She thought it was cute the way he said it. Hopefully, one day she could get him to mean it. He was young and full of energy--she was becoming attached to him. He had the makings of a fine man, once he grew up.
"Exactly," she agreed with a smirk. Leaning closer to him, she cooed, "We've had ourpain for the day. How about some joy after we eat?"
The twinkle in her eye made him flush. He nodded with a grin.
"Stew for dinner, you for dessert?"
Beaming a smile, she gave him a nudge. "Actually, you'll be my dessert."
"I'm all yours."
Sweeping her eyes over him, she licked her lips then gave him a wink.
Across the fire, Tayan got up with his plate.
"Hey, where you going?" Glier asked. Amber looked like she was about to jump up after him.
"I need some time alone," Tayan told her quietly and walked off around the hut.
Glier watched him go then gave a hard look at Scorpio and Odif.
"You two could try being a little more subtle. You aren't helping him any."
Scorpio’s face fell. Looking at Odif, he nodded toward where Tayan had gone.
"You know him best. Would it do any good to go talk to him?"
Odif shook her head. "I've tried. When he gets like this, he won't even acknowledge you're there."
Looking to each of them in turn, Amber asked, "I know his wife died in battle, but what happened?"
Taking a deep breath, Odif said, "No one knows what killed her. I met what was left of the caravan at Castle Zodiac. From what I learned from Prince Glenarin, they had been ambushed and were running from vlaks. They fought the vlaks and killed them. She was still alive after the actual battle. They were put to sleep with magic, and when they woke up her head was torn from her body."
Amber clapped a hand to her stomach. "Dear Leighna!" she breathed in horror. "He found her like that?"
Odif shook her head. "Tayan never saw her. By the time he was healed enough to come around she was wrapped up for the funeral. I went with them to Elrad and it was clear they blamed humans for her death, but I couldn't get any details out of them. If it wasn't for the fact that I was...” Odif paused for a second to pick a word for her relationship with Tayan. “...a close friend of Tayan, they would have sent me away."
Amber shook her head in wonder. "Vlaks are agents of evil. Why would the elves blame humans?"
Odif shrugged. "I don't know. There were humans escorting them, knights and soldiers from Tolina. By the time they reached Castle Zodiac, King Alderlan had sent them back. If they had been there, I'm sure I would have learned something."
"They did not fight to save them?"
"They fought," Glier told her. "And were cut to ribbons. One squire and a few soldiers were all that returned. That was what drew me and Pynlee back here. The attack was too large and too well organized to be bandits. The evil from the plains is spreading."
"Right into Longforest," Odif concurred. "Unnatural creatures like the pilgyns and hoarcs are in our woods. Trelem thinks they're out to exterminate us."
"If what my brother says is true then they're attempting to isolate Elrad from Zayton. Longforest just happens to be in between them," Scorpio told her.
"Preparations for something bigger," Glier added.
Amber frowned. "The largest populations are downriver. Why attack the wilderness?"
"Water runs south. Our biggest fear is that they will poison the river. That will kill without an arrow fired," Odif explained. "The river is the life of Longforest. All the halshaken would die, as would all who drink or eat food takenfrom the river. Not only druids and wildlife will perish--Capetown draws most of its water from the Mason River. Countless thousands will die."
"They have to be stopped," Amber stated.
"That's why we're here," Scorpio said then tried to give her a grin to lighten her mood. "But dinner first."
"Then...other things," Odif added in a seductive tone.
* * *
In the morning, Odif found a solution to Liefelm’s disability during their prayers. Seeing a bluebird in the oak they knelt at, it occurred to her they could use a scout. Liefelm couldn’t walk, but he could fly as a bird. He wouldn’t have to fight, and it would save his self-esteem.
Scorpio got the group together while they waited for Odif and Liefelm to return from their morning ritual. Tayan sat on the rim of the stone well, gazing unseeingly at the ground. Amber was on the other side of the square with Glier, talking to a couple of the villagers. As Scorpio approached Tayan, Glier and Amber waved goodbye to the villagers and joined him. Tayan didn't take notice until they were standing on either side of him.
"Have Odif and Liefelm come back yet?" Scorpio asked.
"They should be back soon," Glier told him. Giving Tayan a slight shove, he asked, "Got your stuff?”
Tayan looked at him and nodded. "We ready to go?"
"Just waiting for the druids," Scorpio told him.
Looking off to the woods, Amber pointed. "Here comes Odif."
Walking towards them with a staff in each hand, Odif noticed Scorpio watching her waist. The extra belt did accent the motion of her hips. She added a bit more sway to her walk, much to his delight. She enjoyed the fact that every time he looked at her was like the first time he had ever seen her.
Forcing his eyes up to meet hers, Scorpio asked, “Where is Liefelm?”
Looking up, she pointed a staff at the sky. "He should be coming soon."
"What did you do?"
"We were praying and it came to me--he can't walk, but he can fly. I convinced him he's still useful to us, and he doesn't have to fight."
The cry of an eagle got Scorpio's attention. The large bird flew over them to land on the peak of a roof. Balancing on one leg, it cried out again, eyeing them.
"You turned him into an eagle?" Scorpio asked.
"He turned himself into one. Shall we go?"
Looking up at the eagle, Scorpio called out, "Can you scout ahead?"
With a cry, Liefelm launched into the air and flew down the road.
* * *
For the next few days they traveled farther north. Odif translated the cries Liefelm gave from overhead. Scorpio had trouble calling him Liefelm, even though he knew the bird was actually a man. Odif explained he had found the rest of the Company converging on a fishing village a day ahead. Trelem himself was coming, as well as the shamans from the three largest halshaken tribes, bringing warriors with them. There were hoarcs in the woods, but they were gathering on the western edges of the forest farther north, away from the river.
To Odif’s relief, Tayan seemed to be getting into a better frame of mind. The fourth day from the village where they fought the pilgyns, Amber got him talking during the midday break about Glier and the rest of the company. The girl was no Lucinthia--she was a bit stout and her cheeks were pocked from a disease she had gotten as a child. Still, Odif knew she had a good heart, and she was exactly what Tayan needed right now. Tayan wore a smile for a change as he described their different personalities.
Sitting beside her on a log, he pointed atGlier. "This man here is the strongest man in the world. He's the only one I haveever seen that can knock out a troll with one punch."
"One punch?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. She was wearing a bright smile as she listened to him, bringing out her beauty.
Tayan nodded. "We were going for water, and this troll came at us. Neither of us had our sword, so as it charged Glier here punches it dead in the face. The thing was knocked out cold."
"It got up again, if you remember," Glier reminded him.
"Yeah, for about five seconds." Tayan chuckled. "When it got up, he hit it again then broke its neck."
Glier shrugged. "It shouldn't have gotten up."
Sliding a bit closer to him, Amber asked, "Glier lives in Hilltop with Pynlee, right? Is there anything special about her?"
"She's good at climbing, and she can move quieter than a cat on a carpet." Tayan told
her then looked at Glier as he smirked, "But she's a little odd."
Amber frowned. "How so?"
"Well, she talks to her sword." Tayan grinned.
"That is not uncommon," Amber protested. "People often give words of encouragement to their weapons before battle. Some even kiss them for luck."
"You don't understand--she sits down and holds conversations with it, like I'm talking to you."
"She even does it at home." Glier chuckled.
Amber gaped at him then giggled. "You're teasing me!"
"No, we're not," Tayan insisted. "You'll see."
It was moments like this that Odif cherished, seeing Tayan the way he used to be.
"He's right." she agreed. "She told me her sword thinks I'm too...free with my affections."
Tayan glanced over at her. "You are."
Scorpio decided it was time to change the subject before the scrutiny turned his way.
"Amber, when did you decide to become Leighna’s Priestess?"
She sat up proudly. "When I was ten. Father Bennet was our priest, and he did such good work with the homeless and was very understanding with everyone. He saved some fishermen from drowning and helped so many that I knew I wanted to be like him when I grew up. My parents thought it was a very noble choice, though my dad wanted me to wait. I think he hoped I'd forget about it, marry and stay close to home. Both he and Mom get worried about me."
"What do your parents do?" Scorpio asked.
"They're merchants...we have a store in Capetown; Dad trades with the ships that come in from all over the world.” Smiling brightly at Tayan, she elbowed him and asked, "What does your dad do?"
Tayan's smile vanished. Stonefaced, he turned to look up the road at nothing.
Quiet descended on the group like a shroud. Glier hung his head, letting out a heavy breath. Odif felt her heart drop out of her chest.
Oh, Goddess, not now! her mind screamed. The day had been going so perfect! She had hoped to avoid talking about Eric until this was over, and she could get Tayan alone.
Scorpio tried to lighten the moment. “It can’t be that bad. It’s not like he was a murderer.”
Tayan looked at him with daggers in his eyes. Odif slammed her elbow into his side before she knew she meant to.
“Shut up!”
Scorpio looked at her in shock as she glared at him.
Tayan's voice was like ice. "Shouldn't we get going?"
Glier got to his feet, giving Scorpio a scowl. "Yes, we should. We're wasting daylight.” He walked off, waving for Tayan to follow. "We’ll take the lead."
Tayan was on his feet and beside Glier while Scorpio was still trying to figure out what they had said to turn his mood foul so quickly. Amber was also confused, looking at him and Odif as if they could tell her what she had done wrong.
Odif looked sadly at each of them. As far as she was concerned, the only ones who had a right to discuss this were her and Tayan. Still, she had to tell them something.
"Tayan's father was not a very nice guy. He held his mother by force--slavery, I think. She died not long after Tayan was born."
Amber felt like crawling under the log she was sitting on. "I didn't know."
Odif managed a weak grin. "It's not your fault. We should get going."
Scorpio let out a tired sigh. “His mother died a slave, his father was a bastard and the woman he loved was killed. No wonder he acts the way he does.”
With a wave of her fingers Odif said, “Come on. We’ll talk about it later.”
She knew Amber was feeling bad about Tayan. The poor girl had been trying for weeks now to get him to at least smile. Having finally done it for a few short moments, she then caused him to drop back into his depressed state. Although she mouthed the words quietly, Odif heard her rehearsing ways to apologize to him. The more this kind girl struggled to think of a different way not to offend Tayan again, the more Odif’s sadness for him turned into anger. Amber tried several times to get his attention, but only once did he even glance back at her.
Setting a brisk pace, Tayan went on until nightfall. As they set up camp for the night, he wandered off to get firewood. Amber started to go with him, but Odif held her back. She’d had enough of his foul moods. Her face was a blank mask as she passed Amber the staffs.
"Let me."
She walked up behind Tayan and tapped him firmly on the shoulder. He turned to glare at her. She grabbed him by the collar with both hands and slammed him against a tree.
"Are you alive?" she demanded harshly.
Grabbing her wrists, Tayan scowled back at her. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Answer the question!" she snapped.
"Don't I look it?" he sneered.
"No, you don't. You act like a walking corpse. Enough is enough!" she yelled, shaking him. Speaking softer but firmly, she said, "Lucinthia is dead. I am sorry about that, but people die and life goes on. You can't spend the rest of your life being a jerk to your friends."
Knocking her hands away, he shot back, "How do you know what I feel? You haven't lost a husband. She was my...everything!"
Odif backed up a step, planting her fists on her hips. "You think no one cares for you?"
Tayan opened his mouth to yell back at her, his body poised as if to fight. Pausing, he relaxed and turned away from her. "Leave me alone."
Odif grabbed him and turned him back. "No!”
They glared at each other, fists balled up tight. She was ready to talk this out or fight it out. Either way, he was going to listen.
"Damn it, Tayan, talk to me!" she barked.
"What for? Can you bring her back?" he shouted, throwing his arms up. "I'm the one who was suppose to die for her!"
"You were willing to give your life for her, right?"
"Yes!" he choked.
"Well, you didn't!" she shot back. "She gave her life for you, and now you're willing to waste her sacrifice by refusing to live. I thought you loved her!"
Tayan's face flushed in anger. "How dare you!"
She pointed a finger at him as if scolding a child. "If it had been you who died, you would want her to keep living and be happy, right?"
"I'm not the one who died!"
"Right!"
"Yes! She should be enjoying her hundred and fifth birthday, not be...ashes on the wind!" he cried.
"Lucinthia died so you could live. Show her you love her, remember her fondly, but live the life she has given you!"
Quietly, he said, "Maybe I don't want to live."
Dropping her hand, Odif shook her head. "You selfish bastard. Back there on the road are people who love you. I'm one of them. When you're in pain, so are we. You aren't just hurting yourself, but all of us. Don't you care about that?"
Tayan shook his head weakly.
"Yes, you do."
Tayan stepped up to her with daggers in his eyes. "I don't care!" he screamed in her face.
"Yes, you do!" she screamed back. Lacking anything else to do to prove someone still loved him, she threw her arms around him and held on tight. He tried to pry her off. She felt him punch her in the side. It wasn’t a strong punch--she was willing to take many more to get him to feel something again. Anger and sorrow collided as he pulled weakly at her shirt. With her holding him tight, the gates that held his emotions back collapsed, filling him with grief.
He wanted to tell her again that he didn't care about them, or anything. As he opened his mouth, he burst into tears. His knees weakened, and Odif sagged down with him, still holding him as they sat.
"Yes, you do," she repeated softly, kissing his ear as he cried on her shoulder.
Amber watched them, a tear forming in her own eye. She turned and went back to the camp, glad that Tayan was getting his grief out but more than a bit jealous that she wasn't the one holding him.
As Tayan cried, his arms went around her. Odif stroked his hair as he poured out his pain. Her own eyes became cloudy, partly from sharing his grief but mostly from relief that he was startin
g to come to terms with Lucinthia’s death. They stayed wrapped together as the forest deepened into night. Eventually, he quieted down and just sat holding her.
“You are the only family I really have,” he murmered.
Odif felt her heart skip a beat. Did he know? Maybe she'd been worried about nothing. Tentatively, she said, “I guess you’re right...brother.”
Pulling back to look at her, he snorted. “If I’m your brother, we’ve been bad.”
“Real bad.” She grinned back. He didn’t know. She wasn’t sure if it was a relief or a disappointment. They had been bad; and, knowing him, he wouldn’t take the news very well. Unsure of what to say, she patted his cheek as she mused, “We’ve had our fights, as well as our pleasures. No matter what, we look out for each other.”
She wanted to tell him the truth; he deserved to know. Still, she was afraid to put him under any more stress or have him end up hating her.
“Like I said--you, me, the Company, we’re family.” Taking her hand from his face, he inspected it thoughtfully. “Maybe that’s the real reason I came back here. Elrad is no place for me without Lucinthia. At least here I’m not alone.” He was quiet for a few seconds then whispered, “I miss her so much.”
At that moment she was on the verge of just letting it all come out. As she opened her mouth, she paused and lost her nerve. To convince herself that she was trying to tell him, she said, “Right. That means I'm your sister.” Grabbing a handful of hair on the back of his head, she made him nod. “And little sister knows best. If it was me that died, I would want you to live on and be happy. I know Lucinthia would have wanted that, too.”
“It’s just so...hard.” He sighed.
“I know.” Pressing her forehead against his, she said, “I’m here if you need me. I love you.”
He pulled her into a hug. “And I love you. Thanks...Sis.”
“Any time, Bro.”
* * *
Tayan and Odif returned to the camp to find the others around the fire. He stopped as they all looked up at him. He shifted in place and smiled sadly at Scorpio.
"I owe you an apology. You had no idea what my father was like. Neither did you, Amber. As Odif put it, I've been a selfish bastard."
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