Page 11 of The Hummingbird’s Gift

Chapter 4

Rohahen

Rohahen followed the narrow path to the heart-singers’ home. It was nestled back in the woods, away from the bustle of the central plaza. Before he even reached the door, a warm calm settled over him. He watched the bees buzzing lazily over the lavender, chamomile, and clover that lined the path.

This tranquility was exactly what he needed after such a tumultuous morning.

A moment later, the quiet hum was interrupted by a tremendous crash, accompanied by a surprised yowl and an affronted huff. He followed the sound around the cabin and found May with her tail raised, hissing at a pile of previously stacked firewood. Even with her hair standing on end, she was still hardly larger than a loaf of bread.

He bit back a chuckle. Actually, this was exactly what he needed today.

On top of the jumble of wood sat an indignant bear cub who could only be Nina. He watched her try to pick her way out without upsetting any more of the wood, her childish focus clear on her innocent, furry face. It was the type of thing that would be hilarious once he wasn’t worried that she might break a bone.

“Can I help you?” he asked, keeping his voice calm to avoid startling her.

She huffed at him, her expression clearly stating that she could handle this herself.

He didn’t want to let her do it alone, but he also wasn’t going to pick up a child he’d never met while she was recovering from unknown trauma. “At least let me stabilize the wood,” he compromised. He stepped up to the edge of the unsteady mess, wedging his boots up against the nearest pieces.

She took one hesitant step with her front paw, her thick, black fur gleaming in the sunlight. The wood held. Looking carefully between her legs, she lifted one back foot. On the third step, something resettled and Rohahen held out his hands, but she recovered. That was one of the benefits of having four legs.

She poked her pale brown snout forward a bit more cautiously this time, then bunched up her whole tiny, black body. She leaped off the pile in an awkward scramble. It resettled behind her with another crash.

As soon as Nina was free, another small bundle hurled itself at his knees.

“Uncle Ro! You came to get me! Can we show Nina the creek?”

Rohahen considered. It seemed like one place was as good as another for conducting an interview, and Nina and May both needed to play and move. “I’ll have to ask,” he said, knowing better than to promise anything. “You have to get dressed first,” he added automatically.

As soon as he said it, it left him feeling uneasy. When the kidnappers had come for the two of them in the woods, May had shifted fast, but she’d gotten tangled in her dress and lost valuable time to flee. Watching May hiss and struggle in her kitten form while Rohahen’s arms grew heavy and his vision went dark from whatever they’d shot him with had been the single most horrific moment of his life.

May pouted, and he swung her up into his arms despite her nudity, holding her close and scenting the kitten-baby smell of her hair. And peanut butter. That must have been what she had for lunch. She clung to him just as tightly.

His throat warmed as he sent his thoughts of love and safety and happiness with her. If he were a heart-singer, those feelings would wash through her body, helping her feel complete and whole. As a strength-sharer, he wasn’t even sure that the message would be transmitted.

“How are you doing, Maisy Daisy?” he finally asked.

“Me and Nina were just playing. We didn’t know it would fall.”

That hadn’t been what he was asking about, but if she was more worried about getting in trouble for knocking over some logs than her traumatic ordeal, he wasn’t going to bring it up.

Just then, Achak, who lived in and ran the heart-singers’ home, appeared around the corner. While many people saw their gifts as extra abilities to be used when the need arose, there were some who made a vocation of practicing them. Achak used hers to heal souls, which was why May had been living with her since she was removed from her abusive home a couple years ago.

Achak’s wrinkled face was lined with concern as she squinted in his direction, and she moved slowly over the uneven ground. She had been a respected elder for many more years than Rohahen had been alive. Now he wondered how many years remained in her journey.

“Is everyone alright?” Her voice was soft and thin.

“The kids knocked over the wood pile, but we’ll clean it up. I know they’re both big and strong.”

May puffed up proudly. “I’m so strong.” She made a muscle with her chubby four-year-old arm.

“And then,” Rohahen continued, “I was going to take them down to the creek, if you don’t have anything planned. The Chief wanted me to show Nina around.” He carefully avoided saying that he was going to interview her, knowing that Achak would understand.

“Please,” she made a shooing motion. “Get those two rascals out of here. They have too much energy to be inside.”

He set May on the ground. “Go put on your dress and underwear. We’ll have a race. I’m going to clear off the rack while you get dressed and we’ll see who wins.”

May dashed off.