Druidess Found (Druidess Trilogy Book 1) by Machelle Hanleigh (interesting novels to read txt) 📕

"I'm not afraid to ask questions. I've asked many questions."

Shimani stopped and faced her. He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. "You have asked questions, but are they the questions that you really want the answers to?"

Kaily tried to swallow the lump suddenly in her throat. "Yes."

Shimani nodded. He narrowed his eyes at her ever so slightly. "In truth?"

"Yes."

"So, you don't want to know how Moto brought you here?" Shimani asked.

Kaily shook her head. She felt a sudden pang in her heart. A part of her did want to know how, and another didn't.

"A portal," Shimani said.

She frowned. If she possessed any sense, she would cover her ears and hum a tune to drown out Shimani's words as he explained things to her she didn't want to know.

"You asked me to tell you about my people," Shimani reminded her.

"I changed my mind."

"Too late," Shimani said, "it will help to understand a little bit more about us. Moto used a portal to get you here. He has the ability to open a 'doorway' of sorts from one place to another."

"Is that why I became unconscious and woke with a blinding headache?"

"In part," Shimani didn't add more or give any kind of explanation. Instead he went on to explain other things. "Moto, Kesho, Baridi and I possess abilities that align with parts of Ki or I believe in your world you would associate it with nature or elements. For example, I am able to move the air."

Kaily felt a sudden gust of wind stir the air around her. She rubbed her arms as if chilled. She tried to pay attention to what Shimani told her. She found it difficult to focus. Too much information hit and overwhelmed her. None of what he explained should be possible, and yet she couldn't deny what she saw Shimani do or the fact that her dark warrior transported her from one place to another without a vehicle or horse or anything else. It shouldn't be possible, but yet it was. She felt on the verge of losing her mind, again. The one question she did long to know, she couldn't ask. Her vision began to blur, and she felt short of breath.

"Sit," Shimani pushed her gently to the ground, "before you fall over."

"Sorry," she sat on the ground while she focused on breathing, "Why are you telling me all this?"

"You're no longer on your world and the Universe just got a whole lot bigger for you." Compassion evident in Shimani's tone.

"No kidding," Kaily could not comprehend just how much bigger the Universe became to her.

"There are a great many wonders in the Universe and now that you're on this world it's important for you to understand what changed for you. And maybe in understanding it all, the desire to go home will not be so strong inside you." Shimani said.

Kaily looked down at the ground. The longing inside her to go home did feel strong, but something else grew inside her too. She chose to ignore that something else and focused on the information Shimani shared with her. "Like if I tried to understand these abilities you have, it would help me." Kaily said instead of asked.

Shimani smiled at her and nodded, "like that. Not all Kahoali possess abilities, in fact the majority don't."

"Why?" Kaily asked.

Shimani shrugged. "It's difficult to say. Are you ready to go back?" Shimani stood.

"Yes." Kaily took his hand and allowed him to help her up. "I think I've had enough 'touring' for the day."

"I imagine you have," Shimani said. "If you are up to it, I think it would be good for you to join the evening repast."

"Why?" Kaily frowned. "You seriously want me to present myself to the whole village when no one wants me around?"

"Yes," Shimani said. "It will do you good to get out among the people, Kaily. It will do you and them good. It will give them an opportunity to get used to you and get to know you. And it's not true that no one wants you around."

"What happened to 'you can hide away'?" Kaily didn't want to go.

"Do you want to hide away?" Shimani stopped and turned her to face him. "Aren't you the least bit curious about us?"

She thought about it a moment before she finally shook her head, "no and yes, I am curious." About Moto, she silently added. "I am also scared, Shimani."

"I know that it can be scary, Kaily. It's a lot to take in. You're on a new world than you're used to, around people that are different,"

"And unwelcoming," Kaily said.

Shimani raised an eyebrow. "Are we that unwelcoming in truth, Kaily?"

She drew in a deep breath. She looked around the area and the villagers off in the distance. "They ignore that I'm even here, Shimani. I don't call that welcoming."

Shimani nodded. "And me?"

Kaily shook her head. "No, you have not ignored me. You do make me feel welcome, but,"

"Give them a chance, Kaily. It takes time for you and them to get comfortable enough to take a chance on getting to know each other."

She walked in silence next to Shimani back to her hut. His words made sense, but she still didn't want to go. She didn't want to admit the wisdom of his words either.

Shimani opened the door to her hut. "I will escort you to the evening repast. It starts just after dark."

"No, choice?"

Shimani shook his head. "No."

"Fine." Kaily said.

Shimani smiled.

"Thank you for the tour, Shimani." She stepped inside and closed the door behind her. The evening repast, the last thing she wanted to attend. Shimani was right, though. It would take time for the villagers to get used to her. Who knew how long it'd been since an outsider walked among them, if ever? If she expected to be given a chance, she needed to give them a chance too. Still, she didn't want to go. She would. Shimani showed her kindness. She would not ruin the