The Scourge (A.G. Henley) - By A.G. Henley Page 0,60

all the food they needed—you know, without having to fight each other for it. And something about all the animals living together there, too. The tigers lay down with the sheep, or something like that. I can’t remember the details, but it was a good story.”

“Speaking of tigers, the anuna were pretty excited that we ran across a big animal like that. Although they didn’t think it was a tiger,” I say.

“All things considered, I wish we hadn’t run across her. But she was beautiful . . .” He sighs. “I wish it could have gone another way.”

“Me too.” I lie back and fold my hands across my stomach. The wood of the platform is warm, and as smooth as a polished rock. The afternoon sun heats my skin. Peree lies back too, his head close to mine.

“I wonder what everyone at home thinks happened to us,” I say.

“Probably that we’re in some kind of paradise, toasting our safety with the cool, clean Hidden Waters.”

I laugh. “That is pretty much what we’re doing.”

“We’ve earned a little downtime, don’t you think?”

Eland, my mind whispers. Aloe, Calli. “I guess.”

We avoid the subject of home from then on, talking instead about Koolkuna. It’s peaceful, lying side by side with Peree, enjoying the sun and the cool breeze that crops up, as the afternoon stretches on. It’s as close to fun as we’ve had. And I don’t remember ever feeling this . . . safe. Contentment soaks into places deep inside me, empty places I didn’t even know existed.

I’d planned to take Peree by Kadee’s house on the way home, but as he drags himself slowly across the dusty ground, it’s clear he’s overdone it today. We go straight to his shelter instead. By the time we get there, he doesn’t even complain about getting into bed.

“How’s Peree today?” Kadee asks when I come in a few minutes later. She’s preparing our dinner.

I ask for a broom and start sweeping, determined to make myself useful. “Unbelievably well. He’s stronger each time I visit him. I never would have thought he’d be able to walk so soon, even with a crutch. Then again, he can be hardheaded when he wants something.”

She laughs. “So Nerang said.”

I think about his game with Kai. Yeah, he’s getting his strength back all right. An idea floats into my head, and I stop mid-sweep. “Kadee, Peree told me not long ago that he’s always wanted to swim. I thought I might give him a lesson. But is it okay to swim in the water hole? Is it protected?”

“The protection at the Myuna is . . . strongest, at midday. I’d go then. I’m sure he’ll enjoy it. That’s very thoughtful of you.” I notice her pause, but I don’t know what to make of it.

“I owe him,” I say. I tell her about the swim he arranged for me.

“It sounds like you’re lucky to have each other.”

I smile at her. “I’m lucky to have you as a friend, too. I know Peree will feel the same way when he meets you.”

“I hope so,” she says, and she sounds strangely wistful.

The next morning I stop by Peree’s shelter on my way to the gardens. He’s already outside, practicing with his crutch. He sounds like he’s moving well, but I can hear the sharp intakes of breath as he puts weight on his bad leg.

“I have a surprise for you,” I tell him.

“What is it?”

“What kind of surprise would it be if I told you? Be ready to take a little walk around lunchtime. Maybe you should res–”

“Don’t say it!”

“All right, all right.” I laugh. “I’ll be back in a few hours.”

I spend a contented morning helping to dig up vegetables and listening to people talk about the upcoming Feast of Deliverance. I find myself getting caught up in the excitement. Two younger girls giggle and chatter in the next row. Kadee suddenly laughs beside me.

“What is it?” I ask, struggling with an unobliging carrot.

“They’re talking about Peree.”

I rub my forehead with the back of my soil-covered hand. The bruise still itches a little. “What about him?”

“They’re calling him Myall—it means wild boy. Apparently they think he’s quite handsome.”

I hack at the crumbling earth around the carrot with a stick. Wonderful. First Kai, now these two. Aren’t there any other eligible men in Koolkuna?

I leave the gardens a little before noon. The wild boy’s outside when I arrive. He tries to take the packed lunch Kadee made for us, but I wave