Laughing to himself, he contemplated his next move. During his sleep, the answer to his conundrum had come to him, and he felt certain he knew exactly who the young maid was, or once had been.
For now, she was a delicate, mortal flower, with wild blond hair and a warm heart for lesser creatures. Yes, her devotion to others gives her away even if she is unaware of her past life, he assured himself as he settled into a nearby forest and hunted down a meal. But soon, she will be enlightened, which is only fitting that she should know her name before she dies.
“Everyone gather round,” Piers called. He had started the fire and placed the kettle of water atop the embers. “I still can’t believe you brought the cookpot,” he chuckled, shaking his head at Baldwin.
“I thought it might be nice to –” he tried to explain before his leader cut him off with a raised hand.
“I’m joking,” the Mate informed him. “It was good thinking, and for once we had a bit of time to plan. Thank you for the addition,” he praised, glancing at Rey, who had saved the day when they had left the sinking ship. “If I were ever to choose who I wanted to be stranded with, this group right here is exactly who I would pick,” he said more quietly.
Smiling covertly, Ami added the wild herbs and vegetables she had gathered to the stew, as the water containing the cleaned rabbit meat had begun to boil. Dusting off her hands, she found a seat on one of the rocks they had rolled into a circle around their fire and observed, “It is better to travel when we’re not on the run.”
Looking up anxiously at the sky, Rey and the Mate shared a knowing glance and then laughed in unison. They had both been expecting to be overtaken by their nemesis at any moment, but so far, they had not seen or heard from the beast.
“Perhaps it will remain so,” Rey observed, giving the other man a nod before he pushed. “So, old man. Where do we go from here?”
“North,” Piers informed him with a bob of his head. “We have that desert we must cross, since we can’t go through elf lands, and that will take some effort. I figure if we gather as much food and water as we can before we get there, we should make it ok.”
“Many miles will it be before we reach the oasis,” Zaendra informed him while warming her hands before the flames.
“Have you ever seen the desert?” Baldwin inquired. “I’ve never seen one.”
“No,” the nymph shook her head but smiled. “I have only heard of it, but I have longed to see it. The glen is a beautiful place, but there is so much more of Eriden to be seen.”
“Is that how Preivia knew you would want to come with us?” Amicia asked quietly. “Have you always dreamed of traveling?”
“I thought the nymphs and satyrs never left Esterbrook,” Rey observed with a shrug.
“Most do not,” Zae nodded. “But for some of us, the wilderness calls. I have known since I was young that I desired to see faraway lands. But to have companions for travel, that is more difficult to come by,” she informed them, her dark brown orbs dancing mysteriously in the fire’s glow.
Dropping her arm across the smaller girl’s shoulders, Ami grinned, “Well, I’m happy you have chosen to join us.”
Rolling his eyes, Piers held his tongue, as any words he shared at that moment would more than likely start a fight. Instead, he stood and gave the pot a stir. The water boiling, he knew it would still be a while before the meal was ready to eat. Clapping his hands together as he reclaimed his seat, he announced, “I guess we have arrived at story time.”
Laughing, his three mortal companions looked at one another, then pointed back and forth as they decided who would go first. Watching them, an odd sense of correctness stirred within their leader. He had not felt at peace since they began building their cabin at Esterbrook. However, getting underway had set things right, and having the others with him had made it only more so, no matter how much he complained.
Seeing none was eager to begin, the Mate waved his hands to cut them off, “It’s ok. I’ll tell one, and then one of you can take tomorrow night.”
Agreeing with a smile firmly painted on her lips, Amicia studied the older man. Somehow, with the darkness folding in around them, she felt grateful that they no longer cowered in the glen. His eyes meeting hers, he nodded at her, and then he began.
“Once, there was this unbelievably wealthy young man,” he said confidently, earning groans from Bally and Rey, as they knew exactly who he was talking about. However, out of respect, they held their tongues.
“And this young man had never spent much time around people his own age,” he continued, a bit more quietly. “He never had any friends, and his parents always thought he had to be and act a certain way. But he didn’t care what they thought,” he laughed.
“He made his own rules and insisted that he didn’t need the life they had always wanted for him. So, he sailed away on a ship and spent his time managing cargo,” he used his hands to imitate the shape of a large box, “and entertaining the ladies.” He again wafted them in the air, outlining the curves of a woman, causing his male companions to snicker. “And he was very lonely,” he confessed. “For more than twenty years, that’s all his life consisted of.”
“And then on one particular trip, one such young lady snuck on board his ship, and she turned out to be… one of the most amazing women he had ever met.” He stared straight at Amicia as he confessed how deeply she had moved him. “Then, of course, a dragon noticed she was on board and ripped the ship apart, sending it and the crew plummeting to the bottom of the sea.”
The two crewmen moaned, but Zaendra, Animir, and Oldrilin all leaned forward, hanging on every word. Shaking her head, Ami giggled to see how caught up they were in his telling.
“What happened then?” Animir finally prodded when his pause became long.
“Well, they built a raft to escape. The rich boy had become the first mate on that ship, and he stayed behind to fight the dragon while two of his crew rescued the girl. After the fight, he joined them on the flat, and they got away,” he replied, holding up his hands as if to end the tale.
“But then what happened?” Zae insisted, certain that wasn’t all to be heard.
“Well, after weeks of floating on the sea, they had no food and only water to drink, which they had collected from the rain,” he said somberly. “It was hot when the sun shined, cold when the rains came, and the three sailors were very afraid their princess was going to die.”
Grinning deviously, the Mate lowered his voice and growled, “But at the last minute, they saw land off in the distance. They leapt into the water and swam hard, pushing their raft towards it. By some miracle, they were able to reach the shore and crashed on a beach, where a group of sirens saved them,” he informed her with a wide-eyed stare.
Lin giggled loudly, realizing then who the lost shipmates were. “So scary,” she squealed.
“Aye,” the Mate agreed with a wink. “They hid in the woods for a few moons, but the dragons soon found them and burned the mermaid lagoon. Running away, they took one of the tiny creatures and fled into the woods, where they met the elves.”
Catching on, Animir grunted, “You are speaking of yourself.”
“Aye,” Piers said again, only this time even more quietly. “But now the boy who never had any friends, has enough to fill his table… and his heart with love,” he whispered. “I’m sorry that I threw such a tantrum this morning,” he coughed. “I should have known none of you would have allowed me to face this journey alone.”
Beaming at him, Amicia shook her head slowly. “Oh, Piers.”
“I meant what I said,” he declared more loudly. “I’m too old and set in my ways to think about starting a family,” he chirped, pointing at her with a stiff digit, “so you can forget about us ever making babies. But, when it comes to friends as good as brothers and sisters, or me ever being an uncle,” he paused, gazing at each in turn, “then this is the family for me.”
Blinking back tears, Ami couldn’t hold her emotions any longer. �
�Is it that obvious?” she asked quietly.
“Of course, it is,” Rey snapped, smacking her gently on the arm with the back of his hand. “But it’s ok, we understand,” he said with a smile. “Now, do we get to eat?”
“It might be ready,” the Mate agreed, rising to give the pot another stir.
On his feet, Bally left the circle in search of his pack, calling over his shoulder, “Well, since I thought of the kettle for stew, I have another surprise.” Turning around, he presented the goblets, bowls and spoons that he had also brought along.
“Oh, now we have everything,” Piers said with a laugh. “See, I wouldn’t have thought of half this stuff if I had been left to my own devices!” Glancing at Rey, he could see the other man’s face almost glowed, and he hoped it meant he had been forgiven for dragging them away from the easy life of the glen.
Matter of Survival
Ami awoke early the following morning. The air still, a light fog hung over the ground, but only a few inches high. Holding her head, she pressed on her right temple firmly, where a sharp ache had settled behind her eye. “Shit,” she muttered, managing to sit up.
Thin clouds masked the rise of the sun, and the day seemed at odds with the tranquility they had each felt the night before. Enjoying the fire and each other’s company, perhaps deeper than they ever had before, they had not slept as much as they should have. In light of this, she easily blamed her foolishness and the late hour for her pain.
Rising next, Piers joined her. “You look as if you enjoyed too many spirits,” he teased when she blinked at him.
“My head hurts,” she confessed, “but I doubt spirits were involved.”
Nodding, he stoked the fire. “Warm the leftover stew and have a big drink of water and see if it helps,” he suggested, then set about waking the others.
Soon, the camp was alive with giggling girls and eager young men. The ease of their departure had bolstered their nerve, and they felt confident in their ability to reach the desert, which would be their next conquest in the Kingdom of Eriden.
Scowling at them, the noise seemed to vibrate within Amicia’s skull, and she winced with pain.
Rey seconded the Mates opinion. “You look ill, love.”
Her features drawn, she sighed, “Please don’t speak of it. I would not wish to bring everyone else down in our moment of triumph,” she suggested with a hint of sarcasm.
Taking pity on her, he fished her hairbrush out of his pack and announced, “I’ll help you with your hair.”
Staring at the device, her eyes grew wide. “I had forgotten it. I was so upset about the departure, I left it behind,” she recalled, growing anxious, “And –”
“And the dagger and the mirror. I know. I gathered them all for you,” he informed her while turning her so he could reach her tacky braid. Pulling at it, he freed the tie and brought it down. Running the brush over it, starting at the ends and working his way up, he admired her golden waves. “Remember when I did this for you when we were lost on the raft?”
“Aye,” she agreed. Tears in her eyes, she didn’t know if they were wrought by the pain or by the tenderness with which he cared for her. When her new bun had been secured, she faced him, catching his hands between hers.
Staring into his hazel orbs, she smiled. “Thank you. I would have been lost without the brush for sure,” she joked, making light of her weakness.
“Don’t mention it,” he returned the grin, only pausing for a moment before he pulled himself away.
Rolling up the quilts, Piers made note of the tender moment between them and tamped down his twinge of jealousy. He would remain true to his word, and the other man would have her if he could manage it.
Feeling better, Amicia ate her bowl of stew along with the others, and the pain had been reduced to a dull ache by the time they were packed and ready to depart. Hoisting her bag, she smiled at her lanky comrade who had come to her rescue as he helped the siren into the pouch on his chest.
She had been surprised that Oldrilin had managed to walk the entire day before. Noting that she faced him, resting her head on his shoulder, she knew the mermaid would sleep. “Do you need any help?” she offered.
“No, we’ve got it,” he replied, adjusting his pack and ready to go.
Looking around, Piers waved his hand, calming the group and getting their attention. “Well, this was much easier when there were only four of us,” he laughed. “I’m a bit concerned about this fog. We can’t see the ground, and we all need to watch our step. We stick together, so no wandering off. If anyone needs to stop, give a shout. We’re in no hurry, so everyone just keep your heads and stay safe,” he instructed.
Amicia grinned approvingly at his speech. “You make a wonderful captain, Mate.”
“Aye,” he replied with less conviction than he felt. Taking the lead, he entered the undergrowth on the north side of their abandoned camp with Zaendra, then Animir behind. Bally followed his best friend, with Amicia only a few steps behind him, while Reynard brought up the tail, plus one siren strapped to his chest.
Keeping the pace down, Piers picked their way through easily enough, while hoping the fog would burn off when the sun found its way to the top of the sky. Catching glimpses of him as they moved, Amicia felt better as the day wore on, and her mind turned to other things to ponder.
It had been a relief that Rey had thought to collect her things for her. He had always been there to look out for her, she recalled of him fondly, even the first day he had sat with her and then presented her with her meal in the evening. Always kind, she hated to use the word decent to describe him, as she had seen the characteristic as weak when she had applied it to Rupert.
Thinking of the older man, her memories from further into the past floated to the surface, and she was back in Nalen when Zae screamed in front of her. Closing the distance with a few quick strides, the group huddled on the path as the girl struck out at an unseen enemy with her staff.
“What is it?” Ami demanded as she stood back to back with Rey, turning in a slow circle.
Dropping their load of weapons to the ground, Bally handed them out, shoving Amicia’s bow into her hand. “Take it,” he grunted.
Closing her fingers around the shaft, she pushed against it and set the string. Then she knelt to retrieve her quiver. “Are they elves?” she asked with a shaky voice.
“No,” Piers whispered, “it looked like a small dog or a very large rat. I really can’t be sure.”
A hissing noise rose from one of the trees, and the group looked up to find an oversized rodent on the limb, searching for a way to get out over their heads. Having claimed his sword, Piers held it up, ready to deal with the beast.
“Wait!” Ami commanded. “Let me try to talk to them,” she suggested, recalling her success with the wolves.
“Well, make it quick,” he agreed. “They don’t appear to be in the mood for conversation.”
Using the silver ribbon that held the device, she freed the shell from her cleavage. Pulling her merdoe out through the neck of her shirt, she gripped it tightly and closed her eyes, reaching out with her mind. Finding nothing, she scowled. “I can’t get to them,” she confessed a moment before one of them leapt upon her back, clearly trying to separate her pack from her shoulders.
Dropping the bag, she used her bow to whack the giant mouse, noting its red eyes that seemed to burn with flame. “It is a rat!” she exclaimed when it had run away.
“Everything’s bigger in Eriden,” Bally teased. “Remember the wolves?”
“Absolutely,” Rey agreed, adjusting his sword in his hands. “It seemed to be after our food. Perhaps we should spill it on the ground and make a run for it while they are gathering our scraps.”
“Out of the question,” Amicia retorted, setting the nock of an arrow and gripping the string. “We need this food. It will be a matter of survival once we reach the desert.”
The group still held the circle around the bag, and Rey gently lowered the sire
n to the ground, where she claimed one of the fallen quilts and used it to cover her head in fear. “Good girl,” he praised, “just hide. Zae, you ok?”
Brandishing her staff like a club, the dark skin of the nymph hid her flush. “Fine time to ask,” she growled. They had only seen a glimpse of her anger, but a moment later they witnessed the extent of her rage. A fat brown body darted through the low-lying fog, and she bashed at it with the limb while screaming, “AAAAyaaaa!”
An instant later, a swarm of the creatures seemed to pour in from every side. Arrows flew and swords sang as they twirled through the air, catching the tiny carcasses and filling them with holes.
“Keep them away from you!” Piers shouted after receiving a nasty scratch to the back of his hand.
“Too late,” Bally replied, sporting toothmarks across his old scar.
“Kill them all!” Animir rallied, his arrows catching one after another.
Accurate, but slower on the draw, Ami managed to get a few, and the ground was littered with bodies by the time they had cleared the hoard. “Oh my God,” she panted, wiping at the blood that coated her face. “Did that just happen?”
“Aye,” Piers replied, his sword still high as he turned in a slow circle, waiting for the next wave.
Looking around at the carnage, Bally laughed, “Do you think they’re edible?”
“You’re kidding me,” Rey replied, smacking the smaller man playfully on the back of his head. “We’re damn near killed by these things, and you’re worried about dinner.”
“Well, a man’s gotta eat,” he laughed, then held up his bite. “Ok, seriously, I almost lost this hand once already.”
“Let me see,” Zae took charge, leaning her staff against her shoulder and grasping his hand. Squeezing the punctures, she caused them to bleed. “You must be treated,” she announced, glancing around at the others. “All of us.”
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