(More to come! I'm still working on the middle part, will post when I'm satisfied with it.)
Ryker crouched close, watching his charge as she slept. Her body barely moved, her breath slow and even. The sunlight crept into the room, her dark hair gleaming with hints of red he hadn’t noticed before. Kitra had been clear: do not wake her, do not touch her, do not question her, do not let anyone in. She had been sleeping for two days already, the village waiting for her to wake—even the children sensed the importance of this stranger, and kept silent, lined up outside Kitra’s home, waiting.
He had heard whispers, of course. Since her arrival the elders had been silent, holed up in their chambers, waiting like everyone else. Was she truly Nadari’s child? Did this mean the others were coming? If so, why weren’t they preparing the archers?
Ryker stood, silent, waiting for her to speak. The intrigue surrounding her was almost tangible, as if light itself bent around her protectively.
“Yes. Nadari was my mother. The others awoke and found me in thecity, gilled my guardians there – all except Everest.”
She spoke quietly, while staring through the window, not looking, her eyes simply set forward. He wanted to ask about the others – he had only heard stories, and even those were vague, folklore and old wives tales told to dissuade mischiefvous children.
“They are powerful” – as if she could hear his thoughts – she looked directly at him now, her eyes aflame with hatred, sadness and pain – so much pain, Ryker gasped with the power of it. Shocked, he stepped back, working to push her mind away.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were Chimaeric. Your eyes. . .”
“They change as I wish. “ This he demonstrated, his eyes flashing from brown to blue to violet.
“Impressive” She smiled, just slightly. Her new protector was a powerful Chimaera. She would need to be more careful with her emotions.
“Please, excuse me.” Ryker spoke quietly, stepping out of the room to regain his composure. Where did this. . .creature. . come from? And why did he want to save her?
Kitra
Kitra stood waist deep in the river, laughing as the children splashed and swam around her. As Ryker approached she stood tall, her face growing serious.
“You were not to leave her.”
Ryker bowed his head, ashamed. How could he protect Elisesofia when she possessed more power than any being Ryker had ever encountered?
Kitra’s face softened—“She is incredible, isn’t she? I must tell you . . .”
Ryker interrupted his leader, “We were bonded as children, weren’t we? You thought she
was human. The infant I kept.”
All Chimaera, at age 5, are given a human infant, often taken in from orphanages. Occasionally the chimaeric child wanders into the forest, and returns with an infant whose origin is unknown – it is believed that the forest senses the power of the Chimaera and provides the infant. The chimaeric child must protect and nurture the infant until it begins to speak. Usually about a year, sometimes less as the Chimaera assist the child and provide superior development.
Kitra smiled, most Chimaera do not remember this bond. “Everest saw that she was weakened, biven the trauma of her short life. We decided that your power may be strong enough to repair the damage. When she began to speak you were enchanted with her. We had a difficult time removing her from your care.”
This Ryker remembered. He had packed up the infant and headed out into the forest, his six year old self certain she would be safer kept away from any and all people.
