The man grinned a toothy smile. With perfect teeth like that, there was no doubt he was an elf. He rose to his feet and jumped down, landing nimbly on his feet.
"Good evening to you, too," he replied with a bow.
"This evening will be a good one when you leave our land. Now, off with you!"
The elf didn't move. In fact, his grin only widened.
"I am Soel," he said, holding out his hand.
How dare he? He knew well that humans and elves did not deal well outside of the great cities.
"I am tired, now be gone." With a shake of my head, I turned to make my way back into my home, but was stopped when the elf called Soel spoke again.
"You had a visitor a moment ago," he said. "Were you aware?"
I looked over my shoulder. I couldn't deny that he gained my interest.
"You saw it?" I asked.
The man nodded and scratched his chin with a dagger that I only then noticed he held in his hand. With him being what he was, it did not frighten me. Elves were stupidly gentle creatures.
"What was it then?" I demanded.
Soel replaced the dagger, turned and walked off.
"Elf! I asked you a question!"
"You know, pointy ears do work better than they say, woman."
What arrogance! What nerve! Who did he think he was speaking to me like that on my land?
"Are you going to answer me or what?"
One side of his lips pulled up into another smile as he said, "Follow me, and find your answers."
"You don't even know me," I pointed out. "How is it you come here, sit on my roof, and invite me on your travels?"
The man cocked his head to the side. "It's true what they say. Humans talk too much." The man paused, and when he saw I was about to respond to him, he continued. "I have been watching this creature for some time now. It happened upon your home again and I was simply following it. Now, you ask what it is and I invite you to come and see for yourself."
"You said 'again.' It happened upon my home 'again.' It's been here before?"
Soel nodded.
"What's it doing here?"
"I've failed to answer that myself. I had hoped you would offer an answer. Thus, reason two that I invite you to come see the creature for yourself."
I stood another moment in silence. I'd been in the house for weeks, watching Father mope about. The elf claimed he'd been in the area. Maybe he had seen Mother. That was enough reason for me.
I turned with a scoff and called over my shoulder, "I will get my cloak."
When I returned, the elf, Soel, stood leaning on a tree with his arms crossed. His eyes screamed victory and that irked me more than I would have liked. The last thing I needed was an elf to think himself better than me.
"I'm ready," I said, trying to break the silence. I took another step past him, but he grabbed my arm and stopped me.
"What's your name?" he asked.
I flared my nostrils, furious with the fact that he had the audacity to touch me, but at the same time, a mental image of my mother's rage flickered in my mind and I swallowed my anger, remembering why I was willing to go with the elf in the first place.
"Lyla," I said. My voice had fallen quiet and Soel noticed but, to my comfort, he dropped his hand and let me go.
~*~
Five minutes in the woods with an elf, and a human can go mad. Soel was quiet. Too quiet. Everything about him seemed secretive, from the way he answered questions to the light, soundless steps he took behind me. Sometimes I had the sudden sense that I was walking alone, but when I would stop to turn, he would nearly bump into me. It was exasperating. I felt so clumsy.
The rain did not stop, but thankfully, my cloak kept me relatively dry. I could not say more about Soel. He wore a hood but no cloak. His tunic was drenched and the smooth skin of his face glistened with water.
"Are you not cold?" I finally asked him. I hated knowing that I was accompanying someone and not communicating.
"I feel fine," he replied. I gave him nothing more than a fleeting glance, but from the sound of his voice, I knew he was smiling.
Cursed elves. They were always so content with the world.
"We elves," he went on, "take the weather in a much different sense than humans. We're not so particular. Nor sensitive."
"I'm not particular, if that's what you're getting at."
His grin faded into an innocent smile. "No, not at all."
I turned my attention back to the path before me, slowing down so Soel could go first. As I slowed, so did he. Irritated, I turned and looked at him.
"I don't know where we're going, elf," I admitted. "You lead the way."
"A woman walking behind me? That would not be proper," he replied.
I was surprised at his response.
"I care not for elven formalities."
"Right. Of course, but, I do and I have other reasons to keep to them."
An owl hooted, telling us that night was coming. My mind flicked to the thought of being in the woods at night, but my eyes remained on the elf. I couldn't let him notice my discomfort at the thought. He would think me weak.
"I have no weapon on me," I said. "I have nothing to attack you with if I so desired to."
Soel looked me up and down with a raised brow. "I noticed, Lady Lyla. That was your first mistake. Oh, but don't worry; it's a very human mistake to make." He stepped up beside me and offered me his elbow.
What a horrible man, I thought. With a shake of my head, I rejected his offer and continued walking.
"Where is this creature?" I went on. "Or better yet, what is it?"
"I do feel it necessary that you see for yourself," Soel replied.
"Why?"
"Because it's odd that it loiters around your home so often."
"And what affect could my seeing the creature have on its loitering?"
"Let us wait and find out. We are not far." Soel peered out past the trees. "Lady Lyla, are you handy with the sword?"
I frowned at the elf. What an odd question. "No," I replied, following his gaze. "But give me a bow and my answer is somewhat different."
Soel dropped his bag and pulled out a small bow and a cluster of arrows. "My lady, here's your chance to prove it."
The moment he finished speaking, he slid an arm around my waist and pulled me to the ground. An arrow stuck in a tree not far behind us. We jumped back to our feet and were met by three men; humans. One man had another arrow knocked on his bow, aimed right at us. A second man, one with a long scar running down the right side of his face, wielded a sword at his side. He didn't seem at all in defense mode, but then again, what did I know about battling with a sword?
"What's an elf and lady like that doin' walkin' 'round the woods at a time like this?" The man with the sword asked. Only the left half of his mouth moved when he spoke. I assumed his nerves were sliced whenever he'd been scarred.
"We are simply passing through," Soel replied. His voice was low and thick, and he sounded nothing like he previously did. "We would appreciate you letting us through."
The three men laughed at Soel's request.
"Not before you give us your bag and all that's in it. Oh, and we'll take the lady off your hands, too."
I swallowed hard and could feel my blood run cold. Would Soel let them take me? He didn't know me. There would be no reason to keep me.
"Forgive me, but nothing I carry is of any value to anyone but myself." He paused. "As for the lady, she came with me in good faith that I would not get her killed, so I must keep my word."
That was the first moment I set a long gaze on the elf named Soel.
"Well, then," the scarred man said with a sniff. "I guess I'ma 'ave to be a lit'l more clear." He cleared his throat and dropped his eyes to the ground, then in an instant, he swung his sword over his head and slashed down to Soel. The elf was quick in response, meeting the man's with his own blade. Their faces were none more than inches apart.
Soel smiled.
With a grunt, the man pushed against the elf, and with another swing, met Soel's blade once more in the air.
"Humans," Soel said. His voice was clear cut and his breathes were even. The same could not be said about the scarred man, who was already huffing and puffing.
Movement from the side caught my eye and I immediately knocked my own arrow and sent it to the second armed man who was advancing toward Soel. He let out a shriek of pain when the arrow stuck in his shoulder.
The reverberating ring of the swords rose above the forest and I wondered what creatures of the night would hear it and come searching to quench their curiosity. They would find more fulfillment than only that.
The third man came at me with a short sword of his own and I recoiled in fear as he charged. Just when I expected to be run through, a cry of pain was heard, just before the sound of metal against metal. The latter seemed oddly close, and when I opened my eyes, Soel stood – half crouched - between the third man and myself. I watched in horror as their battle lasted but mere seconds, and the human was slain before my eyes. Soel was the last man standing.
After double checking the life-status of the three men, the elf turned and offered a hand to help me up from the ground. It took a moment for me to accept it.
"Are you alright?" he asked, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze.
I replied with a nod and was embarrassed by my trembling hand.
"It's alright to be frightened," he added, softer this time.
I could do no more than just nod again.
Soel gestured to the path we were walking and I continued on before him.
~*~
We'd walked another two hours before stopping to rest. I didn't expect to be sleeping in the woods that night. Then again, I didn't expect to ever see a man die. Nor did I expect an elf to stand up for my life. But, there we were; the elf named Soel and myself, beside a small fire in a clearing. I'd forgotten, for a time, what I was doing out in the woods with this elf until he spoke.
"Who is it you and your father are searching for?" he asked.
I was completely caught off guard and found myself answering him without thought. "My mother," I said.
Soel dropped his gaze back to the fire with a nod as he stoked it.
I suppose it was that he saved my life that made the elf worthy of knowing the truth, but I could only assume. I'd decided, though, that I needed to talk about it. Should I have suffered in the quiet because my father refused to speak to me?
"Something's happened to my mother. I cannot say what. She's changed and she left us; me and my father. She's been gone for nearly a moon."
Soel didn't lift his gaze and replied with nothing more than, "I see."
Another quiet moment passed and I regretted having said anything.
"I'm sorry," I said, as I pulled my knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around them.
"For what?"
It irritated me that he would ask such a question.
"Are you always so sour?" I finally blurted.
That caught his attention and brought his eyes to mine.
"Sour?" he repeated. "I am not sour. I am simply taking in the information."
"Well, you can forget it. The information is mine and should make no matter to you. Thank you for saving my life and fighting for me. That was why I believed you worthy to hear what I had to say, but I suppose that a thank you will suffice. I'll keep things to myself from now on."
With that, I lay on the ground and curled up to keep warm for the night. Soel stood and came to my side where he sat down again and said, "I understand that you are angry and upset about whatever it is that's happened to your family. My response is not what you expect it to be because you do not know me and my kind, but I assure you that you've been heard. Your words do not 'fall on deaf ears,' as you so eloquently put it.
"Now, I may have seen your mother," he added, gripping my attention. "That is why I'd gone quiet. Does that make sense?"
I quickly rose to his level and nodded. "You've seen her?"
Soel nodded. "I believe I might have and, if you so desire, I can help you find her."
Another emphatic nod and I earned another smile from the elf.
"Please, I will use all the help given me, Soel."
"That's the first time you used this elf's name, Lyla," he said with a grin.
~*~
When the morning light shone on our small camp, I awoke with the immediate concern of what my father must have thought about my disappearance. I'd regretted leaving him without even a word about where I was going, but everything happened so quickly.
He'll understand, I thought as I washed my face in a small brook.
"We're not far from the creature," Soel said from behind.
I responded with a nod and quick smile and then rose to follow him back to our path.
Soel had been awake since just before the sun rose above the mountain tops. He'd caught small game and I helped ready a breakfast for us. It was strange being in the company of an elf. I'd always thought I would be more talkative, curious even, about the elven ways of life and the like. With Soel, though, I found myself quiet and afraid of saying too much; as if he'd find me irritating, not that it should matter.
The air was crisp and nipped at my nose. I could only imagine how foolish I looked with my sun-darkened complexion and a bright red nose embellishing my face. Soel showed no sign of being cold.
Cursed elves. It wasn't fair.
"We have less than a mile to go," Soel said, drawing me from my thoughts.
"Did you know it would take this long?" I asked. "The thing didn't retreat into the woods too long before I met you. No more than moments."
"It's fast," he replied. "Either way, better to come upon it slowly then to arrive on top of it by moving too quickly. I have a feeling it wouldn't like us very well."
I wished he would tell me what it was we were tracking in the first place. My previous attempts at getting it from him didn't work, so I didn't bother trying again. Anyway, he'd said we were close... and he was right.
It happened when we came to the edge of a lake. For a moment, I thought Soel was caught off-guard, but was set straight when, for the second time, I was thrust to the ground by the elf. He covered my mouth with his hand and put a finger to his lips with the other. He crawled over me to some tall grass that could be used as camouflage and I followed suit.
Not a moment later, loud stomps on the earth caught my ear and I soon saw the creature lumbering toward the water. It was eating a rabbit. The sight was a bit disgusting to me, but I was soon distracted by the piece of purple and black cloth that hung from the back of the monster's neck.
"Mum," I whispered. I grabbed Soel's wrist and cried, "That's my mum's!"
I tried to jump to my feet, but the elf grabbed my ankle and pulled me back down. I fought against him, trying more desperately to get up. I had to know what the monster had done with my mother and why it was carrying a piece of her dress.
"That's my mum's! That thing did something with my mother!" I tried to explain through the sobs that escaped my lips. Soel turned me over onto my belly and covered my mouth.
"No, Lyla!" he hissed in my ear and pointed to the creature. "That is your mother."
I froze and watched the creature in terror as it licked its fingers after finishing the rabbit. When it turned its face in our direction, I saw it. The body was grossly deformed and the beautiful black locks were gone from her head, but traces of Mother's face still remained. My mother had turned into an ogre.
~*~
Mother – no, I can no longer call her that. The ogre that was once my mother, in a time long gone and passed, rested by the lake for a short time. When she moved on, I remained with Soel in the tall grass. He stayed with me as I broke down and wept for the loss of Mum. He remained beside me as I cursed the world for stealing such a vital part of my life. Soel didn't even leave when I fell silent and mourned from within. The elf did not have much to say, but I could feel why he w
as so quiet. He knew from the beginning.
Long moments passed and my blood eventually cooled. The sun was scant hours from setting by the time I found strength to speak again.
"What were you doing around my home in the first place?" I asked him.
He stared at his hands and sighed. "I'd only seen her after her change. I was traveling and came across her path, wondering what an ogre was doing in the vicinity. After following her the first day, I'd seen her attachment to the home. I saw your father standing in the window and I pitied him, so I remained, waiting for an opportunity to settle your minds and let him know what happened. I didn't quite expect you, though. I had no idea a woman was even in the home."
I licked my lips. They were so dry. With one sweeping glance of the area, I crawled to the water's edge to drink. Again, I didn't even hear Soel when he rose to his feet and waited for me to join him.
"Are you ready to go back home?" he asked.
Back home. It would hardly be a home without my mother. I wasn't sure I could ever be ready for going back to what I knew was waiting for me; my father, alone with a shattered heart. But he needed me and I needed him.
"Soel," I began as we made our way back.
"Yes?"
"Why did it happen? Why an ogre?"
As the elf took a moment to find the right words, I took a sidelong glance and studied him as he readied his answer. He was a beautiful creature. Golden hair ran down half the length of his back. A sharp, angular nose and face was perfectly symmetrical and his skin was so ridiculously clear that I was embarrassed about my sun spotted complexion.
"She lost sight of what was important," he finally said. "When one takes all one has for granted and uses it for selfish purposes and pleasure, nothing but a monster can come of it. An ogre, as you probably know, is a monster that lives to quell its own sense of hunger. Hunger is a part of nature and nature cannot be defeated, so the monster grows, all the while becoming more focused on its hunger. It's a terrible cycle, and if any man reaches a place in his or her life where nothing matters but self-pleasure, the monster is born and it's only a matter of time for something to spark the change."
I turned my gaze down to my feet and thought back on Mother. The notion of losing her husband must have been what sparked her change. That was the first and last time I'd ever seen her cry with so much heart. I wondered if she would remember anything of her life, but I feared asking. It would likely be better to live on not knowing.
Seven Deadly Sins Page 17