Lanam asked him why. He said something like ’because you’ve been such a good sister and made our lives so happy, a kind guardian spirit watches over us now… she’s brought food for us’. Kes was immediately touched by the thoughtful words, though she did have a hard time with what he meant by ’guardian spirit’, if those were even the words he used. She knew he was referring to her though, she could tell that much.

”Zaraya Kes.” Anara echoed gently, touching her daughter’s hair fondly in a comforting way. Zaraya was the same word Tresit had used that Kes had thought meant ’guardian spirit’. The way Anara had used the word though, Kes was even more sure she didn’t understand what the word meant that well at all. Silently, Kes wished that she could understand their language more.

An hour later, Tresit, who was still mostly quiet, had taken his sister, who was happy and liked to talk about anything, outside to play a game. Kes had watched them for a few minutes. It apparently involved one laying stones out on the ground and then the other would guess what it was supposed to be. Tresit, Kes could tell, was completely committed to his sister. He was, Kes was pleased to find, patient and exceedingly kind with her.

Inside the home however, Anara went over to the cot they’d shared before. She was wearing a sleeveless shirt of dull white fabric now. She looked beautiful and exotic to Kes’s eyes and she had to keep reminding herself not to stare at Anara’s body. Anara asked her then to please sit with her on the cot.

Kes did, sitting facing her, crossing her legs in front of her and regarding Anara with interest. Anara moved forwards and touched her face. She said that her people have not believed in guardian spirits (or whatever she meant) since long ago, but that she was… very grateful to her. She said that without what she had done, and done by putting herself in danger, she and her children would have died. Then she asked what Kes’s plans were, what she was going to do now?

-I’ll stay with you.- She told her softly, and she could see the relief on Anara’s face as she told her that. -If you want me to, I will – at least until I’m not needed anymore. Then, um, well, I was going to go home, after…- She hesitated and shook her head, smiling a little. -It’s not important. Besides, you’re good company.- She told her honestly.