The Comyenti Series Book Bundle, Volume 1 and 2 (Epic Romantic Supernatural Fantasy)

by Natasja Hellenthal

‘What happened, a fire?’

  He shook his head slowly and waited a moment before answering; taking a deep breath, ‘A mountain giant took it from us. We’re basically slowly starving. There are about fifty mouths to feed, including children and old people. The villagers even speak of killing some of their stock for their meat; animals who hardly have enough to eat themselves and have always given us wool, milk, eggs and their help on the land.’

  That thought disturbed her and soothed her at the same time. This man felt sympathy for animals? Most people didn't even consider them to have feelings or a soul for that matter. How very inhuman! She even found herself looking at his ears. But no, his eyes had already told her he was human alright. However, one could always hope; he was certainly very handsome.

  She stopped that thought immediately and turned to their conversation again, making sure again her ears were well covered when he looked into the fire for a moment.

  ‘Your barn has been raided by a giant?’ Sula asked moments later when gathering her thoughts, puzzled. They were seated in front of the fire now, on the comfy cushions with their teas.

  ‘Yeah,’ he looked sadly at his slender hands on his legs. ‘Springtime will have to come soon or we won’t survive on a couple of onions, carrots, some cheese and a few loaves. Even the chutneys and jellies have been taken,’ and he glanced at her. ‘We’ve already put everything together and the children and weak are getting most of course, but it’s hard. There’s nothing much to find in the woods either, everything is covered with a layer of snow. I’d have to dig deep to find some acorns or roots, but there must be some left from the autumn, so that’s my next plan for tomorrow!’

  Sula raised one eyebrow and Felix saw the orange flames reflected in her eyes.

  ‘I cannot believe it!’ She’d never heard of giants thieving before. Giants usually kept to themselves in the mountains and didn’t bother a soul and she told this to Felix.

  ‘Well, this one is different.’ He shrugged his shoulders.

  ‘He stole your barn because he was hungry!’ she stated the obvious.

  ‘Yeah and now so are we!’ Felix replied almost angrily.

  ‘When did this happen?’ She still looked disbelieving.

  ‘About a month ago, in the dead of night. He was clumsy, but quick! Almost as if he knew his way around. We could do nothing to stop him, for he was gone when we found out.’

  ‘He lives in the Balla Mountains?’

  Felix glanced suspiciously at her.

  ‘How did you know?’

  ‘I guessed, for those mountains are nearest,’ she answered stolidly.

  ‘Do you know where he has his home?’ Sula asked, emptying her bowl.

  ‘Probably in one of those large caves. I don’t know. I have travelled there but I never discovered any cave large enough to hold a giant or our barn,’ Felix replied shrugging his shoulders.

  ‘Then you haven’t looked well enough for there is one such cave. Last winter it had still been uninhabited though.’

  ‘You have been in those mountains? Last winter?’

  Sula avoided his curious big eyes and answered in a plain voice, ‘I was on my way to it again this time when we met.’

  ‘You were?’ He looked at her unbelieving. He knew how harsh those mountains were, especially in winter time. What would a young woman like her be doing there? It didn’t make much sense. But he decided to keep the conversation light.

  ‘Why have you never visited our village before now? It is the nearest one to the Balla Mountains,’ he added with a sneer, ‘and closest to my house.’

  Felix put a new log on the fire while Sula kept quiet, appearing deep in thought. She didn’t actually hibernate in the cave, but did take a short rest and reflected on the year that had passed and made plans for the next.

  She closed her eyes against the sudden smoke; they still hurt from the snow and she had little energy left to do anything about it. She needed to recharge her energy levels to be able to call upon any Mindskill.

  When she didn’t respond Felix proudly grinned, ‘Well, luckily this time you met me. The giant in that cave surely would have attacked and eaten you!’

  Sula began to laugh, ‘I am not so sure about that.’

  Felix laughed as well, but then he suddenly stopped and she could see him thinking.

  ‘Why do you say that? Everyone knows giants attack people and are always hungry! Where are you from anyway?’ he couldn’t help but ask.

  She ignored the question which had sounded kind enough.

  ‘So, have you claimed your barn back yet?’

  ‘What, are you mad?’ His behaviour changed again, but it didn’t frighten Sula. She remained calm.

  ‘No, bu-’

  ‘Have you ever met a giant?’ he asked accusingly.

  ‘Well, as a matter of f-’

  ‘Then you don’t know what you’re talking about, do you?’ Felix almost spat at her, assuming of course she had never met a giant and just pretended to be tough again. Most people would probably get to see one or two in their life times by chance, but mostly giants tried very hard to remain hidden from humans, for very good reasons, and lived in remote places. That’s why Sula did not understand why a giant would have risked his life to plunder a village.

  Sula sighed and decided not to argue any more. She saw Felix chew his inner cheek in frustration and regret. He flushed a little.

  ‘He trampled two of my family’s goats,’ Felix explained softly, a little sorry for his temper. ‘and left a trail of destruction in the woods.’

  ‘That is indeed very sad, but he was most likely just being clumsy.’

  Felix looked disappointedly at her. He didn’t understand why she defended the giant the way she did. The goats were his life.

  ‘We’re afraid, Sula. Can you blame us?’ his voice shook a little.

  No, I can’t, Sula thought grimly. Humans are weaker, I forgot. And frightened, always frightened.

  But it did surprise her he admitted his fear, for humans hardly ever did that; especially not young males. He is afraid for his goats and his family…

  ‘I just don’t fully understand why you or your people haven’t done anything yet.’ She shook her head in disbelief. Her hair fell a little over her face, blocking her eyes and with a slender hand she rubbed her forehead, brushing a few locks away.

  ‘Perhaps we are not as brave as you,’ he said in ingratiating tones and he gazed at her with admiring eyes and marvelled again at hers. She reminded him of a fairy he used to see in picture books back at school. Uncannily charismatic and beautiful and he couldn’t stop staring.

  ‘Aren’t you curious?’ she asked him. For a moment he forgot what they had been talking about, but then he remembered painfully enough. He glanced back at the flames for comfort, knotting his brows and poked absently at the fire.

  ‘Curious? Yes, but curiosity can be dangerous,’ he paused, looking uneasy. ‘We also try to be wise and save our skins. For who has ever heard of anyone coming back alive from an encounter with a giant?’

  ‘I see,’ Sula sighed disappointedly.

  ‘We are not aggressive people who go looking for trouble, Sula. This is a village of simple farmers protecting our animals. We are not going after the ones that kill them or take away our food. I feel you think differently, don’t you?’

  Not all that much...‘I just think… things will never change if you think and act ignorantly and frightened. You people have already made up your minds about the giant without knowing the complete truth. He stole your only food supply. He might come back for more or again next year as this was easy pickings!’ She emphasised her words with effect.

  Felix found her whole attitude a little accusing, but it was also compelling. He liked strong women. She reminded him of his twin sister, Feline. ‘You sound as if you know him, do you?’ he asked.

  ‘You don’t know him either, Felix. Don’t you want to know if there’s any food left?’

  Felix sighed and raised
his hands in surrender. They finished their meal in silence and after that Sula helped him clean the dishes.

  It looked like she had found herself in another adventure.

  ***

  ‘At dawn I will head for the mountain cave,’ she announced boldly. Felix turned and looked with big eyes at her, for he knew she was making sense.

  ‘Why? What can you do?’

  She narrowed her eyes a little at that, her pride hurt, but then her eyes grew soft again. She hesitated, thinking before she answered, ‘Something… more.’

  ‘You can’t be serious, surely? What can you do, other than be his dessert?’

  ‘Look, Felix, I appreciate your concern and your hospitality, but this is something I have to do. I wouldn’t even have to tell you that I am leaving, it is of no concern to you.’

  He opened his mouth and shook his head. ‘Oh, but it is, can’t you see? I was the one who told you about the giant. If you get yourself killed then I’m the one responsible for that.’

  She turned around so she didn’t have to see his frightened eyes.

  Suddenly he grabbed her by the shoulders; turned her around and looked helplessly at her. ‘Please, don’t go. The food is probably all eaten anyway. There is no point in going!’ And he added laughing nervously, ‘If you want to do something you can help me by digging up some of those acorns I told you about so we can turn it into flour to make bread.’

  Sula looked at him incredulously and wriggled her way skilfully out of his hands with her hands sweeping his slowly aside, without loosing eye contact. She had goose bumps when his hands brushed against her skin. Felix had an urge to hold her close and caress her long dark locks and smooth skin. He caught her sweet warm scent like honeysuckle and wanted to nuzzle his face in her neck.

  ‘I… just want to find out where your provisions are and if there is anything left,’ she reasoned, relenting a little, looking away now. ‘But don’t you worry. I can look after myself pretty well, thank you.’

  He turned around and rubbed his chin in anger while he said through clenched teeth, ‘I wish I'd never told you about it!’

  ‘Too late now,’ she tried to smile at him, for she did indeed appreciate his concern. It had been a long time since someone really cared about her or even that she had wanted them to.

  He paced the room trying to think of a way to stop her.

  ‘When are you planning to go?’ he asked hurriedly.

  She returned his gaze, sighing, ‘At first light.’

  He stepped in front of her showing her his broad chest, taking a deep breath, placing his fists on his hips.

  ‘I won’t let you go, Miss Sula!’

  Angry at those words, she faced him and he could almost feel the energy radiating from her.

  ‘I am not your prisoner!’ But more composed and calmer she added, ‘You have invited me here, remember?’

  It softened him and he made his voice gentle again when he steadily said, ‘I will come with you. You’ll be needing my help to carry back the food if we find it. And you will need someone to look out for you.’

  Now she was the one who was surprised. She agreed and once she had drunk her tea, she pulled her cloak off the hook and away from the fire. Felix watched her lie down on the comfortable cushions and cover herself with the still damp cloak in front of the fireplace.

  ‘Sula, you are my guest! I will not let you sleep on the floor! At least sleep in my bed.’

  She glanced over at his even more comfortable broad bed and all of a sudden she had a vision of Felix’s naked slim body bending over hers, kissing her sensuously all over and holding her tenderly…

  Sula could feel her face flush and immediately blocked her embarrassing thoughts, brushing her hair in front of her face so he wouldn’t see. However she didn’t have the energy left to refuse his polite and innocent offer. He knew how to treat a guest, she gave him that.

  She opened her bag and put on a long dry flannel nightdress that reached just below her knees and shyly slipped underneath his blankets which still smelled of him; like wood. Felix didn’t look at her once out of respect.

  She closed her weary eyes and heard him wash his face and hands quickly and make his bed on the sheepskins on the floor.

  The mattress Sula laid on was stuffed with a combination of straw and wool and therefore quite soft. She could smell this too. It was pleasant. She wasn’t used to anything so luxurious. The thick woollen blanket covered her completely and soon was warm. Sula felt her body relax as she grew more comfortable and the welcome sleep approached.

  One last time she looked at the figure on the floor and her sleepy thoughts were of her strangely pleasant evening. It had felt so familiar. To talk to someone, to argue and even laugh a little. She realised that she had really missed that.

  Felix on the other hand couldn’t sleep at all. He listened to her soft breathing. He had a few female friends however no one like her; so mature, so strong and self-confident. His only sister came close but he hardly ever saw her as she stayed away for most of the year. He hoped she was treated with the same kindness he was giving his guest wherever she was.

  It was as if a whirlwind had blown through his house, leaving him shaking and full of questions. During the night he heard the storm raging outside just as Sula had predicted.

  Chapter 4 The Giant

  Felix opened his eyes slowly. His door appeared closer than normal; was he hallucinating? Remembering that he’d slept on the floor, he pushed the blanket away and stretched out his stiff muscles. He quickly turned around to look at his bed with his sleeping guest, but found it empty too. It was still dark outside, but Sula had already left.

  Cursing to himself he jumped up; quickly pulling on his trousers, a tight fitting shirt and the blue woollen jumper he had worn the day before.

  When he tried to pull open the door he found that he couldn’t. Something was jammed against the handle from the outside.

  ‘Fool!’ Felix shouted after her but she was of course too far away to hear him.

  Her heavy cloak was gone, but her rucksack, with all her belongings, was still there next to the bed. That was a little hopeful; although deep down he knew where she had gone and was almost certain she would not come back alive once she had found the mountain giant.

  Felix had a worried look on his face. The thought of her body crushed between the giant’s strong arms made him feel terrified.

  He grabbed his coat and scarf then hurried to the window, and tried to open it. It was covered in thick ice and the window wouldn’t budge. With his knife he slowly hacked away at the ice that had formed on the latch until he was able to give it a little push to open it wide enough for him to squeeze through.

  He fell out of the window and landed face down in the snow. A cold breeze welcomed him and the sharpness of it hurt his face. Wrapping his scarf tightly around his neck, he scrambled up. An almost full moon was rising and this would give him just enough light to search for her.

  Felix hoped she had not got that far yet, but had an uncomfortable feeling.

  Glimpsing at his shovel wedged against the lock of his door and her footprints leading away he grumbled. As fast as he could he ran through the small village. Everyone was still asleep, save for one single old man removing snow from the path in front of his house.

  ‘Oldevar,’ Felix noticed the man leaning with distracted eyes on his work tool.

  ‘You’re up early?’

  The old man looked up but just stared at Felix in silence.

  ‘What is it, old friend?’ Felix asked.

  The grey haired man opened his mouth slowly in response, ‘I… I just saw a wolf.’

  ‘A wolf in our village?’

  Felix knew there were wolves in the woods, that sometimes killed a few sheep or chickens who wandered off too far. It was hard to avoid; living side by side, but he had never heard of a wolf coming that close to humans. They were too afraid of people to come near unless they were very hungry and came looking for scraps o
r weak or young livestock.

  ‘Are you sure?’ Felix asked. Oldevar glanced with wide-open grey eyes at him.

  ‘As sure as I see you, son.’

  ‘What about a woman?’ Felix pointed at Sula’s footprints in the snow close to the old man. No wolf prints were to be seen. ‘Surely you must have seen her?’

  Violently he shook his head, ‘A she-wolf.’

  Felix sighed and laid a comforting hand on the man’s shoulder. He didn’t know what to think. Oldevar was known for his well-developed senses and some said he had the Sight. He saw different things; things beyond the visible world. But for now, Felix didn’t have time to think about his words.

  ***

  Sula walked into the cave’s mouth which was covered with bright green moss on the inside; almost the same colour as her woolly hat. She had decided to wear a hat to cover her unusual ears instead of her hood. The cave could easily fit a giant. This was a large high chamber; damp and moist.

  She knew it was not her business, but she wanted to help Felix and his people despite her thoughts about humans in general. She wanted to learn more about this giant and perhaps set something straight. There were already too many conflicts between people and other species including hers. She saw it as her task to help her fellow beings. Even her mother would have agreed with her on that. She loved all creatures, big and small.

  Sula also understood humans by now; they were useless and acted out of egotism, greed and ignorance, sometimes even indifference which Sula felt could be worse than hate. For people not to do anything about acts of evil carried out towards animals and innocent people, and just let it happen over and over again, knowing that it causes great pain and death was sometimes worse. Worse than people hating something they don’t understand. Sula was more than all that.

  The inner chamber of the cave in which she stood in was dark, but she used the navigation senses of the bat.

  ‘Your breath, my breath, your spirit, my spirit, your mind, my mind…’

  As her vision failed her, the deeper into the cave she went, she became one with the bat; producing high-pitched signals to determine the distance to the nearby objects and find her way.