by Bre Faucheux
“One can hope,” she said softly, allowing him to take hold of her hand.
“Besides, by that time I suspect you will have found a way to defend them,” he said smiling. She knew that he was being sarcastic, if not smug. But the thought appealed to her. It would be justified to find a way to protect them for their having safe guarded her when she most needed it.
Jayden went to rest for the remainder of the night. Madison stayed out to watch the men on the edge of the camp keeping guard. It was an hour before she allowed herself to relax. She lay upon the ground, permitting her senses to overcome her once more. She tried to listen farther, but in a new way. Staring at the sky and the vast array of stars and colors before her, she listened for any sound that may protrude from it. There was none. The expanse before her didn’t utter a sound. The sky appeared empty from any sign of life. She wondered for a moment if she would hear the resonances of the heavens she had always known to preside in the skies. Now it appeared as ominous in its silence as the journey that lay before her.
She knew Jayden would not share in this suspicion. He could sense her anxieties, as slight as they were. And yet she knew it more important that she be on her guard.
13
A week passed as Jayden left daily to prepare the ship for their departure. Madison graciously took the gifts the tribe gave her as a token of departure. Although she could tell from within them that they were more relieved by her approaching return to England than they were saddened by it. The healer and his kin were the only ones to show her any immediate benevolence. She took this receiving of gifts as a sign of their cultural traditions, and not their desire for her to remember them fondly. Their presented furs and skins to keep warm were beautiful, but her body no longer required them for comfort.
Jayden took the few arrows and bow that they provided. They even gave a portion of their meat to sustain them for the journey, although Madison insisted on only taking a small portion of it. She and Jayden didn’t need food to replenish them as the tribe would. Jayden gave them more smiles and nods of gratitude than she had ever received from him. But she sensed that he was sincerely grateful for their aid. It was because of them that he was able to return home.
The healer gazed upon Madison as he brought her a small clay container. It had been engraved and painted in vibrant blue and yellow by his wife, who stood just behind him wrapped in skins for comfort. They both looked at her warmly as he presented the gift to her with both hands. She took it just as he had presented it to her, with both her hands, and tried to get a sense for what it was. The healer knew whenever she searched for a reason behind something. His aura slowly penetrated hers as she stepped closer to him.
Her hands turned to ice as she touched the container in his hands. She hadn’t endured a sensation so strong since she felt the river beneath the falls crash against her body the first time she had leapt from the ravine. She instantly withdrew her hands from the container. The aura around her healer had deadened and she felt nothing. Not his emotions, not the calmness he had given her, simply nothing. It was the essence of numbness. As lifeless and unmoving as it was, it was still a profound sensation.
The wife took the skin from her back and placed it over the container. She gracefully wrapped it and handed it to Madison. She cautiously took it and felt the aura of the healer gradually come back to her. It enveloped her with a warning of what was to come. He took his hand and motioned for Madison to set the container down. Taking her hand within his, she felt her emotions protruding him.
There would be others. That was the only true premonition that he could concede to her. They would procreate their own kind. Not instantly, but eventually. Whether they chose to or not, it would indeed happen. And the container, there was a substance inside that she was to keep with her in the tiniest of amounts. It was meant for herself and Jayden, and perhaps others they would find worthy in the time to come.
What possible need should I have for complete numbness?
The wife took two pouches strung upon thin chains of skin. They were necklaces. Madison could sense the substance inside the pouches as well. She took the necklaces and wrapped them around both her neck and Jayden’s. The healer never let go of Madison’s hand.
“There are men of spiritual ways around you,” he said. “They will be able to find you. And when they do, this will protect you. They will not sense your presence or your immortality as long as you wear it. Use it sparingly and you and your companion will remain safe.”
Madison drew back slightly in shock of what he had said. He had spoken clear English. And yet Jayden didn’t react.
The healer let go of her hand and walked away, not looking back. His wife followed in his path and they entered their tented home just feet away.
“Did you hear that?” she asked Jayden.
“Of course I heard it,” he said. “Bloody good it will do us with not knowing their language.”
Madison vaguely understood as she looked to where the healer had once been standing. Only she was meant to know what he had said. Jayden couldn’t understand, or perhaps he wasn’t meant to. She remained uncertain.
That was the only farewell she would receive. It was meant to be swift. Madison wondered if the healer had understood her words ever since she first arrived.
Jayden placed the gifts in a sack from the skins they received and tied them around his back. Madison took a few and did the same. She walked through the path opened for them by onlookers to make their way to the woods. After giving so much her time and effort to know these people, to learning their ways, and after seeking their acceptance, they were allowing her to leave with Jayden. She could never truly be one of them as she thought she might have wanted. Leaving was her only true option in the end. She was still an outsider to them.
Madison briefly glanced into each of their eyes as she passed them, searching for some hint of sorrow at her passing beyond their borders within moments. She found none. Their helpfulness was in hopes that she may find a future better suited to her, but not amongst their people. She was still a threat.
As she walked away, she understood Jamison’s final words to her. She would never be able to choose what would stay in her life and what would fade away. A life could never have been built to withstand the test of time with these people. And Jayden had been right as well. After what they had done, and after what they had become, she was alone. She was an outsider to all humans. Little else crossed her mind as she stared at the woods before her, listening for Jayden behind her as she walked. As soon as they disappeared into the brush Jayden sped away, allowing Madison to lead their steps. If she were still human, she knew this would be the moment where she would silently weep as they left a place she had found comfort in for a time. But now she only felt acceptance. It would take something more powerful than rejection now to bring grief to her eyes. She merely accepted it as she had everything else. She was still unsure if this ability was a considerable strength or a weakness.
Jayden followed her through the forest and along to the scent of the ocean miles away. They leapt over the cliff’s edge and into the water, making their way to the ship Jayden had spent a decent amount of time repairing. It moved steadily in the water at anchor. Madison broke the surface of the water beside him and nearly gasped when she saw the ship.
“How did you get it into the water again?” she asked.
“I didn’t really. The tide came forth and I merely gave it a few shoves.”
She glared at him.
“Alright then, mistress, quite a few generous shoves. Is that enough for you?” he said sarcastically.
She looked to the shores just behind them. He had nearly torn the beach apart trying to get it into the waters. The sands had given way to what now resembled a crevice.
“I could have helped you, sir, if you would permit me,” she said sarcastically.
“When I need the help of others, I ask for it.”
“But you never ask for it.”
“Does t
hat not speak for itself?” he said.
Jayden climbed the rope of the anchor and Madison did the same just feet above him. She surprised herself with the revelation that she didn’t have fear of the water beneath her that she once had as she climbed aboard the ship. The feeling of the water flowing around her was soothing. She still felt the life within its touch as she had on her swim with Jayden. It was the same sensation she felt as they ran through the forest and the mountains around the native camp. Everything she had once feared left her exhilarated. She hoped it would last as she suspected that she soon may be swimming. The ship didn’t appear as in great of shape as she would have liked. It was still sturdy, but not solid.
“As I presume I will not be left to wait around while you do the heavy lifting, are you going to show me how this monstrosity is worked properly?” she asked.
“For what purpose, mistress?” he said as he loosened the sack and spread about their new belongings.
“Thus I won’t become entirely useless during this journey.”
“I have no mind to teach you everything there is to know of sailing this thing,” he said.
“Then teach me solely what I may do to help you.”
He didn’t answer her. He simply took ropes within his hands and allowed the sails to open. They caught the wind almost instantly and the wooden floor began to move. She couldn’t help but be reminded of how the ground had shaken from under her the night the Vam-pyr-ei-ak had used the elements of nature to attack her new home.
She leaned against the side of the ship, allowing the heat of the sun to dry the fabric and skins against her body. She could hardly feel heat or cold, but the rays gave a sense of being warmed as her skin slowly dried. She watched as Jayden threw about ropes and angled things properly. He made his way to the bow.
“It is likely that we will not move fast enough before our supplies dwindle,” she said softly, scanning the jugs if blood and their few items nearby. She knew that he could hear her.
“If the sea remains calm for too long, then perhaps,” he said.
She then saw what had caught his attention above. The sky was darkening. The clouds appeared thick and nearly charcoal rather than their usual washed grey. She wished she had seen it before they had chosen to set sail that day. But she hadn’t the time to survey the conditions of their journey thoroughly. Jayden had taken control of almost everything from the start.
“I would be more concerned about the skies remaining calm,” she said. He turned around and looked at the land slowly becoming smaller behind them. She sensed his concern. “You are not having second thoughts, are you? After all, you are the one who insisted that this would secure our survival.”
He ignored her as he listened quietly for the sound he feared they may come across; he had only hoped it wouldn’t be so soon. Thunder came in a dull rasp. It was still a great distance away, but he knew Madison could hear it as well.
“It is a distance from us. It may roll passed before we reach it,” she said.
“Or the wind could push us back to shore.”
Madison took her hands to her forehead and ran her fingers through her long hair. Resting them on the back of her neck, she took a long and deep breath.
“Could the powers that be not grant us a reprieve, just this once? If not to return home, than for whatever reason,” she said.
“Our mere survival was a reprieve of sorts,” he said coldly.
“Yet it was not extended to our loved ones.”
“Your loved one,” he said, looking at her with hardened eyes. “We must prepare for the worst. Take of what blood you can now.”
“What do you mean? We cannot take of all our supplies?”
“We may not have that choice,” he said reaching for a jug after he rushed passed her. He tossed one of the jugs to her and she took it. Drinking from it she felt strength overcome her body. It was a sensation she swore she would never become accustomed to.
“Drink generously,” he said, taking some for himself.
Thunder cracked up ahead. This one they were sure was loud enough that they would have heard it even without their superior hearing. The clouds grew blacker and flashes of light began to peek through the darkness. Strands of falling water reached down for the seas below.
“That is an absolute downpour. It will completely drench us,” she said.
“Then go below decks if you are uncomfortable.”
“I am merely stating such, Jayden. Stop thinking me so weak.”
“We are still a short distance from shore now. You could still swim back to your precious natives,” he said harshly.
Madison didn’t even think before her arms lashed forward with magnificent force, shoving Jayden backward and through the right side of the ship. He broke through the wooden edged rail and crashed into the ocean waters below sending shards of wood everywhere. Shock overtook him as he erupted through the surface of the water. When he didn’t immediately come after her, she quickly rushed to the side’s edge which was now non-existent. He wafted about in the water, rubbing the salt from his eyes. She stood before him as the waves roughly slapped him in the face. The look on his face was one Madison was almost thrilled to see. She would have traded all the blood they had with them to bring out that kind of response weeks ago. He normally covered his emotions so beautifully that she had to touch him to reveal his true thoughts. This was her only chance to make her newly discovered authority known.
“You are to never speak to me that way again. Do you understand?” she said. She need not yell. He could hear every word as it dripped from her mouth. Showing anger would only encourage a fight from him, of that she was certain. “I am not that frail, innocent, and sickly girl I was before. That girl died alongside her brother, who was the only person in the world who meant anything to her. Do not make the mistake of believing that his loss means nothing to me simply because I cannot feel the grief as I once could.” She paused only for a brief second, knowing she had his full attention. “And do not pretend that those people did not help cure you of the tortured thirst that ravaged your body.”
She broke eye contact with him and threw a rope over the side. Walking away from the edge, she took to the bow, gripping its edges into her hands. The wood creaked under her tight grip. She gazed into the storm ahead and waited to hear Jayden approach her. He climbed the rope she charitably gave him and grabbed what was left of the side, pulling himself over its edge. His sopping wet clothes left a trail on the wood as he stepped forward. She could feel his glare on her back. He took more blood from a jug and threw its empty contents to the floor, shattering it.
“It took a great effort to mend this vessel without you attempting to destroy it, mistress. Do try to aim better next time,” he said grimacing. With that he yanked a piece of splintered wood from his lower back and tossed it into the open sea. Madison could smell the blood and turned around. He healed almost instantly, but the irritation was written all over his face. He turned away from her and took a seat at the other end of the ship. Madison looked forward again, not wanting to watch him. She knew now that she could weather anything that he could. She was as capable as he was.
14
Ireland’s East Coastline
10 Days Later
Grey crags appeared before Madison in great succession. They were steeper than the cliffs she had left behind. There was nothing to see beyond their grey and rocky height. The ship had made its use for a solid seven days before showing signs of water overtaking it. Madison had found herself unafraid when they had no choice but to abandon their vessel, its timber giving way to the depth beneath them in due time. Jayden relished the idea of testing their skills with the length of their swim. And as unwilling to admit it as she was, Madison in turn was equally curious. The darkness under her that had once been frightening now intrigued her. She often went below the surface with Jayden to see just how deep the waters were. To her shock, she couldn’t reach the ocean floor. The ocean was deeper than she ever thought it cou
ld be. She even began to like the creatures who ventured to greet her as they swam to the surface. Dolphins trailed them a great distance before losing interest.
It was only after a day’s worth of swimming before they both realized they could have covered a greater distance had they swam the length of the journey. Learning that their bodies were far stronger than the ship they had relied on so heavily was a welcomed surprise. And Jayden’s knowledge of the skies proved worthy in their search the proper direction for travel.
They approached the shore they had longed to see for days and slowly stood as land greeted their legs. Her body needed time to recover, but she was more eager to witness how long it would take. If she required making such a journey again, she wanted to know exactly what to expect from her exertion.
The erratic waves penetrated her nearly ruined shoes the natives had given her. Drenched with water, they barely stuck to her feet anymore. Her deer skin clothing held tight to her body and pulled her down with its weight. If she hadn’t the strength she had now, she assumed that it would have caused her to sink. She could feel Jayden’s relief seeping into her thoughts. He was staggered as she was at how quickly and easily they had made the crossing.
“We can take rest here,” she said, not having spoken for over a day.
“No rest. We must find fresh blood.”
“I am as famished as you are Jayden, but if we stop, I can sense for people nearby. And it is not yet nightfall,” she said.
“Are we to keep a schedule now for our needs?”
“No, just nightfall thus we do not frighten anyone,” she said.
“We are to care now if they are frightened. Our entirety of being is enough to frighten anyone,” he retorted.