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A Legend of the Before People, of Elahu, the Chosen of Atelani

Elahu was at a loss. His hope of finding refuge in Taouaru Village was rapidly fading and apart from the girl he had discovered in Kelani, there were none alive to warn of the Twins’ evil. The forest was desolate and he was alone, bereft of home, kin, and clan.

No, not alone. The girl, Ala, traveled with him. Elahu considered her as she slept peacefully nearby. She too had lost all and now she followed him. It was a strange thing. They knew nothing of each other and simply by being here together, they were violating all the rules of social decorum. It was not quite tabu to tarry with a stranger girl in the forest, but both of their families would strongly disapprove.

Families? They had no families. When Elahu had called Ala his little sister, it came from a place within him that was beyond gallantry. He missed his own sisters dearly and he bitterly regretted his inability to help them when Keoro Village had fallen. In all likelihood they were dead; Elahu had been a slave under the Twins and he knew from experience how freely they spent the lives of their captives.

Ala’s people would fare no better, indeed, Elahu had seen with his own eyes that some of them had not. At least he had been spared the task of trying to bury any of his own relations. The buck marveled at the girl’s courage; she must have loved her grandmother greatly.

Elahu turned his gaze toward Ala again. Her side rose and fell rhythmically as the silvery moonlight played over her quiet form. The soft chuckling of water over stone and the balmy night air made for a pleasant scene indeed.

For a moment, Elahu let himself imagine that he was at home, in his own village and free from care. And why not? All of the ingredients were here, albeit in scant quantities. Could there be such a thing as a village of two? For now, certainly.

Description

A Legend of the Before People, of Elahu, the Chosen of Atelani

Elahu was at a loss. His hope of finding refuge in Taouaru Village was rapidly fading and apart from the girl he had discovered in Kelani, there were none alive to warn of the Twins’ evil. The forest was desolate and he was alone, bereft of home, kin, and clan.

No, not alone. The girl, Ala, traveled with him. Elahu considered her as she slept peacefully nearby. She too had lost all and now she followed him. It was a strange thing. They knew nothing of each other and simply by being here together, they were violating all the rules of social decorum. It was not quite tabu to tarry with a stranger girl in the forest, but both of their families would strongly disapprove.

Families? They had no families. When Elahu had called Ala his little sister, it came from a place within him that was beyond gallantry. He missed his own sisters dearly and he bitterly regretted his inability to help them when Keoro Village had fallen. In all likelihood they were dead; Elahu had been a slave under the Twins and he knew from experience how freely they spent the lives of their captives.

Ala’s people would fare no better, indeed, Elahu had seen with his own eyes that some of them had not. At least he had been spared the task of trying to bury any of his own relations. The buck marveled at the girl’s courage; she must have loved her grandmother greatly.

Elahu turned his gaze toward Ala again. Her side rose and fell rhythmically as the silvery moonlight played over her quiet form. The soft chuckling of water over stone and the balmy night air made for a pleasant scene indeed.

For a moment, Elahu let himself imagine that he was at home, in his own village and free from care. And why not? All of the ingredients were here, albeit in scant quantities. Could there be such a thing as a village of two? For now, certainly.