Born of Water

Born of Water Chapter 34

CHAPTER 34

ORDER OF LIFE

Ria's jaw fell open at Jeif'taku's display. She snapped it shut and scuffled back in the sand. "He used magic... spirit," Ria said, starting to shake. "The Curse!"

Niri's lavender eyes widened before the laughter of the Ashanti cut in. 

"Kha, Khat bek Ak'Ashanti."

"Not here in Ak'Ashanti," Darag translated, doubt on his face. He met Jeif'taku's gaze steadily, neither looking away. Tension hung on the air.

Jeif'taku gave Darag a casual smile, moving his right hand out with an open palm. "Ef'katah." 

Darag hesitated a second longer, before nodding slowly. Ria relaxed, relieved. Jeif'taku looked over at her, amusement dancing on his lips. 

"Rahknuhn," he said to Ria.

"He wants you to try," Darag said to her. 

Jeif'taku motioned her forward. Ria flinched, shaking her head as she bit her lip. Jeif'taku laughed, looking away as he smiled. Kiefa'shoo chuckled deep in his chest while Behk'sah's hissing laugh sounded cruel to Ria's ears. She blushed and tucked her legs against her chest, staring at the sand. Nothing could make her risk summoning the Curse again. There was breathy laughter all around her.

"Life, living plants... that is also Kith," Darag's voice was heavy with the realization.

"Tek ti yel selfah? Fetyiat." Jeif'taku said, leaning back on his heels.

Lavinia's eyes were round with the impact of the news. "You mean the Kith are Earth and Spirit Elementals and no one knew? I bet the Forest of Falin is safe then for Ria as well."

The attention mostly off of her, Ria scooted forward to sit next to Niri again. "If that is true, I would never have bothered leaving," she sighed. "I bet Laireag is an Air Elemental too and doesn't even know it."

"That makes sense." There was a stir of movement as attention focused on Niri. "That was the second part of the letter. It said that talent in one element comes with birth, but it can mean latent and learnable skills in other elements."

Ria perked up. "I could learn one of the other elements? And the Curse wouldn't come."

Behk'sah's laughter rolled across the night. Jeif'taku and Kiefa'shoo snickered as well, though tried to hide it. Rah'kana was silent and still. Tef'han, sitting near Leifa'den and Khefa'bey smirked, while the youngest two Ashanti shifted uncomfortably, glancing at each other and toward Rah'kana furtively. 

"Kha," Behk'sah said with a hissing chuckle. "Khat roke."

"Why isn't it simple?" Darag asked. His eyes were veiled with held back anger as he glared at Behk'sah. Ria had never seen Darag other than peaceful. She swallowed and shifted closer to Niri. On her other side, Ty's quiet presence took on a hostile note. He clenched a fist, the muscles of his forearm tightening visibly. 

Jeif'taku gestured toward Darag. "Bal Darag fetyi feitah."

Behk'sah snorted. Niri waited for Darag's translation. 

"He says he thinks I could learn." 

Niri gave a cool smile. "I don't see what is so difficult about it. I've already summoned air. It is how I managed to swim out of the Temple."

Niri's statement brought silence. Ty chuckled. Rah'kana gaze settled on Niri as if reconsidering her potential.

"Whaf selfah ketkah teyl fetyi," Jeif'shoo said to Behk'sah with a laugh.