Realizing that no help would come for them, and that the vent shafts were too steep and smooth to climb back up, Thorik rested and recovered as long as he could until the need for food overwhelmed the desire to wait. The little protein they had obtained from eating the nearby centipedes simply was not enough to survive on. They needed more.
Thorik created an arrow on the ground out of rocks, which explained which way they would travel. He still held out hope that Grewen, Brimmelle, and Bryus were on their way to save them.
Untying a pouch filled with Runestones, which had survived the fall into the caverns, Thorik removed the Runestone of Belief. Taking in a deep breath, he traced the ridges on its surface and closed his eyes as he allowed himself to fully relax.
Tingling along his fingertips began to work its way up his hands, arms, and then his chest, before completing the circular flow of energy that moved between him and the stone. As he did so, the red gem in the center of the Runestone began to glow and light up the cavern. With additional concentration he could also cause the Runestone to give off heat, but it was a taxing endeavor and required more focus than Thorik was willing to give at the moment. Light to guide the way would be good enough for now.
Over the past few months, he had become quite skilled at activating this Runestone, although he hadn’t had a chance to determine the powers of most of the others, as of yet.
Thorik opened his pack and sighed at the sight of the guano within it.
“It packed in nicely.” Avanda grinned at the idea of him sleeping on bat droppings for the past week. “It was the best pillow you’ve had in months.”
“I’ll never get the smell out of my hair.” He gave off a slight chuckle as he dumped the guano out of his pack.
“How’s your arm?”
Thorik scooped out the rest of the guano so he could use his pack again. “It still hurts.”
“I know that. I was just wondering if you’re still in a lot of pain.”
“Only when I use it. Bryus’ spell to fix the break seems to be holding. The insect bites are currently more sensitive.” He scratched at the sores on his neck. “They still itch as well.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t heal you. I did the best I could.”
Stuffing his items back into his pack, he glanced up at her. “Avanda, you did great. You kept me alive. How could I ask for anything more…especially at your age?”
“What do you mean?” Her voice had turned cold and lower than normal.
Thorik continued to pack with his stronger arm. “Nothing.”
“I’m not a child anymore.”
“I didn’t say that you were.” He tried to end the conversation by standing up.
“I’m less than three years younger than you.”
“I know. Are you ready to head out?”
“My parents have nearly six years between them.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“So, we are close enough in age to be together.”
Thorik was starting to realize where this was going, but didn’t feel that it was the proper time to discuss it. “Yes we are. It’s a fine observation, but right now we need to be talking about getting back to the surface.”
It was obvious that Avanda wasn’t willing to let it go that easy. “What are you afraid of?”
“Afraid? I fear many things. Those predator roaches for one, bad tempered Blothruds for another. But most of all, right now I fear where this conversation is leading.”
“Why? Why can’t you talk about us?”
Thorik finished with his pack and lifted it up on his shoulder. “Avanda, now is not the time.”
“Now is the perfect time. It’s only you and I. No one else is here to disturb us.”
“Let’s start walking.”
Avanda grabbed his sore arm to stop him.
“Ouch!” he yelled from the pain of her grasp, even though it hadn’t been more than a squeeze. It did, however, get him to stop and listen to her.
She looked him square in the eyes and waited for him to return the eye contact. The gentle light from his Runestone gave her soft pale skin a glowing appearance. She would never be as beautiful and voluptuous as Emilen, but Avanda had a strength about her that softened when she looked Thorik in the eyes. “Thorik, I need to know if you have feelings for me.”
Thorik shrugged his shoulders. “Of course I do.”
“No. I mean real feelings. Like you did for Emilen.”
She had caught him off guard, and he stared blankly at her. Just Emilen’s name made his heart flutter.
“I see,” she said softly.
“Avanda, I love you…like a little sister.”
She pulled her eyes away, and then her head and shoulders. Grabbing her items, she kept her back to him. “You must think I’m a fool to expect you to desire me.”
Rubbing his brow, Thorik sighed at the situation. “I don’t think you’re a fool. In fact, I think you’re the brightest Num I’ve ever met. You’re courageous, intelligent, and honest. Perhaps even too honest for your own good. But I love that about you.”
Turning back to Thorik she studied his face. Her eyes appeared to be searching for the truth in his expression. “Then what is it about me that prevents you from being mine?”
Thorik bit his lip for a moment as he tried to muster the words. “Emilen…”
Avanda’s shoulders drooped again once she heard her rival’s name.
“…Emilen,” he started over, “stole my heart. I would have done anything for her. I practically did. At times I forgot who I was just to satisfy and please her. In a way, I think I compromised my core values at times at her desire. And then I came to find out that she was deceiving me. Leading me on, like some grazer on a rope.”
Avanda relaxed her shoulder and posture as she listened to him.
“I don’t know what kind of spell she had over me, and my concern is it was no spell at all, but instead it was nothing more than love. If that is all it was, then I fear falling in love again, for I may lose who I really am, what I stand for, and most importantly, the mission I am on to free my grandmother.”
“But Thorik, I would never-”
“I know,” Thorik interrupted. He stepped up to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I know you wouldn’t intentionally do this to me. But that is not to say that it wouldn’t happen anyway. And right now I can’t afford to take that chance. I have to maintain my focus on keeping you alive as well as saving Granna.” Looking deeply into her eyes and thinking about more pleasant times, he smiled. “Once we get back to Farbank, I can let my guard down. Not until then.”
Although Thorik could tell that she still disagreed with his concerns, he watched her softly nod in agreement.
Chapter 5
Tunnels
Essence of Gluic Page 4