Once we were washed and dressed, Denmar pointed to the door and my hand paused in Shay's fur. I worry. I don't want to leave Shay.
Nareen approaches, places his joined hands on the side of his head, closes his eyes, and pretends to snore. He is telling me that Shay is sleeping. I nod, but then Nareen opens his arms wide to say that it will be for a very long time. That doesn't ease my worries. Why? I know Shay hates the cold from our time in the cave when he slept almost the entire time we were there. But Helej is hotter than hell, so why is he still asleep?
" Sarteri," He points at Shay," Le'ehi dopri mertheni," Nope. I don't know what that means, and Nareen makes the gesture for sleep again. It might mean that Shay takes long naps.
Denmar waves at us from the door, Nareen moves his feet, and I rise, reluctantly to mine.
Waging with myself, I take indecisive steps towards the door with my eyes on Shay. Staying with him would keep me from constantly worrying about Shay, but I can't stay in the house forever. And for now, this is my home. However long that might be, I still don't know.
Denamr pulls the rickety door to a close after us and we begin heading towards the main road.
In daylight, Helej Norun is even better than at night time. The detailed paintwork decorating the houses adds a dazzling charm to Helej. The streets are lined with little shops, selling various items. Trade between Districts is essential and intrinsic to our survival and theirs.
Although we rely on them mostly for spices and fabrics. There are a few businessmen like Mason who rely on them for manufacturing various items. Helej relies on the other Districts to provide them with a steady supply of food. Kemmar is the sole currency used between the Districts, to ease the trade and avoid discord. It was established during the time of the Greater Council rule and it has remained so even after it dissolved. The contrast of clashing colours is taking all my attention. On some houses, there are murals depicting various colourful birds, land and water animals creating a painful painting of all that has been lost, and never recovered. Once every step I check to see where the couple is heading so I don't get lost. There are people on the street milling about. It appears to be a peaceful community. During the first years after the fall of the Old World there was a period of inquietude between the colonies in Helej. The red sands bring out the worst in people and can turn one merciless in his quest for survival. Before the Greater Council rose to power, the people of Helej Norun lived by one law: Survival of the fittest.
And once again the sands were bathed with blood. The rising hunger had pushed some to take desperate measures, and others to fall victim to their cruelty.
Giggling and laughter drags me out of my thoughts and I notice that Denmar and Nareen have stopped in front of a relatively bigger build, but not by much compared to others. In the yard, a woman is standing in front of a group of children performing some sort of acrobatics.
She is light on her feet, agile and moves with the grace of a predator. I'm captivated. The children try to mimic her but they all fall on the ground in a pile, screeching in delight. She tries one more time, pivoting on one foot and doing a sweeping high kick, landing in a crouch. It is a combat move like any I have ever seen.
Moving past Denmar and Nareen, I perch myself on the wall encompassing the yard and watch every move the woman makes. Standing backflips, and landing in a split so perfect that I felt my muscles tense, stretch and pull at the sight of it. That must hurt.
After a while she claps her hands, the children look disappointed, but begin to trudge back inside while she gently encourages them with her hands to move faster.
Jumping off the wall, I approach with steady steps, the woman pauses her steps, and looks at me curiously.
" You not here," She says in a broken accent. And I stomp on my desire to lunge and hug her. She speaks a variation of ankeshi, and it is enough.
Shaking my head," No. Teach me," I know I can't go crazy with elaborating what I want. So I keep it simple and to the point.
She shakes her head as no and points to the class," Too big. Hard. Stubborn. Stupid." I'm slightly confused. I try not to take offence at the fact that she just called me stupid. She barely knows me.
" Fight," I say and point at myself, and she sighs. She gives it a moment to consider it and shakes her head.
" Still too big," She says again and I push on. Whatever she is doing, I want to be able to do just that. It is the edge I need against the V'asay. Against Micah. It is essential to my survival and the survival of those I love. And Graham isn't here to teach me and taunt me. I can't give up.
" Please, " I'm not above begging at this point. She gives me a look that says 'I think I'm going regret this' but stretches a hand towards me and I take it. We shake on the deal. I know what I'm getting out of this but I assume she will want something in return.
" Taethi," She nods and looks up. I follow her line of sight and I see she is looking at a house behind the one in front of us.
" Sun fall from sky," She points at the house in question," There," She says with a sigh and turns her gaze towards the house in front of us.
It is a school. A very small one, considering the art inside, and the blackboard nailed to the wall. The children are running around squealing and laughing.
" Must go," She sighs again and begins towards the class.
" Thank you," I say with a smile.
" Not yet," She says over her shoulder and closes the door behind her.