No Shelter But the Stars by Virginia Black

Author:Virginia Black
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bywater Books
Published: 2024-01-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Kyran huffs in frustration and opens her eyes.

“I don’t feel any different.” She sits cross-legged on the wing of the ship with her hands resting on her knees.

Davia sifts through collected crash debris and salvaged materials from the cargo bay.

“Sometimes you won’t.” She evaluates a hunk of metal from the pile, and then tosses it aside.

“So what do I do now?” Kyran would rather focus on Davia, who looks fresh and clean after their morning swim. The journey had taken some time. Davia wanted to attempt longer distances, and Kyran had suggested the lake.

Davia’s hair is curly and wild today, with long waves hanging down her back. When she moves, the sunlight dances in the tendrils—much more entertaining to Kyran than closing her eyes and breathing.

“I’ve been doing this for hours.”

“No complaints.” Davia remains focused on her task. “Try again.”

“If this is meditation, shouldn’t I visualize something? What am I waiting for?”

She hates waiting, and this art of Davia’s demands a lot of sitting still. Yet the peace Davia radiates is enticing, and the purpose she offers is compelling. Kyran wants those things for herself.

“You practice Venu Pakrim,” Davia says. “Breathe in through your nose and out your mouth. Feel the air move through you.”

“For how long?”

“As long as you need to.”

Kyran wonders if Davia is being deliberately unhelpful. “How do I know when I’m done?”

“You will know.”

Kyran twists her body, peering in Davia’s direction. “Is this some sort of torture?”

Davia offers a brief glare, then returns to her sifting.

“What are you looking for?” Kyran asks.

“Never mind me. Focus on your breathing.”

Another huff bursts from Kyran. She shifts back into position and closes her eyes.

• • •

Davia adds short-range walks to her daily routine, determined to use her leg as much as she can. Kyran escorts her out of caution. What if Davia falls into another pit and Kyran isn’t there to help?

She hovers so much Davia teaches her a form of wordless communication—arm motions and hand gestures providing tactical information without speech. To practice, Kyran must move beyond conversational range.

Months ago, she couldn’t stand being so close to a Sifani. Now, she can’t bear to be apart from her.

This morning, they walk toward the east. Half an hour later, a pod of shelled creatures crosses their path.

Kyran climbs a bluff for a better view and returns to Davia’s side.

“I’ve got an idea. You may not like it.”

Ten minutes later, Davia is crouched on her good leg in the scree of the ravine. She glances over her shoulder at Kyran.

Kyran nestles in a small space in the rock wall for cover, poised with a spear at the ready.

Seven or eight of the shellers—Kyran’s estimation unless more are hidden—make their way toward Davia. The one in the lead is the length of Kyran’s arm. More motivated than the others, it scurries closer to Davia’s position.

“May I remind you I have only my blade with me?” Davia’s calm voice doesn’t quaver.

Kyran ignores her and focuses on her quarry.

Fist-sized rocks are the only obstacle between the creatures and Davia.

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