Broken Promises (Keke, Malta)

“You broke your promise.” The voice, accusing, was familiar, but in a younger form. Malta turned, slowly, unsure if it really referred to her or not. “You broke your promise.” they said again. Malta found herself staring into a pair of lively emerald eyes, wide with youth and intense with determination. “You didn't come back.”

Kekeovonnai had recognized the big green khehora from his youth. Her markings – and eyes – were distinctive enough to remain in his memory, even as the natural processes of time and age wore down his childhood memories. Her, he remembered clearest of all. Few had ever broken a promise to him, even his treacherous sister, and she was the only one who had, in that way, betrayed him. He was beyond the point where it had nattered at his mind, he was beyond anger, frustration, rage, or worry. Now, when he saw her, he was just hurt.

“I didn't mean to.” Malta said. She noticed that he carried a comfortably wiggling burden on his back – one of the huge Ikri pups that had wandered the area in this recent season. She herself had encountered one with the khehora Criani and her student Honoka, both of whom had given her a generous invitation to their home in Serenia. Why he had one secured to him, Malta could only guess. She remembered her promise too, and she knew that she had – deliberately – avoided it. Not out of fear, of course, but out of sheer foolishness. “I simply...” she hesitated, and stopped herself. She would not lie. “No. I'm just very sorry.” She had errands to run before travelling to Serenia, but she knew she had to deal with this. Her conscience, long dormant, would not allow her to leave it again. She sat, looking warily at the young khehora. “How can I make it up to you?”

It was not an answer Keke had been expecting. What he had been expecting, he did not know, but it was not this capitulation. He sat, shifting his wings until the Ikri on his back was comfortable. “I...” he hesitated, “I don't know. You promised... stories, right? To tell me of the world?” He lowered his head. “It was so long ago.”

Malta nodded. “Something like that.” she said. “Well. What do you want to know?”

~~~

They talked for a while in the cold, Malta obligated to answer his questions, Keke obligated to ask. She began to tire, and his questions – of the past, anyway - were exhausted.

“So. What are you doing here.” he said finally, after a long pause.

“Oh. I was, well... I was collecting ingredients.” she said. In the course of the questioning, she had reminded him of her craft.

“And did you?” he asked, tilting his head with energetic curiousity, “Find any?”

“Not much.” she admitted sadly, “A few feathers and furs here and there, and pure snow-water, and a little pine resin. Nothing more.”

“Oh.” Kekeovonnai felt sympathetic disappointment. “Thats a shame.”

“Not really.” she said, shrugging with her wings, “I found what I needed to, I guess...” She neglected to mention her Magescian friends – he hadn't asked, and she didn't feel she had to tell him. They were probably off of the Ayran peaks by now, back in their Terra Expanse home.

“Oh...”

“And you?” she asked, “This is a long way from your tribe...” She had heard he'd run away, but Ayr was far to go, even for a journey of independence... then again, who was she to talk? She had crossed an ocean and a desert and a whole other foreign land. Still, that had been a return – the Terra expanse had been her original home. A journey it had been, but a very different one.

“Oh!” he said. He sat and nuzzled the Ikri pup, “I came to get a pet Ikri for my sister!” The pup whined at him from it's papoose-like restraints and he cooed to it, passing over some dried meat. “I got what I came for... though...” his green-eyed expression became regretful. “I'd hoped to see one of those massive birds... the Abral, I think! I heard they were up here, but I didn't even see a feather...”

Malta shivered. Yes. A bird that could carry off a kargoth with ease. “I think that is probably a good thing.” she said quietly, “It would likely have eaten you.”

“Nah.” said Keke dismissively, “I'd be fine! I'm good at observing from a distance, and that's all I'd want...” his eyes shone with a distant, eager light, “Though, if I could meet one face to face...”

“Probably best that you didn't.” said Malta abruptly.

He shrugged, “Maybe I'll come back here with my sister.” he said thoughtfully, “Then we could see it together! Oh what fun!” he giggled. Malta followed suit, a little worriedly. The young one seemed reckless and impulsive, and she knew he was probably going to find himself in danger, sooner if not later.

“Then you won't try to see it now?” she asked cautiously.

“Ooo? Are you offering?” he beamed at her for a moment before shaking his head. “Nah.” he said again, smiling, “It's late, and I need to get going with this little guy...” he jiggled the ikri on his back, “Otherwise he'll be very upset by the time we land in Soldul, and I want to make sure my sister makes the best of impressions on him!”

Good. she thought. “I need to go, too... Im staying here, with people.” she said.

“People?!” he perked up, “Magescians, or...”

“Khehora.” she clarified. “It was good to see you.”

“Yes! Thank you for answering my questions. I hope we meet again! I bet I'll have lots more for you!” he cooed.

Ah. Yes. The promise she had broken. “Wait.” she said. She fiddled in her pack and took out a vial of golden liquid. “Here.” she offered it to him, “An apology for before... I'm really sorry I forgot about you.”

“It's fine!” Keke said, taking the potion and turning it over in the snow, “What is it?”

“A... potion of pride. It makes one more brave and able to take down foes far greater than oneself... or so I'm told...” she laughed slightly, “I've had no need to use it... Maybe your sister will?”

Keke put it away. “Maybe Vazarri will.” he amended, turning to walk away. “Take care!” he called, as he took flight for Soldul.

Malta watched him go. “Take care.” she murmured...