Azaria Read Free

at her penetratingly, expecting more. "Azerban had the best look at them," Izyl added, hoping to divert away that piercing gaze, forgetting to use her elder's proper title in her haste.
    Fahim turned and addressed Azerban directly, but with a gentler tone, "What did you see?"
    "Only that there were three," he replied, sure she'd see through his deception.
    "Who were they? Did you see their clothing? How old were they?" Fahim questioned him more forcefully.
    "I didn't see them, they were gone too quickly."
    Fahim's growing annoyance was visible. She'd never been particularly skilled at masking it. "Surely you saw more than that," she demanded. "Did you not see any details of their garments? How is it you cannot even tell us their ages? Were they fully grown or immature?"
    "Not by choice, Ta'araki. But they must have been younger," Azerban said. He was flustered internally, but would not allow his nerves to betray him. He kept his tone mild and his hand steady. "They followed the wind and were under cover before I could make out any details."
    Fahim glared at him for a long while, clearly skeptical, but finally ended the questioning. "If they were Kebar we can expect reprisal attacks. If there is nothing else you will tell us, it is unfortunate." He winced at her choice of words. "Azerban," she directed. "Take one with you and follow their tracks. I want to know who these spies were."
    "Yes, Ta'araki," he answered. "Hadir, come with me," Azerban instructed his acolyte. Happy to be rid of Fahim's penetrating glare, he jogged off into the cedar grove, Hadir struggling to keep up with him.
    Azerban followed the fresh footprints into the woods, and after a short while knelt down to inspect them more closely. But he'd already seen enough. He was only delaying, calculating how to handle his acolyte. The tracks were easy to follow. The three children had been careless in their haste. A small part of him was disappointed. They'd been taught better than this, to run without leaving a trail. But then again, he could hardly blame them. They were likely scared witless.
    "So it looks like you were correct, Ta'araki," Hadir said upon catching up to him. He was still a young man counting twenty winters behind him. Azerban liked him, was proud in his decision to make him his acolyte. Although he wasn't known for his bravery - he could hardly throw a spear - he did possess other qualities Azerban admired. He was hardworking, loyal and dedicated to his pursuits. And where he lacked in physical prowess, he made up for in mental capacity. To his great frustration, Hadir had never been one to attract the eye of the females. He was tall enough, but on the portly side, with no clear muscle definition and a rounded face. Azerban was sure he'd see better suns though. ‘ As he rises through the ranks of the Ta'araki, the young women will surely take notice of him ,’ he'd told his mate more than once. ‘ Or at least their fathers will ,’ his mate had always answered.
    "There were definitely three of them," Hadir went on. "It looks like a young woman and two young men. I'd say twelve winters, maybe thirteen. They all appear to be of fit build, and very fast, especially the girl and one of the boys. Exceptionally fast, I'd say. Ta'araki, come to think of it, this looks like it's-"
    "I know who they are, Hadir," Azerban cut him off. He'd humored the boy for long enough, letting him show off in front of his superior. But his acolyte wasn't known for his tracking skills either. "The girl is my daughter and is fourteen winters. Dogahn was no doubt with her. The other boy was probably Tiriz. The three go off hunting and exploring together more and more lately."
    "Ahhhh..." Hadir answered, wise enough to know he'd been put in his place. He regretted his fervor in trying to impress his elder. It wasn't the first instance he'd let that particular desire get the better of him. It’d been his downfall his entire life, trying to overcome his shortcomings by