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

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.

*

“Where are we going?” Gil asked aloud as he followed the drenched Kya through the dense forest.

“Somewhere were you will be safe,” Kya returned as she searched the area with her intense gaze. Gil, soaked and sore, blindly followed Kya, her gown soaked against the frame of her body. “Keep your eyes to yourself human!” she said over her shoulder. Gil smiled in return, forcing his gaze elsewhere as he trailed the heavy sword by his side. For a long while they made their way down river until they came to a cove. The sun was beginning to set when Kya stopped and turned to Gil. “This should do for tonight.” Gil looked about the cove, the great rocks moulded into a large shelter by the wide river, great arches branches acting as a shield, protecting the cove from detection. He was shaking violently as he wondered about the beautifully caved rocks. Kya observed him for a moment. “I am going to fetch wood and some food, stay here and keep an eye out. If you should see anyone lay low, I shouldn’t be long.” With a low growl, Kya changed into her wolf form and sped off through the dense forest, leaving Gil alone. With his back to the cool rock, Gil raised his eyes and was awe filled. The mountains were magnificent, their spikes so razor sharp that if the mountains were to fall in on themselves none would survive. The tops of the mountains were now covered in a thick layer of white rain and Gil knew it would be a matter of days before the white rain began to descend from the mountain tops and cover the forest. Wrapping his arms about his body for heat, Gil allowed his eyes to roam the area. Small and delicate flowers which were still in bloom dotted the ground, their strong colours of sapphire blue, radiant pinks and soothing oranges. With his trembling fingers, he picked a few of the flowers and bound them together so that they made a small posy. With a stray strand of thick grass, he bound together the flowers and smiled anxiously. As he lifted the flowers to his nose he felt a small tremor under his feet and looked up. A great wolf cry rang out from the mountains above and Gil froze. He knew that his captor had taken a terrible risk in fleeing from the caves, taking the King’s hostage with her. He knew that the wolf pack would soon be on the hunt for him again. With the last of the rays warming his body, he waited in silence, his eyes keenly aware of the wildlife that sprouted from the ground and trees, their eyes and songs filled with curiosity.

At last when the great ual’s sang out their evening songs, Kya returned, still in her wolf form. Gil was amazed at how large and strong she was as she threw down two dead rabbits upon the ground. With a groan as though in pain she changed out of her wolf form and was human once more, her body naked but for the long tresses of golden hair that covered her. With a jump she was away again but soon returned, this time with an armful of sticks.

“Can you make a fire?” she asked aloud as she set down the large pile of thick sticks before Gil.

“Yes, I can certainly try,” Gil returned, forcing his eyes upon the sticks and not Kya’s body.

“Good, I need to wash quickly before I make a start on supper,” Kya said as Gil began the process of building and igniting a fire. “I suppose you heard the call?”

“You mean the wolf cry?” Gil returned with a small smile. “Yes. I suppose you are in trouble with the King now?”

“In a manner of speaking, yes,” Kya said with a roll of her amber eyes.  “I’m forever in trouble with him as it is, so this should be no exception.”

“You’re really a rebel aren’t you?” Gil jested as a spark ignited from the stick that he was manipulating.

“It’s all in the name,” Kya said with a laugh. “Anyway, I cause no harm and never stray from the borders. My father is just incredibly sensitive and a little bit paranoid.”

“Who can blame him?” Gil shrugged as he carefully stoked the fire into life. “I mean, your uncle he told us of your tribe’s history. It is shocking to say the least and saddening that the north men treat your people with such distain.” Kya was now sitting down upon the ground, skinning the rabbits with a knife. For a brief moment she stopped moving and closed her eyes.

“Not all of the north men hate us,” she said softly, her eyes upon the mountains beyond. “The High King has always favoured our tribes that is why he gave us this forest.”

“Have you ever strayed out of the forest before?” Gil asked as he arose from the fire and made for Kya, sitting down beside her and taking up the second knife. His hands a little warmer and relaxed, he began to dice away at the skinned rabbit, gutting it first before chopping the meat up into large chunks.

“No, although many times I sit upon the edge of the forest and look out at the great world beyond,” Kya answered with star filled eyes. “I think maybe my mother could feel my need to roam when I was in the womb.”

“You seem constantly restless,” Gil agreed as he prodded the meat onto long thin sticks.

“What is it like where you live?”

“Well in the warmer months it is beautiful, but my village lies upon the edge of the forest, so we are quite remote and far from any town or village,” Gil said as he placed the long stick upon the fire. “In the winter months it is tough, we depend on our crops and recently they haven’t been doing so well, so we have faced days where our stomachs have been empty.”

“Do you roam beyond your village?”

“It is too dangerous to roam now, with the black guards causing frequent chaos across Galgor,” Gil said with a flicker of anger in his eyes. “Often news will reach of us terrible massacres and executions, merely because country folk do not wish to get involved in the affairs of Beon, afraid of the black witch and too loyal to the High King.”

“A strange and almost unearthly thing occurred the night before we caught you,” Kya said as she sat back, the meat now roasting slowly before her. Gil looked at her with a curious gaze as he soaked the blood of his hands.

“What happened?” he enquired as he came back from the river and sat down close to her, his body warming beside the fire.

“I was here by myself and the roots of the trees began to move quite violently, as though something dark had entered the forest and it was trying to get rid of it,” Kya said quietly, her eyes thoughtful and her hands folded together. “I felt it too, somewhere deep within me. It felt as though a dark shadow had cast itself upon us and any possibility of light had gone.”

“That would be the witch,” Gil said with disgust. “No light lives within her.”

“I know little of the affairs of the outside world, but I am curious and yet afraid to ask you about them….”

“I am scared of marring your already dented view of our world,” Gil said softly as he played with a stray stick. “This forest has always puzzled me. Stories and tales call it dark, perilous and without love, yet as I sit here, I feel nothing but mystery, adventure and beauty. There are creatures that live within this realm of which I have never seen, flowers of which I have never touched…would it be right of me to ruin this wonderful world or wrong of me to keep the truth from you?”

“You need not care so much for me,” Kya blushed lightly, her golden hair shining iridescently before the fire. “I am no delicate flower human, I am strong and able to handle the truth.”

“If you wish it?”

“I do.”

Gil, apprehensive and a little worried, began to speak of the terrible events occurring within the northern kingdoms of Meer, and felt pity and pain to see Kya’s once curious and aspiring eyes now dwindled with disappointment and fear. After his lengthy and detailed speech, he sat back quietly and drew forth the cooked meat and offered Kya the first stick. She was sullen and dismayed as she took the stick, her blinking eyes upon him.

“Do you think that the forest is awakening because of the outside horrors that are going on?” she asked seriously, the juice of the meat running down her hands and arms.

“Yes, I believe all the world is reacting to the events in the north,” Gil said as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, the meat tender and warm and filling his stomach and abating his hunger. “But not all of us are doomed and blackened, there are many fighting on behalf of all that is good and true.”

“This war that you speak off, the war that is to come, will it touch this forest do you think?”

“I would be lying if I said no,” Gil said with a sigh. “It is indeed a very sad misfortune should it reach the forest of Dulga, for you and your tribe have preserved and kept alive much that was lost centuries ago.”

“So long have I wished to step out into the world, to meet new people, touch the sea and live like humans do,” Kya said with a disarming smile. “I suppose I will never leave the forest.”

“When the war has come and gone, then you can step forth from this forest and follow your nose of curiosity,” Gil said with compassion, throwing the meat free stick to the fire. Kya brought herself to her feet and walked to the river’s edge, the sky above dark but for the full moon and the sparkling stars.

“Even if I were to escape the confines of Dulga, your people they would never accept me into their tribes,” Kya said aloud as she plunged her stick into the black waters below. “Do you ever feel as though you know when your life will end?”

“What do you mean?” Gil asked as he got up from the leaf covered ground and walked over to Kya’s side.

“Sometimes when I am alone amongst the trees and the stars, I can feel my life edging closer to the end,” Kya said with her head down and her eyes upon the gentle waters. “I know it sounds silly…but sometimes I feel as though I will never make it to old age. Sometimes it seems as though the gods have picked up a stick and drawn my line of life across the sands of time, and when I see it, it is uncomfortably short and straight, without curves.”

“It doesn’t sound silly to me,” Gil said with an anxious smile, his hand mere inches from Kya’s. “I have always felt that way, even more so now than in the past”

“Do you think it means something?” Kya asked as she turned her eyes to him, vulnerable and scared. “I don’t want my life to end before it has begun.”

“I don’t think that is possible with you,” Gil said seriously. “You remind me a little of my sister.”

“How?”

“Her eyes were constantly alight with adventure and curiosity, I often felt as though I was standing in her way,” Gil said with a soft laugh. “She never obeyed boundaries and often spent hours away at a time, off seeking new people and new stories. She would bring me back a leaf from every place she had ventured off too.” Kya smiled kindly as he spoke, her body edging closer to Gil’s. “When she lay dying, I was so angry with the Gods. She had her whole life mapped out before her, whilst I never really knew where I belonged. I should have died and she should have lived.”

“I am sure she didn’t see it that way,” Kya said with furrowed brows.

“She told me,” Gil laughed, his nose in the air. “To go and find my adventure and to grasp it with both hands before the winds of fate caught up with me, and now look where I am?”

“Maybe she could see your life more clearly than you could,” Kya answered firmly. “Maybe you were meant to venture into the forest.”

“Why? How could it be my fate to enter this god forsaken forest?” Gil said with frustration as he turned from Kya and kicked a stone into the river, hurting the tip of his toe. The air held still and Kya remained quiet as Gil looked off into the dark distance and closed his eyes. He immediately regretted his words as they fell from his tongue. “I didn’t mean it like that…”

“Your allowed to feel anger…I would too if I were you,” Kya said under her breathe. “I suppose you don’t think very highly of my father and my people…”

“At first, no I did not,” Gil said truthfully as he jumped down from the rock he stood upon and made his way back to the fire. “But not now.”

“What changed your mind?” Kya asked as she followed Gil back to the camp.

“A few things,” Gil teased lightly as he found his sword and dropped it to the ground beside him, exhaustion once again claiming his mind and body.

“Like…?” Kya pushed as she sat close to her hostage.

“Well I shouldn’t say in front of a lady…but the she wolfs are particularly beautiful,” Gil said with a laugh.

“You sly git!” Kya said as he hit his arm gently.

“It’s true!” Gil said with a shrug as he lay his body back upon the ground and looked up into the night sky. “But if truth we speak, then I suppose it is this forest. It has changed me. In only a few days I feel as though I have shed my cloak of idiocy and replaced it with the cloak of manhood, much to my brother’s surprise.”

“Despite all that has happened to you?” Kya asked as she looked down into his face. “All that my father has put you and your companions through?”

“Yes despite all that has happened, for some untold and illogical reason I feel as though I was destined to come here,” Gil said, his mind pensive and struck by his words. “It feels as though I have been directed here, for whatever reason I am still unsure.”

“Strange that you should feel that way, it is how I feel,” Kya replied breathlessly. “As though everything in my life has pointed to this moment.”

Gil opened his eyes and sought her own and held her gaze a while. With a small smile, the she wolf turned away and lay down close to him.

“We should rest for a few hours,” she said with her back to him. “Are you warm enough?”

“As long as the fire rages then I shall be warm,” Gil said as he looked over at her curled up body. He felt as though he could never chill when in her presence.

“Sleep, I will keep watch,” Kya said as though in receipt of his gaze.

*

“Gil! Gil wake up!” Kya whispered fervently as she shook Gil.

“Kya. What is it?” Gil returned as he opened his heavy eyes and flinched as he looked up into her amazing wide eyes, which for a split second sent a shiver of fear through his body.

“Come with me, quick,” Kya smiled broadly as she stepped away from Gil. His body still weak and sore, Gil groaned as he turned about and got up, his foot hitting the helm of his sword. Rubbing his eyes and yawning deeply, Gil went after Kya who was now sitting upon a rock close to the river. Turning she waved him over. A little mystified, with strands of his blonde hair falling about his square face haphazardly. Sitting down close to Kya, Gil’s mouth opened in awe.

“What are they?” he asked quietly, his eyes upon the hundreds of minute figures of men and women, clothed in enchantingly colourful gowns, all of them dancing upon the surface of the water.

“They are river fairies,” Kya said with a smile, his eyes filled with the reflection of the fairies light. “They come out when the moon is full, for a few weeks every moon year.”

“I have never seen a fairy before, but have indeed heard strange and sometimes frightening tales about them,” Gil said under his breathe, his blue eyes large and unblinking. “They are more beautiful than described.”

“There are of course terribly dark fairies, but in the forest of Dulga, the fairies are fair and kind,” Kya said as she weaved the tips of her fingers across the water, alerting the fairies to their presence. Watching on in awe, the fairies stopped dancing and flew through the air in their direction.

“Why am I fearful of a fair onslaught,” Gil said as he backed away. Kya let her head fall back as she laughed aloud.

“You’re scared of fairies?” she said with a wide smile as the fairies danced about her beautifully.

“Stupid right?” Gil said nervously as a dozen fairies began to circulate about his own, small clouds of dust dispersing from their fragile wings. Kya lifted herself up onto her bare feet and let her arms outstretch, her fingers moving slowly through the air. Gil quickly followed suite and stood tall as the group of fairies danced about him.

“Look!” Kya cried out suddenly. “I’m flying!”

“Impossible!” Gil returned as he turned and found her feet now in mid-air above the rocks. As he gaped, he felt his own feet begin to edge of the rock and looked down in alarm. “This is bad…” he said with blinking eyes.

“Relax!” Kya said as she began to weave herself through the air alongside the fairies. “Take my hand.” Gil felt a strange power in his body as he pushed himself forward, following Kya over the river. Finding her, he caught her hand and held onto it tightly.

“This isn’t natural,” Gil said as he tried to find balance in his body.

“It’s magic!” Kya said as she flew upwards into the air, bringing Gil with her.

“What happens when the magic ends?” Gil asked aloud as he turned his body around, getting used to the feeling of flying.

“It doesn’t have to end, not if you wish upon it,” Kya said gently, her face beaming and filled with life. The effect of her beauty struck a chord so deep, that Gil felt his heart thunder loudly against his chest. Her hair flying behind her, Kya flew over to Gil and laid her hands upon his shoulders. Her amber eyes were on fire, her high cheeks flushed and her lips full and red. Moved beyond words, Gil let his large hands settle upon her bare waist, his chest rising and falling quickly. “Remember the moment you spoke of? The moment that we have been walking towards?”

“Yes,” Gil said breathlessly as they turned about together in sync.

“This is it,” Kya said seriously. “I can feel it, like a spark of light has erupted within.”

Gil frowned in disbelief.

“You don’t agree?” Kya said with sad eyes, moving herself away from him.

“I just, I never thought this moment would be with you,” Gil said as he followed her and caught a hold of her wrist, turning her to him. “I mean…what I mean is…”

“I know,” Kya said shyly. “You asked me why I gave the sword to your brother?”

“Yes?” Gil returned with a confused look.

“I couldn’t see you come to harm,” Kya said, her eyes filled with an unspoken emotion, her body trembling with vulnerability. “It didn’t make sense to me at the time, it is for that reason that I have been so horrible and bitter towards you.”

“But your mate?”

“We have not the privilege to choose our mate,” Kya said with discomfort. “Koli was my friend but not…not my mate.”

“I’m sorry,” Gil said apologetically, Kya’s feet now resting upon his own.

“Don’t be,” she smiled softly. With blinking eyes, he watched as she brought her forehead towards him, resting it upon his own, her arms wrapped about him. Unsure if he should react, Gil kept his hands by his side. Finding his hand, Kya brought it up to her shoulder, her eyes sparkling and still. He could feel and hear her heartbeat as she settled her hands upon his face. Her lips trembling and her fingers twitching she kissed him lightly. Gil flinched with shock, causing Kya to move away from him slightly, her eyes searching his own for answers. He watched as she bite down on her lip nervously and felt the corners of his mouth lift into a smile, deep and true. Unafraid of the moment, Gil lifted his free hand and traced the shape of her lips with his index finger, feeling the heat from her skin soar, her dark pupil’s dilating. He felt his own skin warm under her touch, as her fingers and hands plunged into his thick hair.

“This moment,” he whispered over her lips, their noses touching.

“This moment,” Kya whispered in reply, her words lost as Gil kissed her deeply, his hands running through her long and thick hair, the tips of his fingers tracing the arch of her back. The moment that he had felt his life pressing towards was richer and deeper than he had expected, and although all the areas of his life which rested outside of this area were in trouble, he had never felt more aligned than he did with the she wolf. Their bodies entwined still, the magic that kept them floating in mid-air dispersed and they both plunged into the depths of the cold water in shock.

“What was it that you said about magic?” Gil laughed loudly as he sought her hand and swam across to the shore. “Anymore plunges into the river, I will soon die of hyperthermia!”

“What is that?” Kya said as she forced herself onto the rocks, coughing abruptly.

“A human condition that occurs when we freeze to death!” Gil said as he helped her up from the rocks, his body once more shaking with the cold. “It’s amazing that I have survived this long, wearing nothing but torn pants!”

Kya stood glaring up into his face, half confused and half apologetic. Her large amber eyes wide and unmoving, Gil found himself smiling once more.

“Don’t worry, you can warm my body,” he said with a wink. Kya’s eyes if possible, widened to such an extent he felt truly ashamed of his boyish remark and furrowed his brows. “But I suppose the fire will do just fine.”

“You can lie next to me,” Kya said as she shook off the beads of water from her body and hair. Gil watched her hypnotically, still in disbelief that their once bitter feud had turned about so quickly to one of fire. For a few moments he used his hands to get rid of any access water before sitting down beside the fire, joined by Kya, who sat close to him. “I will need to make an ointment for your wounds in the morning.”

“They don’t hurt as much now,” Gil said, he skin flinching as she touched him gently. He could feel her smile as he sat still. For several minutes, Kya dotingly attended to his wounds and with her warm hands, dried his skin and hair, her warm breathing clinging to him like a warm blanket. When she had finished, she wrapped her arms about him and rested her chin upon his shoulder.

“If that was the moment we have been searching for, then what comes next?” she whispered into his ear, her head tilted against his own. Gil sought her hands and covered them, feeling her bare body against his bare back.

“I don’t know,” he said softly. “But I somehow doubt my life will be as bleak as before, do you?”

“We are not allowed to mate with outsiders,” Kya said with a sigh. “My father will have you killed if he finds out.”

“Nice to know,” Gil said with a frown.

“We cannot return to the caves, not now,” Kya said tensely.

“You would leave your tribe for me?” Gil asked as he turned his head, seeing her closed eyes from the corner of his own. She smiled.

“Your mine now,” she said simply.

“Really? Is that what happens with a mate when you kiss them?” Gil said seriously. “Because in our culture you have to…”

“I know what you have to do!” Kya said with embarrassment. “That is not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?” Gil laughed as Kya moved around, so that she now sat upon his lap.

“You know what I mean,” she said with knowing eyes. Gil looked into her beautiful and fierce face and nodded.

“I know,” he said deeply as his hands found her face and gently guided her down to the ground. With her hand upon his chest, she lifted her lips to his mouth.





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