The Bloodwood Curse: An Epic Fantasy Adventure of Swords, Magic and Romance. (The Rosethorn Chronicles Book 1)

by Peter Summersby

  Her pubic hair matched the dark black hair that clung in patches around her face.

  Aife lifted the wooden spoon with a sample of the contents of the pot and tasted it. She then lifted a small wooden bowl and began to fill it from the contents of the pot. Once full she then handed it to Akuchi, who took it without pause.

  “I had some ideas about improving the quality of life on this farm,” Aife began, “if you don’t mind making a few changes?”

  “I spend most of my time in the fields tending to the crops,” replied Akuchi, “anything you can do would be welcome.”

  “Thank you, husband.” She smiled and filled another bowl with the contents of the pot.

  My wife is very ugly... Sadness welled up inside of him as he began to eat.

  “I do have a request,” Aife stated.

  “Hmm.” Akuchi indicated she should continue. This stew is pretty good, so glad she can at least cook.

  “When I was the princess, I encountered a diary from one of the old queens, that said royal blood could fix the curse.”

  Is there any hope of fixing the curse?

  “But it required a non-elf to help.”

  Akuchi raised an eyebrow and looked at Aife over his bowl.

  “She wasn’t certain, and at the time there wasn’t any way to get a non-elf to help.”

  Akuchi finished his food and handed the bowl back to Aife.

  “It’s a small chance, and I am not certain it would work.” Aife went red. “You and I would need to …”

  “…have sex?” Akuchi asked, swallowing heavily.

  Aife went even redder and blushed.

  “And you haven’t?” he asked.

  She shook her head.

  “Oh,” mouthed Akuchi. “I was under the impression that you had.”

  “No, never,” she avowed, “who said that I had?”

  “Vel,” Akuchi answered. “Though he never said so he just implied it.”

  “How?”

  “He said that most dark elves, have sex early. And that you have had a number of suitors.”

  “Oh.” Aife slumped her shoulders. “I have had suitors, but none could get past my face.”

  Akuchi said nothing.

  A tear escaped from her eye, and she wiped it away.

  “I understand that I am ugly,” she murmured, “and I know we don’t know each other. I would not expect you to be faithful to me. I know that you would have had plenty of partners.”

  She knows how ugly she is? The sweet soul, I don’t want to hurt her.

  “I had resigned myself to never getting married and living the life of a virgin spinster for the entirety of my life. Then you came along and I remembered that diary of Queen Feme and I had hoped that I would become beautiful for you.”

  More tears began to run down her face. She hid her face in her hands.

  Akuchi arose, sat next to her, and placed an arm around her shoulders.

  She turned into his embrace and cried.

  “We could try it,” he mumbled into her black hair, “there is a way to make it work.”

  “To break the curse?” she asked between sobs.

  “I can make love to you tonight when it’s dark.”

  “It doesn’t have to be good … Tonight?”

  “Tonight.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I have chores to do,” he said, “and I am several hours behind.”

  She sat upright and he stood.

  “I will get you some meat for this stew and we can eat well tonight.”

  “Thank you,” he said as he headed out to the other building.

  Going into the storehouse he took out his axe and a shovel. He then walked past the fields where the crops were growing and to the edge of the forest. He set aside the shovel and began to swing at a tree.

  She said she would not fault me for having a little action on the side.

  He swung the axe and it bit deeply into the soft wood of the tree.

  I want a family. Is that something I can make with Aife?

  I could go into the fort in the afternoon with my delivery and do either Mayu or Aquillia before coming back at dinner time.

  He swung the axe again and it bit into the tree again.

  Is that something I could do?

  He swung again at the tree and the axe bit into the wood, splintering off a piece.

  One more and this tree will come down. Can I break my vows?

  He lined up the swing and hit the weak spot. He then swung and as he pulled the axe out the tree began to fall. He nimbly stepped out of the way of the falling tree. The tree hit the ground with a loud crash and a snap from the tree stump.

  I can’t believe that I am even thinking about breaking my vows before I have even made love with my wife.

  I would have to tell Oggy that I don’t need the guards.

  He moved alongside the tree and swung at the branch of the tree, his axe bitting into the wood.

  Who was here when we came back? Was it Aquillia? Does she know that I am married? Would she still sleep with me if she knows?

  Tears streamed down his face. I might not be able to have a family. Unless I can work out how to have children with Aife. Would they also be cursed like her? Could I love our children?

  He swung the axe again and it cut through the branch and it fell to the ground.

  The vows I took didn’t say I couldn’t… I said that what is mine is hers and what is her is mine. What does that even mean? Does that mean that all that I have is hers? Then where is her stuff? Does it mean that we are each other? She didn’t even come with her full-length veil. Where is her stuff?

  Akuchi swung at another branch and severed it from the trunk of the tree.

  My vows did not say I had to be faithful to her. They said that all that is mine is hers. It didn’t say that I am hers

  He sat the axe down and the shovel against the tree trunk. He gathered up some the tree branches and began to haul them down the narrow path that led back to the hovel.

  I need to dig that well soon.

  He dragged the branches and set them against the small wood pile that sat against the hovel.

  Aife came from the front of the house and watched him place the fresh wood next to the house.

  “New firewood?” she asked.

  “Yes, I let it sit for a few days to dry out before splitting it.”

  “Can I take the bits with leaves on it and turn it into a broom?”

  “Sure,” he agreed. “We will need some kindling.”

  “Got it.” She smiled at him.

  He smiled a thin smile back at her.

  Her face went red. He turned around to and walked back down the path.

  Akuchi returned to the tree he had felled and started digging into the ground around the stump. He got underneath a root and used it to lever the tree up and out of the ground. As the tree came out of the ground it sent a shower of dirt up and over him. He turned his head away from the dirt and spied a small creature hopping along the log.

  It hopped the log and bounded its way up the narrow path towards the house.

  He followed the animal as it scurried up the path.

  The creature made its way up to Aife and bumped into her.

  Aife was tying a bunch of short-leaved branches together with a piece of bark.

  Aife turned and looked down at the animal; she then bent down and picked it up by the scruff of the neck.

  “I think you will be big enough to make my husband very happy,” she spoke to the animal.

  It didn’t fight; it just twitched its nose as she grabbed its head and wrung its neck.

  How did she do that? I have never been able to catch a rabbit, and this one came and offered itself to her.

  “How do you plan on skinning it?” Akuchi asked stepping around the fence.

  “You don’t have a knife?”

  “No, I always got my meat from the fort.”

  “To be honest, I did not think that far ahead,” she
said.

  “There are a couple of people who owe me in the fort,” he said. “I could get a knife for you.”

  “Is there anything else you might need?”

  “A bigger bed,” she joked.

  “I think they only have single beds.” He smiled.

  Chapter 30 Fresh Views

  10th day of the 7th month 580th year of the 8th era

  The sun hit the horizon Akuchi made his way back to the hovel. The smell of cooking rabbit stew wafted over the air, making his mouth water. As he came into the clearing and past the first field, he saw Aife sitting on a log with the fire roaring in front of her. The cooking pot rested on the same tripod, the flames licking the bottom and the sides of the cooking pot.

  She looked up and then smiled at him.

  Akuchi’s stomach churned. Her smile does nothing to improve her face. He rounded past the fence post and stepped over a log and sat.

  Aife stood and scooped the contents of the pot into a wooden bowl and handed the bowl to Akuchi before filling another bowl and sat next to Akuchi.

  Akuchi lifted the bowl to his lips and began to eat. The stew was hot and glided down his mouth, it contained chunks of rabbit, tubers and legumes.

  Wow… she can cook. Maybe life won’t be so bad. She works hard and she can cook… If we do have kids, what will they look like? Will they be disfigured like she is? Will the disfigurement also affect me?

  The bowl finished of its contents, he lowered it and Aife lowered her bowl. The sky was darkening to a deep blue lined with reds, pinks and the hint of purple on the eastern horizon.

  Aife laid her hand on Akuchi’s left thigh.

  “Let’s go to bed,” she whispered into his ear.

  Let’s get this over with. “Okay,” he agreed and stood.

  He started towards the hovel. She took his bowel and placed them on the log beside her and followed him into the hovel.

  She pulled the door closed behind her after she entered the hovel. The light was grey and dim.

  Akuchi sat on the pallet of rushes.

  She sat beside him and rested her head on his shoulder.

  “You still want to do this?” she asked.

  “It is what you want,” he stated. “As your husband I should be able to grant you what you want.”

  “I know this is hard,” she murmured.

  “I don’t want to make you feel bad, but I will be truthful with you.”

  She lifted her head and her face caught the light in profile.

  “You are not the most beautiful person I have met,” he began.

  He heard an intake of breath followed by the sound of silence, broken by the hoot of an owl.

  “I also know that beauty alone doesn’t make for a happy marriage,” he continued, “because of my station in life, we will be living with each other for most of the day.”

  “We barely spend any time together,” she said.

  “I know. I choose to ignore my normal chores to give you some space,” he replied.

  “I would have liked to work beside you; I didn’t know what you wanted me to do.”

  “If you want something to do during the day, you can come with me tomorrow and help me with my chores, until you work out what you are able to help with.”

  “Thank you.” She breathed.

  “You can cook,” he said. “I really enjoyed tonight’s dinner, it was the best I had had since arriving here.”

  She hung her head.

  Akuchi lifted it back up with a gentle hand on her chin. Her cheeks were flushed red.

  “Has no one told you that before?” he asked.

  She shook her head Moisture formed in the corner of her eyes.

  “No one has ever given me a compliment so genuine before.” A tear trickled down her right cheek.

  He took her in his arms and hugged her. More tears stained her face as she nestled her head against his neck.

  “I am so sorry,” he whispered into her ear. “I am so sorry that you had to live like that.”

  She broke contact with him and she lowered herself onto the rushes.

  “Make love to me,” she insisted.

  “Turn over,” he said.

  She rolled on to her stomach.

  He ran a gentle caress down her firmly sculpted body. He lifted her buttocks up so that she was on all fours. Kneeling he came up behind her and glided into her.

  Tingling ripped through him.

  Aife began to moan and she started to grind him.

  The movement excited him. Pleasure washed over him, then it came a short spasm followed by release.

  She moaned, “Please keep going, it feels wonderful.”

  She likes it like this… oh boy.

  He kept thrusting and the waves of pleasure became harder to bear.

  Keep going, boy… keep going.

  She moaned, and then finally screamed loudly.

  He came again, and he slumped down onto her back.

  She fell forward.

  He lay down beside her and fell into an exhausted sleep.

  She looked at him and smiled.

  “I hope that the curse is now broken.” She yawned and lay down to sleep beside him.

  I hope so too. I wonder what the effect of the curse broken will be.

  ***

  That night Akuchi and Aife lay on their small bed of rushes.

  Warrior’s work with steel,

  Philosopher’s work with pen,

  Gird yourself with truth

  Light of truth will guide you.

  The words resonated around his head. What was that? He sat up and looked around the darkened room, his sword the only thing in the room sat against the far wall, opposite the door. He strained his ears listening for more. Nothing came. He lay back down and closed his eyes

  You have kept your word and your spirit runs strong in you. You are a man of honour.

  Akuchi sat up.

  “Who is there?” he asked softly.

  Aife stirred. He turned to her and calmed her. She settled back into her sleep.

  Fear not, for you have done well, I will guide you. Stay true to your word and don’t dishonour your spirit and you will be blessed. A voice echoed in his head

  What do you want? Akuchi replied thinking the words.

  Your actions have set in motion a series of events that will change the whole world. The return of the dark elves will start the beginning of the end. You will not live to see this terrible day but your family will help save or condemn the world.

  What must I do to save the world? he asked.

  The voice did not reply to him.

  Chapter 31 Resolutions

  11th day of the 7th month 580th year of the 8th era

  The next morning, bird calls from outside woke Akuchi. He climbed out of bed and numbly stepped out of the hovel’s door. He sat on a log outside and began to pile kindling onto the fire under the pot. Once the fire was going he lifted the pot and stirred it with the wooden spoon.

  I need to clear a new field and begin to till it; I should get that done before the first crop is ready. Once the harvest comes I won’t have any time for new fields.

  The wooden door opened and out came Aife.

  Akuchi stared. Gone were the scars and the warts on her back and face. Her skin was no longer gaunt. Both her breasts were present and perky with dark areoles and bright pink nipples. Before him stood a true beauty. Raven black hair that was cropped short so that it framed her face. Her eyes sparkled a bright aquamarine. Her nose was squat and rounded, lips even and a natural red flushed through them. Her chin was sharp and captured her face with ears that were pointed and without lobes. Her skin was smooth and light brown in colour. The brown skin looked well fitted to her body; her skin no longer drawn over the ribs was filled out giving her a soft gentle look. It can’t be that easy … can it?

  Aife looked at Akuchi staring at her.

  “What?” she asked.

  “You look beautiful,” he gushed.

 
“Please don’t tease me,” she grimaced.

  “Look at yourself.”

  She looked down at herself and then brought her hands up and cupped her own breasts.

  “Wow,” she exclaimed, “they feel so great, I always wanted proper breasts.”

  His manhood began to rise as he looked at her.

  She looked back at him.

  “Does it always do that?” she asked pointing to his member.

  “What?” he asked, looking down at himself. “Oh that, it happens sometimes when we see beauty, and desire it.”

  She looked around them.

  “Where is this beauty?” she asked.

  He got up from the log, stepped in front of her, and gently placed a finger on her chest.

  “You are the beauty I desire.”

  “Don’t tease me.”

  “Let me show you.” He took one of her hands in hers.

  He stepped forward and kissed her.

  At first, she stood still, then she wrapped her arms around his waist, taking him in closer. As their bodies met they fit into each other snuggly. He pressed against the warmth of her pudenda. His hands ran up and down her back, taking in the scar and wart-free expanse of her back. She broke the kiss and shivered in his arms.

  “Wow,” she gasped. “I thought last night was great… but that was amazing. Can we do more?”

  “Sure,” he said and leaned in for another kiss.

  Gasping for breath, she broke again; her knees gave in and she collapsed into his arms.

  “Do you need to lie down?” he asked.

  She shook her head.

  “Can we make love again?” she asked, biting her lower lip.

  With an arm around her waist, he held her and with the other, lifted her chin up. He looked deeply into her eyes.

  “Anytime you want.”

  “Now?” she asked. Looking up at him her hands resting on his bronzed chest.

  Akuchi chuckled. “How about we have breakfast first?”

  “I know you want to,” she teased, running her hand around to his back.

  Akuchi laughed again, and held her tight.

  The smell of cooking rabbit stew wafted up to their noses and both of their stomachs growled. They laughed, separated, and sat on the smooth logs.