Chapter 13
“Cricket Serannas.” When I woke up, Chief Loïc was sitting in front of a fire, prodding it with a stick. I was tied up and surrounded by all the Rogues I had attacked. They all looked at me with respect and awe, while maintaining distance from me. The Chief looked at me with an expression of… joy? “You’re alive. We weren’t sure if you were going to make it. You unleashed so much raw majik that we thought your mind had been consumed by it.”
“Cricket could burn out of these bonds.” I said. The feeling that allowed me an instant of normal speech with Ellery was gone. I longed for it back.
“You couldn’t perform majik now to save your life.” Chief Loïc looked at me with a fond smile. It was more than a little creepy. He stood and knelt by my side. I quirked my eyebrow and felt for my majik. It was still there. There was so much of it. All of it pooled inside me, ready to be unleashed. “You used far too much to protect your husband and that girl.”
“Cricket will take that bet.” I replied. My sparks fluttered along my fingertips and slid up my hands to my wrists, were the rope began to burn with merry little crackles. The Rogues all gasped and took an eager step forward while my bonds burned on the ground. I rubbed at my wrists and Chief Loïc looked shocked and proud. Everyone had the complete opposite reaction that my village had and it was a meager display of power this time.
“You didn’t tell us you were marked.” The man touched my arm and I realized he meant my tattoos. I shrugged.
“It was winter. Cricket wears long sleeves and pants when it’s cold.” The group around me laughed. “Why do they matter?”
“Because they make you a Rogue.” Chief Loïc smiled. “And that makes you one of us.”
“So why was Cricket tied up?” I asked. Once again, laughter surrounded me. It was weird.
“Because we weren’t sure if you’d wake up fighting or not.” The man chuckled.
“Why are the Rogues so interested in Cricket?” I asked.
“When you told us you were Janjua, I knew instantly who you were.” Chief Loïc said. “There was no possible way you couldn’t be a Rogue, so you had to be the missing daughter we were fighting for.” He touched my face gently. “
My daughter.” I wanted to fight it, to tell him how impossible it was that was
his daughter, but I couldn’t. I had already known I was a Rogue child, stolen from my family by the man who raised me, so the knowledge that
Loïc was my father wasn’t so farfetched.
“Cricket knows.” I said. He grinned, pleased and proud of me. “Chief Loïc saved Cricket’s life because she’s his child?”
“That,” He said, “And because you beat all fourteen of my best warriors at the same time.” My gaze traveled around the group of Rogues around me. Men and women of all ages stood watching me with that surprised awe. Chief Loïc touched his arm and I saw an exact replica of my tattoos on his right arm.
“We’ve been waiting for you, Shahera.” A young man, in his early twenties stepped forward and knelt next to Loïc. He smiled at me and instantly I saw the family resemblance. This man was my brother. He had to be. His tattoos matched mine and he also had a hedgehog.
“Shahera?” I wasn’t expecting an actual
family.
“That is your name, child.” Loïc was giddy and desperately holding himself back from me. The man next to him wasn’t so controlled.
“We missed you so much!” He threw himself at me and hugged me tightly.
“How could Cricket be missed?” I found my voice. The man pulled away.
“Shahera, you were my pain-in-the-neck little sister who followed me around everywhere and imitated me at every turn.” He was looking at me the way one would look at a particularly slow child.
“Cricket doesn’t remember.” I hated to pull the silly grin off his face, but he couldn’t be deceived. His smile didn’t fade.
“You were two.” He chuckled. “I don’t expect you to remember. I was seven, so I have slightly more accurate memories.”
“Niku, she doesn’t remember your name.” Loïc said gently. I noticed that all the Rogues around us began to relax and sit down near us, not bothering to hide their eavesdropping.
“Oh, right.” The man held out his hand. “My name is Niku, and I’m your older brother!” I took his hand gingerly and he just pulled me into another hug.
“Cricket doesn’t understand.” I pushed him away from me. “What happened?”
“Oh, well we kidnapped your husband, and why was he with another girl anyway, and then you burst through the trees and –” Niku began rambling.
“Son, she means sixteen years ago.” Loïc interrupted. Instantly every face in the camp fell and nobody made eye contact, especially with me. Niku looked crestfallen and sat next to me, silently trying to offer support. I didn’t understand why, but his presence was calming. I turned to him.
“Can Niku use majik to calm heightened emotions?” I asked. My older brother jumped and stared at me before laughing.
“Da, you neglected to inform us that she’s a Reader.” He accused Loïc.
“I didn’t know.” Once again, the Rogue eyes were upon me in shock and awe.
“Cricket’s a what?” I was so completely out of my depth.
“Child, you are extraordinary.” Loïc sounded giddy once more. “You are an Adept.” Instantly, there was a large gasp and the Rogues from all over the camp gathered in a tight group just behind Loïc, staring at me intently.
“What?”
“Every Rogue has majik. Some can tap into that majik. Some cannot. Either way, our people are rich in special abilities. Those who can tap into their majik are given titles based on their abilities. Each individual falls into a category based on the talents. The groups are Healers, Hunters, Seers, Empaths, Readers, and Kinetics.” Loïc spoke as if reciting an old legend for a group of children. The Rogues around him nodded.
“And Adepts?”
“Adepts are those few with the capabilities and the talents of all the classes. They are few and far between, but they do exist and we have several within the Rogue population. However, all the Adepts are close to passing on, so it is a miracle we found you.”
“Why?”
“Because Adepts are not born with a limit on how much majik they can exert. They take their majik from the world around them. They have nearly limitless power, but have no control. Only Adepts can teach how to learn the control and discipline necessary to keep their majik from driving you mad and tearing you apart. However, the majik they take from the world isn’t free. They have to pour majik back in order to maintain balance.”
“Shahera, most Adepts without training don’t live past their sixth winter. There is too much majik in their system and no way of them to get rid of enough to keep it from killing them. The fact that you are alive is remarkable.” Niku interjected next to me.
“What can all the classes do?” I asked, trying not to think about the fact that my majik was slowly killing me.
“Most of the classes are obvious. Healers heal, Hunters hunt, Seers have foresight, Empaths have majik to control emotions, Readers can see all forms of majik, and Kinetics can move objects out of their reach with their majik. Adepts can do all of these things. Those Rogues without the ability to control their majik express it in different ways. For example, we have women who have perfect gardens and never have to weed them or water them because their innate majik keeps the plants alive.”
“I don’t understand.” Niku spoke up again. “How is she still alive?”
“I’m not sure.” Loïc also looked perturbed by this fact. “Cricket, do you remember any illnesses or major physical pains growing up?”
“Cricket always had major pains.” I said blankly. “Cricket was beaten every time she used her majik or whenever something bad happened that was her fault.” I realized a moment later that telling my father and older brother who lost me at a young age and had been yearning for me back my entire life that I had been beaten was
not a wise idea. Both men stiffened and the group watching us froze.
“He did
what?” Niku’s voice dropped an octave as he growled.
“The man who raised Cricket –”
“Your name is Shahera, daughter.” Loïc said stiffly. “You would do well to becoming accustomed to it.”
“Cricket is her own person and just because Loïc is mad at the
idiot who raised Cricket, doesn’t mean she will just lie down and let Loïc do what he wants!” I don’t know where the anger came from, and I wasn’t entirely sure why I was yelling at Loïc, but something just made me
mad. Belatedly, I realized that it might have been Niku’s anger being projected onto me. Loïc paused, more than a little shocked at my reaction.
“I forget sometimes that you are not as the villager women act.” He said finally. “You act like a true Rogue woman.”
“The man who raised Cricket hurt her, but the entire village doesn’t deserve to be destroyed for the actions of one man.” I said. “Would Loïc kill an entire Rogue tribe simply because one member did something horrible?”
“That village did nothing to stop him or punish him.” Loïc replied.
“Loïc means Cricket’s village.” I corrected.
“No. That village is not yours. This tribe,” He gestured to the men and women around him, “Is your true family.”
“That may be true, but Cricket won’t turn her back on the people she cares for.”
“You care for the man who
beat you?” Niku asked incredulously.
“What did he do?” I ignored my brother.
“Sixteen years ago, the
bastard you called your father killed an entire caravan of Rogue with the exception of you. You, he kidnapped and brainwashed.” Loïc was
not happy.
“Cricket is not brainwashed.” I snapped. “She’s just capable of viewing a situation from another’s point of view.”
“Da’s just upset, Shahera.” Niku intervened. “You’ve been lost to us for sixteen years and now that we’ve found you, you are the most gifted Rogue of us all. Not to mention that you have been abused.”
“What happened?” I asked.
“A Rogue caravan from our tribe was travelling to the Meet.” Loïc said, calmly. “The Meet is an annual celebration with all the tribes of the Rogues to come together and feast. Under normal circumstances, the entire tribe would travel together, however…”
“You had just begun to show your majikal prowess.” Niku continued. “You had been showing Kinetic tendencies, so Mum took you everywhere with her. She was a Kinetic. She started teaching you all about being a Kinetic and what it meant and how to utilize your majik wisely.”
“The main problem was that the tribe had been dealing with a terrible winter. We had very little food, and so all the majikally aware individuals and I were in search of safe passage and food while the others followed us to the Meet at a slower pace.” Loïc said. “However, we weren’t going to leave our people without any majikal protection. Your mother, you, and your uncle and aunt travelled with the group. Three Kinetics, and a young Kinetic, are more than a match for any average threat.”
“Normally, I would have travelled with you, but I was undergoing my initiation into my powers.” Niku added.
“As Rogues, we don’t follow property lines. Why should we? We don’t own property and we’re always on the move.” Loïc grew sad. “The caravan was staying on the Janjua’s property. They found a large bare patch of fresh dirt and slept there.”
“The crop field.” I said, understanding. Loïc shrugged as if it were unimportant.
“We’re not farmers. We don’t understand the nuances of planting.”
“The man who raised Cricket spoke of his crops being destroyed. The Rogue caravan inadvertently trampled over the freshly sown crops, destroying most of the income of the Janjua family.” I explained.
“Income?” Niku asked.
“Rogues trade, right?” I asked. I received nods. “Villagers do essentially the same. The crops for the Janjua family are all they can trade for other goods.” The details were slightly more complex, but that was the root of the problem.
“Oh.” Niku paused. “So, the Janjua family believed that we deliberately hurt their income.”
“He also said that Rogue took over his land. He probably thought that the Rogue camp was a threat to his livelihood.” I continued. “He spoke of someone trying to sleep with his wife.”
“We were unaware of such an event.” Loïc said, his brow furrowed.
“Luka was in the caravan.” Niku said, suddenly.
“That would explain much.” Loïc nodded. I gave them a look of confusion.
“Luka was an extremely open-minded young man. He was a ladies man, but all the women in the tribe were aware of his reputation and knew he was only a flirt.” Niku explained. “If Luka met any woman, he’d flirt unabashedly.”
“So Luka tempted the woman who raised Cricket and when he didn’t follow through, she felt hurt and embarrassed.” I nodded. “She told the story as if Luka accosted her and tried to rape her.”
“Lies upon misunderstandings and ignorance.” Loïc rubbed his eyes gingerly. “Ah, that it has come to this.” Absent-mindedly, he petted the hedgehog that was cuddled at his neck. A long silence followed the realization.
“Cricket has to tell the village.” I said.
“Why?” Niku asked me.
“Because they deserve to know the truth.” I said.
“They won’t believe you.” Loïc said.
"Cricket doesn’t care.” I replied, viciously. “They need to know the truth before Loïc and his Rogues tear down the mountain!” Everyone stared at me, open-mouthed. I stood up, ready to walk away.
“We can’t tear it down now.” Loïc admitted. “A misunderstanding doesn’t deserve such vengeance. But, I don’t know if we’ll be able to stop it at this point.”
“Try.” I snarled. I turned and started to walk out of the clearing.
“Wait, Shahera.” Niku grabbed my hand. “Come with us. That’s why we took your husband, because we were going to take you, too.”
“You both would be saved from the majik.” Loïc said.
“We protect our own.” Niku smiled. “We knew you wouldn’t leave without your husband.”
“He is no longer Cricket’s husband.” I took my hand from Niku. “The marriage was annulled because Cricket is a Rogue.”
“And yet you still love each other.” Loïc said.
“Why haven’t you gotten remarried?” Niku asked.
“Because Janjua still holds a life debt over Ellery.” I said, turning and walking away. “And none in the village will speak for Cricket.”
“It doesn’t matter now.” Loïc shook his head. “You must come with us. You
will survive.” I paused and looked over my shoulder at my father, my brother, and all the Rogues around them.
“If Loïc knew Cricket at all, he would know better than to tell Cricket what she
must do. She has a problem with authority.”
“You’re just like your mother.” Loïc sighed.
“Please, come with us, Shahera.” Niku begged. “I…
we don’t want to lose you again.”
“Then go stop the majik.” I replied. “And Cricket won’t be lost.”
“Come with us.
Please.” A calm wave swept over my mind and I stared hard at Niku.
“And leave the nephews who depend on Cricket?” I asked. “Mikal and little Deni? Cricket couldn’t leave them. And to take them without their parents? They would be heartbroken. What about Ellery? Cricket couldn’t live without him.”
“I see your point.” Loïc raised his hand to stop me. “We will go and warn the rest of the tribes. We will try to stop what has been set in motion. You go warn your village.”
“If the Rogues cannot stop the majik, Cricket will use all of her power to save the village.” I said.
“Wait.” Niku scrambled to his feet. “I will go with you.”
“No.” Loïc said. “I will not lose both my children.”
“Don’t speak as if death is the only option.” I said. “There is always another way.”
“I can help teach her to use her majik.” Niku added.
“You two are more dangerous together.” Loïc sighed. “You would have never convinced me alone, my son.” Niku grinned at me, the same grin I felt pull at my features. “Fine!” Loïc caught our attention again. “You will go with her. If either of you die, I will be very upset.”
“Cricket cannot promise Niku safety in the village.” I warned my brother. Niku shrugged.
“I would think you a goddess if you could.” He said. “Plus, I will be able to feel Da’s emotions and can tell if they are able to stop the majik or not.”
“Niku has that much power?” I asked.
“Of course.” Loïc smiled. “You both got all the power your mother and I had combined. Shahera, you, as an Adept, can pull majik from the world around you, so you have more raw power, but Niku is quite powerful.”
“If Niku tries to use his Empathy on Cricket to influence her decisions again,” I sent a glower to my brother, “Cricket will stab him.”
“Literally or majikally?” Niku grinned.
“Both, at the same time.” I replied.
“You don’t have enough control to stab me majikally.” Niku teased.
“Cricket will manage. Niku is annoying enough to make Cricket angry enough to gain that control.” I replied. Niku laughed and tugged me into a headlock. I spun out of it and twisted his arm behind his back. Niku gasped as I held him on the line of pain. “Niku doesn’t have as good a headlock as Basra.”
“Who’s Basra?” Niku asked.
“One of the few who like Cricket. He’s the strongest man in the village and taught Cricket how to brawl.” I replied.
“That’s enough, you two.” Loïc rolled his eyes at us and waited for me to drop Niku’s arm. Niku frowned at me.
“Not cool.” He said. “My little sister is supposed to be weaker than me.”
“Niku’s little sister
is physically weaker than him.” I replied. “She just knows how to use her strength.”
“You two
will survive.” Loïc ordered us. Niku snapped to attention and I threw up a lazy salute. Niku glanced at me and changed his stance to one that mimicked mine. “My children were raised apart and yet they are both too smart for their own good.” Loïc lamented to the other Rogues, who were grinning. It was surprising how easy it was for me to fall into a familial relationship with Loïc and Niku.
“We’ll see each other again, Da.” Niku smiled. “Don’t worry.” Loïc hugged his son tightly. He then turned to me and hugged me close.
“I know we’ve only just been reunited, my child.” He whispered to me. “You must live so I can get to know my daughter properly.”
“Cricket will try.” I promised. I turned to Niku, who hoisted a pack on his back and nodded to me. We walked away from the camp, listening to the soft goodbyes people called to us, specifically Niku.
“So, how are you going to get me into the village?” Niku asked.
“Cricket doesn’t know.” I shrugged.
“So, you have no plan?” Niku glanced at me.
“Nope.” I shot him a grin. “Cricket typically just wings it.”
“How well has that worked out for you?”
“Cricket’s still alive, isn’t she?”
“True enough.” We walked in silence for a few moments.
“Doesn’t Niku have a family?” I asked. Niku grinned.
“There’s a girl in the Icy Mountain tribe who I’ve been courting.” He said.
“Niku isn’t married yet?” I asked.
“We only see each other once a year because we’re in different tribes.” Niku shrugged. “Courting takes longer this way. She and I are going to get married at the Meet next year.”
“Will she join the Flaming River tribe?” I asked.
“Well, it depends.” Niku shrugged. “If she’s higher up in her tribe, then she’s marrying down and I would move into her tribe. However, unless she’s Chief, she’s not higher than me, and would move into our tribe.”
“What is she?” I asked.
“She’s high up in the tribe. She’s a talented Hunter, so she’s a force in her own right.”
“What if she and Niku were even?” I asked.
“Then she and I would discuss it and decide which tribe we’d like to live in.” Niku shrugged. “These are just traditions. Traditions can be ignored and changed. We’ve had several couples who have broken these traditions.”
“What about marriage to someone not of the Rogues?” I asked.
“Well, if you and Ellery get married again, he’d have to join our tribe, because he doesn’t have one of his own.” Niku explained.
“What if they wanted to stay in the village?” I asked. Niku stared at me.
“Then Ellery would still have to join the Flaming River tribe.” He said. “Travelling with us isn’t obligatory. Several Rogues have settled down in villages and cities. Every Rogue is protected by every other Rogue. It’s part of our lifestyle. It’s why we’re even here. Spouses and children are also protected, but only if they join a tribe.”
“So, if Ellery didn’t join the Flaming River tribe, he wouldn’t be protected?” I asked.
“He would.” Niku amended. “But we aren’t
required to save him or avenge him.”
“Why did it take the Rogues so long to come back to avenge their people?” I asked.
“Because we never do anything halfway.” Niku rolled his eyes. “The mourning family has to wait five years for the pain to die enough for them to not be emotional when deciding if they want to avenge the deaths. Then, it takes another five years to figure out a good plan of action for the vengeance.”
“Why so long?” I asked.
“Mostly because the older Rogues don’t like to attack outsiders because it ruins our reputation as a peaceful people.” Niku sighed. “Plus, sometimes we can’t find our way back to where the deaths originally occurred.”
“Even with Hunters?” I asked.
“After ten years, the majik that came from the deaths has been absorbed into the earth completely, so the Hunters have nothing to track.”
“So, the Rogues are lazy.” I said.
“Yep.” Niku nodded. After a moment of silence, I burst out laughing and Niku joined in.
“It’s funny that a constantly travelling people are lazy.” I chuckled.
“Yes, it is.” My brother grinned at me and tousled my hair.
“Stop!” I whined. “Cricket’s hair gets tangled easily.”
“Cricket!” Ellery came out of nowhere and hugged me tightly. I was lifted up and spun around.
“Ellery! Will you pay attention?” Iain snapped, aiming his bow at Niku. I struggled away from Ellery and stood between Niku and Iain.
“Cricket?” Ellery looked slightly betrayed.
“Niku is Cricket’s older brother.” I said. “She won’t let Iain shoot him.”
“Hi!” Niku grinned and waved.
“Niku, Ellery and Iain.” I pointed to the brothers.
“Former husband.” Ellery said.
“Former brother-in-law.” Iain added.
“Nice to meet you.” Niku grinned, offering his hand. Iain eyed it warily. I saw Niku’s smile widen and Iain’s face calmed.
“Niku, be nice.” I said. Niku frowned at me.
“I
am!” Iain and Niku shook hands.
“What’s going on?” Ellery whispered in my ear. I jumped and he wrapped his arms around me.
“Niku is an Empath.” I said. “Niku!” My brother jumped and glowered at me. “The villagers will know Niku’s a Rogue and will automatically assume that Niku will try to do something harmful.”
“And?”
“
No majik.” I ordered.
“Okay.”
“Niku…”
“No majik! I got it!” He rolled his eyes.
“Well, not
everyone will assume that…” Ellery trailed off as I glared at him.
“Every time Cricket baby-sat Mikal and Deni, it was assumed she was going to kill and eat them.” I said. That shut Ellery up.
“Shahera.” Niku corrected.
“What?” Iain asked.
“Her name is Shahera.” Niku said.
“Really?” Ellery looked at me.
“Shahera Karakochuk of the Flaming River tribe of the clan of Rogues.” I gave a mock bow.
“Wait, Karakochuk?” Ellery’s brow furrowed. “You’re Loïc’s daughter?”
“Yep!” Niku grinned. “She’s daughter of the Chief!”
“Wow.” Ellery was still looking at me and holding me close. It was far too comfortable. “You’re moving up in the world.” I was frozen in place by his warm golden gaze.
“Cricket knows what happened.” I said.
“Shahera.” Niku sang softly.
“She’s not used to it yet.” Ellery said, defensively. “Give her some time.” Iain grinned at me when I shot him a confused look.
“In the meantime, if people start calling you Shahera, you will become used to it faster.” He said.
“Good idea.” Niku grinned.
“What do you know about what happened?” Ellery asked me, turning me so I was crushed against his chest.
“Cricket doesn’t want to tell it twice.” I said. “The Elders have to know.”
“True.” Ellery picked me up and spun me around again, impulsively. Niku and Iain were grinning like they knew something I didn’t. Ellery was looking at me like we hadn’t seen each other in years, a stupid grin over his face.
“Did Ellery get hit in the head?” I asked. Ellery pouted as Iain and Niku burst out laughing.
“No!” Ellery snapped. “Can’t a husband be happy to see his wife?”
“First of all,” I held up a finger, “Ellery and Cricket are no longer married. Second of all,” A second finger came up, “Ellery was never like this when he and Cricket
were married.”
“Ouch.” Ellery winced.
“Where’s Eliza?” I asked.
“Double ouch.”
“She’s usually hanging off Ellery.”
“Double double ouch.”
“And Ellery
did –” His hand covered my mouth.
“I’m going to assume that whatever you’re going to say is painful to my ego.” He said. “I have been avoiding her like the plague. She
insists that I didn’t mean what I said when you saved us. ‘There was too much majik in the air!’ So, she’s been slightly obnoxious.”
“Slightly?” Iain scoffed.
“How long has Cricket been gone?” I asked.
“What did you say?” Niku asked.
“Okay, fine, she’s been ridiculously obnoxious.” Ellery sighed. “You’ve been gone for two days, don’t you remember? And I told Cri–
Shahera that I love her.” Niku and Iain grinned and I flushed.
“Ellery has been around too much majik and it has addled his brain.” I mumbled.
“You’re not agreeing with
Eliza now, are you?” Ellery whispered into my hair. I pulled back to glower at him. He chuckled and kissed my forehead. “I love you.” I flushed and Ellery grinned. “Cute.”
“Not.”
“Yep.”
“There you are!” Niku exclaimed loudly. Ellery’s arms didn’t release me even though he jumped. Niku reached into his pack and pulled out a slumbering hedgehog. “This is Shah, my familiar. He’s always asleep.”
“Shah?” Iain asked.
“After my dear baby sister.” Niku grinned. I stuck my tongue out at him.
“You are kind of like a hedgehog.” Ellery nodded.
“What?” I glared at him.
“You’re all cute and fluffy unless someone makes you mad and then you poof out with spikes.” Ellery explained, holding me tighter so I couldn’t escape.
“Oh, we need to call your familiar.” Niku said, interrupting the razor sharp words that were almost out of my mouth.
“She has a familiar?” Iain asked.
“Of course she does.” Niku scoffed. “Every Rogue with active majik has a familiar. Hers will be a hedgehog, because our family has always had hedgehogs. Even Mum had a hedgehog.”
“What do they do?” Iain asked.
“They focus our majik and can be used to hold raw majik for us to tap into.” Niku explained.
“Cricket doesn’t need a container for more raw majik.” I rolled my eyes.
“Why don’t you?” Ellery asked.
“She’s an Adept and she has the most majik of anyone I’ve ever seen.” Niku grinned.
“An Adept?” Ellery and Iain stared at each other.
“Rogues have several different classifications for the majik users. An Adept is all of the classes combined.” I explained.
“So you’re amazing.” Ellery grinned, hugging me close.
“Ellery is suffocating Cricket.” I struggled with his arms.
“Aren’t you being obnoxious today?” Ellery kissed my neck and shivers erupted down my spine. “I missed you.”
“Cricket missed Ellery while he was hanging around Eliza.” I snapped.
“Ouch.” Ellery swept me into his arms and spun me around again. “I know that you have every right to stay mad at me, but I am not letting you go, so you’re stuck with me.”
“Why is Ellery in love with Cricket?” I asked.
“We have to get them back to the village.” Iain interrupted. “And somehow we have to ensure no one kills Niku.”
“Cricket will take care of that.” I said, squirming in Ellery’s arms. “But Ellery has to let her walk on her own.” Ellery reluctantly put me down, but held my hand tightly.
“What’s your plan?” Iain asked.
“Iain will know when the village knows.” I started walking. Ellery stood by my side the entire trip, rubbing his thumb across the back of my hand. We reached the edge of the village and I pulled my hand from Ellery’s gently.
“What are you going to do?” He whispered to me. I shot him a confident grin.
“Niku, stay behind Cricket’s right shoulder. Ellery, stay behind her left shoulder. Iain, stay behind –”
“Ellery’s right shoulder.” Iain grinned. “Clever.” Ellery gaped at me and Niku looked confused.
“Stay close; do
not respond to anyone or anything.” I told my brother. “Only look straight ahead, and ignore everything else. Do
not use majik.”
“Okay.” Niku nodded. I waited for them to arrange themselves around me before taking a deep breath and straightening my shoulders. I let my power flow into my hands and they sparked in rainbow colors. We started walking through the village, heads held high and proud.
Yeah. I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t have Internet connection to update, but HERE IT IS! It’s very exciting for me. Be excited, people! On a sad note, my fishy Fire Lord Zuko has passed away. He lasted longer than my goldfish Lucifer (Luci for short). On a happy note, my roommate is engaged! Yay for her! She and her fiancé have been together 5 freaking years!
Also, as it turns out, I’m terrible at bowling. And I’m a remarkably good shot with a 9mm. I was very excited because I shot better than my boyfriend (who likes to shoot at the crotch of the zombies for some reason), but not better than his twin (who got all headshots, damn him) on my first time shooting a gun EVER! As a side note, the description Ellery gives Cricket about being like a hedgehog was the exact description given to me by my older brother. I thought it was funny and gave it to Cricket, too, though she is a lot more shy and soft-spoken than I am. Much love to my reviewers! Natasha
– I hope you enjoy this Ellery, as he’s finally figured out who he wants. He’s going all out here, as he feels totally guilty about pushing her away in the first place. I’m debating writing snippets of this story from his perspective as a side story, because he’s really not as bad as he seems here. It’s hard to get what’s going on in his head when it’s all from Cricket. Strangebrew97
– Cricket is a little slow, but I didn’t want to make her perfect and invincible. I’m giving her phenomenal cosmic power, giving her a brilliance would be overdoing it. At least, in my opinion. KitDKatWrites
– I’m sorry! I’m glad you’re enjoying the story, though! Next chapter, Janjua gets what’s coming to him, don’t worry. The biggest thing with Cricket and Ellery is that they had a bumpy beginning. When all is said and done, they both mature and learn to trust each other. But most of the happiness in their relationship is seen in the next two stories that I’m writing for them: Rogue Found, and Rogue Lost. I haven’t decided if I should post them or not. Yami
– Thanks! Most of the tribe stuff comes in the second and third stories of Cricket and Ellery and their family. The first one is mainly showing the “civilized” part of this universe. The Rogues, as awesome as they are, are considered peaceful, powerful, but uncivilized, if you couldn’t tell by now. The next story shows a lot of Rogue interplay as well as a large chunk of the universe I’ve avoided in this story. Reviews keep me happy! Thank you, my lovelies! ~LP
