It's been a week. Running almost without stopping or resting. Heart in chaos.
Kinnai knew he should rest, he should stop running or something bad could happen but he couldn't. He couldn't stop running or looking into the water. He knew it was futile, that the river run faster than could, that he was too weak to stop it or to protect his small male.
His body was giving out. He had pushed too far, his will the only thing keep him on his feet. He was getting slower now, his heart almost ready to give out.
Thank he saw it, the point were the river divided. The point were his heart was hit with a painful blow.
" Mika! Mika!... I'll find you"
Kinnai had not cried when his ama rejected, when his tribe called him a curse and banished him, when he had to fight death in his first winter as an outcast and a lone youngling.
But now he cried. Tears flowing down his face as his tied body hit the ground. Tears born of self blame and anger at his failure
Kinnai knew of Mika's godly protector and knew he would not be drown by the river. But he couldn't let go of his guilt. The godly protector would not let Mika die but he would still feel the pain, the pain of the river dragging him, the pain of being near death.
Kinnai layed on the ground tired and defenseless in an area he knew nothing of, his consciousness fading.
Before he entered deep sleep he heard a sound coming towards him slowly. A sound of something big slithering of space remaining snow.
He could feel it hovering about him, killing intent spilling from it.
' Is this how I die? I can't die here, I need to find him. He's waiting for me. '
" Mika "
Levi looked at the meal that had brought itself to him. It looked tired, in pain.
He had always been sensitive to the emotions of other beasts and could feel the intense heartache this own was feeling.
Levi's eyes followed towards where his prey's eye were facing before it passed out, the raging river. It forgave non who fell into it.
" Count yourself lucky mutt. You will not be my meal today."
Levi turned around and left.
He went forward for a while then stopped, looked back at the defenseless mutt and signed.
' I may come to regret this. '
He return, collide his tail around kinnai and dragged him away. A python like him was supposed to be cold hearted, but he couldn't let this fool that loved so deeply die here.
So, into the forest he dragged him.
...…....
" Is there something troubling you Mikael?"
Mänd asked the pale faced boy who was robbing his chest with a look of pain, distress and confusion.
Mika turned his eyes towards his caretaker and smiled, trying to look as fine as possible.
" Am fine sir priest, just a slight pain. "
A look of doubt formed on Mänd's face as he looked at Mika but he knew he couldn't pry if the boy would not speak.
He put down the herbs in his hand walked towards Mika, setting down by his side.
" You do not have to talk about the pain in your heart if you don't want to. Not I nor anyone has the right to force you."
Mänd placed his hand on Mika's head and rubbed it to confort him. Mika kept his head lowered and accepted his confort, greatful he would not pry.
" You have been here for two days and are now well enough to talk. The chief will come to you and ask where you are from."
Mänd got up and went back to arranging the herds. With his turned to Mika he continued.
" Do you come from a tribe?"
" No. "
Mänd heard the unconcerned sounding answer from Mika and a light flashed in his eyes that Mika did not see since Mänd's back was to him.
" What is your beast."
He asked again after a brief pause.
Mika was silent for a while, wondering if he should tell this man the truth and if it would bring harm to him? He wished he could ask Mahlia what to do. Now, he would have to gamble.
" I have no beast. Is that a problem? "
Mänd sharply turned in shock. He didn't think this was why the boy had no spoken. This was not being ashamed of his beast but a lack of it.
" sigh! You are so unfortunate. I don't know if the tribe will keep you since you don't have a beast and are not female but at least you can stay here until you heal."
Mänd noticed Mika had not responded to his words and looked back at him only to see a puzzled look on the boy's face.
" I am female sir priest. Why do you think I am not? Had you not noticed the blood mole on my forehead? "
Mänd was again shocked by the boy's words and almost laughed this time had it not been for the serious look on the boy's face.
Is he serious or did he hit his head? But he has no wounds on his head. Mänd looked at him in worry.
" Mikael. You must not tell anyone that you are female, you will know why soon. As for your future in this tribe, I will see what I can do."
Mika was quzzled by the caution he was given but nodded his head in agreement. He was as of right now happy he did not loose the translator.
Small victories first.