Ellipsis - Creators of Six #1

by Jacob White

“For a couple of reasons: one is I need to see this leader. Maybe if I can talk to him, I can understand his plight better and even strike a bargain of some kind for the future. Also, I owe you an enormous debt.” I tilted my head to the side. This entire time I felt as if I was his enemy. “This doesn’t cover it but… you know… later. I just wanted to offer my help, it only seemed right when a prince of the realm was letting one of his friends die for the good of the kingdom.”

  Satisfied, I poured a glass of wine for him and handed it to him. He waited for me to pour Les’s and mine. Then we clanked our glasses lightly together.

  “To friends,” I said. Then Les and Aden both added their own.

  “To love.…”

  “To Ellipsis.” When our heads came back down, food was laid on the table. I couldn’t help but grab the meat I haven't eaten since I got here. “Where the hell did you get this wine? It's exquisite” I smiled at Aden.

  “That would be one of my own personal belongings. I stole it from my own brother Arbos. The one who is grumpy and commands lightning.” Gibi said. Aden spat out his drink, soaking me. I only laughed at his reaction. With wide eyes, he looked to Gibi.

  “Is there a way I could perhaps barter with you for one?”

  “Why do you say barter?”

  “I just assumed god’s did not need gold.”

  “Hmm, okay, I will think on an agreeable exchange. Perhaps an ear.” We ignored his comment. “Nothing… Edmund…”

  After dinner, Aden got bathed then Les and I. She refused to use the spare tub and got in mine. Just like before, we helped washed each other and then held on to one another.

  “Aren’t you scared?” She asked as her back was against my chest.

  “I am, but I know we will see each other again.”

  “I am trying my best to stay strong for you, but could you at least consider keeping the stone. I know there would be much more danger if you did. At least you would be here with me.”

  “I have thought about it. A lot actually. I cannot doom the world because of a selfish desire.”

  “Isn't it the same as Liam does or even Gibi? Why are there actions not considered selfish but when you want to hang onto life, it is?”

  “I didn’t say theirs weren't… but Liam… what he wants to create, to become, cannot be allowed. I've seen the world where I've kept it and accepted his offer. In the end, you were all still killed but by my hand. Remember?”

  “I do…” We were silent after that as Gibi brought us some wine in the bath.

  We took it graciously and drank a bit too much, but it was nice to see Les smile some more. I also knew that from her body movements arching closer to mine that trouble only followed. I smiled at the thought because Les was crazy enough to try and finally be with me in front of the others. To say the least, I was very tempted by the idea, but I don’t think I could put Anna through that even if she helped me.

  “Take me to bed, my handsome.”

  “Oh, I'm handsome now?”

  “Well, I have been drinking.” She smiled and kissed my lips before standing in front of me. I’m in trouble. She stepped out and picked a drying cloth from the screen and put a night slip on. This one however only fell to her mid-thigh. She bent over to pick up her clothes from before. Dear gods, I was in trouble. I followed soon after, giving myself some time to calm down. It worked until I slid into the bed and her mouth found mine. Our bodies melted together, but I stopped as I saw a leather binding around her neck that rested in-between her cleavage. I slowly pulled it out and smiled.

  “You found it?”

  “I did. I also know what it meant for you to give it to me. I asked Ralph to make me a temporary necklace to hold it until I could make it more permanent.”

  “I don’t know, I quite like the leather.”

  “Then the leather shall stay.” She kissed me again and drew me close and nestled into me. “Tonight, I just wish to hold you. Tomorrow I shall impart my relaxing gift.” She winked at me. I explained I needed to continue to drink just in case Laila’s blessing wouldn’t hold through the night. I gave her fair warnings of the possible convulsions, but it was in exchange to prevent magical outbursts. She looked saddened but soon got up and poured me a glass of wine.

  “You know… Gibi sure did steal a lot of that wine.” Les said.

  “Maybe it refills after every bottle?” I guessed.

  “If that were true, he wouldn’t have offered a trade. I bet he stole the whole damn cellar.”

  “I wouldn’t put it past him either.” I sat with my back to a wooden headboard and Les fell asleep with her head in my lap as I stroked her long hair. Another thought came to mind but I would ask Gibi in the morning. I soon fell asleep in a drunken state.

  I woke to light streaming through the tent flap. My hand went immediately to my nose. I didn’t feel any dried blood. Instantly relaxing, I knew the blessing had held. I stood up to dress on the edge of the bed. Hands came around my chest.

  “Good morning, my love.”

  “Good morning, beautiful. Did you sleep well?”

  “Best I’ve had in a long time. I was worried about you convulsing but I guess you didn’t. Considering I didn’t wake.”

  Aden called over telling us we should get going to make more ground than we did yesterday. He also let us know the closer we get, the colder it will get. We dressed accordingly and then finished our breakfast. Gibi appeared after and then we left for another day of walking.

  Into the late afternoon, I remembered a question I wanted to ask Gibi.

  “Gibi, I was wondering if you could do me a favor. It might sound strange at first.”

  “What is it? or I could just take it from your mind if you prefer?”

  “Actually, it might be easier if you do that.” I felt him in my mind but was instantly gone after what he was looking for.

  “Hmm, I think I could manage that. I will have it done by tonight. Wait.” Suddenly he told the group to stop and disappeared. We took up various positions around Les knowing her fighting skills were even less than mine. Soon after, he returned.

  “The hounds somehow made it up through the pass. Last night I saw them still monitoring the camp before the city. They had to have somehow felt the stone moving.”

  “This means any slow pace we were considering is gone.” Then Aden took off to a jog with all of us in falling in behind him. Gibi was gone again, more than likely watching behind us as we made our progress. Just before the night fell, a thin path came into view that went around the small cliff. It was only wide enough for one man, preventing any side-by-side attempts to cross it. We couldn’t climb up and over either. The flat rock was too high of a climb.

  “We should make camp. We would be testing death if we attempted this at night” Anna said, crouched at the front of the path.

  “Is there a way to expand it, I mean the ice is a form of water, correct?” Aden asked.

  “Well, yes and no. If we attempted it and failed, the path would cease to be. All it would take is heating the water a bit too much or spreading it too thin. I don’t think it would we be a worthy enough to risk.”

  “Okay, then let's get camp up when Gibi gets back.” As soon as I sat down, the tent appeared as if it had been there the whole time. “Or we can go in now, I suppose.”

  I stood again and went inside but before I crossed the threshold. A light flickered just outside the tent. Gibi appeared but he was breathing hard and on all fours. “Gibi! Everyone help!” Everyone rushed out picking him up and taking him inside and pushed onto a bed.

  “I'm fine, just tired. I will explain soon just let me rest.” We looked at each other in worry. I asked Les to stay at his side. We all took off our gear and made a plate of food for Gibi and Les. He took it graciously and began to eat. I had never seen him eat before besides berries and nuts. My mouth remained silent as he ate plate after plate. I knew if he was eating this much then he was exhausted for some reason. Later he was standing again, color already coming
back to his face and his beard neat again. It was still odd seeing him in leathers that matched our own. As a god id assume he would have been ceremonious.

  “Weaver, if you could please stand here and the others around you?” We each looked at each other confused. We got up and did as he asked. Gibi pulled out a small jeweled encrusted box and handed it to me.

  “This is the gift you requested, but I also added a few more touches. Open it and tell me what you think.” I did but slowly. The box cracked open. A small blue tinged light was trying to escape. When I finally set my eyes around the ring, it was beautiful. I was utterly speechless.

  “It holds the hair of all of your companions just as you requested. I fused them together with my blood as well as my former partner.”

  “Gibi… This gift is too grand.”

  “My hair?” Aden didn’t receive an answer.

  “Now for the reason of my weakened state. I wasn’t even sure if it would work, but it did. It must have taken hold on the blood I used to form the binding. It has my last blessing fused into it, Weaver.”

  “Gibi…” was all Anna could say. The ring was beautiful. The metal I felt was nothing like I had felt before. It was a shade of blue to match the waters of his grove. The ring itself had etchings all around it in silver. They were words of some kind but nothing I'd ever seen before.

  “What does this writing mean?” I asked.

  “It is the language of the god’s. It tells of my partner's life and my love for her.”

  “Still after all this time, you still have love for her?” Aden asked.

  “Even more so. This is my final gift to you, Weaver. I know you had intended to give it to Les but if you could wear it until your passing, it would give me a great honor.”

  “Wait… you were going to give me a ring?”

  “I was… but now.” She smiled.

  “I will be all the more special knowing it kept you safe these final da… wait…” Les stopped speaking.

  “That is correct, Les,” Gibi said with a smile

  “Gibi’s balls!” Anna shouted, scaring us all.

  “Can somebody fill me in please?” Aden asked.

  “Oh, sorry. It means Weaver doesn’t have to die… He will still have the blessing of Gibi when he hands the stone off.” Anna said. Les jumped into Gibi’s arms, hugged him and placed kisses on both of his cheeks.

  “I forgive you for everything, Gibi!” She was so happy it brought tears to my eyes. I couldn’t believe what I had just heard. I pulled out the ring and slid it onto my finger. It was much bigger than my finger but it magically re-adjusted, and I instantly felt warm.

  “God’s... it's such pure hope. Can my body handle this?”

  “It can. The strength will always remain, but you will become used to it.”

  “Gibi, I could never repay what you have done for me… what you risked…”

  “It is like Aden said the other night. He couldn’t expect a subject to die for him, especially if he had the chance to be there. The same applies to me. I couldn’t see a friend be destroyed by a curse that wasn’t his from the start.” I reached out and clasped arms with him.

  “Thank you… for everything.”

  “If you were me, I feel as though you would have found a way too, or even much more.” We smiled, and after I had unclasped my hands, I picked up Les and spun her around. She held on to my neck and was laughing. I put her down and looked at Anna. She had been crying but already attempted to clean her face. I held Anna into a tight embrace as she whispered into my ear.

  “Weaver, thank the gods… I honestly wasn’t sure what I would have done if I had to watch you die.” She kissed my cheek and pulled back. “Now go to Les. We will eat and drink at this great news, agreed?” We all agreed in unison as I picked up Les again and took her to the table. We all sat and drank that night. I didn’t know how to explain the weight that was lifted from my shoulders. It was as if I was reborn and made a new being in constant contact with this ring. It was much stronger than anything Laila or I could ever possess. I imagine it came from the love he poured into it as well. Aden spoke just as I had a full leg of meat in my mouth.

  “Two questions. Weaver: what in the six hells did you want with our hair?”

  “It was just an idea I had. That maybe Gibi could make something out of it. That way Les could always have all of us together after I was gone to remind her that she was never alone.” I had wanted three made but changed my mind.

  “Wow, good answer, and two, actually… I forgot my next question...” Les nearly choked as she let out a laugh seeing Aden concentrate so hard to try to remember it.

  “Well if you remember I’ll be sure to answer. Gibi, not to ruin the mood but any updates on your furry friends?”

  “Ralph and Dirk are still with the princess.” I was getting good at glaring at people. I did have Les and Anna to learn from.

  “I mean—”

  “Yes, I know what you said but I lost track of them before I had left to make your newest fashion accessory.”

  For the rest of the night, we talked and drank. I ended up asking Gibi not to tell Laila the news. That I wanted to surprise them when we returned. He didn’t understand why but said he would not. Finally, I found myself next to Les in bed and once again her backside rubbing into my lower half.

  “You know... now that I have more time, you are going to have to wait again.” She instantly turned over.

  “Gibi! Could you take this ring back please, just for two days or so?” He didn’t appear, but I heard his laugh in my head.

  “He said no.” I couldn’t but help smile at her.

  “Really? Well, what if I made you.” She kissed me and pulled away. “Right now.” She kissed me again, grinding her body into mine. “And here?”

  “Right here?” I raised an eyebrow. “I'm not sure you have that type of power over me.” She smiled as if she took it as a challenge.

  “You do, you do.” I tried to get out as she straddled me. I felt every inch of me instantly grow. I couldn’t help but think about the none-existing fabric that blocked her the warmness in between her legs. Her mouth continued to find mine as she grabbed my hands and placed them on her breasts. I whispered into to her ear.

  “They will see us, and hear us, you know.”

  “Why, do you plan on screaming my name?”

  “Only if you wanted me to but I'd still prefer to be alone when this happened…”

  “I know. But, Weaver…” She frowned seeking sympathy. It wasn’t very convincing considering where my hands were. “Please… for me. We have been through so much…”

  I lifted my head and looked around. Aden was already snoring. Then I turned to Anna, but she scared me half to death. She was still awake and when we met our eyes together. She turned over wiping her face. What was I going to do?

  “You’re not playing fair, Les…”

  “You didn’t say I had too.” She flipped over to her side again and found her head a comfortable place on my chest. “I love you. You know that, right?”

  “Les, I've never doubted it.”

  “When you were going to die… did you ever think about coming to get me?”

  “It almost drove me as mad as Liam. It was one of the hardest choices I’ve ever had to make.” She kissed my chest.

  “Good, it was the least you deserved.” I smiled.

  “Yes, I suppose it was.” She drifted asleep and I stared at the ceiling. I love this woman so much but hurting Anna and Laila, pained me also. I had become so close to them all. One since childhood, one who kept my mind intact and one who cared for me through everything. After all, this was over, I was going to ask Gibi to make me a secluded place where we could grow old in peace. As I continued to think of that location. I fell asleep with the warmth of the Gibi’s ring.

  “Wake up! Now!” Gibi screamed in my head. “You have to go now; the hounds have picked up your scent somehow.”

  “Everyone, get up now!” They all jump
ed off their beds relaying Gibi’s message.

  “How much time do we have?” We heard the beasts roar.

  “None if that was any hint.” Anna said. We were almost at a loss for words. In the heat of the moment, Aden took charge.

  “Do we have time to dress?” I answered him from what Gibi had told me.

  “Okay, just your boots, a coat, and a spare weapon. I will take up the rear, Anna, Les then Weaver. Go now.”

  We did as we were commanded then we found ourselves barely dressed in the night’s frigid air. Anna was the first to go. It was a slow pace, but I understood she needed to make sure the ice would hold once we made our way. Finally, she waved us on a couple of steps behind her and we all started out across the ice.

  “They are here. Keep going!” Aden yelled. I heard the loud growls as they were trying to decide how best to approach. They knew they would be at a disadvantage if they followed. They also must have thought if we reached the other side before they captured their prize, we would melt the small ridge.

  They were right of course as I had prepared my mind to call the ice around us. That’s when they came one at a time. I heard their claws chipping into the ice.

  “Aden, you still with us?” I couldn’t see him as we rounded the other side. I then heard a yelp and more growls.

  “Yeah, keep going. Get ready to melt it!” Anna let us know she was across by yelling. It also served as a warning to Aden that she was ready when he called for it. We soon made it after as Aden screamed.

  “Now!” I felt the water shifting as Anna began her manipulation. Aden was now in sight, running and slipping on the ice. Just as his foot went off the side, I was ready and widened the ice that was now under his foot. I also made the Ice have more texture. I couldn’t tell the difference as I saw the black beast behind him.

  I felt a bigger push as Anna made the ice fall right from under the hound but not before he had jumped. I had considered using wind to push them off. But my control was nowhere I needed to ensure Aden’s safety. The shadow hound’s claw grazed Aden’s back, making him scream.

  “Impale!” At the same time, I called an ice spike from the side of the cliff. Impaling the beast. Stuck on the spike I had created, I took a breath and created another into its head, only this time separating it from his body.