Gaffriel 88

Revik knew a lot more about Niala than I reckoned he wanted to say. He knew she liked her food raw, spoke her language, and knew more about us than I had thought possible. He hadn’t abandoned us at all; he just wasn’t one of us anymore. The freewheeling wildling spirit had died in his green-gold eyes.

“What was your game plan so far?” Revik turned his attention to me without warning.

“Take the rough light to other locations, mark with ault, and see if we can get contact with Kiromir and keep away from the Sentinels.” Of course, it was a little more complex than that, but that summed it up nicely. I no longer had to worry about getting Niala to a healer. She seemed to be perking up nicely, but I kept my distance, all the same. Every time she looked over at me, her cheeks went up in a fresh flush of crimson.

“There’s only two of you. How were you planning on taking the rough light?” Revik smirked like he’d caught our plan lacking.

Niala’s face went bright, and she grinned. “Gaff figured out how to do it with just one of us.”

I averted my eyes and stared at the floor. I didn’t like people bragging about me. I didn’t know what to do with praise.

“You figured out coarselight all on your own, then?” Revik looked a little impressed.

“Coarselight?” I’d never heard that word before.

“It’s what the other tribes use. They have more magic, so they change it.”

“It’s because of the language Niala speaks; that’s what I figured out. Once you learn enough of it, rough light stops working for you. I had to work around it, and I was just starting to figure it out a bit when we got caught.” I sighed miserably.

“I didn’t think about how you two were able to escape like that. Huh.” Revik shrugged and stretched.

He wasn’t much of a cook, but Niala tore at her food eagerly. We hadn’t been able to eat quite enough for her, but I was starving, too. Revik had a plate of stuff for me, just simple microwave and hotplate fare. I hoped he could forgive my table manners, but judging by how Niala curled up to herself, chewing on half a steak, barehanded… I think Revik might let me pass. He didn’t seem phased by her.

Revik pulled a phone out and thumb-scrolled through maps. “Once you’re all fed up we’ll hit the Sentinels and see if we can find any information.”

“What about the Horizons or Grells?” I wiped my hand down my pants leg and rubbed at the back of my neck. Again, anxiety rose up within me.

“Start at the source. I was on my way to the Sentinels anyway. I’d avoid the Horizons and the Grells. They’re the cause of these problems, and when I finally find Rolyn… I’ll give them a reason to banish me once more.” Revik’s eyes glowed bright green for a moment and faded. He hadn’t touched his food but took a few bites before shoving it in the fridge hastily.

“Let’s just get this over with.” Revik steeled himself.