Chapter ten #2
“I will consider it.” My eyes widened with hope.
“I haven’t said yes, so don’t look at me like that.
You are all skin and bones, Alora. Your core will need to be strengthened before we do any sword work.
” Shaking his head in disbelief, he rolled his eyes before looking back to me.
“I’ll make my decision when I receive my full payment of gold.
We’re only four days from the place I suggested we meet after you’ve returned home.
Neither of us can be tracked there. It’s not too far from your lands, so you’ll be safe to travel there alone.
” We had agreed to meet one last time, a month after I had returned home safely.
The plan had been to pay Darce his gold.
Now it appeared bigger things were on the table.
“Why am I suddenly regretting saving you? I was hoping to be shot of you in a few weeks! Now I might have to put up with you for centuries!”
“I will follow your lead, Darce. I understand that you’ll be the teacher.”
“I fight dirty, Alora. Is that the kind of warrior you want to be?”
“All I’m asking is for you to train me to use a sword. I can work out the rest myself. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. To be able to defend myself, and my race.”
“Enough talk. You need to get some rest. I’ll take over lookout duties.” With that, Darce got up and cast shadows around us. I could barely make him out as he stepped into the darkness to recharge. The conversation, for now, was over.
****
THE STRANGEST WAILING sounds were coming from a pit near the bottom of the volcanic wall Darce and I had climbed down.
“What’s down there?” I asked as he looked into the void. I couldn’t make out anything but darkness, but knew he would be able to see more.
“It looks like some hell dryad pups. I can’t see the mother. She might have slipped and the pups followed her.” They were all alone. We had to do something.
“Can we reach them?”
“Alora, this is nature. It’s best not to interfere. If we rescue them, they’ll be dead within a day. They can’t defend themselves out here alone.”
“I’ll look after them then!” Placing my hands on my hips, I stared him down. I wasn’t leaving those pups there alone if we could save them!
“You can’t save everything.”
“Fine! I’ll climb down there myself!” Using what leverage I could, I began to lower my body down into the abyss. My feet searched for something to support my weight.
“Alora! Don’t be a fucking idiot! Wait!” Darce grabbed my arm as I slipped on the crumpling rock beneath me. “Fuck!” Gripping my arm harder, he pulled me up. “You’ve got a fucking death wish! I swear!” The pups began wailing louder, begging anyone to save them.
“Darce, listen to them. They are begging us.” Blowing out a breath of air, he ran his hands through his unruly, jet black hair.
“Okay! I’ll get them, but you’re looking after them! I’m not giving them any of my food rations, either!”
“That’s fine!”
Watching Darce climb down into the darkness was a little unnerving. I had to remember this was what he was made of. Noxlin were born of pure darkness, just as I was born of pure light. A few moments later, he emerged with three tiny pups in his arms.
“The other four didn’t make it. These three must be strong little fuckers.” They must have only been a few weeks old.
When Darce placed them on the ground, two of them instantly ran towards me.
Both were white with patches of color. I picked up the first one to inspect it, and could see that he was a male with black patches.
The other pawed at my leg for attention, not wanting to be left out.
When I picked it up, too, I noticed she was a girl with dark brown patches.
Their paws were large, considering the tiny size of their bodies.
“I’m guessing you’ll both grow into those paws,” I chuckled, watching Darce try and shove the third pup away with his foot. She had a black patch over her left eye. “I think that one has chosen you.”
“Not happening, pup. Fuck off. Go to Alora. She had food for you.” He tried to shoo the pup away, but it simply sat down at Darce’s shoe and scratched its back with its back foot.
Taking some cornbread out of my bag, I fed the two nearest me before throwing some food towards the third pup.
What would I call them? I had always loved the stories of the ancient light wielders. Loki and Enyo had been powerful guardians that meant strength and mayhem. Judging by the way the pups were chewing on my bag for more food, I thought the names would suit them well.
“I’ll call you Loki.” When I patted the male pup, he rolled over to allow me to rub his belly. “And you will be called Enyo.” I motioned towards the chubbier female, and she wagged her tail before placing her large paw on my leg. “What are you naming yours?” I called out to Darce, smirking.
“I’m not naming it!” He collected his bag and turned away from me. “They’ll have to keep up with us. I’m not carrying them.”
“They’ll keep up.” Turning to the pups, I threw a few crumbs of cornbread on the floor. “Won’t you? Come on. Let’s go.”
“If you keep feeding them like that, we’ll never get rid of them.” Darce sighed, rolling his eyes.
****
THE HELL DRYADS WERE quick, and easily kept pace with Darce and me. Having these as pets wasn’t a bad idea. Once they were fully grown, I would have two overprotective beasts that would guard me with their lives. Noor, Nell, and Luz were going to be so excited when they saw them.
We had almost reached the scorched lands. I could see the dust clouds in the distance.
“We’ll rest up here tonight,” Darce commented, pointing to an opening in the volcanic wall.
“I’ll ward the cave. I hope these pups aren’t howlers.
” His pup was still following him, jumping at his feet each time he stepped.
“Stop getting in the fucking way!” he yelled towards the little hell dryad.
Loki and Enyo were close to my feet, but kept just the right amount of distance.
Once Darce and I set up camp inside the cave, the three little pups kept us entertained for the evening. The third pup gave up on Darce for a little while, which gave me a chance to check it over and see that it was a female. She was smaller than the other two, but pretty feisty.
“He’ll warm up to you, don’t worry,” I whispered, giving her some of my rations. “Darce doesn’t like me either. He’ll tolerate us both.”
After feeding and watering them, the three pups play fought with each other before curling up against me. It had been a long day for them, losing their mother and then us finding them. It wasn’t surprising that they were tired.
“I don’t think we’ll hear anything from them tonight. Look how sleepy they are.”
“It’s probably all the cornbread you’ve been feeding them. Do you have enough rations to get home?”
“It doesn’t matter if I don’t eat for a day or so.” He shook his head. “Life is sacred to my kind, Darce. These pups are a blessing from Nantu or Holy Ether. Think of the protection we’ll have when they are fully grown.”
“I can look after myself. I don’t need some food-driven beast distracting me.”
“She’s chosen you.”
“Well, she’s a fucking moron for doing that.” There was something dark and tortured in his expression that made me think Darce wasn’t talking about the pup anymore.
The darkness was deep in his eyes, taking away the small amount of star speckled light that had been in them. I knew better than to press the matter. If he didn’t take the pup, I would keep her. I would never abandon her.
After watching the three pups cuddled together for a few minutes, I wrapped my body around them, cocooning them with my warmth. Suddenly, I was exhausted, too.
****
THE LITTLE PUP WAS working her magic on Darce. Over the last few days, I’d witnessed a few exchanges between them. He’d even shared some of his smoked meat with her.
We were currently making our way through a tunnel of caves so he could show us where to meet up for me to pay him his gold.
“It’s just a little farther,” he called as light trickled into the cave when the opening appeared.
All I noticed at first was the beautiful valley in the distance. There were lush green mountains with waterfalls that flowed down into a stunning, glistening lake. Our two suns were high in the sky, filling the landscape with their warmth.
“What is this place and how did you find it?”
“It’s called Shielding Valley. This place once harnessed great power and magic.
It’s why neither of us can be tracked here.
We are protected by the mountains. They encompass the valley, trapping the magic inside.
” Looking at the inviting lake, I began to drop my belongings.
The water was crystal clear. How long had it been since I’d bathed?
The pups were jumping and rolling around in the fresh green grass.
“Can we camp here for the night?” I asked, beginning to walk over to the lake. “The lake looks extremely inviting.”
“It will add another day to your return home.”
“One more day won’t hurt,” I muttered, slipping out of my armour. “Look after the pups. I’m going for a swim.”
The water was the perfect temperature. After washing the dirt off my exposed skin, I looked back towards Darce. He was setting up camp. I could make out the long, green grass moving next to him, and smiled, knowing that the pups were taking an interest in what he was doing.
I was in my undergarments. I’d worn a lot less in Dallethas and never batted an eyelid, but with Darce, it was different. If he saw more of my skin, it would probably repulse him and give him something else to insult me with.
After dunking my head into the water, I undid the braid in my hair and allowed the full length to fall down my back. The sun would replenish and dry it.
As I walked back to the camp a little while later, Darce’s gaze was on me. His mouth was slightly open. His eyes were wide and wild.
“If you’re going to insult me, please refrain. Washing in the lake might be a good idea for you, too.”
“It’s been a few days since you’ve insulted my stench,” he teased, his eyes lowering towards my body.
“You do smell worse than a pig. When did you last bathe?” Picking my cloak up, I wrapped it around myself.
“Last month.” A month! Why did I find this male attractive?
It had to be because of our closeness. Once I got back to Dallethas and put some distance between us, these feelings would fade.
It made no sense for my sexual awakening to happen around a Noxlin.
His close proximity and my powers surfacing must have been confusing me.
“I will take a dip, but not because you told me to.”
“Take the pups, too. They could do with a wash.” He rolled his eyes at my command.
I gawked at him as he stripped to his undergarments in front of me, pulling his shirt over his head and revealing his muscular, bare chest. Swallowing hard, I looked away, trying to appear unaffected by his nakedness.
“Am I making you uncomfortable? Alora, after all this time, you must know I mean you no harm. I’m keeping my underpants on, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
I squared my shoulders and attempted to focus on anything but the sexual desire that was soaring around my body.
I tried to keep my face blank. “Darce, I’m not affected by your shirtlessness.
Like you, I prefer the look of my own kind.
” It seemed as if I’d gotten away with it.
With a slight nod, he walked towards the lake, calling the pups along with him.
As I watched the movement of the muscles on his back, moisture pooled at my core and I had to clench my legs together. Mother of Mercy! What was that? The feeling was intense. A pure, devouring need.
I needed to get back to Dallethas as soon as possible. This Noxlin had to be charming me with his dark powers somehow! I had to build a fortress around these feelings for him. Nell would help me, if I had the courage to confide in her.
I was of the pure Dylin bloodline. I would not allow Darce to make me falter from my destiny.
****
DARCE AND I STOOD LOOKING at each other. We had done it. After an extremely long journey, we reached the borders of the Barren Lands. It would be a half-day walk for me to get home to Dallethas.
“I will see you a month from today in Shielding Valley,” Darce muttered, looking in any direction but mine. “I’ll wait until sunset. If you do not come, I will not return. You’ll be indebted to me for the rest of your existence. Maybe I’ll even curse you.”
Rolling my eyes, I shook my head at him. “I will be there with your gold. Here.” I removed some of the gold armour on my arm. “Take this as a small down payment. You have my word, Darce. I will deliver your gold in a month.”
“No, you need that. You still have half a day’s walk.
The Barren Land is a formidable place. Never let your guard down.
” Scratching the back of his neck, he finally gazed down at me.
“It would be wise for you to turn up in a month. I will see what fighting strength you’ve got and make my decision then about training you.
” Something in his eyes made me wonder if the decision was already made.
“Until then,” I muttered, memorising every detail of his face. My dreams could never do him justice. Why did it hurt knowing we were parting ways, even if only for a month?
Darce nodded, and with that, he turned on his heels and walked away, quickly followed by the third pup. Hopefully, he’d bring her to our next encounter and finally have given her a name.
Looking down at Loki and Enyo, I called them to follow me. “Come on, you two. Let’s go home.”