Warning: bulimic imagery
*
The day was long and tiresome as we help Anya and some of the other Trainers settle the refuges. Seeing as they were short on space, Malakei and I helped give out sleeping bags to some while others didn't mind taking the stables to sleep with the animals. To my surprise, the elves didn't mind. I found it strange as many-if not all-would have grown up with riches and luxury, to see them willingly and happily sleep with animals in an outside stable is beyond me. I wonder how shaken up these elves must have been.
Did they see Max? Was he already in the High Peaks?
After the sleeping bags went out, there were only the select few with nothing but the clothes on their back and a few belongings they were clinging too between their grasps. I crouched down beside a small blonde boy sucking his thumb. He looked no more than five. To see how this war was affecting children broke my heart and I began to peel off my jacket that had fleece lining on the inside.
He turned to look at me, taking his thumb from his mouth as he noticed me wrapping the coat over him. I was in the process of zipping it up when his small fingers touch the side of my neck. It didn't take a genius to know what he was pointing at.
"Quid est hoc?" 'What is it?'
"Malum hominem nocere mihi."
'A bad man hurt me.' I say stiffly as I adjust the coat on the small infants body. His eyes widen into saucers when I say this.
"Quare?" He questions why someone would do such a thing. His innocence makes me smile. Making me think back to when I was his age, when I was that innocent and not yet knowing how the world works.
"Amat victoria curam."
'Victory favours those who take pain.' I mutter as I fix his collar, contemplating the phrase commonly spoken by elves regarding many things. He suddenly chuckles at my words and I raise a brow at him while he shows me a toothless smile.
"Amantes sunt amentes." He sighs and my eyes blink in surprise as I stare at him. I was just about to speak when he is being pulled out from my grip by what I could only assume is his mother. She notices the jacket around her son and her eyes begin to water as she gushed her thanks to me. I nod at her, assuring her with a smile before explaining the situation regarding the lack of sleeping bags. The little boy swings out of his mother absentmindedly and she looks exhausted as she tries to figure out what to do.
"Madam?" I question and she turns to me, ears twitching as she brushes her hair back behind them.
"If you are not afraid of animals.." I begin unsure but smile at her hopeful look as she scoops up her son in her arms. I notice his eyes grow wide in nervous excitement as he watches Baja stroll up beside me before brushing against my leg. She was hungry, I didn't blame her, I was too. I knew I couldn't stop and rest until these people were looked after. I smile at the little boy and the mother who didn't seem at all put off by the panther.
"There might be a place for you both to sleep for a few nights until we can find a room."
—
"So I saw a little blonde boy running around with your jacket.."
Malakei trails off and I look up from my daze to see that he was smiling down at me with an unknown emotion in his eyes. Anya makes a noise of recognition from my other side as we walk.
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The Shadows ✔️ [TSS#3][BXB]
FantasyCOMPLETED Sequel to 'The Wet Divide' Book 3 of The Sector Series