Ghost Monkey, стр. 34

Divyan said, "This is Sugriva. He helped train Amu in the bow staff. The boy is quite proficient."

The woman froze for a second, eying Sugriva. "You had Sugriva train our son? You didn't tell me that, but you told me plenty of Sugriva." The personality switch was quick.

"And a better teacher he couldn't have." He put a hand on her shoulder, and it cooled the embers in her eyes. "He is now a guest in our house. We will feed and care for him, at least for the night."

She walked to Sugriva. "I have heard your stories, and my heart breaks for you. However, I told my husband he should leave you in your little hut. Then he told me what you did to the soldiers you trained with. I told my husband he should pluck your heart out. You are now in my house. If you threaten my children, there will be no mercy. I will shred you with beak and talons and leave you to hang on this tree." Then she stormed off.

"Charming," Sugriva muttered. A tingle settled in his guts from her words.

"Don't mind her," Divyan said. "You're doing well. There is no fighting here, so you will be fine. As long as you can remember your manners." He winked and chuckled, then went up some stairs. "Follow me."

A girl was in the next structure up. Her skin was fair for a hawk girl, her nose pointed like a beak, and her eyes were yellow. Two tells, he thought. That or they just had unusually pointed noses.

Divyan said, "This is Prisha. She is my only daughter and a beautiful sight ready for marriage."

The girl blushed and so did Sugriva. His heart throbbed and guts twisted. Then he looked away.

Prisha said, "It is a great pleasure to meet you. My father says much about the monkey who survived the snakes."

Divyan interjected, "Prisha that is impolite." He put a hand on Sugriva's shoulder. "Never mind that. I promise I said only good things. Your training has come a long way.” He fidgeted, then sniffed. “The food is ready."

The dining room looked more traditional and had a ladder leading up the structure for those not as gifted in flight or climbing. Once in the dining room, the walls were covered in tapestries and banners. Feathers woven into the tapestry told of birds killed in battle or defeated in duels. One banner was left incomplete, a tribute to Divyan and his wife, which would be completed upon their death.

Sugriva sat at the table. Prisha sat across from him. His heart thumped in his chest, almost painfully. Prisha daintily asked for food, taking from the family plate with her hands. The rest of the family did the same, and when Divyan handed a platter to Sugriva, no utensils were given. Sugriva fought back tears. Outside his squad, it was the first time he shared a meal as if family.

Amu chattered through dinner, especially in regards to the merits of Sugriva. This surprised the monkey, as the boy was never chatty during training. "The legends of you are incredible, sir. I was honored to train under you. I learned so much. Mom, he is a master of combat. Sometimes he's even nice."

Divyan snorted with food in his mouth. He cleared his throat. "Amu, that's not how you talk of your master. He is as nice, or not, as he needs to be. If his student is pliable and quick-witted, he can always be kind. If his student is dense as ironwood, then a master must be forceful."

The wife mumbled, "He hasn't sent you to the hospital. It sounds like he has been restrained in your training." She glared at Divyan, and he had the good sense to avoid her gaze.

The wife looked at Sugriva and said, "You are welcome to this house under my husband. I will never welcome you. Every day I beseech the spirits to give my husband wisdom, so my family isn't hurt." After several deep breaths, she slammed her hands on the table. Her body shifted to a hawk, and without another word, she flew away.

"She's overprotective and can't see the full picture. She can't see how important you are to the future of Jaya." Divyan dug into seconds, pecking at the bone of a squirrel. "Everyone needs a family, Sugriva. It gives them balance. I will share my family with you, and you will share your talents with me in battle."

Amu's eyes went wide. "That is amazing. Yes, he should be here every night." He looked to Sugriva and went to the man. He took Sugriva's hands in his, and said, "Master, I didn't know you don't have a family. I'm honored to be part of it now."

Sugriva openly sobbed. "I have an uncle who doesn't want me. My parents are outcaste."

"What happened?" Amu blurted out, as Divyan tried to stop him.

"They fell off their paths by falling in love with each other. They were different generations, and it contaminated the blood. My uncle took me in to become a merchant, but my parents were warriors. I found myself on their path, not his." There was an extended silence. Amu's brows furrowed when he heard Sugriva's parents were outcaste.

"The Festival of Colors is soon," Divyan said. The words broke a silence so intense that everyone at the table jumped. "I, for one, am excited to see the vivid display across Jaya." The conversation of the festival continued, as if the questions of Sugriva's history never happened.

As the Festival of Colors was discussed, Sugriva was enraptured with the beauty of Prisha. His heart exploded at her youthfulness. He admonished himself regularly that it would be a grave sin to court the ideas forming in his mind. Prisha spoke of the colors she loved the most, and it dissolved his weak desire to stay away. Faint smiles at Sugriva's jokes awoke his passion. The monkey tensed his arms