28. Sweet woods again
28
Sweet woods again
Nidori
I was grateful to see real moonlight again as we approached the exit to the cave. I breathed in the air; it was no longer stale and damp, but full of scents from the forest. I was warm, nestled up to Talon. Being here, this close to him, everything seemed a little better. Safe.
We exited the tunnel, and I paused as I took in the view. The forest stretched out in front of us, and past that, the dark sea glittered in the moonlight. The island we were trying to reach loomed beyond, the top peeking out of thick fog that wrapped it like a cloak.
“Oh, it’s nice to be out of there,” I said, fluttering down to the dirt.
Another small comfort—the return of all the familiar plant life around me. I dug my hands into the ground, reaching down to greet them, and they reached back with joy. Small shoots sprung from the ground, unfurling towards me in response.
“I’ll be all right,” I murmured, willing it to be true. I was out of that horrible cave. Away from the bodies.
I couldn’t change what happened.
The grief hit me like a wave, threatening to suck me in, but I let it flow through me, imagining it soaking into the earth like spring rainfall. I took a breath. It’ll be all right , I told myself again, though I didn’t quite believe it.
I stood, taking off and starting to fly down the narrow, crumbling staircase that hugged the cliff face.
Glancing back at the boys, I noticed Kaine was paler than normal.
“Are you okay?” I asked him.
“I will be when we’re on the ground,” he said, eyeing the narrow descent.
“Here,” I said, happy to finally woodweave again. I grew strong shrubs along the path, lacing vines between them and forming a railing for him.
Talon stretched out his left wing for balance and turned to Kaine. “Hold on,” he said, offering his tail.
Kaine hesitated. “Don’t suppose there’s a chance I can just close my eyes and be carried again?” he joked.
“Trust me, it’s safer this way,” said Talon.
“If you say so.” Kaine took the proffered tail. They started down the path, and I zipped around them, waiting patiently for their descent.
“I’d carry you if I could still fly,” said Talon wistfully.
“And I’d carry you if I was bigger,” I added.
“That would be a hard no from me.” Kaine shook his head. “My plan is to keep my feet firmly on the ground, thanks.”
-
The cliffs led right back into the forest, and we walked on deer trails for a while, until we came to where a proper path led towards the ocean. Trees were thinner here, with less undergrowth. We were back to a normal forest on this side of the mountain, with regular-size trees. The initial high from being among plants again was wearing off, replaced by a deep tiredness. I took my spot in the nook of Talon’s wings and tried to stay awake as the walking motion rocked me back and forth.
The forest floor was steep and sloped, and it seemed like an exhausting trek down for the boys. We went deep into the early hours of the morning, then started setting up camp.
We picked a sheltered thicket; the trees grew more closely here, and rocks gave us some cover as well. I wove a shelter for Kaine, and Talon started his nightly routine of scrubbing his clothes and making them neat. He frowned as he unpacked his bedroll and found the missing corner. I pulled my bag closer, wondering if he knew I’d taken it. He didn’t say anything, though, setting up his bed as normal.
I smiled as I noticed he’d set up near Kaine. They had slept next to each other last night, so it seemed they were getting along nicely. I was very pleased. I couldn’t have my wife and future concubine arguing.
Talon went to get some water and boiled it for soup and Kaine had vanished again. I sat on the ground, setting up alert vines in a perimeter around us. I felt Kaine, not too far from us, hunting rabbits.
“Kaine! Dinnertime!” I called. Talon had finished the soup. It wasn’t an exciting meal, but better than nothing. Kaine had finished hunting—successfully—and started back.
“Is it really dinner if it’s four in the morning?” Talon asked as I settled next to him.
“It’s the spirit of the meal that counts,” I said.
Talon shook his head. “I’d say it’s more the food you eat.” He tore a bite out of a stiff chunk of bread. I sniffed. He was completely wrong, but I didn’t see the need to embarrass him by continuing the debate.
Kaine approached, sneaking up behind Talon. I cocked my head. What was he up to?
He stopped right behind Talon, dropping two dead rabbits into his lap .
“Fuck!” Talon said, jumping half a foot. His wings shot out, opening comically with a thwoomp . I burst into laughter, a snort escaping before I could stop it.
“You’re welcome,” Kaine said, plopping down next to me. He closed his eyes, then opened one of them, peering at Talon.
“You do know how to cook those, right? Because I sure as hell don’t, and I don’t even know if sprites eat meat.”
“Of course, I know how,” he said, picking them up and shooting Kaine a glare.
“We can eat meat, actually,” I said, opening my mouth and pointing at my canines. “We just usually don’t. You have to cook it and we’re not big fans of fire.”
Talon sighed and started skinning the rabbits, being very careful to keep any mess off his clothes. He cut the meat into small parts and skewered them on a stick.
“It’s a shame I can’t smoke them here,” he said. “I’ll have to show you one day what I can do with the proper tools.”
Kaine cocked an eyebrow. “Chef Talon. I’d like to see that.”
“Don’t believe I can cook?” Talon folded his arms.
“It’s not so much the cooking, pet. I’ve got a weak spot for bears in aprons.”
For some reason, Talon went pink and muttered something about not having a beard. I was very pleased I knew slang enough to figure out that “weak spot” meant Kaine liked it. I wondered how hard it would be for me to catch a bear for him. Probably not that hard. Getting it into the apron would be a different story, but maybe Talon could help me?
I hummed happily as I pictured it.
Soon, an amazing smell was filling the campsite.
“Are they ready?” I asked, peering at them .
Talon inspected them carefully. He’d been cooking them for ages . “Yeah, we can eat,” he said, lifting the skewers and handing them out. Kaine and I dived in, devouring our portions in a matter of seconds.
Talon ate much slower and neater.
Kaine chewed his skewer, cleaning off every last scrap. He hungrily side-eyed Talon’s half-finished helping.
I sat back in amusement as he pounced, trying to snatch another piece. Talon, to my surprise, was ready and lifted his food high above his head.
“No way,” he said as Kaine continued to try and steal some meat. A small locket slipped out of Kaine’s pocket and fell to the ground. Neither of them seemed to notice, absorbed in the struggle for food. Talon’s foot almost landed on it, and I fluttered down, picking it up.
“Here, you mooch.” Talon took some off the end and gave it to Kaine.
“It’s not as fun if you share,” he grumbled, taking it.
“I think this is yours,” I said, the locket in my hands.
Kaine glanced up as Talon plucked it from my hands.
“What’s this?” he asked, unlatching the locket. “A sweetheart pendant? Should we be jealous?”
“Hey! Give that back—” Kaine snatched at it, but a well-placed wing kept him at bay. I was curious, too, darting up to peer inside as Talon opened it.
Inside was a small portrait of…I squinted at it.
“Is this…you?” I asked incredulously.
It was. A small, beautifully detailed picture of Kaine, smiling smugly. We burst into laughter, and Talon closed his fist, snapping it shut.
Kaine pounced on his back, scratching at him. “That’s mine!” he snarled. “Give it back! ”
“Why…am I not even surprised?” Talon said. “Maybe I’ll keep this. It’s a nice picture.”
Kaine finally managed to catch hold of the chain, and Talon let it go.
Kaine huffed, straightening his shirt, tucking the locket back in and glaring at us.
“I think you have a problem,” Talon said.
“Oh, please.” He sniffed. “It was a gift. About the only nice thing that ever happened to me.”
“That reminds me!” I said, darting to the ground. I concentrated as I summoned special hardwood. White for Kaine and black for Talon.
“Hold out your hand,” I instructed, flying over to Kaine first. He held his hand out to me, and I wound the intricate ring around his slender finger, adjusting it so it fit perfectly.
I moved to Talon, and he seemed surprised as he held out his hand as well. I wound it around his finger; the dark mirror of Kaine’s.
I nodded as I finished. Now they were both properly mine.
“It’s lovely,” said Talon, smiling down at it.
“I can add some shinies if you like,” I said, suddenly wondering if they were too plain. The ones in books were a lot shinier than these wooden ones.
Kaine was staring at his, twisting it on his finger. I had made it so the inner part slid around the outer; he seemed to like to fiddle with things.
He blinked, looking up. “Rubies, of course,” he said. “But other than that, it’s perfect.”
My perimeter vines trembled.
“Shh.” I landed on the ground and took hold of a vine.
Talon and Kaine froze. It was not a false alarm; we had company .
“There are people nearby,” I said quietly. “Lots. Trying to sneak up on us.”
“How far away? We have time to pack?” asked Talon, already heading for his stuff. I nodded, and he set to work, swinging his prepared bag over his shoulders. He helped Kaine and me as well, neither of us quite as prepared as him. He drew his sword.
“They’re close now,” I said. “We could still run?”
“Fuck, no,” said Kaine. “What we need after today is some therapeutic skull cracking.”
I wrung my hands, torn as Kaine disappeared into the night air. I didn’t know what was therapeutic about rushing into danger. Talon beckoned me over, and I settled on his shoulder, holding on to his horn for support. My heart was pounding, and my hands were shaking.
He breathed out, and warm air swirled around his body as magic infused him. I clung on tight as he leaped up, clearing the rocks with ease and landing next to our would-be ambushers.
They were a group of them, dressed in similar forest-green garb. Locals, likely, though from the weapons they carried, not friendly ones. Perhaps we’d gotten it wrong, and this was all a misunderstanding?
That notion was quickly dispelled as they recovered from the shock of an enferni landing right in front of them. One charged at us with a yell, swinging a long, sharp knife. Fear shot through me as I looked into his eyes and saw nothing except hatred. He wanted to hurt Talon.
I balled my hands into fists, baring my teeth and calling to the forest around me. I wasn’t going to let that happen.
It was on.