by Derek Palmer
""Am I now allowed to leave this building? Or do you still want to keep me as your prisoner?""
That shook them. I smiled.
""Come on, do you think that I haven't noticed that there is someone with her crossbow outside the building all the time?""
""It's... a bit complicated.""
""I don't think so. Either I am a prisoner or I'm not.""
I admit it. I liked to see Bellcauniel squirm. She had teased me quite enough while I had been lying there. But deep inside me, I also worried if I had made a serious mistake by coming here. It had felt such a great idea. Besides being my only real choice.
Bellcauniel sighed.
""Stian, you're not a prisoner.""
I evaluated her words and the way she had said it for a while before saying anything.
""But...?""
She had been honest with me - in a way. But I was sure that a whole lot was left unsaid.
""Damn you, Stian! We are - I mean we three here - are worried about your safety while there may be others who are worried because of you. They are worried because they don't know you, they don't trust you because you are a male and...""
""... because I understand the Old Language and can do some magic, right? Why was it so hard to admit that? Damn, I've guessed that much since I got hit by those arrows. Look, my own bows weren't loaded when I arrived and I didn't sneak around, but used the path. Not really that threatening. So, it had to be something else.""
I smiled at Bellcauniel while saying that and Allynna smiled a bit while looking at the other woman.
""Oh my, I can't remember anybody besides Verya getting under your skin like that, Bell. Too bad that you can't get your turn until some of the canceled party have gotten theirs - and of course I need to make a full medical check on Stian here.""
Turns. They were talking about getting their turns.
""Don't I have my say in that?""
""Do you want some more freedom, or not?""
Extortion and games. That was pure extortion and again those women were playing their games with me. But both Fainauriel and Allynna were smiling and I had been able to sense some humor from her voice. I sighed.
""I guess I have no choice but to ask you to be merciful.""
Bellcauniel snorted and the other two women started to giggle. When I had said that, I had kept my gaze in Fainauriel's eyes searching for the connection that used to be there. It was there, but somehow I just felt more confused. This place was supposed be the 'New Sanctuary', a shelter. Maybe it was, but there was something else, too.
Some more days later, I found out that these Elves didn't have separate houses. They had a few big common houses with several bedrooms and at the end of the house was a common washroom. No separate rooms for different sexes - as there were no different sexes. Not until I came along. A single male. A curiosity. Damn, I wasn't shy or self-conscious about my body, but being constantly watched when you are trying to wash or when you take care of your business was... something different. The Elves did not have outhouses, no - they had a part of their washroom separated as a toilet, as they called it, and there they had a set of seats that separated... Well, the seats separated the outcome which meant that I'd need to sit when I peed. Try that with your morning wood and some curious, half-naked women around you.
At first, I shared a hastily separated two-room house with Fainauriel. She had been given the responsibility to watch over me - or more, she had volunteered to take the task. When I tried to talk with her about our connection - about what we had between us - she silenced me by putting a finger to my lips.
""No, Stian. I feel it just as you do. In another place, in another time, you might have been my mate - but that's not possible here, not now. I have accepted it. You need to accept it, too. Maybe there will be time for that someday. I don't really know for sure, since the future has not been written yet. I only know that it's possible once you came here.""
That was all she said about it. Of course, I would have liked to know more, hear more - but when she said that, she was holding me in a tight grip. Not too tight, but tight enough that it felt good. Yes, everything was working and Fainauriel watched over me while I examined and worshipped the body of a very pregnant woman for the first time in my life. It was different, extremely erotic and highly fascinating. As was feeling the movements of the baby girl inside her.
""Fainauriel..."”
""No, Stian, I won't talk about it anymore. If you don't accept that, I'll pass the responsibility for you to Ceveneth.""
It was too dark to see if she was smiling or not but since I really didn't like the possibility. I stopped asking. But I made sure that she paid for that threat. Besides, I had to work on my stamina, too. I was only gradually getting better.
""I thought I said that I need to examine him before any activity.""
Allynna was sitting with us when we had our breakfast in the big dining hall, just like everybody else, and she managed to put a suitable amount of disapproval into her voice. I rolled my eyes and tried to ignore the fact that more or less everybody was following us and what was happening at our table.
I knew that there would be a meeting today with some of the Elders, the leaders of the Elves. I knew only a few of them and I sensed that they had some conflicting opinions about me being here - and that was the real reason why Allynna hadn't visited me yet. I knew - or guessed that - but I didn't want to make any remark about it. I also knew that the meeting today would be important and most likely it would be where they would decide what to do with me. I admit, I was a bit worried about the subject. Since I didn't have an alternative plan.
During these few days away from my sickbed I had mostly stayed with Fainauriel. I had visited Luna a few times and she had been happy to see me. Or maybe, it was the carrots I had had with me. Tariel had also moved to live with Fainauriel and me and she seemed very happy with these new living arrangements, since now there was always somebody who wanted to pet her or play with her. Yes, she was happy - while I was more or less confused. During the winter, when I'd had a houseful of guests, I had learned that these women - Elves - were masters of unspoken communication. Oh, they did use words - a whole lot of them - but just as much as was said, was left unsaid. Usually, the most important parts. Combine that with the use of the Old Language and be prepared for headache. I had become quite fluent with the Old Language, but it was still my second language. If I weren't able to sense at least some of the meanings behind or between the words, I'd be in real trouble. It was hard enough already.
Everything combined, I knew - or hoped - that I had at least three supporters among the elder generation, Bellcauniel, Fainauriel and maybe Allynna. Maybe some others, too. However, since my welcome had been what it was, I had no illusions that all the Elves would think the same way. I just didn't know if they hated me because I was a male or because I had some magical skills. Or both. Maybe I'd learn more in this meeting. Or not. Especially these older women were damned skillful in hiding their true agenda.
The place of meeting was probably normally a classroom - or something that had been used as a classroom before. There was a chalkboard, tables, chairs and some other stuff that were used in schools in bigger villages or towns. I knew about those even if I had never been in one before.
"Stian, do you want us to use Anglon in this examination?"
The fact that the woman here spoke perfect Anglon shouldn't have been any surprise to me, but still she managed to shake me, somewhat. Of course, some of them spoke good Anglon since they must have been here long enough to learn that language. I really had to consider her offer for a moment. Using Anglon would likely to be beneficial for me since there should be no way to add anything hidden to Anglon - not that I knew. Which reminded me that there were a lot of things I didn't know. Besides, I didn't want to look arrogant. At least, not yet.
""My Lady, that's a very generous offer, but I think that I’d rather try my luck with the Old Language... if we can agree that there are
no hidden agendas. As I was used to living alone, being in the same building with dozens of young women who all say something and mean something different, is very stressful for me. Besides, I'm sure that you can correct my possible mistakes with the language.""
There was something in her face during my response. First, addressing her as 'My Lady' was probably something she hadn't expected. On the other hand, my comment about young women and their ways of gossiping clearly amused her.
""Very well, then. May I assume that you haven't been briefed about this hearing - or us?""
So much for ’no hidden agendas’. I could feel the pressure to answer her directly, honestly and immediately. I could almost feel my mouth open but then I shook my head and closed my eyes for a moment trying to force the feeling and the coming headache away.
I responded in Anglon. "You may assume whatever you want. I mistakenly assumed that we agreed on something. I guess this hearing is over before it has even started."
Before this meeting I had been wondering if I should hide my ability to somewhat resist the orders given me with the Old Language. Almost immediately, I decided against hiding my abilities, since most likely the Elders were already well aware of them. Trying to hide that ability now would probably not just be totally useless but work against me if I tried. So, I didn't even try.
I made sure to sound disappointed and hurt, but I didn't rise from the chair immediately. As there were no gasps and no protests cried out, I was sure that I had guessed correctly. That had been a test. The only problem was that I had no idea if I had passed or failed the test.
""I told you Mylaela, I told you. Yet you had to try. Shouldn't it be enough proof that he can produce the babies? Now he's being polite as he didn't slap you back like he did to me.""
It was Crabanniel who was sitting on the side of the room. Yes, a test, indeed. A test that would provide me a mother of all headaches very soon. I cleared my throat.
""Now that you all know that I don't like being pushed around, could I get some willow bark or something? Otherwise, I'll be facing the mother of all headaches soon enough and that would make me very cranky. Being cranky will make me look really bad and I'd not like that - but no, I have not really been told about this meeting.""
There was a moment of hassle, but soon Bellcauniel offered me a glass of water with some extract in it. Answering truthfully had already helped a bit, but there would be headache coming since I had dared to resist the command. Even if it had just been a moment. I took the glass and looked at Mylaela.
""No more tricks?""
""No more tricks.""
No apologies, no explanations. I guess I still had quite a lot to get used to. If, they allowed me to stay here.
""So, Stian, even if I'm sure I've heard most of your story I'd like you to tell it to us again, since not all of us have heard all about it, especially not directly from you. Besides, I'm sure that there are some recent events that caused you to change your plans?""
The rest of the morning I used telling my somewhat sordid tale, starting from the appearance of the Guardians. I had decided to be mostly honest and open especially when I spoke about magic. Some of the women wanted to know more about the foreign creature covered with feathers and its magical abilities and I told them what I had figured out - or guessed. The main point being that he had probably been several magnitudes more powerful than I had been and that he had been able to use magic in multiple ways - constantly in the background or in extremely powerful short bursts as the Human Magicians do. I made it very clear that I didn't feel heroic for killing him even if he hadn't minded dying in a battle.
Even if they didn't directly admit it to me, I guessed that they had also sensed the creature - and that had been the reason why some of the Elves had been following him - and the group of Guardians and me. I made a note to myself to be careful with my questions since the questions could reveal a surprising lot. What was asked and what wasn't.
The second series of questions was about the magical droplets and the threads and how I had learned to see and use them. I downplayed my own attempts regarding the threads since they were crude when compared to the ones used by the Elves. My hosts were more interested in the droplets and the fact that I had been able to learn to absorb, store and use them. However, I hadn't mentioned that I had used them to my Guardian friends. Partly because I wasn't proud of that, and because I felt that my hosts didn't need to fully know that I knew how to use them.
By the time I told about the second visit from the Guardians and the reaction I got from Torvald, it was time for lunch and luckily all traces of my headache were gone by then. I ate together with Mylaela and Immianthe - who were the selected Spokeswoman and her deputy for the time being. They did ask me some questions during our lunch, but those questions weren't related to my story, but to my profession, being a hunter. It seemed that they were checking what I would be able of doing that might benefit them - or I hoped that it was. One of the things that clearly caught their interest was the fact that I had been teaching Erika and Siv.
After the lunch and some nice herbal tea I continued my story. They wanted to know all the details about my battle against the Trolls - the Ugly People - while I tried to make it clear that I had been extremely lucky to walk out alive and with the girls intact. After that, there was a moment when everybody wanted to see and check the scar on my lower left side.
""You were lucky, Stian. Just a bit more in the middle and you might have died with your internal organs bleeding inside you.""
""I'm quite aware of that.""
""Why did you save those girls? After all, they came from a village that abandoned you.""
""How could I not at least try? I guessed what would be ahead for them and I personally knew one of them.""
There were a few more questions before I was able to continue my story. I told them about my house burning down and the resultant hearing - and the fact that I would have really wanted some payback from the twins. Finally, I told about the moderator - the ex-Guardian - and what he told me. How my life would be in peril if the Guardians got any idea where I was. Partly because of what I knew about the monster and partly because of my Bonds. Once I had explained that, my last trip was only briefly mentioned.
There was a moment of silence once I was finished, before Mylaela spoke to me.
""So, it seems that you need us more than we need you.""
""I don't really think so.""
""Why's that? The Guardians are after you, not us.""
""I don't think that the number of newborns yet equals the number of deceased - and I haven't seen any other youngsters here. If I'd really need to hide, I'm quite sure that I'd be able to do that in some distant village or even in some city. After all, none of the persons chasing me has really seen me.""
""Then why did you come here?""
I smiled my best seductive smile when I answered her.
""Are you seriously asking me that? I'm a young man. A young human man. Ask any young human man if he'd like to live with dozens of gorgeous women and guess what they'd say.""
""You can't really think that...""
I had put all the ideas of hot, steamy and wet sex into my last response and the quick blush on the face of Mylaela showed me clearly that she had also received it. It was Bellcauniel who burst out laughing and ruined some of the effect.
""I warned you about him. I warned you. He remembers and is quite capable of paying you back.""
The look Mylaela gave me made me wonder if I had just ruined my possibilities of staying. I shrugged internally. If it would be like that, then it couldn't be helped. Furthermore, I knew myself well enough that I wouldn't be able to stay if I'd be constantly pushed around. I would do my share in helping them, but there would be limits.
""It’s time for you to move outside, Stian, while we discuss this.""
Mylaela's face was all neutral when she ordered me to do that. Immediately, it became clear that even thinking about not obeying her would c
ause me some new headache. I didn't smile when I moved to the bench outside.
""Yes, My Lady.""
I could tell that there were at least two younger women who kept an eye on me while I was sitting there outside the classroom and on the bench outside the building. All that talk had made me a lot more tired than I really wanted to admit. I had kept on drinking their herbal tea and all sorts of juices as much as possible in order to replenish all the blood I had lost quickly. I hated to admit it, but I wasn't yet in any shape to go hunting or even leave this valley. Besides, if I needed to leave this valley I would have absolutely no idea where to go.
--
Chapter 2
There were two women holding those Elven crossbows standing nearby and trying not to look in my direction. I was sitting there and watching everything that was happening around me.