Page 151 of Earthbound

‘The one born of a storm’s mist shall be your beloved. But when the waning moon turns, you will grant them their death.’

The prophecy tumbled out of her mouth, over and over again.

She had always thought that the waning moon was indicative of time and not the tribe itself. Malak’s coup had been her only clue.

For the first time, she lost all faith in her god.

Why, Bosome? Why do you punish me so?

All of a sudden Rayan’s chest went still, and Lettle braced herself for the piercing pain of his death. But then he shuddered in another breath.

He is not dead yet, she thought defiantly. It was the small spark she needed to feed the flames of her hope.

Lettle sat up. ‘Who is the best healer you know, Yeeran?’

Yeeran shook her head. ‘There’s no point, Lettle, they don’t have the time.’

‘Then answer faster, who is the best healer you know?’

‘Jay, but—’

‘We need to take Ajax to them.’ Lettle stood up, her face set with a fierceness that dared anyone to deny her.

Yeeran met her gaze, her eyes still filled with tears, but Lettle’s had begun to stop flowing, with the truth she now told herself: Rayan and Ajax will not die today.

Her sister nodded once. ‘Jay may be able to help, or at least ease their passing.’

Lettle chose to only hear the first part of Yeeran’s sentence.

Pila and Amnan moved out of the shadow of the tunnel.

‘The obeah will carry Ajax,’ Yeeran said.

The two obeah moved in unison, not like the soulless obeah, but like two animals dancing. They sidestepped and dipped their noses until they were level to the ground, then pranced forward to cradle Ajax between their horns. Then they walked with gentle steps, Ajax held aloft, his head tipped to the blue sky, his green eyes closed.

Lettle watched them disappear into the darkness of the tunnel to Mosima.

Will that be the last time I see Ajax alive?

She quashed the thought and turned back to Rayan.

Yeeran and Alder already had him in their arms. He had fallen unconscious, his body a dead weight. Lettle lent what strength she could as she took hold of Rayan’s shoulders and head.

She looked down at his peaceful face and noticed he’d grown gaunt in their time apart.

‘When you’re well again, I’m going to cook you all your favourite meals,’ she promised. Then she laughed and shook her head sadly. ‘Not that they would be edible.’

Yeeran watched Lettle with pity.

Lettle knew she was deluded, but what else could she do?

She patted Rayan’s cheek fondly, her tears drying on her cheeks. ‘You’ll be OK,’ she said. ‘All will be well.’

‘Oh Lettle,’ she heard Alder say. His voice hitched as though he too had started to cry, but Lettle refused to look at him.

Yeeran let out a laboured sigh and then they set off after the obeah.

Just as they were about to cross into the fae’s territory, Yeeran’s gaze flickered to the right, then to Lettle and back again.