To Live In Revelry

by M L Adams

  ‘Help!’ she cried. ‘I need help!’ Desperately, she began clearing the leaves from around Luca's head and body. He was lying face-down in an unnatural position with his left arm and leg bent underneath him. Her body shook with spent adrenaline and nerves. She was almost too scared to turn him over in fear of what she might find.

  Not knowing what else to do, Eden pressed her ear to Luca's back and listened carefully for any tell-tale signs of life. She was praying for one beat, just one, to tell her he was still alive.

  Eden held her breath, but her own heart was pumping so loud and fast she couldn't be sure if what she heard was his heart or hers.

  She was about to call out again when a strong unfamiliar hand gripped her shoulder. Eden's head shot back and almost collided with a black-haired man — Micah.

  ‘My lady?’

  ‘Oh, thank goodness!’ Eden exclaimed, crumpling to the ground in relief. Micah was here. He would make everything alright.

  Micah let go of Eden's shoulder and knelt beside her.

  ‘I don't know if he's alive, Micah.’ Eden felt hot tears threatening to spill over her cheeks again. ‘What are we going to do?’

  Carefully, Micah moved the pup out of the way and turned his brother’s body over to touch a hand to his still face. His cool eyes assessed Luca's injuries before landing on her stricken face. He rolled his weight onto the balls of his feet before taking Eden’s cold hands in his. The heat of his body dissipated some of the shaking she felt inside. ‘He will survive this, my lady. Do not fear for him. My brother has the spirit of a lion and the determination of a honey badger.’

  He offered her a small smile that refused to reach his eyes. It did nothing to soothe her doubts. Did he not see the same thing as she?

  ‘I have spoken to the elephants and conveyed our condolences. It's all we can do for them now.’ He looked up to the sky and nodded his head at some internal decision. ‘We'd better take him back home before the light begins to fade.’

  Eden followed his gaze, shocked to see how much of the day had passed. Already the darker tones of dusk were threatening to possess the sky.

  ‘The orangutans have it covered from here,’ he assured her.

  Eden nodded numbly. Micah was so calm that she almost believed she'd blown everything out of proportion. She watched quietly as Micah scooped Luca into his arms and stood as if he weighed hardly anything.

  ‘Come.’

  Slowly, Micah headed for home.

  Eden stood up and brushed the dirt from her filthy hands. Not for the first time, she noticed how strikingly different the two brothers were. Micah's hair was so black a sheen of deep blue could almost be seen skittering down its long strands, where Luca's hair reminded Eden of the setting sun. Micah wore his tied high upon his head, allowing the shorter strands to touch upon his prominent cheekbones. His steely eyes were large and set at a slight slant, making them appear more secretive and exotic. His nose was also less prominent, and his skin tone was deeply tanned, unlike Luca's paler complexion. But they did have one thing in common: their unwavering aura of command.

  A small yelp drew Eden's attention back down to the little pup. He was wagging his tail enthusiastically. With shaking hands, Eden wiped the lingering tears from her cheeks. ‘Where are your parents, little one?’ They had to be nearby. ‘And where are your brothers and sisters?’ She guessed the parents had only just allowed their babies to venture outside of their den. It couldn't have been any worse timing, Eden thought bitterly. She looked down at the ball of fluff at her feet. The amber eyes stared straight back. The pup sneezed, the deed almost shocking the life out of it. Despite everything, Eden laughed.

  The pup’s coat was startling; it looked like it had just broken into Gabriel’s art supplies and rolled around in them. A splattered mixture of black, tan, dark brown and creamy white covered its fur, and its eyes were almost as big as the emu's.

  ‘Where are your parents?’ Eden asked again, but the pup just cocked its head to the side and wagged its tail.

  Micah stopped walking and turned back to them.‘He may be too young to talk, lady. Usually, the animals of the forest teach their children how to speak before they leave their nest or den. I wasn't aware that Picta was expecting a litter of pups, were you?’

  ‘No!’ Eden shook her head. ‘And, please, call me Eden. “Lady” makes me feel like my mother.’

  Micah hesitated, obviously taken aback by her request, but then nodded. Eden thought back to his words for a moment. It had been a while since she'd seen the female painted dog. Eden supposed Picta could have become a mother at that time if she were already expecting. There really wasn't any other explanation. It looked like their only choice for the time being was to take the pup with them.

  Micah appeared to come to the same conclusion. He nodded towards the pup and gave Eden a soft smile. ‘From what my brother says, you have a gentle heart. Bring him with us if it would ease your mind. You may want to pick a name for him, too. We can't just call him “pup.” It’s insulting.’ Not waiting for a reply, he turned and continued walking down the path.

  Eden couldn't help the little smile that played on her lips after Micah left; Luca had been talking about her. A small flame ignited from deep within her. It was a feeling Eden had never experienced before, but she liked it. She bent down and gathered the pup in her arms. The little lump snuggled close against her chest and let out a contented sigh.

  ‘Mokoto — Wild One.’ She stroked the bridge of his shiny black nose and followed a finger up the strip of black leading to the centre between his large round ears, and further still to the lighter yellow tones at the crown of his head. ‘That will be your name.’

  His black ears twitched with the thumping of his tail. Mokoto it was. His coat was beautiful, as were all of the painted dogs’. He was black from nose to eyebrows but this faded to a light brown down his back. Black and rich browns intermingled and overlapped, creating intricate patterns across his body. Some of those patterns even resembled those of Parda, the leopardess. Mokoto's front legs, chest, and tail were white with the odd splattering of browns and blacks. It was clear he would grow to be a very striking dog.

  Eden and Micah shared a comfortable silence as they walked along the path that ran parallel to the Sloe River. Mokoto had fallen asleep some time ago, and Eden's arms had gone from painfully sore to blissfully numb. She had no idea how Micah was coping with carrying Luca so easily. It was only when they reached the narrowest point of the river Micah motioned for them to stop. Eden gasped at what she saw before them. A great wooden structure had been built to span the width of the river. Eden woke the bleary-eyed Mokoto and set him down to tend to any personal needs before approaching the object with caution. She knew for certain this had been the work of Luca's hand. The tell-tale trademark of his winding leaves and animal carvings gave him away every time. That, and also the fact that no one here would have thought to create such a wondrous thing.

  She reached out a hand to run her fingers over the surprisingly smooth grain, warmed by the sun. It blended into this peaceful spot so well; it was as if it had always been there. She marvelled at the rabbits carved into the two pillars set deep into the riverbed. A smile broke upon her face when she realised she was looking at Thorn and Bushel, the oldest pair of male and female hares.

  ‘He called it a bridge,’ Micah explained, interrupting her wonderment. ‘Luc built it to help folk cross to the other side without having to chance the waters or walk even further downstream.’ Micah gently propped his brother’s back against a sturdy tree before walking over to join her.

  Eden frowned. There were still no signs that Luca had roused from his sleep. She shuddered to think how hard he must have hit that tree. Micah came to stand beside her. He didn't go to hug her or offer any means of physical contact — Micah wasn't like that — but his presence did make her feel stronger. She offered him a small smile in thanks. He was a tall man — taller than Luca, she guessed.

  Micah’s gaze m
et hers after glancing back at his brother. ‘Don't worry. I have said this before, and I will say it again: he is a strong man. For all of his misdeeds, our Father will not see him fall.’ Forgetting himself, Micah tentatively swept a strand of hair from Eden's face and tucked it behind her hair.

  Eden dared not move. Very rarely did Micah choose to touch another. The moment passed in the blink of an eye, leaving Eden staring after Micah's retreating figure. Eden needed a moment to get her thoughts together. She took her time observing Luca's incredible workmanship. Even the largest of the forest animals would have no trouble crossing here. The planks on the floor were wide and set flush together. There was a rail at about waist height on either side of her, which she held on to, unused to being above the rushing water like this. Intricately carved mini-pillars connected the railing below, and each one depicted an image of an animal Eden knew and loved. There were Rye and Flax, the fox parents, Jasper and Pine, the newly coupled grass snakes, and Rakush, the field mouse, as well as many others. It was clear Luca was skilled enough to add each and every minute detail of his subjects, right down to the chipped canine tooth of the male ferret, Oryx. A splash in the river drew Eden's attention away; Mokoto had decided it was time to play in the water. Eden looked down at her blood-stained hands and dress before deciding to join him.

  After another hour of walking, Eden was exhausted. The events of the day had sapped all the adrenaline and energy out of her. She felt completely hollowed out, a husk of her former self. Luckily, Mokoto had been happy enough to walk beside them, never wandering off too far. The night was bright, illuminated by the millions of points of lights overhead. Usually, Eden would have liked nothing more than to rest on the cool grass and wait for one of those tiny lights to streak across the sky. Her mind would run wild with possibilities, about what it was and where it was going in such a hurry, but all she wanted now was to find a soft place to rest her head.

  She belatedly remembered the sole reason she'd been caught up in all this. The mushrooms! Her family had no idea where she was. How could she be so thoughtless? What were they having for dinner now that she’d failed to return home? Were they out looking for her? She could only hope that someone had spotted her and told her family where she was going. She was too tired to think about it now.

  As they walked up the dirt path leading to the brothers’ generous house, Eden noticed the outdoor torches had already been lit for their arrival. A spark of unease tried to alert her to the possibility someone unknown could be waiting for them, but her inner alarm bells were drowned out by pure, bone-deep exhaustion. She hurried as much as she could and kept close to Micah’s reassuring bulk.

  There was only one direction from which you could approach their house, which backed onto a steep hill, preventing anyone from approaching undetected from behind. Without looking back, Micah led them up the stairs and across the balcony to the main front door. Eden wasn't surprised to see their journey had finally taken a toll on Micah, whose shoulders now slumped under his brother’s dead weight. Almost as if he had wind of her thoughts, Micah turned to regard her before shifting his hold on Luca to open the door. Eden tried to offer him a smile but yawned instead. She quickly covered her mouth and offered a shrug as an apology. Mokoto let out a long squeak; it seemed like her yawn was catching.

  Eden had never been invited to the brothers’ house before, choosing to meet at their joint crop fields or her family home instead. She followed Micah over the threshold. The first thing that greeted her was the scent in the air. Burning rosemary and mint seemed to move across the room in coils; it was strangely pleasant. Her eyes took a few moments to adjust to the new level of light. The warm glow of burning torches staggered throughout the rooms washed the white walls with orange light. They flickered and waved across the vast amount of wood that had been set to use.

  A wave of giddiness swept over her, weakening her knees. She grabbed on to the doorframe for support and paused there for a moment until the feeling passed. Directly in front of her, long, wide chairs had been cut out of solid wood with thick blankets piled deep upon them for comfort. Shelves holding an array of strange curiosities, dainty sculptures, exotically shaped shells and bright coloured jewels littered the walls. On the left, a beautifully carved spiral staircase led to the sleeping quarters upstairs; to the right sat a square stone fireplace. The fire had already grown to a high blaze, offering much-needed warmth and more light. From the corner of her eye, Eden saw Micah place Luca gently upon the biggest chair. With uncharacteristic gentleness, he pulled a blanket over his brother’s still form while he spoke softly to him. Eden would have loved to have heard what Micah was saying, but she knew she was witnessing a private moment between the pair. Eden smiled at Mokoto's sleeping form at Micah's feet. She longed to go over to see to him, but the flickering flames of the hearth drew her in and consumed her.

  Chapter 3

  ‘Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing,

  doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.’

  — Edgar Allen Poe, The Raven

  Eden's sleep was troubled. Men's voices, some she recognised and some she did not, plagued her dreams. She felt her body toss and turn, unable to wake, but all she could see was blackness… and it was drawing her in. The more Eden tried to hold on to the words, the more obscure they became, blending into one another until only one remained, carrying a weight and urgency the others did not. The voice was warning her, she realised, but what was it saying? Why couldn’t she hear it clearly? Why couldn't she wake up? She felt so trapped and so alone here in this dark place.

  Through her panic, an image far in the distance flickered beyond the void. Eden tried to focus on it, but she was unsure if it was friend or foe. The voice she'd heard earlier became more urgent. What were they trying to say?! Why couldn't she just wake up? Where was Luca? Again, the image toyed with her before becoming more and more solid. Fainter and fainter the voice became until eventually it was forgotten all together. Maybe it had never really existed.

  Between one moment and the next, a tall, red-haired woman with flame-tipped fingernails stood before her. Eden was too shocked to speak. A soft breeze, unfelt by Eden, moved about the woman, causing her hair to curl prettily about her face. Soft folds of emerald silk made a gentle 'shushing' sound as they moved and caressed bare feet. The woman's eyes were of a matching colour, burning against the contrast of her copper hair. Slowly, the stranger approached Eden, her body flowing like water. Eden tried to move away, but it was as if her consciousness were stuck in place. Her body was left where it fell, upon the kitchen floor. As Eden lifted her eyes to the woman's face she drew back in shock. She recognised it somehow, but from where? A snippet of a long-forgotten song cascaded through Eden’s strewn memories. Why do I know you? She wanted to ask. She opened her mouth to voice the question, but something in the way the woman’s eyebrows arched and lips curled made her decide against it. Eden’s body shivered with warning.

  ‘Who are you?’ she demanded bluntly, her voice echoing in the void.

  ‘Why hello, my child!’ the woman replied coolly, her voice pitched lower than Eden had expected. ‘Who am I, you ask?’ The woman bowed deeply. ‘Why, don’t you recognise your own angel?’

  ‘My angel?’ Eden replied, a little stupefied. Her parents had spoken of angels often, mainly as a means to keep her and her brothers out of trouble. They said the angels were all around them, watching and reporting all they saw back to their Lord, but Eden never dreamed she’d actually meet hers. ‘Please, forgive me.’ Eden curtsied deeply before the angel. ‘I did not mean to be rude. It's been a long day and…’ She faltered before rising and facing the angel once more. ‘What have I done to deserve such a meeting? Is our Lord Adonai displeased with me? Have I done something wrong?’

  ‘No, my darling.’ The angel smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. ‘There just hasn’t been a need to show myself, until now. We are created to watch and report, not to
interfere in the lives of our charges, but you are such a special child and I know you have been through so much today. But enough about me, I have come here because you are worried about the health of your friend.’

  ‘Luca?’

  ‘Yes, Luca.’ The angel seemed pleased with herself for remembering his name.

  Eden frowned; this was not what she was expecting at all.

  ‘And you have every reason to be worried,’ the angel continued, her voice becoming grave. ‘I witnessed what occurred today. I saw the way your friend saved you. I am just so thankful to him that I feel I must help. The head injury your friend sustained can be healed, but only with the aid of a specific item.’

  ‘But Micah said he would be okay…’

  ‘Unfortunately, Micah has misdiagnosed his brother’s injuries. Without aid, he will die.’

  ‘You… you know how to heal him then?’ Eden asked, a little sceptically.

  ‘Yes. It is a special item, a fruit that grows only in one place...’

  ‘A fruit? A piece of fruit is going to heal Luca?’ Eden’s jaw dropped at the absurdity of it.

  The angel laughed, obviously finding Eden's doubt-riddled face humorous. ‘Not just any normal herb or poultice could help your friend now, my child. He is in a terrible way and may never wake after saving you. It won't be easy to find, but I promise you it’ll work and I can guide you to it if you wish?’ She watched Eden closely.

  Eden had always struggled in hiding her feelings, but she didn't want to insult the heavenly creature who was clearly trying to help her. She strapped on a thankful smile before asking, ‘And where would I find such a fruit?’

  ‘That, I will have to reveal to you in time. If others were to discover you knew of this and that I was the one to have told you, it would end badly for the both of us.’