Aldana crumpled to the earth, her knees striking the ground with a dull thud as she clutched the lifeless form of the dead Sylvarith girl. She wailed. She kicked. She broke down.
Aldrich stood frozen, his mind crumpling as he watched his inconsolable friend. He never had imagined the fierce Sylvarith could own such a fragile heart. Yet there she was, vulnerable as she shattered.
He'd come to understand when they returned, the dead Sylvarith girl was Boni Hakta Luso, third daughter of King Hami Hakta Kuso of the neighboring Hakta tribe.
Boni and Aldana had been inseparable since childhood. Like sisters, they loved each other. They never cared for the distance between their villages, they always made time for each other.
As usual, Boni planned to see Aldana. She had travelled a long distance, but she and her entourage had fallen into a human ambush.
Aldrich sighed, his chest tight as he watched Aldana weep like a lost child, her cries a knife to his gut.
Karlak approached them, he and Alan, his cold gaze even more icy. "Come. King. Call. You," he spoke, barely coherent.
The two humans exchanged a glance before following him into the towering tree house. The chamber was large, its interior magnificent. Its walls were carved from brown wood and draped with vines.
King Jenoka sat upon a throne of gnarled timber and creeping greenery. His massive frame resembled a monolith of authority as he fixed his piercing stare on them.
"King Jenoka—" Aldrich began, but the king's voice cut through, silencing him.
"You have to leave, the two of you." The words landed like a hammer blow.
Alan stepped forward, his tone earnest. "King Jenoka, I hope you understand we had no part in this. Those men may be of our race, but they're not us."
"I know," Jenoka replied, his voice a low rumble, tinged with weariness.
"Oh—" Alan clicked his tongue.
"I'm asking you to leave for your own protection," Jenoka rose, his shadow stretching across the chamber. "A message has been sent to King Hami. He'll arrive by tomorrow. I cannot guarantee your safety from his wrath. Hence, my decision."
"Perhaps he'll see our innocence," Aldrich spoke this time.
"He will not," Jenoka countered, turning to the window behind his throne, his gaze lost. "Humans defiled and killed his daughter. He'll seek revenge."
"But we killed them all," Aldrich insisted, his voice firm. "Karlak, the others, and me. We made sure they paid with their lives."
"You do not understand. To him, all of you will look the same, guilty or not." Jenoka scoffed, his tone heavy. "Aldrich Alderman, war is coming. I urge you to run. Run as far from it as you can."
Aldrich's sigh carried the weight of realization. King Hami's vengeance would spare no human.
"Thank you, King Jenoka, for your hospitality," he said, bowing alongside Alan.
"The two of you have my thanks. I'll not forget," Jenoka replied, his voice softening with gratitude. With a final nod, the two retreated to their quarters.
*****************************
Dawn came quickly. King Jenoka stood waiting at the gate. Karlak stood by his side, as quiet as a shadow.
"Your majesty," Aldrich and Alan offered a respectful bow.
"My friends," King Jenoka rumbled, his massive hands settling warmly on their shoulders. He turned to Karlak, issuing a command in their native tongue. "Bring the items."
Karlak stepped forward, presenting a package swathed in rough brown cloth. With a deep bow, he handed it to the king, who unwrapped it with deliberate care. Inside laid a sword, its slim blade in a sheath made from wooden strips.
Aldrich unsheathed it, revealing a red blade. He traced his finger across it, marvelling at its beauty. The sword was so sharp it sent a shiver down his spine. It reminded him of a katana, although it looked quite different. Its edge was jagged, and its wooden hilt had no guard.
"The Skitterling king's carapace makes a fine blade. It is unfortunate I had hastened its crafting," King Jenoka said, a soft smile creasing his face.
"Thank you, your majesty. It is as sharp as it is beautiful," Aldrich replied, a grin breaking through his awe as he placed the sword back in its sheath.
"What about me?" Alan chimed in, a playful pout tugging at his lips, prompting Aldrich to roll his eyes.
King Jenoka's laughter boomed, a sound that shook the morning air. He quickly produced a second item, a folded sheet of thin brown cloth, and handed it to Alan.
"You can hold on to this," he said with a wink. Alan unfolded it, revealing an intricately inked map, its details meticulously worded in Manora.
Alan's eyes widened, and Aldrich leaned in, both stunned by the treasure before them.
"Does this map every corner of Mako?" Aldrich asked, his voice laced with wonder.
"Of course," Jenoka laughed heartily. "However, I cannot take credit. Your people made it when they first got here."
"Thank you, King Jenoka, for all of this," Aldrich said, bowing deeply, with Alan mirroring the gesture. Two Kuna mounts stood ready, their twin tails flicking as the two mounted them.
"She's not coming to say goodbye, is she?" Aldrich asked, glancing at the king.
Jenoka sighed, his gaze softening. "She's locked herself in her chambers, lost to her grief."
Aldrich nodded, understanding the weight of her loss. He turned to Karlak, surprised to receive a slight, solemn nod from the stoic warrior, of which he returned.
"Go now, Aldrich and Alan," Jenoka said, his smile bittersweet. "I hope the next time we meet, it will not be with our blades."
"I'd never wish to cross swords with you, sir," Aldrich laughed, a lightness in his tone. "Goodbye, King Jenoka Masa Kuta. Please bid Aldana farewell on my behalf. I have found a friend in her," he added, his smile genuine.
Jenoka's laughter rang out once more as he waved them off, the gate closing behind them as they spurred their mounts ahead.