The terrible weight of his assent clubs the light out of her eyes. Kikka cannot fathom what she’s done to deserve this— is it some cruel joke by the gods? Trell would never intentionally upset her. If he had known this would be such a venture, surely he would have suggested, no, insisted they cross the ocean and explore this second island together. She focuses her mournful gaze on the pale stallion as he continues speaking over the gentle babbling of the brook behind her. She feels the water is laughing at her and pins her ears against it.
His suggestion of a guide, she perceives, is meant to be helpful. But who could she ask to take her? Kikka glances around, then feels suddenly very stupid. Her eyes swing back to Zevu, and the hope that sparks there is much more guarded. "You," she says slowly. "I presume you have grown up here?" And then, for her heart carries her words ahead of her brain, as usual, her voice spills out of her: "Will you take me around, and through, and show me this island and its territories?"
A week seems much too long, but it is better than two weeks, or a month. And, if the weather is expected to turn— there’s no reason why she can’t leave off her exploration and return to her brother with the excuse that she didn’t want to get caught by the inclement weather and leave him wondering what had become of her. Or, worse, to have him come searching for her and be assaulted by some storm or another. The thought of Trell wandering alone and in danger while seeking her twists Kikka’s heart. "Please, Zevu," she asks. "I’ve nothing to offer you in return, but should you have need of anything, this would be a favor I return in full to the best of my abilities, were you to ask." Her voice is urgent, but sincere. She would do much to help this stallion, should he fulfill her request. |