Doublesight by Terry Persun Page B

visitor.”
    “Go on.”
    “Your clan is not as tight as you might think. I am afraid that someone tried to use me, thinking that my anger would be easilysparked into the flames of hatred. Thylacines are predators, but so are crows.” He stopped.
    “This is a warning, then?”
    “More than a warning. You are not the only one in danger.”
    “Oro?”
    “It appears that your captain does not trust you or Oronice. He suggested I dispose of you.” Again, Brok stopped speaking.
    Zimp quieted and checked in with her own emotions. So much happened during the day that she wasn't sure what she felt. “If you mean Arren, he's loyal to the clan. He may not believe that I am the right person to lead, but he wouldn't harm me, either.”
    “He may not, but who might he solicit? When might he choose not to protect you? He is a man who does not do his own dirty work. Such men are the most dangerous.”
    “Why should I believe you? You haven't liked me from the beginning. I can see how you look at me.”
    “It is treachery like this that killed my family. Perhaps once the doublesight fought amongst themselves, but my father has always said that those days were ended, that the doublesight would be wiped out if they did not protect one another.”
    “I see.” Zimp reached out and touched his hand. She sensed calm in him. Either he hid his hatred or he had none in him at that time. “I will admit feeling uneasy around you and your family. The power you have within you frightens me. But I can tell that you mean me no harm.”
    “We are taught how to hold our aggression so that we may spring it upon our prey.”
    “Then I am thankful that I am not your prey,” she said.
    “You would not know until it was too late,” Brok said.
    “Another warning?”
    “Arren may be right about your inability to lead, but it is not for him to decide, nor is it for me to decide. I have heard great things about The Gem of the Forest and I believe my father would have given his life to protect her. I am offering the same.”
    “You are an honorable young man,” Oro said from outside the rear of the wagon.
    “Grandmother? You were listening?”
    “I noticed young Brok was off on his own and became suspicious, I am afraid. I felt no deep fear, but I am old and don't always trust myself any more. The other realms have their own needs, their own battles, and the voices I hear do not always want what is best for this world. Remember, my dear, we can be tricked as easily by other worlds as we can by this one.”
    Zimp felt the weight of responsibility being shifted from Oro's shoulders to her own. “If you can't rely on your senses, how can I ever learn to do it?”
    “Your sense of the other realm delivers only half of any decision. You must draw the other half from your own beliefs.”
    Brok pulled his hand from Zimp's touch and addressed Oro. “I am sorry you had to hear this,” he said. “You need not worry about it.” Brok let his head drop into a respectful bow.
    Zimp tried to make literal sense of what was happening. A natural enemy, a thylacine, and one who admittedly disliked her, just announced his loyalty and protective services, while a fellow clan member became exposed as her enemy.
    “Help me into the wagon,” Oro said.
    Brok quickly crawled over and extended a hand.
    Zimp, still dressed for the ceremony she had skipped, pushed the blanket from her lap and sat with her legs next to Brok's.
    With Oro in the wagon and seated on her cot, Brok bowed once again to both of them, stepped out the back and onto the ground. “I should check on my brother and sister,” he said.
    “If there is a way I can thank you…” Zimp said.
    “I will let you know,” Brok said.
    Zimp felt another obligation settle on her shoulders.
    Oro settled back on her cot. “You have made a mistake not taking part in the Ceremony of the Dead. Your clan must know that tradition is as important to you as it is to them if they are to trust your leadership.