His Shyra?
�Quivern?� Her voice was stern and reserved. Her usual critical, yet playful sarcasm was gone. When he looked over his should her expression was dispassionate, she stood perfectly still, like a stone might. She suddenly seemed to fit in with the other Shyra perfectly.
�Yes Shyra?� He kept his tone even and gentle, he was almost positive this change of mood was just a wall she had constructed to hide something.
�I wanted to thank you.� She stuck her hand out in front of her rather suddenly. He shook it.
�You don�t have to thank me.�
�Of course I do.� Her marble features cracked for a moment. Anger. �I just�I threatened to kill you a few times. I apologize. You and others sacrificed a great deal for�nothing.�
Quivern shook his head. �You forget your own words this quickly? You and I are alive. Darien would have chosen death had he been given that ultimatum.� His own words surprised him, he who had always reacted with anger before thought.
Silu took a deep breath and dropped to one knee to speak with Bjover.
He smiled and rested his blue claw of a hand on her armored shoulder. �Thank you for your service Shyra.�
She was ready to explode. �I failed you and the young ones. They will surely be destroyed Bjover and it is because I was too foolish and afraid to strike head on.� He face turned crimson and her fists shook as she clenched them at her sides.
Bjover shook his head. �My dear, the young coldlings will be greatly missed, but I do not believe that you made a poor choice. Nor do I think it is you�re fault they are lost. Shyra, you have only been a sister for a few months. It was foolish of the Bala-Shyra to send you on such a perilous journey alone when you have had so little experience in this world.�
�But the balance Bjover!�
�Shh, young one, the balance works in mysterious ways. It is virtuous to do what you can to protect your fellow creatures. But neither you, nor any of the Shyra can judge what is good or bad for it. Remember, sweet Silu, that the fate of the world does not rest on the shoulders of the wise and the few, but the many, and the foolish.�
Quivern�s brows narrowed.
�You are very wise Bjover, I can see why you were chosen to escort the young ones across the middle kingdoms. I�m outraged that you�re precious children were stolen and afraid for their future.�
�But your Bala-Shyra has given you instructions Silu. You must heed her requests, at least for now.�
At least for now?
Silu seemed just as confused by Bjover�s last statement. But he did not elaborate. Instead Bjover smiled as warmly as his cold little lips could manage and tilted his head towards her in a little salute of respect. He looked up into Quivern�s eyes and searched them thoughtfully. Quivern resisted the urge to look away until the coldling nodded with satisfaction and turned slowly away. He bent his knees a few times and stretched out his back until is crackled and popped, then he waved over his shoulder without looking behind and started waddling down Almberry highway, towards the approaching twilight.
Silu was smiling widely when she rose from her knees. A glint of that excited adventurous gleam from the night before was glittering in her stony gray eyes. �A wonderful thing about coldlings.� A breeze of icy air ruffled her wild hair and they both shivered from the wave of goose bumps that followed. �They don�t believe in saying goodbye unless they hope to never see you again.�
He watched her out of the corner of his eye as she transformed back into a cold replica of her fellow Shyra. �You must go Silu?�
She nodded solemnly.
�Then before you go, tell me something.� Silu gripped her gold steel saber gently and nodded. �Just what is a Tan-Nui?�
To his surprise she flashed a little grin, giggled just for a moment, then forcefully repressed her amusement back behind her granite expression. �A Tan-Nui is a man that a Shyra chooses to assist her in bearing children.�
Quivern felt his face flush red and his gaze fell to his toes. �I�I just ...over heard�the sisters, they were�� He glanced up hoping to catch another peak at her smile.
But Silu was gone.
