True North

by S.M. Winter

He shook himself visibly. “Yes.”

  Clearing his throat Alexandar slid to the side, setting the pile of cloth on a nearby rock. His eyes never left mine. A heat kindled in my stomach that I recognized as desire, though I’d never felt it before. I’d read many books on the subject, especially while researching other cultures and their societal beliefs on intercourse while working on my dissertation: The Art of Sex. My subject had been approved so quickly my head spun. And oddly I had a lot of interest from subjects willing to help, including tenured professors, until they understood the premise of my work. Which was just to point out that sex has been selling since the dawn of time.

  Watching Alexandar watch me was unsettling. He looked...hungry. The disheveled boy from before seemed to have disappeared and if I’d thought his green eyes were bright before, they seemed to glow in the low light of the torches, reminding me of a cat. His face still had the stubble and dark circles under the intensity of his eyes, but he seemed frozen in place. I grinned at him. I had a theory and there was only one way to test it. Perhaps my problem previous to this experience had been talking, though he didn’t seem to be scared of my intelligence earlier. Besides, it was high time I took control of my fantasies.

  “Were you planning on joining me?” I asked.

  As I asked, I watched the hunger deepen in his gaze, then just as quickly it was gone and replaced with derision. I wondered if I’d imagined it completely.

  “That’s the type of woman you are?” Alexandar spit. “You’d jump into bed with the first stranger to see you naked after the last couple days?”

  “I suppose so,” I laughed at his incredulity and refused to be hurt by his easy dismissal of my invitation. “If you’re not interested you are welcome to leave so my nakedness does not offend your tender sensibilities.”

  I moved away from the wall and toward the little ladder off to the side. As I began to climb, I heard a rustle of fabric and retreating footsteps. Though the sound gave me pleasure to have won the small skirmish, I felt slightly disappointed that he hadn’t stayed to battle wills with me. Something told me we would be well matched. I looked forward to the next time and wondered idly why he was holding back. I reached the pile and took the towel carefully from beneath the small pile of clothes to dry off.

  Once I was dried and dressed, I padded barefoot and comfortable in the loose fitting clothing toward the tunnel that had brought me to the hot springs. When I found the long corridor that held many of the other tunnels and doorways, I wondered where I was supposed to go next. I hadn’t been given any instructions and my stomach was rumbling noisily. I heard music and laughter, so I followed the sound hoping to find food.

  On the left and several doors down I found an archway that led into an enormous dining room. The abundance of food was staggering. Mountainous heaps on silver serving dishes. Silver goblets and crystal wine glasses were lined next to a shining punch bowl, looking incredibly inviting. Following my stomach, I grabbed a plate that had already been prepared and nibbled at pieces of turkey, rolls, fruit and candied yams. I grabbed a glass and filled it with the punch and sipped. The honeyed wine coated my tongue and easily slipped down my throat, warming my stomach.

  I turned toward the laughter and conversation. Taking the only seat available I sat down in the empty chair across from Valerie, who smiled widely then turned back to Chauncy. Though they were nearly ten feet from each other, they seemed to be having an intimate conversation. She and I sat across at the center and the men sat on either end of the table. This table was expansive, easily twenty feet long. I glanced at Alexandar who was just glaring at his plate, picking at his food. Ignoring him I ate in silence, absorbing the light and laughter coming from the other end of the table.

  A longing began to creep up as I watched Valerie and Chauncy. Their obvious love for each other was so bright and alive it was intoxicating. Though that also could have been the wine. I wasn’t a habitual imbiber, though there was an occasional function where I had a drink or two.

  Looking at the cup I saw that I had chosen a silver goblet. Inscribed was a picture of a sailor’s compass. The eight pointed star gleamed in the torchlight. As I stared, the star wavered and began to turn. It wobbled and spun like an actual compass. Abruptly it stopped, pointing true North and the seat to my right. Frowning, I looked up and into the intensity of his gaze. Had I thought they glowed before? Now they seemed to burn. He pushed up from the table and my heart stuttered as he walked toward me, then past and out of the room.

  As my lungs burned, I gulped in air and I realized I’d been holding my breath again. Looking down I saw that the goblet had righted itself, with North pointing upward and etched unmoving into the chalice. Frowning, I looked up into Valerie’s smiling eyes.

  “What,” I asked. “Was that?”

  “That was just nature taking its course,” Valerie replied. Let out a belching laugh that shook the entire table.

  “I don’t understand what that means.” I stated to the room at large.

  Seeming to have lost my appetite, I pushed up from the table and crossed to a fireplace. It was large enough that I could have stepped into it fully extended, if there had not been a fire within. I was cold after this interaction and sought the warmth the fire promised. Valerie followed me and rubbed my arms.

  “I felt the same when I was chosen,” she said. “Lost, confused, and overwhelmed.”

  “That’s just it,” I told her while I watched the flames dance. “I’m none of those things. I’ve accepted that I’ve had some mental breakdown and this will be my new life.”

  I looked down and studied the fully healed scar that ran down my arm, which just hours before had been running deep and bloody.

  “This looks like the wound happened months ago, rather than hours,” I said. “And I have no explanation for that. I’m confused, but I’m not overwhelmed. I’m confused for different reasons than I should be. I’ve accepted that this may be my new reality and that what happens to me hurts, but I also realize that I can control and influence what happens in this reality. So my confusion stems from the fact that I’m happy here. I’ve created a reality where I feel accepted and loved immediately upon entering it, which is my true fantasy. There’s also guilt, because I left my nephews without a mother and an aunt.”

  “We’ve made some calls,” Chauncy replied.

  “I suppose I should thank you,” I responded. “But my guilt stems from the fact that I don’t want to go back, not really.”

  “You’ve had a tragedy in your life,” Valerie stated. “Of course you don’t want to be immersed in your grief.”

  “I appreciate your thoughts,” I said. “Both of you. I do have a question though.”

  “What’s that?” Valerie asked.

  “How my wound healed?” I flexed my hand.

  “Are you sure you’re ready for the truth?” Chauncy asked walking closer. Sitting in one of the four wide leather chairs near the fire, he pulled Valerie into his lap.

  “I can’t see why I wouldn’t be,” I said. “I still don’t believe this is all real so I suppose I could attempt to come up with my own answer, but at the moment I’m interested in what my subconscious has to say. Please continue.”

  “You’re a trip,” Chauncy chuckled, shaking his head.

  “Thank you,” I said. “This is the most I’ve spoken outside of lecture halls than I can remember. My lack in understanding of social nuances can cripple any conversation.”

  “Well we are happy to help ease that,” Valerie said.

  “As to your wound, the answer is simple,” Chauncy redirected. “It’s magic.”

  “Hmm,” I nodded. “Since this is my fantasy, I can see how my subconscious would insert magic. In a twisted way, it’s logical. Continue.”

  “The four of us,” he said. “We are the Council of Elements.”

  “Elements?” I queried. “As in Earth, Air and such?”

  “Exactly,” Valerie said. “Yes.”

  “Our group
has existed since the beginning of time,” Chauncy continued. “If you’d like we can take you to the library, where you can read about the traditions.”

  “You said the four of us,” I stated. “You include me in this count?”

  “Yes,” Chauncy answered.

  “Why me?” I wondered. “I doubt I was voted in.”

  “It doesn’t work like that,” Valerie stated. “This Council is formed by the elements. You are chosen at a point where the world thinks you are ready to assume your duties.”

  “Duties?” I asked.

  “That I will leave you to read about,” Chauncy rose and set Valerie on her feet. “For some it is easier to see what we can do and others would rather read about it in books than accept it from someone they don’t completely trust yet. I’m guessing you are the latter.”

  “Hmm,” I pondered this and nodded. What could it hurt really to read? I enjoyed reading and perhaps I would find a clue to my own diagnosis in these books, even if it was one delivered by my own subconscious.

  Chauncy held his hand out to me and I put mine in his large palm, marveling at the difference in size. My hand was eclipsed in his and yet he was gentle when folding it within. I smiled up at him and followed his urging toward the door and down the hallway to an ornately carved wooden door. It shone like it was lovingly made and well taken care of. The unicorns, nymphs, dryads and faeries seemed to move within their