The Dragon's Egg : XVIII : River Fairies : Gil : Preview

XVIII

River Fairies

Gil

With a rough shove, Gil fell before the Wolf King, who sat upon a great chair that was covered in a thick fur rug. Around him, hissing and silent men, women and children stood watching on. The journey back to the caves had been rough, and his body starving and beat, Gil felt powerless as he lifted his desperate gaze to the angered King.

“Once again my brother has disobeyed my orders, his only saving grace is that he had you brought back,” Ulfr said as he sat patiently upon the beautifully carved chair, his long fingers tightly edged into the arms. To his left stood the beautiful and saddened Kya, her body covered in a fine gown, her golden hair tied back and her amber eyes upon him intensely. Ulfr his fine silver hair cascading about him like a flowing river, blinked twice as he caught the look between the wolf and man. “Tell me what it is that your brother and mine are in search for?”

“A…a tree,” Gil stuttered, his ribs burning with pain. “Some kind of special tree.”

As his words flowed out, he heard the sound of whispers fill the chamber and looked about him, seeing the confused faces of the tribe. Ulfr got up from his chair and made for Gil with determined eyes and furrowed brows.

“How does your brother know of the tree of Meer? It is scared and secret amongst this forest,” Ulfr said as he bent down so that his eyes were now levelled with Gil’s.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” Gil said with a shrug. “All I know is that my brother has a seed that was given to him by his wife and through a vision he was told to find the tree.”

“A seed? What kind of seed?” Ulfr said, his voice now softening and his eyes relaxing.

“I’m not sure, it was a family heirloom, that is all I know,” Gil replied truthfully, beads of water falling from the ceiling of the cave upon his face. Ulfr stared into his eyes as though searching for an inkling of deceit. With an inward groan he stood up tall once more and returned to his chair.

“You shall remain here until they return, not as a prisoner but as a guest,” Ulfr said with a wave of his hand. “My daughter will look after you.”

“But father!” Kya argued hotly. “I cannot…you know I cannot.”

“I am not asking you to befriend the man, I am asking that you keep an eye on him,” Ulfr said roughly. “For there are those amongst us who would see harm come to him.” Gil gazed on at the angry princess, her hot eyes upon him, filled with hatred and abhorrence.

“Come!” she said through gritted teeth. His legs faint, his ankles chained and his hands, Gil tried to bring himself to his feet but found he could not to the laughter of those who surrounded him. Looking up, he searched for help, but the men simply stood away with eyes filled with disgust and would not step forward to aid him. Ulfr looked down at him, almost daring him to crawl. Kya stood with her back to him, her long golden hair shimmering against the light of the jewel encrusted wall. Ashamed, tired and hungry Gil forced himself forward, crawling on all fours across the cold ground, the sound of the chains vibrating across the cave. The laughs of the men and women grew louder as he tried to make his way over towards Kya. Crawling with his eyes upon the ground he felt the pain of a small rock as it was tossed across the cave at his body. Another small stone hit him upon the side of his forehead and he fell to the ground, wishing his life away. “Nugha!” Kya cried out frantically as she turned and walked over to Gil, forcing him up from the ground and onto his feet. Shaking, his lips trembling, Gil tried to smile but was roughly pushed onwards by Kya, who quickly turned her gaze from him, leading him out of the cave.

“Please!” Gil pleaded as they descended down a flight of stairs. “Please slow down.”

“Not so strong and arrogant now are you human?” Kya said angrily as she slowed her pace down, still refusing to turn to him in acknowledgement.

“Strength is not only measured in accordance with your body,” Gil stuttered quietly.

“Do not speak to me of strength,” Kya hissed, her grasp on his chains tightening.

“You brought it up,” Gil said stiffly. Kya turned venomously to Gil and forced his body closer to her own, their faces now merely inches away from each other.

“If I speak to you, you do not answer, understood? Keep your words and stay away from me,” she said, her angry tone unable to betray the pain that lay deep within her flecked amber eyes. “You are nothing to me.”

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Gil whispered gently, unafraid of his captor. “But we are even don’t you think? You killed my friend in return. Do not be deceived into thinking that I care for you, you also mean nothing to me.”

“Good then we are in agreement,” Kya said defiantly as she turned about and once again forced Gil onwards. The decent soon came to an end when Kya dragged Gil into a large cave that had a small opening, the heavy flow of the waterfall falling roughly over the rocks. Looking about the cave, Gil noticed that the walls were beautiful engraved and filled with images. About the large space were large wooden boxes, large fur rugs, a small fire, wooden bowls, a large chair , swords, bows, arrows and a large pile of rolled up sheets of parchment. Kya let go of Gil’s chains and walked over to the small fire. “No one will come down here without my authority,” she said out loud as she worked with the fire, bringing it to life. Finished with the fire, Kya walked over to be a line of five swords lay against the white walls and picked up the outer sword, turning to Gil, her eyes filled with what seemed to be frustration. Sitting in a lump, his eyes now taking in the minute details of the cave, Gil sat back afraid of what Kya would do next. “Don’t worry human, I’m not about to kill you…yet,” Kya said coldly as she came over to him and bent down, picking up his chains and pulling them forward. “Keep your hands perfectly still and try to back your body away as far as you can.”

“What are you doing?” Gil tried to ask as he pulled his body away. Kya purposefully did not respond to his question and instead lifted the sword over her head and threw it down, until the silver chains snapped apart, freeing Gil’s hands.

“The chains on your ankles stay on until your brother returns,” Kya said as she threw the sword across the ground and made for the exit. “Do not try to escape whilst I am gone.”

“Where are you going?” Gil asked as he moved his arms about freely. Kya stopped under the arch of the door, her head turning slightly. With a sigh she exited the cave, leaving Gil alone. Without much thought, Gil forced himself to his feet and stumbled across the cave to where the water fell. His hands and arms shaking, he lifted them out and cupped them together, gathering water within the palms of his hands and drinking it greedily. When his thirst had been quenched he turned around and stood for a moment, his body refreshed and shivering against the cold breeze that entered through the opening. His eyes tired, and his stomach rumbling he came to stand before the small fire, holding his hands out to warm a while. As he stared down into the flames, he felt himself shake with emotion. His eyes filled with tears at the loss of his friend, he wondered if his brother and companions were safe. Exhausted and beyond himself, Gil sat down before the fire and breathed in the heat, allowing his senses to gently calm and return to him. He was too spent to investigate his surroundings and with a yawn, let his body fall to the ground, his eyes soon closing, uncaring if he would find himself under attack and in need of the comfort of his dreams.

*

The air was calm and warm as Gil awoke from a long and deep slumber. Awakening to the realisation that he was still alive, he looked about him and found Kya sitting close to him preparing food. The cave was filled with the light of the sun outside and Gil wondered how long he had been asleep. Lifting himself up, he felt and smelt the heavy rug of fur that covered his body. Kya kept her eyes upon the meat, but Gil recognised the change in her body as she took in a deep breath and stilled her working hands a moment, in recognition of his presence.

“There is a bowl of warm water beside you in which you can use to bathe your body,” she said quietly as she placed a thick stick that was pierced with meat into the fire. “A goblet of warm laman lies beside the bowl.”

“Thank you,” Gil said gently as he turned to the bowl, which lay atop a thick towel. Lifting away the fur rug, he turned away from Kya and began to wash himself, aware that she was now looking at him. A nervous feeling swept through him as he washed his bare body. He was unlike her partner, who was tall, broad and well built. Gil was in comparison no stronger than a boy and he felt shame as he slowly, cautious of the open wounds, cleaned himself. “If you could please look away,” he said with emotion. Instead of feeling her eyes turn away, he heard a rustling sound and soon found the young wolf bending down before him with a small bowl, which was filled with the thick substance. Gil moved away from her with wide eyes.

“For your wounds,” she said sharply.

“I can attend to my wounds,” Gil said with pride as he held out his hand for the bowl.

“Let me,” Kya returned as she brought forth a small strip of material. Gil looked up at her with blinking eyes, it was the first time in which she had spoken to him willingly and it took him by surprise. Yet no sooner had he smiled did she back away and hand him the bowl. Without a word and in obvious pain, Kya walked away to where the water fell outside, her back bent and her hands upon the walls. His heart whipped by disappointment, Gil took up the bowl and began to smooth the thick substance which smelled of berries and flowers over his wounds, unable to reach his back. Straining to reach the wounds upon his shoulder, Gil groaned and fell over.

“Fuck!” he cried aloud, a wave of intense anger taking a hold of him. With strength he threw the bowl across the ground and kicked away the bowl of warm water in frustration.

“Why did you do that?” thundered Kya with fierce eyes as she ran across to the now empty bowls and picked them up. “It took me hours to make you the ointment! And you throw it away without a thought!”

“How am I supposed to know that you would spend hours making an ointment for me?” shouted Gil, now standing tall before Kya, his eyes daring and his fists tightly curled. Kya blinked uncertainly as she looked into his eyes, gulping anxiously. Gil felt ashamed, seeing the anxiety in her eyes. For someone so outspoken and defiant, it was a surprise to see her so easily moved to anxiety. His brows still furrowed, Gil felt his right hand soften and reached out to her.

“Don’t touch me!” Kya hissed loudly. “If you want to die then fine! I care not!”

Gil stepped forward, his hand dropping to his side.

“I know you hate me, you know not how I hate myself right now, but I did not mean to make you frightened,” Gil said softly, his chest rising and falling slowly. Bending down he began to scooped up the remaining ointment until the palm of his left hand was filled. With this free hand, he took the small bowl from Kya and poured the thick liquid into it. “My quarrel is not with you, it is with myself. If only I hadn’t had run away and forced my companions to venture into the forest, then none of this would have happened.” Kya looked at him, her amber eyes now dilated and flashing. “Please can you help me to tend to my wounds?” He held out the bowl to her, his eyes pleading. With her chin raised, Kya took the bowl and growled inwardly.

“Turn about,” she said under her breathe. With a small smile, Gil turned about on his bare feet and stood with his eyes upon the waterfall. With a sudden flinch he felt her warm hands upon his back and closed his eyes briefly, her touch soothing and gentle, unlike his wildly ferocious eyes and tongue. “Stand still,” she said roughly.

“Your hands…they are as warm as the embers of fire,” Gil said kindly.

“That is because the blood of a wolf is warmed by the sun,” Kya said softly as she stepped forward, her breathe clinging to Gil’s skin like the beautiful morning dew clings to the earth.

“That is why you can sleep in the cold?”

“Of course,” Kya said. Gil could feel her roll her eyes in reply. “We are wolves, we do not feel the cold like you humans.”

“I have a name you know,” Gil said with caution, his hands now outstretched by his hips. He could feel her warm body close to his and allowed his senses to wander. Kya did not reply to his words. “What does your name mean?”

“It means to roam,” Kya returned, her hand stilling against his skin.

“It fits you perfectly,” Gil said quietly.

“How would you know?” Kya said with her usual gruffness. “You don’t know me.”

“Perhaps not,” Gil said with a shrug. “But I have had time in which to observe you.”

“Keep your human eyes to yourself,” Kya replied hotly as she stood away from him and forced him to turn about so that their gazes met.

“Are you always so uptight? Or is it just me?”

“How should a widow feel when her partner has been killed but a few days ago?” Kya whispered, her amber eyes upon the ground. Gil felt her hands move forward but forced them to stay.

“You’re to feel anger, bitterness and pain,” Gil whispered in return, wishing he could take her strong frame into his weak arms. “I know you may not believe me when I say this, but I understand. I understand what it is to feel as though you belong to no one and nothing, to feel as though what had given you direction has been taken away from you unfairly and not even the light of the sun’s rays can touch the bleak darkness inside.”

“What do you know of loss?” Kya said, lifting her eyes briefly to him.

“A lot,” Gil said with a wry smile. “My mother died when giving birth to me and my twin sister and then a few years ago my sister died and I have felt alone ever since, with nowhere to run to and with no place in which I feel I belong too.” Kya’s furrowed brows began to rise with surprise as she looked into his eyes, the fire within her amber eyes dwindling away to reveal warmth and understanding.

“I’m sorry,” Kya said with a nervous smile. “I’ve been so horrible to you.”

“And rightly so, I have invaded your tribes place of safety and my brother took the life of your partner, you should hate me and despise me,” Gil said with a serious tone. “I just want you to know that I understand your pain.” Gil flinched when he felt Kya’s warm hand touch his own.

“It was my fault,” she whispered darkly.

“No it was my brothers, not yours,” Gil said with force.

“It was I that gave your brother the sword,” Kya said with a gulp. “I killed Koli.”

“Why? Why did you give my brother a sword?” Gil said with groan. Kya turned away from him.

“I don’t know, I thought my father merciless when he made you fend for your lives, it was unjust and wrong and I couldn’t stand by and watch you die,” Kya said, her words laced with pain. “We may be animals in the eyes of the outside world, but we are not without morals, not without laws. My father has grown too hard and too angry since the passing of my mother and all who live under his rule feel his anger.”

“You saved our lives,” Gil said as he followed her across the cave, the chains of his bound feet sliding across the ground loudly. Kya stood with her back to him, her hands upon the hilt of a sword. His hand outstretched, Gil lay it cautiously on her back and felt her flinch in response.

“And killed my mate in return,” she said lowly. “For that the Gods will turn their backs to me.”

“No, no the Gods will understand, they are not without compassion,” Gil said softly. “What you did was brave and courageous and you could have been killed if found out.”

“I am undeserving of pity, especially from you,” Kya whispered as she turned her gaze upwards, finding Gil’s.

“You and I have been thrown together without much consideration, but I wish you no harm and have never wished you harm, despite your less than enthusiastic welcome,” Gil smiled broadly. “I’m sorry for my bitter words, they were only in defence.”

“Your friend has died because of my actions,” Kya said with tear filled eyes.

“We all would have perished without your help, Quill understood that in the end,” Gil said with feeling. “You must believe me.” Kya was about to respond when she heard voices from above. Suddenly her eyes filled with terror.

“What is it?” Gil asked with a frown. Without a word, Kya picked up her sword.

“Take this,” she said hurriedly, turning about to pick up another sword. The voices, loud and arrogant drew close. “I knew this would happen!”

“What would happen?” Gil said as he followed her across the cave to the opening.

“Koli’s friends, I knew they would come for you,” Kya said sharply, turning her eyes towards the entrance of the cave. His upper body bare and his legs barely covered, his leather pants ripped, Gil knew what was about to happen and took in a deep breathe.

“This will hurt, yes?” he said as he stood upon the edge of the opening looking down.

“The trick is to keep your body relaxed,” Kya said with impatience. “Now jump!”

“Now?”

“Now!” Kya said forcefully as a group of five wolf men entered the cave. With a push, Kya forced Gil over the edge and soon he found himself struggling within the great force of the rushing water, his body breaking and shaking with nausea as he struggled to find air. As he fell, he felt a hand grasp his own and turned about. She held his gaze and he felt instantly his body relax, their bodies smashing into the river below. His body was forced downwards and when he opened his eyes, he found her before him, her eyes steady and her lips upturned into a smile. Gently his free hand found her waist and he held onto her, their faces close to one another. Time and the restriction of air seemed to fade away as they danced beneath the surface of the river, great strands of daylight piercing the sky blue waters and illuminating their bodies. Her long hair danced about the length of her body as she placed a hand upon Gil’s shoulder, her nose pressed against his own. The moment ended when Kya pushed away from Gil and swam to the surface, bidding him to follow with her sword.

*





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