by Jacob White
“There were patches where there was less water, meaning the grass was depressed. I focused on that and saw the prints of what I assumed was a hound. The pressure of their paws pushed a few the grass’s resources away.
“Well, at least they are gone. I hope.” She nodded. I closed my eyes again thinking about Les’s body on mine but would be replaced by Anna. I kept having to push Anna’s form out of my mind. Finally, my mind gave way and I only thought on Les.
A few hours later, breakfast was once again on the table. Gibi’s blue light led him in next to us.
“Anything happen last night?” We both shot up at Gibi’s sudden appearance.
“Shadow Hounds were looking around last night.” I said.
“I thought they would show up sooner or later. But that’s good, it means Liam doesn’t have all of the magic blocked.”
“Wait… you put us in here and made us believe we were invisible but there was still a chance we weren't?” Anna said with a face that could make a baby climb back into the womb.”
“If it makes you feel any better. I was pretty sure.” We both laughed. Anna just shared her look of disbelief with us.
“Anna, it's fine. Everything worked out in the end.” She sat back down but still glared at Gibi as the food entered her mouth.
“How about dreams?” I told him about the dream and what Anna saw before she woke me.
“Not unexpected but I also had hoped the same. Maybe drinking did more than we know. You seem more composed this morning. Okay, I think you should continue to drink at night… heavily. Maybe being that drunk blocked a path to your magic, thus creating the convulsions.”
“It makes sense.” Anna said lamented.
“Anna it's okay. If you want, I will wait until you sleep.”
“You will do no such thing. I will be drinking with you, maybe not as much as you but still.” I only smiled at the stubborn woman. We ate our fill, and Gibi disappeared once again. While we were getting our leathers on, I contacted Laila.
“Any sight of the reinforcements?”
“No, not yet. Aden said it could be another day. How are you two?”
“We are fine. Gibi was able to help us with sleeping arrangements.” That was all I dare say not to create jealousy between them and us. “Did you sleep okay without me?”
“I wish I didn’t have to but yes. And yourself?” Laila replied.
“No, had another dream but we learned if I drank a significant amount of alcohol. I cut off a pathway to my magic and it only leaves me convulsing. Opposed to yelling and screaming, destroying things.”
“That’s horrible way to live.”
“I agree, but sometimes things need to be done.”
“Is Anna drinking as well?” I felt her agitation.
“I don’t want to lie, so yes. But she only does a little for a show of support.
“How is Les?”
“No change. Multiple times a day I must share a blessing to keep her calm. She hurts dearly. She even claims she wouldn’t care to see you dead as long she could be with you to help you.”
“I know she would, this is why I do this, so she doesn’t have to see it.”
“She knows this, but in the end. I don’t believe it was your choice to make for her.”
“Should I run back and get her?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact.”
“I suppose you would be coming along as well?”
“I would, and why would that be a problem?”
“Three beautiful women under one blanket with me. I'm a dreamer, but yes I'm pretty sure one of you would end up at the other side of a knife.”
“I could just come… make it two.”
“Laila… no.”
“Well, I tried… but at least this way you have the knowledge of what's going on here and me there.”
“Indeed. I will contact you later.” I said.
“Be safe.” I wished her the same as Anna, and I walked outside and looked at the tent.
“Anna, is there a way you could close your ears?”
“What on earth for?” I sighed
“No reason I suppose…” I stared at the tent.
“What are we meant to do about this thing?”
“I'm working on it…” I waved her off with a hand.
“What does that mean?”
“If you remain quiet, you will see!” I looked at her and saw her scowl once more. I let out another sigh and raised my hands. “Gibi, oh masterful god of Ellipsis. I return this to the in-between. I offer my thanks until I can do it again tomorrow!” Anna fell over in tears of laughter.
“Gibi, oh masterful….” She trailed off into another fit of laughter but true to his word, the tent and everything inside just vanished. Behind it, stood Gibi smiling.
“The raise of the hands was a nice touch. Consider me pleased.”
“What would happen if I stabbed you?”
“Well for one it would be terribly hard to get your blood out of my attire I have on. Two, I doubt you could.”.
* * *
The next two nights were very similar to the first. Laila let me know that the reinforcements had arrived and that they were moving forward. We had to pick up our pace. Then finally, we stood on a hill overlooking the Twins in the distance. We had another day's walk, then we would be there. Then we had to find a way to locate the man I was supposed to meet.
“Anna, do you have any connections here?” I asked, sitting at our table.
“I'm afraid I don’t, but I have been thinking about this problem we have. We can go into local taverns for the first couple of nights and listen in on any rumblings of the rebellion. I guess we will make our way outside the gates again and camp. Either that or a secluded area in the city. I also think this is the correct method considering we have no gold for bribes.” Right after she finished, two small bags were on the table next to our food.
“Thanks, Gibi!” Anna said as we opened them up. Anna pulled out a handful of gold as I pulled out a dead bird.
“Gibi… I got enough from Dirk but now you? And why a bird?”
“I just thought a bit of normalcy would be good for you. Your right. Next time I’ll use an ox.” He said appearing from the head of the table. “Anna is right, but bribing should come second. We wouldn’t want you walking up to complete strangers offering gold for information about a rebellion most support.”
“Just strangers who know about the rebellion?” I asked.
“Exactly.”
“I'm starting to think you and Anna are plotting against me.” Anna let out a gasp.
“Gibi… the paranoia has begun to set in. Should we put him down peacefully?”
“You might be right, Anna. Hmm.” A hand went to his chin. “Maybe we should give him a few more days. I would hate for him to go before he fulfills his duties.”
“That’s right… okay, I agree.”
“You all hate me.” She blew me a kiss, and we all continued to eat.
Just after dark was when we heard it the growl of the Shadow Hounds. We ran to the tent opening and saw them sniffing around again. They would look between another indicating intelligence of some kind.
“Gibi, can they hear us from here?”
“No, but I wouldn’t test the theory either. I can only see two. Anna?”
“Same. But they are much closer than before when I found the locations of the depressed grass.”
“Should we fight them? If we get stuck in here it wouldn’t be good.”
“Weaver.” Anna and Gibi looked to me in concern. “Are you okay?”
“I'm fine, why?” Anna looked to Gibi.
“Because your nose is bleeding and your eyes have deep pockets of exhaustion.” Gibi put a hand on my shoulder. I wiped my nose, and sure enough, my hand came back covered in blood.
“I feel fine… a bit tired but fine.”
“I can bless you tonight somewhat and it should help slightly.”
“However, I if I did it now, the hounds would immediat
ely sense it. Right now, we have the element of surprise. I cannot yet fight with you, but I know the two of you can do it.” Anna and I looked at each other then grabbed each other's hands.
“I will walk out with you covering your image from them until you are close. Even if they look right at you, ignore it and keep moving towards them. I will then squeeze each of your shoulders. I want you to run in opposite directions to prevent being overwhelmed by both.” Gibi looked to Anna.
“However, Anna, I do not feel as though you will have far to run. I expect them both to try and capture Weaver. So, pay attention to which way they move. If they do go after Weaver that is the best-case scenario. You will have the time you need to call on the water and strike them before Weaver must finish it off. There is more bad news. I don’t want you reaching for my power Weaver. I would like to keep this secret as long as possible. Only do it as a last resort.”
He snapped his fingers and several small vials of pure sparkling water were attached to our belts.
“This is the Oasis water, isn't it?” A smile found his lips as I sensed the purity of the sparkling water.
“The same.”
“What oasis?” Anna asked.
“Later.” She seemed satisfied and uncorked the container and touched it with her mind.
“Gibi’s balls…”
“Yeah… I know.” Gibi put his hands on our shoulders as if he was going to push us both outside.
“You could just say, Dear Gibi. I am a god you know. Also, why does everyone continue to talk about my balls?”
“I could stop… but won't on either account. Now that I know you hear it that is.” Anna said.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Acceptance of Death
We continued forward as silently as we could. Just as Gibi had said, the bottomless red eyes peered at us. What was more disturbing their bodies were fading in and out as if they were behind a curtain of some kind. A black mist surrounded their bodies as they remained still. If they were normal, they would have looked as regular wolves did. They were just as black as the night sky. But these beasts did not represent beauty as the stars would. They were death. Regardless we continued to press on. We all stopped as they stepped towards us. They halted as well as if they are mimicking what we do.
“Gibi, are they reacting to the noise?”
“They are, I think.” Then my head felt so much pressure I almost fell to my knees. Gibi whispered his next words.
“They are only probing everything. Just breathe. Do not worry about Anna.” I looked over, and she was giving me a strange look as if everything was fine. It took all my energy to focus, but like Gibi said, it was over again. The hounds continued to sniff around and separated further. We both looked towards Gibi. and He closed his eyes and nodded. We felt the squeeze and ran in opposite directions just as we were told.
Sure enough, the hounds roared out so loud I had to cover my ears. They bounded towards me, kicking up thick clouds of dust with each thundering footfall. I continued to run, but they would be on me any second. I felt magic to my back. Anna must have been using her first vial of water. After the tingles down my back faded from the pull of magic. A hound let out a bestial roar of pain. I knew Anna had hit her mark. I glanced back costing me a moment I couldn’t spare. The hound jumped into the air right at me. All I could do was stop and hit the ground to see him go over me. He dug his claws into the ground, bringing himself to a halt. Grass spewed into the air as he slid backwards. I had already taken the stopper out of my water and called upon it by the time I was on my feet. It came to the side of my face as we both circled each other. It glanced past me and roared once again, but I couldn’t lose focus now. I knew by the time he was finished that my ears were bleeding. Any sound I heard was muffled over my own breathing. It was like having a cup over your ear when you played as a child. He took a step forward and stopped baring his fangs at me. I just held his stare. He backed away and then finally turned to run.
“Do not let him get away!, He will tell the others!” Gibi yelled. I cursed at myself for hesitating, but I gave chase. I aimed at his legs with the water, but it just ignored the minor cuts and continued to run. Finally, I sent the water past him and shot it straight back to him, but slow enough for him to see it. He saw it and naturally dodged. All I had to do was watch his next move and then he would be mine.
He went right, and I called to the magic.
“Wall.” While willing it in front of him. He ran right into creating a yelp and a low whimpering. I slowed to a jog and got close to him but what came out of his mouth wasn’t that of a wolf but that of a tortured man.
“You wi..… ll not w..… win mor... tal.” I bent down, taking out my knife.
“I don’t have to; I just have to make sure you abominations don’t win either.” I sawed into his neck, covering me in black blood as dark as night. Anna caught up to us finally with a torch in her hand. She embraced me, looking at the mess on the ground.
“Gibi said we must burn the body.”
“I remember.” I took the torch and touched it to its body. The body it went up in flames.
We headed back to the tent in the middle of the field atop that hill. I was too tired to talk from the combination of running, not sleeping, and using my own magic. I walked in, but Gibi wasn’t there. It didn’t matter at this point. I just ripped off my leathers and went to the bath. I had to get this blood off me. Gibi appeared soon after that.
“Sorry, I went to make sure no more came, but they are still stalking the other camp.” He saw the look of worry in my face covered by exhaustion. “It's okay, even they cannot take on a legion of armed men.” I nodded and looked to Anna nervously stepping back and forth.
“Are you okay?” She shook her head and walked over to Gibi. He only smiled and ushered her outside.
“Gibi!” A hand waved through the flap to quiet me. Once again Gibi took me by surprise as another bath came into existence next to me. Anna came back not shifting anymore.
“What was that about? Are you okay? And why haven’t there been two baths this entire time!” No response came from either.
“I'm fine, it was nothing. Do not ask again, please.” My brow raised in confusion, but it faded as she took off her clothes in front of me and slid into the bath next to mine. She grabbed my hand and looked to me. “I'm glad you're okay.”
“As I am delighted at your condition.” We both smiled and leaned back. “Anna, did yours speak to you when it died?”
“Yours talked to you!” Gibi stood up coming to the edge of my bath waiting for my answer.
“Yes, when it was dying. Told me we would never win and called me a mortal. Why, what's wrong?”
“This is bad news… beasts such as those can only speak if their master deems it necessary to talk through them. Only some possess the intelligence to speak on their own.”
“Oh—”
“—Shit” Anna finished my sentence. Gibi placed a hand on my head. I felt a familiar warmth and then it was gone.
“I'm sorry, but we must move down the hill before the others arrive.” Just as fast as we were in, we jumped out, and then putting on basic pants and tunics. As soon as we stepped outside, we saw the tent reappear down the hill. I kept the thought of punching Gibi in my head for making me say that ridiculous chant to hide the tent.
I fell and slid on bare rock and dirt, scratching my legs and backside. The slope began to level out and just as the sun fell, we made it to the tent and stepped inside. Gibi was nowhere to be seen but we both knew where he had gone. Not wasting any time, we removed our garments, getting ready to finish our soaking. We stopped as we looked at a singular bath.
“You can go first.” I stepped back, but she grabbed my arm and made me get in.
“It's okay.” Thinking she was going to back away, she threw her leg up for me to see all of her and stepped between my legs with her back to the other end.
“Oh… okay…”
“Look, Weaver… we were b
oth just covered in immortal black blood. I would really like to get it off me and I know you want the same. I won't bite you if you don't bite me, okay?”
“Agreed.” But I couldn’t help myself and instantly regretted what I said as it came out. “What if I bite you?” She laughed and squinted her eyes at me.
“You sure you want to know?”
“No, well yes, but no… you shouldn’t.” She shrugged and leaned back to soak.
“I mean if you want to.”
“Since you're dying to know…” Her foot caressed in between my legs. I had closed my eyes for just a second. When I opened them, her foot was now replaced by her hand gripping all of me.
“Anna! When did you become so bold and I so shy?”
“I think it was when we both had decided this was our last trip together. You are dying, and you know how I feel about you.” She kissed me and gripped harder. I couldn’t help but embrace her back. Her breath shuttered. Then it was over… she just smiled and leaned back, shutting her eyes. Not knowing what to do I did the same to avoid staring at her with my wide eyes.
“You only asked what I would do. You didn’t actually bite me, so I could only let you get an idea.” I laughed and just sat still.
“Oh yeah… the other bath…” Gibi said as he stood over us. “Sorry about that, I can still get it if you want.”
“No.” We both said it at the same time, bringing out a smile from him.
“Say no more.” He walked over to the table and picked at some of the food. “Well, I went to check on our friends and let them know what happened. As I thought, the other hounds are making their way here. They will continue to look on the hill above us since we were concealed when we came out. Liam just knows we were somewhere up there. Same still applies to the tent and noise.” He gave me a wink.
“Shut it, oh great one.”
“How is Les?” My voice lowered in shame.
“She hasn’t slept since you left. I let Laila know to do what she could. You would also be happy to know she has tried to run from camp every night.” I smiled at the image, only because I was aware she would be stopped each time back to safety.
