Ander - Part 6: Subchapter 75
75
Nilia did not move. She did not speak. She did not act in any way. To an outsider, it would appear as though she was simply standing there like everyone else, waiting for something to happen, but in truth, she was far from idle. Nilia was proficient in a great many things; fighting and hunting to name just a few, but the ability that had served her the best over the years was far less flashy.
Sorrin was on the brink of losing it completely. She could tell at a glance, not by the look on his face or by the fists balled at his sides, but by the way Mellah was whispering into his ear and holding his arm as if to restrain him.
There was no doubt in her mind that the source of Sorrin's distress was the giant Wolf down in the pass, the one with the pitch black fur and bloodied hands. On some level, she wasn't all that surprised to see Banno still alive. She had seen him spar with just about every warrior in the tribe, and no one had ever beaten him, not even once. No matter what tricks they pulled, no matter what tactics or techniques they tried, he would always power through with sheer, brute force. Was it any wonder he could do the same to death itself?
He was whispering something in Shekka's ear, probably describing the scene unfolding between Ander and Hezzi, and with every word passing over those mutilated lips, Shekka's face grew more witch-like. She stared at her sons (or whatever Ander might be to her now) with those empty eyes, slobber dripping from her exposed fangs.
Nilia supposed she should be astonished (flabbergasted, even) at the unexpected revelation of Ander's origins, but all she felt was mild surprise. She honestly didn't care if Ander was half Fox or half chipmunk. It didn't change who he was in any way, and the way everyone was making such a big deal out of it was slightly irritating. There were far more dangerous things to consider, things that actually mattered.
Hezzi kept stealing glances at Ander's horn and the cliff tops. He had a mother and a long lost brother down in that pass (both of them did, in a way). Not only that, but there were kids down there, some of them even younger than Hezzi. Ander could barely bring himself to bag a deer, and now he was expected to signal the slaughter of a thousand Wolves. Most of them were little more than animals, but that wouldn't make a difference to him.
Ander could be unbelievably strong in some areas, but incredibly weak and fragile in others.
Nilia nudged Mateo in the shoulder. "I think you'd better load that crossbow, Mat."
He looked at her. There were flakes of snow stuck to his eyelashes. "Why? What do you see?" he asked, reaching over his shoulder to retrieve a bolt.
Sorrin, grinding his teeth. Shekka, ready to explode. Banno, watching everything with that permanent grin stuck on his face. Hezzi and Ander, both of them already caught up in a messy tangle of emotions - trapped, ensnared.
"I have a very bad feeling about this."
Hey, guys. Once again, sorry for the short subchapter. I was really busy with family stuff over the holidays. Wednesday's subchapter will probably be short, too, but they should reach a more normal length by Friday. Thanks for your understanding.
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