Chapter 33
It was nearly sundown by the time we got back to Camp. What I didn't expect to find was the entire group gathered in a meeting circle, like the kind they had in Foresthome. Judging from the perplexed expression on Fen's face, I guessed this didn't happen frequently. Or at all.
"What's going on?" I asked.
His eyes were big as he observed from afar one of the camp residents speaking. "I don't know. It's usually Niralessa talking or yelling at us."
"Then it's decided," I heard Niralessa say as we got closer.
Uh-oh. Decided? On what?
Nods went around the circle, and I had trouble figuring out the mood. There were smiles, but there was also confusion or disbelief. A few of the warrior types didn't look all that happy.
The circle was dispersing when we got there. Some of the residents grinned at me as they passed. I was burning with so much curiosity I could barely stand it. Had something good actually happened here?
I looked to Tessia. What's going on here?
Her whole face scrunched, and she rubbed her forehead. Too many people. I can't focus. My head hurts.
I rubbed her back, feeling bad for adding a headache on top of her existing troubles. "Don't worry about it. We'll find out. Try counting to ten or something."
Niralessa spotted us through the dissipating crowd and gestured for us to approach. I saw relief in her eyes when they settled upon Tessia. "I'm glad you are well."
Tessia gave her a small smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"What did we miss?" I asked, dying to find out.
The relief I'd seen on her face earlier transformed into something that looked like disappointment. "I asked them what they wanted to do."
I couldn't have heard right.
Fen must have thought the same thing, because he asked, "What?"
A peevish expression crossed her face, as if repeating this particular phrase was distasteful. "I asked your brothers and sisters what they wanted."
Fen looked as confused as I felt. "Like, for supper?"
Niralessa sighed, her eyes touching upon Tessia. "I've been so focused on the future that I lost sight of a few things. I think Corin may have tried to tell me a few times, but—" She ran a hand down her braid, pulling it over one shoulder. The action made her look vulnerable. She seemed to shake her head at a memory. "Maybe it's time I started worrying about what can help my people now."
I glanced around at the Camp residents still meandering nearby. "So what kind of decision did you all make?"
Her eyes dimmed further.
Minocken came up behind her and squeezed a shoulder. "Most of them don't want to live like nomads anymore," he said. "Losing Corin was a huge blow. They don't want this kind of life. They want to settle somewhere safe."
I stared at both of them. "Really? But . . . what about, you know, your agenda? Revenge against the Normals and all that?"
She hung her head a little, and I couldn't tell if it was from pain or shame or both.
She knows it's not going to bring Corin back, Tessia supplied.
"We've had enough death," Minocken said with a rueful shake of his head. "It's time we started working on proving the Normals are wrong about us. That we're not bad people."
I couldn't believe my ears. Were they finally . . . agreeing with me on this?
Fen stared at them. "You guys are serious."
Minocken nodded. "Something needs to change."
"And you agree?" Fen asked Niralessa.
I was wondering the same thing, because it seemed hard to believe.
She finally raised her eyes. "I don't fully agree, no. But . . ." She glanced at Minocken. "It's not just about me."
Minocken gave her a proud smile and squeezed her arm.
"So, what happens now?" I was almost afraid to ask. Afraid to get my hopes up.
She surveyed the camp, taking in the tents, supplies, and its people as if for the last time. "You said they'd be safe in Foresthome, did you not?"
I blinked at her. Was she saying what I think she was saying? "Um, yes! Absolutely! Foresthome has always been a safe haven."
Niralessa's lips pressed together, as if the words were too painful to utter.
Minocken spoke in her stead. "Then, if your people will have us, we would like to follow you back to Foresthome."
Fen and I exchanged incredulous looks.
"Seriously?" I could feel my mouth hanging open.
Niralessa looked greener than usual, like she'd eaten a bad mushroom. "Strictly on a trial basis. To see how things go. To see if the Forestfolk are really as accepting as you say. I have my doubts, but—"
Fen surprised everyone by rushing forward and throwing both arms around Niralessa and his brother. "Thank you! This is more than I could have hoped for. It means—just . . . thank you."
I met Minocken's gaze over Fen's shoulder and mouthed an emphatic thank you. Without him, I was pretty sure none of this could have been possible.
He gave me a small smile and nodded.
Sember and Remi, who had been quietly watching from afar, sidled up on either side of me.
"Um." Remi scratched the back of his head. "Did we just get a whole bunch of new neighbors?"
Sember eyed Niralessa skeptically. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
I shrugged. "We have to give them a chance, right?"
But in the back of my mind, I wondered if Niralessa really was ready to settle in one place.
Foresthome will be home after all! Maybe? I think that deserves a vote.
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen2U.Com