A Lesson in Vengeance

by Katrina Eluvae

  Heat crept slowly into the cave as dawn broke over the horizon. Kain felt reality descending upon him like a rock slide. In the distance, he could hear his father's voice, "Son, it is time to wake up." He knew it was a dream, one of the hazy hallucinations just between sleep and waking. He didn't even remember what his father's voice sounded like, but his mind would often torment him with imaginative renditions. This morning, the voice was caring and pleasant. It sounded like a father excited to spend the day with his son. Kain groaned irritably and forced himself to open his eyes and face the world.

  His eyes flickered open, and his heart skipped a beat. Her long, flowing hair was woven between his fingers, he could feel her smooth skin on his chest and his arms rose and fell with the movement of her breaths. Kain felt the tension in his body as instinct bade him pull away. If I move suddenly, I might wake her... Kain had faced hundreds of men in battle, and never once had he been so petrified. The Gods did not favor him this day, for before he could decide on a course of action one was chosen for him. He heard her breath change and she stirred.

  There was a moment of silence as the breath caught in both of their throats and then Raaya pulled away. Kain sat up and pulled himself back to give her space. Her head raised and in her eyes he saw a spark, a distant flame that swelled and consumed her irises with rage. Her fist clenched, and he closed his eyes bracing for the impact...

  None came. Slowly, he opened his eyes. Hers were waiting for him, but the rage had faded. Her eyes narrowed in confusion, searching his face, then softening with realization, and at last breaking the tension of their gaze with an overwhelmed shake of her head. She stood, wobbling slightly, and staggered slowly out of the cave.

  Kain sat for a moment, painfully uncertain what he should do next. Then, he forced himself to his feet and followed her.

  The light of the sun cast soft pink rays across the white desert sands. The wind blew playfully along the dunes seemingly oblivious to the morning stillness. Raaya watched the dawn not far from the cave entrance, Kain's tunic billowing around her thin form.

  He approached her tentatively, "Raaya..."

  She did not let him finish, "How long?" He paused.

  "A week, maybe. Your... your injuries were serious..." He trained his gaze on the sunrise. Once more he found himself cursing the silence that found them. When he could stand it no longer, "My lady, I'm sorry."

  "I don't... remember much. Only that it was very dark where I was. Dark and cold and as still as death..." She reached up and touched his shoulder, he felt his heart jump at her touch, but turned to face her. The woman who stared back at him was one that he recognized well. She was the woman he had taught to read, carried on long conversations with... the woman that had come to mean so much to him. Her voice was strong as she spoke, "And just when I thought that I would never escape it... I heard your voice."