Eden, Dawn Page 42

  ***

  I took my time and explained everything. Just about.

  How Ruzzell assumed charge of the clan; how he struck Gellica, pounded on me and assaulted Judd … twice. The wink I saw Dylain give him. Ruzzell’s recruiting … and then finally, what happened in the hole. I struggled with this part, wondering just how much he would disapprove of my actions. And I told him the things that Shumbalic had shared with me: about Xakanic’s extermination plans, and about Dylain’s treachery. I didn’t tell him everything, however … I didn’t mention the favour I asked Shumbalic, or my plan to now introduce him to the Zikalic Chief. Having talked myself out, I couldn’t find the words to explain this part of my hair-brained behaviour.

  Scott was patient beyond words. His expression, illuminated by the purple glow, didn’t change at any point, even when I told him that I had saved one of them, and helped her escape. A long, uncomfortable silence engulfed us after my words faded into the darkness.

  “Please say something, Scott,” I broke the throbbing silence, my voice trembling.

  “My son,” his voice was serene yet unreadable, “give me a moment to take it all in.”

  “Okay,” I dug deeper, “but there’s more.”

  “Yes,” a small smile played on his lips, “you still have to explain how you got me here, wherever here is.”

  “Now … or do you want a minute?” I was second-guessing myself.

  “Tell me.”

  “Well,” I breathed deeply, the muscles in my neck aching with tension, “we’re only about fifty strides from your camp. I came up from my camp…”

  “Alone?” His inflexion remained even. “Through the dark hours?”

  “No, not alone. I…” I grasped for words. “I-I had help. The female I rescued, Shumbalic…?”

  “Yes?”

  My head spun, and my chest clamped taut. “I asked her if she and her father, a Chief among her people, would come and fetch me, so they could meet you … and you know, explain what she told me.”

  “And they are here? Close by?”

  “Yes … um, no. He is,” I stammered dizzily. “She’s not. Shumbalic was too weak to come, but her father did.”

  “And her father, a Chief of our mortal enemies, is here? Close by?”

  “Yes.” The word popped out of my mouth, wooden and flat.

  “You brought one of our enemies into my camp?”

  “Well ... yes.” The idea was sounding more foolish with every passing second. “Oh, gag. Have I made a terrible mistake?” I faltered, and my world whipped into a whorl like a frail, autumn leaf sucked up into a whirlwind.