Part 2

Fayna threw open the tent flap and inhaled the spring air. The last of the snow was melting, flowers now burst through the soil and in the distance he could here a stag warning others to stay away. Nahele joined him, wrapping her arms round him she whispered seductively “Sorry my dear but we have work to do” Nahele hung her head but agreed. Maybe it was the warm air and the scent of new life or maybe it was the beautiful woman before him “Work can wait” he winked as he gently pulled her back inside. The sun was nearly at full height when they emerged again, grabbing some gear they set off into the trees.

Returning late one afternoon he untied the game they had caught and prepared it for cooking. Nahele saw to the fire and together they cooked and ate. Fayna watched her shovel pieces of rabbit into her mouth and smiled, he had the Great Mother to thank. Stuffed Fayna lay on the grass with Nahele and listened to the logs crackle. Her eyes travelled east, over the hill towards the mountains, why she didn't know but something was calling her, she had to go there. Getting to her feet she walked towards the river then stopped and stared into the night sky. “What’s wrong?” Fayna asked sensing her puzzlement. “We have to go” Looking into the darkness he saw the faint outline of the mountains of Rusulka and Drayad and beyond that…Faymoor. “Why?” Nahele shook her head not knowing the answer “We must”

They decided to travel light; the mountains were no place to carry heavy loads. They ate heartily then pouring water over the fire they headed away from camp, away from the forest. Nahele stopped and took one last look, she had no feelings towards this particular forest but she wanted one last look as something told her she wouldn't be returning to Prylea. “We don’t have too” Fayna wrapped his arms round her waist sensing her sadness. Nahele shook her head, something was willing her to the east as if she was on an invisible rope and that rope was being pulled. Turning she walked away her answer to Fayna silently given. With nothing but the clothes on their back and a weapon in their hand they headed for the mountains of Rusulka.

Lykaios flew to the ground and looked up, he was home. He knew why he was sent away, he was a threat to the child, the child now twelve full moons old, would it look like her? Opening the main door he stepped into the gloomy hall, silence, he expected nothing else but something wasn’t right. In the main hall he met his brother who embraced him with enthusiasm “Lykaios, it is good to see you; I trust the Mortal world is as we hoped?” Lykaios nodded “The Mortal world is as it should be” Cailean grunted with relief and offered him a seat “We have much to discuss” Lykaios waited for his brother to start. A young girl entered the room her silver skin and dark wavy hair looked familiar. “Lykaios this is Eirene...Sorcha’s child” This could not be, she was about to give birth when he left, this child was at least ten times twelve full moons. “Where is Sorcha?” Cailean looked at his brother with sadness “She is gone” Gone, gone where, why did they let her leave? Cailean put his hand on Lykaios’s shoulder “She is gone my brother as in dead”

Cailean gently explained “The birth was difficult, she lost a lot of blood, we could do nothing for her” Lykaios sat in silence and stared into nothing, dead, why, her belief in The great Mother was nonsense, what kind of god would allow a young woman to die, leave their child alone? “I am sorry” Lykaios rose and headed for the door, suddenly the castle felt oppressive. Eirene watched from a distance, so this was the creature that brought her life, he was angry, at himself at her Mother; it seemed he was angry with everything. But that anger was hiding something, something to deep for her to pick up. Lykaios stared into the night sky, he wanted to kill, rip someone apart with his bare hands, instead he flew of towards the village, his need for release overpowering.

Eirene watched him go, knew where he was heading knew that someone would die tonight, another victim that would be covered up but she did not blame him she blamed no one; it is the way it is. Her eyes travelled west, towards Dryad and the Rusulka Mountains, she was coming not alone but her journey had began, soon others would follow but their journey would be long and difficult. Eirene went indoors and looked for Naila, she was hungry. As the sun started to rise a small black shape appeared in the sky, flying down to the tower it landed transforming into a man, Lykaios was back. The mess he had left behind was the worst anyone had seen but he didn't care, his rage sated he felt calmer. He stood and looked at the door remembering the last time he had landed here, turning he made for the stairs and his resting place.

Kelsa was right, Fenn was indeed a worthy adversary, his skill with a sword nearly as good as her own but she was born for this, her kind thrived on skirmishes, on fighting. Without it looking obvious she was easy on him, enjoyed the sound of steel against steel, of going against this Elf. It was only a matter of time before they gave her the nod, told her to finish it and she would drive her sword through him, it was him or her. Fenn knew it was coming, not because she had said anything rather he sensed it and he was not stupid, she was good better than anyone he had seen but then she was Quella, he had heard of them the stories told of their battles and their ferociousness, strong skilled and proud they were born and raised for fighting, new nothing else.

Adam’s health was failing. The full moons of being confined, of being tortured had taken its toll. He watched as his son Githa played with his child. He was growing into a fine boy and Ordila was expecting again. Ianu had given him the bad news, Sorcha had died in childbirth, he was sorry to have not seen her just once but Arla had been right, they were together at last. He smiled as the pair went down on their knees, as Githa lifted a small crab from the sand to show the boy. Closing his eyes he listened to the sounds of the waves, the wind rustle through the trees and the sound of his family laughing. Soon he would be with Arla his beloved and his first born; together they would stand beside The Great Mother or God; never again would they be torn apart.

His face softened as he saw his sleeping father, he looked at the drawn features the lines on his face, there seemed to be far more than there should be for a man his age even for a Mortal. He had never been told about his Fathers time away of what happened but in the night when his barriers were down Githa caught snippets of the horror his Father saw the pain he went through.  He had called him over and explained about his sister’s death but he had felt nothing, how can you grieve for someone you never knew. Calling his son they headed back to the house, Ordila would have dinner ready, stopping at his Father he quietly called him  “Father, dinner will be ready” Adam smiled “Yes, of course, I’ll be there in a moment” Githa smiled back noting the smile never met his Fathers eyes.

John stood at the waters edge, it was gone all gone. His job, his life, Fuck, so what was the point of living. The collapse of the company gave everyone the boot but his wife’s reaction was the one thing he didn't expect. He thought she loved him, thought they were happy, well he was wrong there, his announcement of being jobless was met with sympathy, a shoulder to cry on then poof a week later she was gone, slowly he walked towards the water.

It reached his waist, then his shoulders; calmly he kept going till it covered his head. He stared into the deep; fish swam past oblivious to his plight, his decision. Seaweed rocked back and forth as the current washed over it, he could feel his chest tighten. His body reacted, self preservation kicked in, his arms flailed wildly as he tried to surface then stopped as he told himself to give up, go with the flow. His mouth opened to inhale air but there was no air to be had. Again his mouth gasped and again he got water, finally his eyes closed and his body went limp as he succumbed to its salty embrace.

Fragments part 1                                                     Part 3