by Orr, Krystal
Talliea lowered her brows and took a cautious step toward Arizira. Something about Arizira's body language spoke of uncertainty and trepidation. A gloved hand stopped her movements and she looked around trying to find what had placed her companion on alert. The dying sun caused Arizira's blue eyes to flare into a silver fire and the stiffness of her body as she listened, to what only her ears could hear, frightened Talliea.
Had they been followed? Was it Lao'dahn who walked in their shadows?
Arizira turned around without a sound and looked up into the trees above them. She was unsure what she had heard. The sound had almost escaped her, so low and unassuming it had been. She could not say what had made her more aware of it or what it was that caused her to believe the sound not to be entirely a part of the forest, but whatever the reason, her senses were alive and fully in tune with the forest around her.
She stepped away from Talliea and held out a hand behind her to keep the other woman from following. The sound had long since faded on the breath of the wind, but still her body could not relax. She replayed what she had heard and was almost certain that it was the sound of a branch sighing under some greater weight. Her eyes scanned the tree tops above her for several minutes. A hand gently touched her elbow and slid down her forearm. She felt Talliea grab her hand in a search for comfort.
"I thought I heard something," she whispered. Talliea stepped up behind her as quietly as she could and looked over her shoulder. Her breathing was quick and uneven and Arizira could tell she was scared.
"What is it?" she whispered back. Arizira shook her head and sighed. As she did so, the tension in her body seemed to uncoil and she turned back around to face Talliea. "I am uncertain. Whatever it was, it is gone now."
"An animal, perhaps?" Talliea questioned, hand still grasping Arizira's. Arizira looked back over her shoulder and up to the trees above them. "Maybe so. We should make haste. The sun does not live long as the winter approaches. Your eyes will not guide you once Aitla returns. The cave will provide us shelter and the spring an opportunity to wash our clothing. I can show you how to set a snare so that we will have food in the morning. We have enough provisions to meet our needs tonight."
Talliea nodded and stepped out of Arizira's way. Neither woman seemed to notice that their hands were still entwined in the other's. They began to walk again, but not before Arizira threw one last look over her shoulder at a towering pine tree standing majestically among several smaller saplings.
An animal...
She prayed that was all there was to the sound.
* * * * * *
High up above the forest floor, the observer knelt down on a great wide branch and watched the two women slowly walk away. The observer cursed themselves for their earlier clumsiness. They had nearly been caught. The senses of one of the women were extraordinary, greater than the observer was aware. She had picked up on the small sound the observer made as they had slightly slipped on the bark of the tree branch.
It had been an amateur's mistake. The observer squatted down lower on the branch and studied the two women. They noticed their joined hands and felt a hot wave of nauseating anger flare up inside them. The observer fought to keep their emotions in check.
Was there more to the two women's relationship than the observer had thought? Were they lying together in passion? Again, the thought caused a powerful anger to boil up in the observer. They waited until they could no longer see the two women before slowly, and quietly, making their way down the pine tree.
The observer knew they had to return to their people. The two women were getting farther and farther way. Soon it would be too risky to follow them. Yet, the observer had to know if there was something more transpiring between the two women. As risky as it was to continue to follow them, the observer knew they had to.
If it turned out that the two women were sharing themselves with one another, then the observer would know their time had come. One of the women would have to answer for her actions. For her betrayal.
As for the other, the observer thought to possibly use her to gain an understanding of her people. If she refused to cooperate, she would be of no use and be deemed a prisoner of war. The observer would be free to dispose of her.
Continuing on foot, the observer kept at a great distance behind the two women and stuck to the shadows as often as possible. Curiosity drove the observer ever on. The thought of Arnira and Esu lying together caused a sour taste to form on the observer's tongue.
What are you up to? the observer thought to themselves. I wonder...
* * * * * *
"Ari?"
Arizira looked over where Talliea was settling down for the night. The two of them had found the cave easily and climbed the steep hill that led to its entrance. Like Arizira had mentioned, the cave was elevated and faced away from the harsh bite of the cold winter wind. Both women had relieved themselves of their packs and Arizira had shown Talliea a small river that ran a short distance from the cave. After refilling their water skins, they had each eaten their fill of the provisions left and Arizira had shown Talliea how to set a snare.
It was now late into the night and Talliea was glad to finally be able to relax. Her body was tired and the walk through the woods had reminded her of her people's trek to reach the Northlands. Arizira sat next to her tightening the string of her longbow. Her cloak's hood was pulled up over her head and shadows danced across her face. The fire they had built earlier was slowly dying and the crackling, and hissing sounds brought about an easy and comfortable atmosphere.
"Yes?" Arizira answered, sparing a quick look to her right. Talliea hesitated and watched her for a moment before continuing. "What are we doing?" she asked.
Stopping in her task, Arizira lowered her bow to her lap and regarded her friend. The light of the fire brought Talliea's features into stark view and their exotic nature pulled at Arizira's insides. She wanted so badly just to touch the other woman and express her growing and confusing feelings. Yet, she did not. She respected Talliea too much to listen to her own body. Instead, she busied her hands by idly smoothing them over the curve of the bow's shaft.
"What do you mean?" she asked as an owl hooted in the distance. Talliea propped herself up on her elbow and shrugged. The cave was not as warm as their previous shelter. The rocks were cooler and hard and she worried about how her night would go. The blanket Arizira made for her was her only comfort. It was warm and soft and carried a woodsy scent.
"I mean, what are we doing out in the cold away from our peoples? What are we hoping to accomplish? We could die and I--"
"I will not let you die," Arizira interjected and Talliea noticed how strongly the words were spoken. They were not angry or mad, but they were forceful.
Pausing and searching Arizira's face for a moment, Talliea sighed. The blanket around her body slid down to settle along her waist and the curve of her hip bone. With its departure, her thin shirt loosely clung to her body. The dip along the neck of the blouse hung low. "I know I am safe with you, Ari," she said, attempting to explain herself in a different manner.
"Then why do you question? Do you wish to return to your clan, Tah-li? You are not a hisulir with me. I enjoy your company and sought to help you, but you are free to do as you wish."
Talliea smiled at Arizira's words and sat up fully. "I know. I just worry. Nothing in my world seems certain anymore. I feel very...displaced. You are a myth, Ahmanae, yet I have left my people to walk with you. You have left your tribe to lead me, yet we have no destination. To each of our peoples, we are legends. Despite that, I feel safer and more alive with you than ever before in my life. With you, Ari, I am me."
Arizira, bow long since forgotten, licked her lips slowly at Talliea's confession. She could understand the other woman's worries. She had left her people and her future was unclear. She knew Talliea did not wish to return to the Esu, yet what were her options otherwise? Even if she learned basic survival skills, would a life alone wandering in unknown woods satis
fy her? How long could Arizira keep her a secret?
With the pull she felt toward Talliea, Arizira could not see herself simply walking away. The longer she was in Talliea's presence, the stronger her feelings became. As hard as she tried to ignore them, she knew they would soon reach a point where she would have to make a decision.
Tell Talliea of them or leave Talliea.
"Ari?"
Arizira shook her head and smiled softly at her companion. "I am sorry. My mind took me away," she said, before placing her bow against the wall of the cave and moving to sit in front of Talliea. "I know you are worried. You are right to be so, Tah-li, but life does not always allow us to walk on trails made by others. Sometimes we have to be the ones to clear the way. As I have told you before, you are free to do as you wish. If you desire to venture out into the forest, I will not stop you. If it is your wish for me to teach you what I know, then I shall do that as well. The Esu are a legend to my people as are mine to yours, but I do not concern myself with that. My concern is you, Tah-li. For whatever purpose, Aitla has bound our two lives to the other. I care about what happens to you."
Talliea's face, previously awash with anxiety and worry, softened and a beautiful smile graced her lips. She breathed out a shaky breath and shook her head to herself. The unusual but welcome feelings came back to her and she felt her heart speed up inside her chest. Something about the way Arizira was looking at her made her mouth go dry and her stomach flopped nervously.
Without thinking, she reached out and placed her hand on the side of Arizira's neck. Slipping her fingers past silky soft hair, she guided them into the hood of Arizira's cloak and pushed it from her head. Silvery-blonde hair fell wildly around a face of ivory and glowing blue eyes watched her with confusion.
"I care about you, too," she whispered but did not withdraw her hand. Her fingers twirled around fine strands of hair and occasionally her thumb grazed over Arizira's jaw.
She was too caught up in the sensations to wonder how her actions were being perceived by Arizira. The fire was a dim wisp of a flame with but a few embers still living in its pit. Darkness would have claimed the cave were it not for the glow coming from Arizira's eyes. The sounds of the night filled the area outside the cave and mixed with the few sparks of life still issuing from the fire.
Arizira held her breath and her eyes lowered to gaze longingly at Talliea's full lips. She wondered how much of Talliea's touch was curiosity and how much of it could possibly indicate something deeper. The compulsion to lean into the touch was stronger than before and she wondered how Talliea would react if she kissed her. The look in her eyes was the same as before when Arizira had first applied the dohethra, but there was something else in it Arizira could not place. Something more certain.
Sighing softly, Arizira placed her hand around Talliea's wrist and stilled her movements. The Esu woman bit her lip and looked at her expectantly. Arizira wanted to believe the look was an indication of Talliea's feelings, that they matched her own, but her desire to not upset Talliea kept her from believing that hope.
She made to pull away, but the other woman's hand around her neck kept her from doing so. "Please stay close to me." The words wrapped around Arizira's heart and nearly forced the air from her lungs. "Tah-li," she started in protest.
"It is cold and you make me feel safe. Please, lie here with me. Our body heat will make the night more comfortable."
Arizira swallowed past the lump in her throat and nodded her head. There really was no way she could refuse. Talliea removed her hand and backed away slightly. Holding up the blanket, she motioned for Arizira to lie against her front. Arizira hesitated for only a moment before removing her cloak and folding it up so she could use it as a pillow. Rolling over with her back to Talliea, she settled in against the other woman and breathed out heavily through her mouth.
The fire died and darkness crept around them. Talliea lowered the blanket and snuggled up behind Arizira. She could feel the rigid and tense set of her body and wondered at its nature. Loosely placing her arm over Arizira's waist she smiled, fully content. "This is nice," she whispered, her eyes closing and her heart beating more regularly.
Never in her life had she felt more at home. More at peace.
Arizira, body alive with being so intimately close to Talliea, nodded and tried to relax. It was nice, but it was also a sweet and slow torture. She could feel Talliea's breasts against her back, full and soft, as well as the steady inhale and exhale of her breathing. The arm around her waist was innocent and without demand, but it was also more physical than they had been before. The feeling of Talliea's breath against the back of her neck caused Arizira’s entire body to break out in an immense tingling sensation.
After several long moments, she finally relaxed against Talliea and let her mind slowly drift toward sleep. Her last thoughts were of Talliea and how soft and inviting her lips had looked.
Chapter 17: Events in Motion
A week passed in the Esu camp with no return from Talliea. Many of the other men and women of the clan believed her to have become a victim of the forest. Her mother, however, was divided on her feelings. The side of her that was a mother mourned for the loss of her only child, while the side of her that was a dutiful wife and follower of Esuval felt no longer burdened by her daughter's shame. During the day, she went about her chores and duties with naught but a smile upon her face.
At night, when she was away from the other women and her mate was fast asleep, she cried silently to herself and felt an empty ache clawing at her insides. Her daughter was gone. She had to be. What other explanation could there be? With the weather having turned even colder and the first of many small snow flurries already dancing on the air, Talliea must have perished somewhere in the forest. Why Markahn had allowed her to leave in the first place was beyond her. To herself, she blamed him for her daughter's passing. To everyone else, she placed the blame upon Talliea.
Life continued for the Esu. Stone was brought in at a slow pace day in and day out while the women worked their winter crops with expert care. The men ventured more and more into the forest in search of meat and animal hides and warmer clothing was soon, also, in the making. Markahn, still against Lao'dahn's advice, held out the hope that Talliea was somewhere safe and sound.
"Esuval is watching over her," he'd told Lao'dahn three days before.
"Why would Esuval watch over her wretched soul? She has brought you naught but heartache and despair."
"Keep your words! You do not speak for Him. She could have returned at anytime for supplies or shelter. She has not. Why then would she remain in the cold with an empty belly if she were not safe to begin with?" Markahn had retorted heatedly.
Lao'dahn had said nothing and their conversation had ended.
Late one evening, following the ninth day since Talliea had left, Lao'dahn found himself once again patrolling the forest. It was late and the sun was soon to be behind the rim of the world. The steady rise of winter had finally breathed over the land and gone was the fall that had set the world aflame with vibrant golds, browns, and reds. Many of the trees not blessed with being evergreens were bare of their leaves and their branches spread out towards the sky in broken arches. Though the heavy snows had yet to blanket the land, a bitter chill clung to the air and seemed to weigh down the forest with an eerie fog.
Lao'dahn, dressed in heavy boots and gloves and a thick jerkin, held his head down against the wind as he once again made his way toward the cave overlooking the canyon. He was unsure why the cave continued to intrigue him, but it did. He could not shake the feeling that Talliea had been there. The depression where a torch could sit could not have been made by nature. Following that logic, the torch itself had to have come from somewhere.
Someone.
Another feature of the cave that led him to believe Talliea had visited it was the ring of stones around the fire. If not constructed by Talliea, then who? There was no one else. None of the other men he had spoken with had admitte
d to being in the cave. He knew Talliea had been sneaking away since their arrival in the valley. Perhaps she had sought to use the cave as a refuge for herself. If, indeed, she had been the one to discover the cave, Lao'dahn had to give her credit for her ingenuity.
Maybe the woman could have survived this long out in the forest...
Stepping up the steep incline that lead to the mouth of the cave, Lao'dahn was about to enter when a sharp whistling sound caught his attention. He turned away just in time to avoid being struck by a feathered arrow. The projectile dove into the dirt between his feet and protruded from the ground. Spinning around, Lao'dahn quickly brought out his staff in one hand. The other hand he held out before him and emitted a bright light that spread throughout the surrounding forest.
His breaths were quick and uneven and his eyes were wide. Anger flashed across his face as he tried to find his attacker. Who would be so bold as to attack him?
"Show yourself!" he called into the descending darkness around him. Crickets and frogs and the sound of a howling wind were his only answer. He chanced a quick glance down at the arrow and was stunned to notice the design was not that of his clan. The head was sharper and seemed to glow with a stunning radiance. Three brightly colored feathers made up the tail and the shaft of the arrow was notched with strange characters etched into the wood.
Lao'dahn took a step back and scanned the forest. Were there other Esu in the north? Even with the light shining from the palm of his hand, he could see nothing but shadows of the landscape. "Stop this nonsense! I demand that you show yourself! You are provoking a Man of the Light!"