Chapter 8

Ree-mee holds onto me as we descend deeper into the pyramid, and I feel a rush of pride. She trusts me to keep her safe, to make sure nothing bad happens to her.

How does this small human make me feel so many things?

Now that I've seen the room upstairs, I want to know what else lies down here. And the T-intersection gave me hope that perhaps we could throw the hunters off our trail once they reach the pyramid. Maybe we can lose them in here.

I make sure to build a mental map as we go. First there was the three-way stop, and then the big room with the sunlight and the strange writing. Then we took a right, and now we're headed down again. I have to be careful, and make sure that we turn around in time to get back to the top before the torch burns down.

In the meantime, I hope we can find somewhere dark to hide down here where the hunters won't find us.

We reach another intersection, this time a path branching off of the main one. I decide to continue straight, and Ree-mee follows dutifully behind me, trusting me to lead us. I don't know exactly where we're going, but I get the sense these hallways are designed to be confusing, as if this pyramid is hiding something precious, something that outsiders aren't meant to find. I keep my map in my head, looking for patterns, and hoping our trail is twisting enough our pursuers will have a hard time following it.

Soon we stumble into another room with sunlight coming in, but even less can make it this far through the moss and vines growing inside the channels. This encourages me. I think these sunlit rooms are a sign that we're going the right way.

When I study the writing again, something inside me responds to it. I feel the overwhelming need to go down. I turn around to see if perhaps Ree-mee said something, but she's looking up at me with her big grey eyes, waiting for me to decide what we do next.

Maybe it was just my intuition. Though consciously this all feels like a bad idea, I know to listen to my gut—it's gotten me out of a lot of tight spots before—so we continue on, even though the torch is getting lower. Could we really feel our way back if it ran out?

And then...

There's light, but it's a different kind of light. Up ahead, a purplish glow fills the tunnel. Ree-mee stops behind me, pulling on my shirt. She points at the light and shakes her head, her eyebrows drawn with concern at this new development. It is an eerie color, and certainly not natural.

But some light can't possibly hurt us. Besides, she doesn't need to be afraid while she's with me. I hold out my hand to her, palm up, and look at her small face. I take in her tiny nose, the way Kugara's tunic hangs loose off her wee body, then I give an encouraging smile. When her five-fingered hand falls into mine, I squeeze it tight.

"I won't let anything happen to you," I tell her in my quietest, softest voice. She stares into my eyes for a long time, giving me that same look she did the first time I saw her inside the cage, where it felt like she was seeing right into my soul.

I never realized how much I wanted someone to see me until this moment, now that she does.

As I turn back toward the light and start walking, Ree-mee follows me, her hand still tucked inside mine. The light grows brighter, until we reach a set of stairs leading down to the bottom.

Only a few steps in, I get a glimpse of what lies ahead of us.

It's a vast, sprawling stone room, and we're standing high up above it. Our path extends down and diverges, both sides continuing along the wall of the vaulted space to another set of stairs. At the bottom lies an immense, strangely-shaped rock, covered in glowing strands—which are emanating the purple light that drew us down here. It casts everything in a strange, bright glow, illuminating the mostly empty floor.

I decide to head to the right this time, and Ree-mee follows me. I extinguish the torch because the purple light is bright enough to see by, and then we can use it to leave again later. We make our way around the edge of the room to the next set of stairs and descend, drawing closer and closer to the stone. There are designs carved into the walls all around us, and again, they feel deeply familiar to me, though I can't make out their meaning. Some look like troll heads, others like human ones. There are hands meeting in the center on both sides of the room, almost like they're embracing the stone.

Ree-mee runs her hands along the carvings as we pass by them, and I wonder if she's feeling what I'm feeling—like we've stumbled across something strange and otherworldly, just like her.

As we near the bottom, I can finally make out where the light is coming from: worms.

There are glowing worms spread all across the surface of the stone, burrowing into it and emerging again in other places. When we get close, the light is almost blinding in the darkness.

Ree-mee surges ahead of me, running right up to the rock. I reach out to stop her, because we don't know what these worms are yet or what they do, but she already has one in her hand, squirming and wriggling. She has a bright, white smile on her face and she gestures at the worm with enthusiasm.

"Yes, I see it," I say placatingly. It creeps me out, and I don't like her touching it. I urge her to put the worm back, but she thinks I want to hold it, so she reaches out and presses it into my hand. My fingers wrap around hers, the worm tucked between them. She says something hurriedly in her language, but I can't make sense of it.

I wish I could understand you, I think, looking down into her small features. Even for just a moment. How much could I learn, how many mysteries could I solve, if I could talk to her?

What a strange thing, I hear a voice say as Ree-mee stares down at the worm, trying to get me to take it from her. What is it?

I must be imagining it. It almost sounds like... her.

It's gross, is what it is, I think.

Ree-mee's eyes jump to mine. Her brow furrows and she tilts her head. Lo'zar?

It's surely her voice. I know how it sounds by now, because every time she's used it, I've committed it to memory.

Ree-mee? I think. Is that you?

Her eyes widen. I can hear you.

In our hands, the worm has stopped wriggling. We both look down and find its little purple body has shriveled, and the bright glow inside is fading. In my surprise I let my fingers fall open, and the worm drops to the ground.

Oh no!Ree-mee reaches for it. Shit. Is it dying?

It's her. It's definitely her. And I can understand what she's saying.

But I think the worm is already dead. I squint, guiding my thoughts to the words I want to say. It's gone, Ree-mee, I tell her as she stoops down to pick it up. The glow winks out, and all that's left is a shrunken body.

She drops it to the floor again in disgust, but then stares up at me, and her eyes are huge with wonder. That really is you. Her voice is awed. And you can understand what I'm saying. Right?

It must be true, because she's coming across in my mind as clear as a starry sky.

Yes, I think, making sure to form the words clearly in my mind. I can hear you, Ree-mee.

She giggles. It's Rimi.

Rimi?I've had it wrong this whole time. She giggles again and nods.

That's it. Lo'zar.

I smile at the sound of her voice. I like it. I like it immensely.

But how is this possible? she asks. We don't speak the same language.

I glance down at the worms, who have retreated a little from us, casting a dark shadow.

I don't know, I say. I think... I think this place might be sacred. I remember the markings in the other rooms. I look up at the carvings on the walls of a trollkin and a human, each staring intently at the other.

Sacred? Like, religious?She follows my gaze around the great hall.

Maybe. I don't know. These are ancient troll ruins. I don't know much about them, to be honest. I'm distracted by the fact I'm actually hearing Rimi talk to me. I want to wrap myself up in her soft words, and then maybe wrap her up in my arms, too.

Ruins, she says, in the way that anyone can speak into someone else's mind. Filled with... Glowing worms.

I chuckle at this. It really is the most bizarre thing we could have found here, in the base of this ancient pyramid. If I weren't looking at it, I probably wouldn't believe it myself.

Worms that somehow are letting us talk to each other, I add. She smiles brightly.

I always wish I could understand what you're saying. A funny look comes over her face. You talk a lot.

I guffaw, and the sound surprises her. Then her smile widens. Yeah, I say. Got a lot of shit for that as a whelp.

You just have a lot of thoughts, she says. But from what I can tell... they're nice thoughts.

It's such a strange compliment, but it feels good coming from her.

Thank you. I like yours, too.

I realize we've just been standing there, staring into each other's eyes like idiots. We have to figure out our hunter problem—but all I want right now is to keep talking with Rimi. Though I haven't heard any signs of our tails yet, surely they'll find their way down here, unless the pyramid is an even greater labyrinth than I thought. There's no other way out of this place except up. And even if we got out unscathed, I'm not sure how we would ever climb that cliff face again.

So here we'll stay for now, until we come up with a better plan, or face the hunters ourselves. There are three of them and one of me, but I've gotten in enough scraps that I might stand a chance. When they do come, I'll be ready. In the meantime... I want to understand Rimi better, to know all the shining silver thoughts swirling around her head. So I gesture at the ground and sit.

What is this place? Rimi asks, sitting down next to me, surprisingly close. Her knee is slightly touching mine, and I wish there was even more of her touching me.

I shake my head. All I know is these are troll ruins. We lived here ages and ages ago. Then I remember Graz's map, and the red dots on them. One of those dots should be... right around here. Maybe he was on to something.

Rimi looks up at the faces on the walls, the human and the trollkin only inches apart from one another. I've never seen anything like this. If these are troll ruins, why is there a picture of a human down here?

I follow her eyes to the bizarre image. I don't know. But they don't look like enemies, when humans and trollkin have been enemies for... forever.

Rubbing her chin, Rimi tilts her head. Maybe we weren't always.

I try to imagine that, a time when our peoples didn't constantly try to kill one another and steal each other's land. It seems impossible, and yet we're looking right at some pretty compelling evidence to the contrary.

You know, Rimi says, history is longer than we think. In my country, we have legends that go back to before the existence of humans and trollkin completely.

I study her. In your country? I ask. Now I can finally get answers to all of the questions I've been puzzling over since she first came into my care. What happened to you? How did you end up here?

Rimi's face falls, the memory clearly a raw wound. Well, I was sleeping when they came for me, she begins. They stole me from my bed and put me into a sack, then shoved me into a crate and, I think, put me on a ship. I don't know how long I was on that ship, but it felt like forever. Like two forevers.

I remember how she reacted to the crate and guilt sweeps through me. I just want to hug her, and erase all the horror she's been through.

I'm so sorry, Rimi. I run my hand over her knee, and she doesn't flinch or pull back. I'm sorry I was a part of this. My own boss, my own clan, is responsible for what happened to you.

She gives me a wan smile. Everything that's befallen me wasn't your fault. You freed me, Lo'zar.

Again, my name in her voice sends shivers up my spine. I just want to reach around her and pull her close, the way I did when she fell asleep against my shoulder in the wagon. But I'm also embarrassed to be one of her kidnappers, horrified at myself for not setting her free the moment I laid eyes on her.

I couldn't let you get sold off like cattle, I tell her. You're... You're a person. Even if you are human.

‘Even if I am human'? she asks, an edge to her voice.

Well, like I said, we're enemies. Our people have been killing each other for who knows how long.

She shrugs. I never saw a trollkin before now.

I furrow my brow at this. Where are you from?

Yusala.

Where's that?

Rimi contemplates for a few moments before answering. Relative to here? I'm not sure.

I shake my head. A place with only humans, and a name I've never heard before. You're very far from home, Rimi.

The look on her face is as if she expected to hear this. Yeah. I imagine so. She stares down at the ground, and tears well in her eyes.

It's okay.I reach out and wipe one from her cheek. She looks up in surprise. We'll get you home.

We... we will? She doesn't look like she believes me for a second.

Of course. I know this with a certainty now. I need to help Rimi get back to where she belongs, not just to make up for what I did—for what Gusak did—but because it's what's right. It's my duty. You should be back at home in your bed, I tell her.

Strangely, not only do the tears continue, but they're flowing harder down her face. She buckles forward and drops her head into her hands, weeping openly.

Rimi? What's wrong? I put an arm around her and instinctively pull her close.

I doubt you can get me home if it's as far as we think it is, she says, leaning into me. But it's sweet that you want to try.

I just hold her like that while she sniffles and wipes her face. Eventually I say, Maybe it's not that outrageous. Maybe we can figure out where Yusala is. If they brought you here, we can get you back.

I don't see my own optimism reflected in her eyes. She's given up hope of returning home, just like I have. But I chose this for myself. She's surrendering.

I only want to get out of this alive, she says. Then maybe we can figure that part out.

Right. We are at the bottom of a pyramid, hoping hunters won't find us and kill us and then maybe eat us. But at this moment, I don't want to let her go.

Who are we running from? Rimi asks. Who were those guys after us? They weren't the same two we left behind.

They're hunters, I answer. Wild trolls. You saw that glow in their eyes? She nods. They're mad. I don't know what causes it, but those hunters we saw are the worst of them.

I think of those bright purple eyes, and my gaze is drawn to the worms tunneling their way through the stone at the center of the room.

They definitely wanted to kill us. Rimi tilts her head up at me. Thank you for saving me. Twice now.

I had no choice, I say. I can't let anything happen to you. I lean down and breathe in her hair. I like the scent of her—it's tangy and sweet, like one of those pieces of jeruba fruit. At my words, I feel her relax into my chest, and she brings up one hand to my collar. It feels so good and so intimate that my heart stops beating for a moment.

I want her to touch me even more. And that is, of course, when I start to get hard. It's not obvious at first under my tight breeches, but as Rimi strokes her hand up and down, it grows more and more prominent. I cough a little, trying to distract her, but it's too late.

Oh, is all she says when she notices the significant lump in my pants.

Sorry. It just... For some reason this, um, happens a lot around you. I turn my head, rubbing a hand down my face in humiliation.

It's okay, she says. It's a nice compliment.

She thinks it's a compliment? That she makes me get thick and warm and swollen for her?

But you're a human, I say. I don't know why I'm reminding her. I would much rather not argue with her about how much she appreciates my boner.

So? You're not unattractive. Rimi arches an eyebrow at me. And clearly I'm not, either.

Her forwardness doesn't surprise me. Even though we couldn't communicate before, I still feel that I know who she is.

Not bad at all, I agree. I like looking at you. I mean... I tried not to, though, that other time.

Her face turns red remembering our little bath in the river. Right. You did try. I appreciate that.

Suddenly, she yawns, and I'm pleased that she feels secure enough under my arm to be tired after we've been chased and almost murdered.

Do you want to sleep for a while? I ask her. I'll keep watch for the hunters. We should hear them coming if they decide to pursue us down here.

Please, she says, yawning again. I'm so exhausted. Even though you were the one doing most of the hard work.

I grin down at her, and flex my arm. No problem. I'm a strong troll.

You are. She starts to drift to one side.

You shouldn't sleep like that, I say, tightening my grip on her. I've got you. All right?

She gives me an inquisitive look. I gently pick her up by her hips and slide her over my thigh so she's in my lap. Rimi lets out a squeak as her butt slides across my cock, and I try to will it to go down. Then I slip an arm under her neck to hold her up.

Just lie back and go to sleep, I say, supporting her in my lap with her legs hanging off my thighs. Without question, she does as she's told, drifting into the space between my elbow and my chest. I pull her closer to make it more comfortable, and she turns her face into me as she relaxes.

Thank you, Lo'zar, she says, her voice fading already.

You're welcome, Rimi.

Then she falls asleep.