrigued.Where do they keep them?
Pushing away from the wall, Eilidh shook her head.“No.An introduction to our beasts is a process.We don’t usually let them around outsiders.For your safety.”
Outsiders.A word that told Morlie she didn’t belong.Did Kai?
“Of course.I understand.”Morlie stepped back into the room.“Well, I’ll see you tomorrow.
“Until tomorrow, Morlie.”Eilidh turned to go toward the stairs.
Morlie didn’t remain at the door.Instead, she used all her force to close the door.
She walked to the window and stared out at the darkness.She couldn’t see much in the direction she faced but the shadows of trees.As she stared out, she felt an urge.The strange pulsing in her body started again under the surface, causing tremors along her skin.
What did it mean?
She wasn’t sure.But the restless feeling that the music and dancing had drowned out was back.
What’s out there?Were there other colonies of people?She questioned if this was the place for her.If she was strong enough to leave without Kai.Physically, yes, but emotionally, she wasn’t sure.She shook her head as she turned from the window.
Kai has risked her life to care for her; it would be selfish of Morlie to abandon her sister here on her own, among people with untamed pet dragons.
Exhausted now from mental exertion, she walked over to the bed.Used to sleeping in whatever meager clothes she had, nothing as soft as what she wore now, Morlie crawled into bed.She settled into the center and pulled the blanket high over her head.Her health was back now, but what else was there for her?Before in the Dispatch, she’d assumed when she was well, she’d go and work collections like Kai or perhaps try for a job in the Consumer Providence, giving her and Kai a chance at a better life than breeding for money.Her sister deserved that.What about me?
I’m a stranger.In a strange land.Is this to be my life?
