They walked through the day, stopping occasionally to let Sara rest. She was unused to the unpaved roads beyond the town’s borders. Neither was she accustomed to carrying three days worth of food or a weapon. The boys had all offered to carry her equipment but she refused, stating they had already done too much for her. She tried her hardest to keep pace with the longer legged boys, but the boys slowed their pace, seeing her struggling to keep up. All of them knew it wasn’t her fault and none of them minded. In fact they had fabricated several reasons to stop along the way so she could rest without guilt. It wouldn’t be long until she was used to the exertion, and could keep pace with the rest of them. However, they hadn’t anticipated this, and now realized that three days worth of food would not be enough by at least a day if not two at their current pace.
They made camp earlier than they had hoped that first evening, under a tree away from the path. They had stopped as soon after Sara started limping as they could find a suitable place to make camp. The new boots it seemed were not agreeing with her delicate feet.
Sara sat down on a root that protruded from the ground beneath the canopy of the tree’s leaves. Unlacing her boots she pulled them off revealing her mangled little feet. Seth gasped at the sight and couldn’t believe she had done this to herself. At some time in the day, probably early, Sara must have developed blisters. Refusing to mention them she continued to walk until nearly her entire feet were covered with them, then she still continued until they had popped and new ones formed beneath the first. Those too had now popped and blood flowed from both of her feet freely. Knowing that Sara must be in terrible pain made Seth’s stomach tighten into knots. Ashton was setting down his pack when he heard Seth gasp and came to see the damage for himself. Garret seeing his twin and Ashton hovering around Sara’s legs too came to see what was going on. He had known she was sore, all of them had known, but maybe it was worse than he imagined.
Ashton regarded Sara’s feet just as he did the man’s mangled face the night before. He looked them over calmly, carefully, examining every injury. He looked Sara right in the eyes and smiled.
“This won’t hurt a bit.” Ashton assured her. “Much easier than the last person I helped.”
Ashton knelt down at Sara’s feet, closing his eyes, tilting his head back to look skyward. He prayed briefly, at least he appeared to, as his lips moved but no sound came forth, then returning his gaze to Sara’s feet began his low chant. To Seth it seemed this time Ashton used different sounds than he had the night before, but he couldn’t be sure. Almost immediately this time, Ashton’s fingers were consumed by the pale yellow light as they had been before. The light spread again, only this time it did not encompass his entire hands, nor his entire body, but stayed focused in his palms. The chanting only lasted a moment, and Ashton stood and admired his work, his childish face stretched into a toothy grin. Once again Sara’s feet were perfect. Ashton stopped however and leaned back down to where Sara was seated and, still feeling the magic in his blood, summoned it forth once again, and placed his hand over Sara’s forehead. He removed his hand a second later revealing where once had been a terrible jagged cut where her flesh had tore open, now lay a perfectly smooth patch of skin, unscarred by the heinous attack she had suffered. Sara thanked Ashton several times for his healing, each time Ashton’s cheeks flushed and he assured her that it was nothing. So it was that the four companions continued to make camp before all light was lost.
It was then Seth realized his mistake. He had made sure Sara was clothed appropriately, wore proper boots, was able to defend herself if the need arose, and had a pack to carry her food. What he had forgotten however was just as important. Sara had nothing to sleep on, neither did she have anything to cover up with. It was a simple mistake, but a stupid one. Each night grew colder as winter approached, and he had forgotten to at least buy her a blanket. It seemed to Seth, the only thing to do now was simply give up his own blanket to her. He couldn’t imagine her small fragile, beautiful body shivering on the bare ground.
They had each placed their packs around the base of the tree, marking their spots as it were. Ashton laid out his bear hide bed, and Garret his blanket next to that. Seth dug through his pack and pulled out his blanket, skipping the spot where his pack sat, the laid out his blanket, beneath Sara’s small pack. Sara seen him lay out the blanket, and approached him, realizing that it was his blanket. She walked right up to Seth stopping with just inches between them. Then looking up to face him, tears in her eyes, she spoke.
“No.” She told him quietly enough the others wouldn’t hear, but loud enough that he wouldn’t miss it. “I told you no sacrifices for me.” She said this as a tear slid down her cheek. Her golden amber eyes never leaving his.
“I’m not sacrificing.” Seth started his reply. “I will be fine, you need to stay warm.” He told her. “I won’t let you get sick if I can help it. I want you to use it, it would make me happy.” Seth finished.
“Why must you do this to me?” Sara asked, another tear sliding down her face. “Why must you make me feel guilty? If I use it I will feel guilty you are without your own blanket, If I don’t use it I will feel guilty that I have upset you it’s not fair.” She said this, now the tears came more rapidly.
Seth, reaching up wiped away her tears, and pulled her head to his chest. He hated seeing her cry. Angels shouldn’t cry.
“Please don’t cry Sara, and don’t feel guilty, not over this. Like I said I’m actually being selfish by giving it to you.” Seth stated, liking this new twist.
“How in the name of the gods is giving me your blanket, so you can freeze to death, selfish? Sara asked him with a tone akin to that of anger.
“It lets me feel like I’m protecting you, taking care of you. It makes me feel good.” It was the truth, it did feel good to take care of her, give her what she needed, and make her smile.
“Then we will share.” She stated, and Seth shook his head.
“No, it’s not appropriate, and it might make Garret and Ashton uncomfortable, No, I can’t share. Sorry.” Seth meant every word, and Sara could feel it.
“Why is it not appropriate, you don’t like me enough to share a blanket with me on a cold night? Sara was upset, but she really just wanted to understand his reason for refusal.
“It’s not that Sara, I swear, I care for you, I do, it just isn’t time yet ok?” Seth pleaded with her.
“If it isn’t time yet when will it be? Sara asked.
Seth shrugged.
“Will it be soon?” She demanded
“I hope so.” Seth replied.
Hearing the honesty in his voice, she gave in. Seth did care for her, and wanted to take care of her. It seemed he was waiting for something, maybe even something from her, before he would let himself get too close, too comfortable.
Seth let her go then, and she walked to the tree where the other two boys had already settled in their makeshift beds. She lay down then, on one half of the blanket, leaving the other half sprawled out beside her, leaving the invitation open if Seth were to change his mind.
Seth stood, where he and Sara had had their argument. It wasn’t fair to Sara, to make her feel bad for him. It wasn’t really even anything to do with her in the first place. The only real reason Seth turned down her invitation to share a blanket, to share a bed, was that he didn’t feel he deserved her. He hoped that at some point in the days to come he would do something so great that would make him deserving of any feelings she might have towards him. He knew without asking that she cared for him, just as he cared for her. It was a mystery how such feelings could overcome him about a girl, no a woman, he had barely known a day. But he couldn’t imagine a life without her. He dwelled for a while, about how best to deal with his feelings for her and decided upon some rules for himself. He could only be with her on two conditions. The first of course, if he did something unimaginable for her, earning her companionship, or second, if she told him she loved him, clarifying her feelings towards him, then he would allow himself a place at her side. Neither of these situations likely to occur, he felt secure enough in this fact that he would keep his distance, watching over her, protecting her, caring for her, but nothing more.
Seth walked to the empty space between his sleeping brother, and the woman who unknowingly was the master of his heart. He lay down on the naked ground, and rolling to face Sara, covered her with the unused portion of her blanket. Settling his mind, by watching her sleep, he too closed his eyes and drifted quickly into unconsciousness.
Sara waged a silent war within her mind that first night. Lying still, eyes closed she pretended to sleep. Wishing and praying that Seth would join her on the blanket, yet unsure if it was what she really wanted. She was torn. Once, several years ago, when she was barely a teenager, her mother died. Not knowing where else to go, Sara had stayed where her mom had lived, in the brothel. It was not the nicest place to live, and Sara had many times witnessed John, the owner’s, anger. But for a while John was different. After Sara’s mother was gone he had been very nice to Sara. Making sure she was fed and had clean clothes. That had lasted for some time until Sara had told him of her intentions to find the only relative that her mother had told her about. Sara had an aunt, in a town somewhere to the south, between Stone Haven and the capitol. This brought John once again to anger. He told her then of her mother’s debt to him, for living under his roof, eating his food. Her work, he explained to her, had not been enough to pay off her debt and so it fell to Sara to pay. Sara refused to work for John, if you could really even call it work. It just seemed wrong, seemed dirty. John assured her that she could not leave him, not while in his debt, and he also assured her that someday soon he would be putting her to “work”. This is what made Sara unsure of Seth. She did not know if he was being nice to her because he wanted something from her in return. Or perhaps he was giving her nice things to put her in his debt, though he had assured her she owed him nothing. She cared for Seth already. She knew she did, but was afraid to openly admit it, even to herself, for fear it was a trap. She couldn’t allow herself to be overwhelmed with him, she must make herself wait. Make herself watch him to be sure his intentions were good and that he truly cared for her like he had said. She hoped he shared the same feelings she had for him, though thought it unlikely. He was charming, strong, and even brave. She was a scared, worthless orphan. She didn’t deserve him, but she could hope that by some strange chance of fate that he would turn out to be exactly what she hoped, and would choose her over any other girl. Sara decided then that she couldn’t just wait and watch Seth, looking for some sort of sign. He had already proved he was willing to protect her, he had also proven that he was willing to take care of her, even sacrificing his own comfort to do so. Now she just needed to see how much he cared for her, or if he just wanted something else, something almost all men wanted, something she had yet to give to anyone. Coming to this conclusion, to test Seth, she smiled into the dark, still pretending to sleep. She heard Seth approach, heard him lay down, though not as close as she had secretly hoped. She then felt the blanket she laid upon being lifted and pulled over her to keep her warm. Keeping very still, keeping her eyes closed, she listened to Seth slowly drift off to sleep, all the while wondering what he would dream about. He had not taken her invitation to share the blanket, though now she wasn’t sure if this was a point for him or against him. She contemplated how she might test his feelings for her, and realized it would be very difficult. She too, slowly drifted off to sleep where her dreams would uncontrollably focus on Seth.
The next morning all four companions woke early. Seth had been the first to wake, and he waited patiently, watching Sara sleep, for the rest to wake as well. Garret was up next, and seeing that his brother was also awake, motioned for Seth to join him a slight distance away from the others. Seth rose and walked the short distance to where Garret waited, looking at him questioningly.
“So what’s the deal?” Garret asked.
“The deal with what?” Responded Seth unsure of what his twin wanted.
“Sara.” Garret stated. “Are you two a couple or what? Can I refer to her as my sister yet?” He added jokingly.
“I don’t really know bro.” Seth replied. “I mean, sure I like her, and I think she likes me, but until I’m absolutely sure, I really don’t know what to do or say.”
Garret nodded solemnly, his face bunching up in thought, and then he smiled.
“What is it?” Seth asked already expecting the worst from his brother.
“If you’re not sure how she feels, why don’t you go crawl into that blanket with her and make a man out of yourself.” Garret stated trying to contain a laugh.
“I don’t think that’s what she wants from me.” Seth replied, giving his brother a slug to the shoulder. “At least not yet in any case.” He quickly added winking to his twin.
They walked back to where Ashton and Sara slept, Garret was rubbing his shoulder, and Seth approached the sleeping girl. He knelt down beside her peaceful angelic face, and carefully pushed her hair back from her face with his fingertips. Kneeling closer, he whispered in her ear.
“Wake up beautiful.” Seth said the word as softly as he could manage, half hoping she wouldn’t hear him.
Sara did hear him however and her eyes opened slightly, peering up at him, she smiled. Seth stroked her cheek with the back of his hand, returning her smile.
“Am I still dreaming?” Sara asked him
Seth shook his head smiling still, realizing that if she thought she was still dreaming, then she had dreamed of him. He bent down, slowly, carefully, and pressed his lips against her forehead. Pulling back from the kiss he again whispered to her.
“I’m sorry, but you need to get up, we have a long day ahead of us.” Seth found himself lost in her deep amber eyes, and smiled again.
Sara nodded her understanding to him, and rolled to her back and sat up. She ran her fingers through her hair in an attempt to untangle it, and losing the battle, decided again to tie it behind her head with the strap. Seth simply watched her. She moved like liquid, always graceful, always precise. Sara moved as if to stand, and Seth held his hand out to her to assist her. She gladly took it, smiling at him in thanks. He lifted her gingerly from the ground, and watched her as she smoothed out her clothing. As Sara stretched her muscles, and sat again on the nearby root to put her boots on, Seth rolled up the blanket he had given her and returned it to his pack. Ashton was awake now as well, following a playful kick to his ribs from Garret. The four of them broke down their little camp, and sat to eat a quick breakfast before heading out. They decided to ration their food a bit, knowing the trip would take a little longer than originally anticipated. This came as a surprise to Sara, though she knew too well the reason behind the miscalculation. She vowed to herself that today she would keep up.
Gone now were the rocky hills surrounding Stone haven, replaced by gently rolling fields of tall weeds and wild flowers still struggling to bloom in the oncoming chill of fall. bees and other flying insects buzzed around the fields and from time to time a flock of birds would rise up from some undisclosed location in the distance just to float lazily on the wind a while before settling back down in the fields.
Sara did in fact do much better their second day of travel. She tried her best to keep pace with the boys, who only had to slow a little for her today. Also they only stopped a hand full of times to let her rest, each time she assured them she was ready to continue. About mid day, during one of their rest stops, Sara removed her boots and asked Ashton to heal the blisters that formed again on her feet. They were not nearly as bad this day as they had been the previous day. Her boots were finally starting to break in. The end of the day came quickly with all four of them talking and telling stories. Sara spoke the least, not having much to tell, and wanting to learn all she could about Seth. As the sun began to set, they foraged around for a good place to make camp. Sara was the first to notice a small stand of young trees a short way off the trail, and pointing it out, the group changed direction angling towards the trees. It was a small stand of birches, in a rough circle with a decent opening at their heart. In the opening, at the very center there lay a ring of stones encompassing a pile of charred wood and ash, marking this as a place someone else had made camp recently. The rest of the night went much the same as the last, with Seth declining Sara’s silent invitation and instead covering her with the remainder of the blanket.
This night the air was much colder, and Seth found himself waking at regular intervals to stretch his cold muscles, and calm his chattering teeth. Each time he woke, Seth checked on Sara, being sure that she slept peacefully, and often he carefully pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders, tucking it around her small body to be sure she stayed warm. Each time he awoke, after checking on Sara he quickly lie back down to try and salvage what was left of the night.
Seth was again the first to wake as the sky began to lighten. He looked around, verifying everyone was still sleeping restfully, and rolled to check again on Sara. He liked watching her sleep. She was so peaceful, so beautiful. But he decided this morning to wake her, not wanting to disturb her rest, but hoping that they could perhaps share a few moments together, alone, without the eyes of the others upon them. Like the morning before, he knelt down beside her and whispered in her ear.
“Wake up angel.” So soft, so quietly he said the words, watching her face.
Again as before her eyes came slowly open, and registering his face she again smiled at him. Like the morning before Seth leaned down to kiss her forehead. Sara shifted her body, tilting her head back. She saw Seth leaning nearer to kiss her head, his eyes closed, and quickly replaced it with her mouth. His lips found hers, and she kissed him back softly. Their kiss lasted only a moment, and Seth’s eyes had opened in surprise. He had not expected this change, though he wanted it. Leaning again close to her, he brushed his lips against hers once more and pulled back slowly reveling in the feeling it sent through him. He lightly stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers as he had the day before, and Sara seemed to snuggle against his hand, pushing her face more firmly against it.
Sara enjoyed the kisses, more so than anything she had ever enjoyed before in her life. The sensation sent tingles down her spine, and made her breathing come in short gasps. She pressed her face into his hand when he presented the opportunity, and his hand was like ice. This was why he had awoken so early, because he was freezing. She could not believe he would suffer like this, knowing that he could simply share a blanket with her. But she also knew he would not lay with her under the blanket, not yet he had said. He still waited for something, something from her. She wished to give it to him whatever it was if it would end his suffering. But she knew not what he wanted. Sara hastily made a plan. She rose from her blanket and motioned for Seth to join her across the small clearing. He began to cautiously walk across the short distance, careful not to step on anything that might make a noise. Sara reached down, snatching up the blanket and followed him. They walked together to the edge of the trees, and Seth turned to see what it was that she intended. Sara quickly asked Seth to sit, and he did eager to make her happy. He plopped down on the ground, his knees in the air, and his back against one of the small trees that made the grove. Sara ran her fingers through his hair and pulled his head close to her, as if to hug him there against her waist. Holding his head to her with one hand, she draped the blanket across his shoulders with the other. She released him then, and realizing her ploy Seth looked at her accusingly. She smiled, her angelic smile at him then, smoothing the troubled lines of his face. Seth spread the blanket wide across his arms behind him, inviting her to sit beside him. Sara, watching Seth’s face for any looks of disapproval ignored the empty space beside him, and instead climbed carefully into his lap, curling up like a child; she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her entire body against his chest. Seth was caught off guard. First a kiss and now she was curled up in his lap. He hurriedly wrapped his arms, and the blanket around her pulling her close, feeling her warmth. She just sat there, in his lap, her face nuzzled up against his neck, her head resting on his shoulder. He hugged her tightly to him, and she responded by kissing his neck lightly. Seth sat there for what seemed like a long time, feeling her small body pressed against his, listening to her breathing. Finally warm, and more relaxed and comfortable than Seth could ever remember feeling, he fell asleep. Seth had not meant to fall asleep, he wanted to relish in that moment forever if he could, but his body, overwhelmed and exhausted, finally relaxed, had other plans.
Sara, curled in a ball, like a child, laid comfortably in Seth’s large arms. His body was so comfortable around her; it was as if she was meant to be here. It made her feel like she was made to fit in his arms. She could feel Seth’s body finally warming to a reasonable level. She heard his breathing slow, and she felt his chest beneath her moving in a steady rhythm. Knowing Seth had fallen asleep with her in his arms, she too closed her eyes, and drifted into darkness, hoping to never leave his arms again.
Sara awoke some time later. She did not know how long she had slept, but noted the sky was fairly bright now. She listened to Seth’s breathing a moment, and found to her delight that he still slept. She heard a rustling sound and slowly, carefully turned her head to see where the sound had come from. Garret and Ashton stood a short distance away, staring at the unexpected sight of Sara in Seth’s arms. Realizing they had been caught staring, Ashton’s face flushed and he quickly turned and walked away. Garret on the other hand raised his hand to his mouth to stifle a laugh and shook his head jokingly at Sara. She glared at him menacingly letting him know in no uncertain terms that if he woke his brother he was in trouble. Garret’s smile disappeared, and he nodded in understanding and with a wink to her, he turned and strode across the small clearing to pack up his things. Sara watched the two boys to make sure they would not disturb Seth, and feeling confident that they would not, she turned her head back to his shoulder, and pressed her face into his neck. There she lay, curled against his chest, when he eventually awoke.
Seth woke, shifting his weight slightly to relieve his muscles, found Sara still curled up in his arms. He pulled her tightly against him, hugging her body to his. As he relaxed his grip on her, her small beautiful face slid into his view and she stretched her body up bringing them eye to eye. Seth watched as Sara smiled at him, and he was ready for her this time as she leaned in to kiss him. Sliding his arm from behind her small body, he cupped the back of her head lightly with one large hand. Feeling their lips press together, Seth lost control of the situation. He kissed her for long seconds. He had kissed her passionately, more passionately than he had originally intended. He hoped he hadn’t frightened her, and as he relaxed to withdraw himself from her, he had his answer. Instead of letting him escape the kiss, she turned in his lap and used her body to follow his retreat, kissing him harder and more passionately. She continued to kiss him until neither of them could breathe. Sara, feeling light headed, finally relented, dizzy as she was, she smiled at him with the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. She opened her mouth slightly then as if to speak and Seth watched and listened, waiting intently for the words he had been waiting for. The words did not come. Instead Sara sighed and once again laid herself against him. Seth turned his head, and kissed her cheek. Adjusting his body, careful to keep Sara comfortably in his arms, Seth scooped her up and stood with her body curled against his chest, and strode across the clearing carrying her.
Seth, reaching the spot where they had slept the night before, laid out the blanket as best he could, and gently placed Sara upon it. Sara noticed the looks that Garret and Ashton had on their faces, and her cheeks blushed a bright red before she could hide her face. Seth picked up her boots, pack and crossbow and brought them to her, setting them at her side. Sara then noticed that Garret and Ashton already wore their packs, eager to get back on the trail. She hurriedly laced up her boots, hefted her pack into place, and hung her crossbow over her shoulder. When she had finished, Seth picked up the blanket and hastily shoved it into his pack, and grabbing Sara’s hand, turned to his brother with a crooked grin, and the four of them began walking.
The day went by swiftly, without interruption. They talked of the Choosing again, this time Seth not mentioning what his hopes had been for the ceremony. Often they walked in silence, Both Seth and Sara reliving the morning’s events in their heads. Ashton again related what he knew of the different god’s to Sara who had asked about them, and it turned out she was already better informed about many of them than the twins had been. Sara had told them that she hadn’t thought about The Choosing ceremony much, as it was relatively out of her hands. She just hoped now that it would not keep her away from her Seth. Seth was thinking much the same. Garret and Seth talked for a while taking turns relating to Sara details about their previous years living in Vineleaf. These stories she took particular interest too and asked many questions, committing their answers to memory. Sara walked, her hand in Seth’s, staring at the ground at her feet trying to commit yet another detail of Seth’s life to memory when she noticed a strange print on the trail. It was unlike any other she had seen since leaving Stone Haven, and it spiked her curiosity enough that she found herself looking for another like it as they continued to walk. The day passed quickly, comfortably, as they walked. Sara’s feet barely blistered, and she was able to keep pace with the boys most of the time. She had spotted the odd track in the dirt, a couple of times as they had walked, and each time it appeared to be in the direction of crossing the wide path they followed, not following it as most did. She assumed that it was just a large animal that had left the track, but curiously decided to keep her eyes open for more. They had only stopped to eat once this day, trying to conserve their food, and Sara found that she was hungry, and hoped they planned to eat when the stopped to make camp.
The sun had begun to set, the sky slowly turning orange, then crimson. The wind had picked up over the last couple of hours, and the temperature had dropped substantially. They continued to walk, hoping to find some sort of shelter before all the light was gone from the sky. The plains here offered very little in the terms of protection. The rare stand of trees like the one they had found the night before was becoming more and more scarce. Instead all that seemed to survive in this area of the plains was dense underbrush, rocks, and very rarely a short twisted sickly looking tree. From horizon to horizon the four companions could see nothing but a vast field of yellow and gray. It was a dismal place in the fading light of late evening. One moment they were walking along the wide trail, and the next moment Garret had stopped, as if frozen in his tracks.
Garret stood on the trail, his companions all looking at him, and he peered, squinting his eyes to the east trying to see something clearer, that the fading light was hiding from him. He told his companions to wait where they were, and he headed off the trail wading through the ocean of waist deep brush. Seth, Ashton, and Sara watched him go. Garret had walked several hundred yards off the trail, and came to stand at a large outcropping of stone. It looked unnatural here, one huge stone lying diagonally across another, creating a large cave like opening beneath the large stone slab. The opening wasn’t tall, barely high enough to sit in, but it was wide enough for the four of them to lie in comfortably. Garret eyed the hole, looking for signs of any animal that might inhabit it. Not seeing any, he called back to his companions, telling them to join him. It did not take long for them to reach him as he had already plowed them a path. They decided it was unsafe to start a fire here, despite the cold. There was too much brush around to try and contain a fire with the wind blowing harder and harder as the night progressed. They quickly made camp, and ate a quick meal of dried meat and cheese, if it could be called that, and sat for a while talking. The sun disappeared beyond the horizon and shortly thereafter so too did any trace of light. Clouds had blown in throughout the day, and they now obscured any sign of the moons or stars. The small group stumbled over one another and struggled to lay out their blankets in the darkness. Seth dug the blanket out of his pack with one hand, keeping the other entwined within Sara’s. Instead of spreading it out for her as was his custom, he dragged her through the darkness to the huge stone that their roof rested upon. The ceiling was the highest here and would be the most comfortable. Releasing Sara’s hand for a moment, Seth pulled the blanket behind him across his shoulders, and sat down, his back against the stone. He reached out to her, searching the darkness with his fingers. He brushed against her arm and followed it down to grasp her hand. Seth gently pulled at her hand leading her to him. The ceiling was so low even Sara had to crouch to maneuver around safely, she tried to see Seth through the darkness, but ended up tripping over his foot and fell right into his waiting lap. Seth successfully stifled a laugh, hoping she hadn’t hurt herself in the fall. He had no way to check her for injuries in the darkness unsure of where his hands may lay upon her body. Sara sat stunned for a moment in Seth’s lap. Realizing where she was, she also realized Seth’s intentions. He wanted to hold her again in his arms as they slept. She was giddy at the thought, and turned her body to face him in the darkness. She reached up, placing a hand on either side of his face and kissed him, trying to convey her happiness at his decision. She let their lips linger for a few moments, and then settled into his arms, her head on his shoulder, her face to his neck just as before.
“Thank you.” Sara whispered into the darkness.
“No angel, thank you.” Came the whispered response followed by a kiss to the top of her head.
Seth pulled the beautiful creature in his lap tight to his chest, hugging her close, hoping beyond hope that she felt the same about him as he did her. He held her tightly for a long time, longer than he probably should, he was probably making Sara uncomfortable. Finally, unwillingly, Seth relaxed his hold on the small woman, sighing in reluctance as he did.
“No.” Sara whispered. Her voice the sound of heavenly music. “You can hold me tighter, I like it.”
Seth didn’t allow her to say another word. Again he pulled her body into his, and locking his arms around her, he whispered into her hair.
“I’ll never let you go, not unless you ask me to.” This promise Seth made to her with every fiber of his being, knowing he would fight with everything he had to keep her forever.
Sara heard his words, not so much with her ears as she did with her soul. Her eyes filled with tears, and she let them slide down her face quietly lost in the darkness. She believed Seth’s words to be true, and more importantly, she knew he cared as much for her as she did for him. She didn’t feel worthy of him though, she had been raised, at least these last several years, believing she was worthless, less than worthless actually as her worth was in debt to a hateful, abusive man. She did not want to burden Seth with care for her, a person who was not whole, a person who was broken. It seemed unfair of her, to let him feel this way knowing she would never be worthy of him, feeling unable to make him happy. Yet for some reason Seth continued to have feelings for her. Maybe he did not realize she wasn’t worthy of him. Or perhaps he pitied her. Maybe, Sara allowed herself to hope, maybe he knows I’m broken and he doesn’t care. Whatever the reason for Seth’s misguided feelings, Sara was overwhelmingly happy that those feelings were for her. She would do whatever she was capable of to make Seth happy, make his feelings for her never change.
Sara thought of Seth for a long time. She cared for him more than anything in the world, yet she did not understand something about him. She wanted nothing more than to just lay upon the blanket with him holding her in his arms. Yet for some unknown reason Seth seemed dead set against it. He was willing now to cradle her body in his arms, holding their bodies so close together she could feel his heartbeat, but he would not lay down with her. It was utterly confusing. She realized that he was waiting for something, he had said as much, but she had no idea what it was that she must do to make her wish come true. She ran image after image through her mind, conjuring out of thin air a hundred scenarios that would bring her one wish into being. After a while her mind grew too tired to contemplate the question further, and she found herself listening to the rhythmic beating of Seth’s heart in the darkness. It did not take long, the constant rhythm, like a lullaby put her inevitably to sleep.
Seth sat, his eyes closed, listening to the darkness. He could hear Sara’s breathing, she was still awake. Whether she was thinking or daydreaming he had no way of telling, but he wished he knew what was going on behind her beautiful face. What he did know, however, was that she was happy here in his arms. More than that, she wanted him to hold her tightly against his body. She was comfortable with him, something Seth was afraid she may never be. He had surmised much of her past by reading between the lines of the stories she had told about her life. She never shared many details, and he assumed it was because they were too painful for her to tell. It was obvious that John had abused her, both emotionally and physically. This fact had led Seth to fear that Sara might never trust anyone enough to get close. Yet she seemed to almost go out of her way to be near him, to touch him. He knew now more than ever that she had feelings for him, trusted him even. She wanted more from him and he knew it, and he was more than willing to give her anything she might want. Just as soon he was sure that her feelings were true. He didn’t want her to rush into something that might leave her hurt. The worst part was he didn’t even know what he should protect her from, not knowing exactly how she may have been hurt in the past. The only decision he was able to consciously make was to wait, as long as it took, until she was sure of her feelings for him, and was able to tell him as much. Seth thought all this over, listening always to Sara’s breathing. Her breathing had slowed, becoming shallower, and he noted that she had fallen asleep. Now that she was safely asleep, comfortable in his arms, he rested his head against the stone that supported his body, and closing his eyes, went quickly to sleep.
Garret lay awake for a long time finding it hard to get comfortable on the stone floor. He had heard whispers from somewhere within their nature made shelter, and knew that it was Seth and Sara. He envied Seth a bit for his finding of such a beautiful woman. They seemed to fit well together. She was always looking at his brother with love in her eyes, and for this Garret was happy. He too knew his brother cared for Sara. He could see it in the way his brother walked with her and talked to her. Seth adored the girl, and who could blame him. She was gorgeous. The fact that the two of them seemed so happy with each other was the reason Garret was happy for them, and at the same time extremely worried about them. He had been trying his best to conceal his concern when they spoke. Thus far he had been able to leave his brother and Sara in the dark about it. Now he wondered if he should mention it to them. Garret knew that a small part of him was jealous of Sara, it was only natural. Seth was his twin, and they had always been the ones to look out for one another, always been as close as two people could be. Sara had changed that to a degree, and Garret had noticed. He was not angry though, he knew that one day it would happen, he just didn’t expect it so soon. But all that was of little importance, what really mattered now is Seth and Sara. He assumed that they had not yet really thought about where they were going. In just over a week, they would be attending The Choosing ceremony, where more than likely they would be chosen to play two different roles, in two different places. It was possible that they would be picked for the same thing but unlikely. Garret was torn about what he should do. He could warn them, remind them really, of the impending possibility. This he feared might end their romance bringing them both to resent him. At the same time however it could make them that much more passionate about each other, allowing their bond to strengthen to the point that it might last even if they were separated. Garret still had the option though of simply keeping his mouth shut, delaying the realization that was sure to hit them in the very near days to come. This option, he did not think, would destroy Seth and Sara’s relationship, but it might lead them to do something foolish without enough time to prepare themselves for a possible separation. Then again Garret thought, maybe they have already discussed it and decided it wasn’t important enough to dwell upon just yet. Garret hated being unsure, he could usually make difficult decisions quickly. Usually though, those decisions did not affect his brother’s happiness and so effect his relationship with his twin. Garret pondered the impossible dilemma until his brain could literally take no more. One minute he was conscious, the next he was out like a snuffed candle.
Ashton laid awake mere moments after he got himself comfortable. His conscious so clear it would make an angel feel guilty. He closed his eyes, not a worry in the world, and fell fast asleep snoring lightly.
Seth awoke abruptly, feeling something was wrong he scanned the small stone room around him in the dim light from the sun still beyond the horizon. He sought out his brother in the darkness and was surprised to see his brother too looked in his direction. They both remained still, unwilling to move, listening into the darkness. A small thud sounded from the back of the small cavern, where the ceiling was lowest and shadows the deepest. Seth slowly turned his head towards the noise not wanting to bring attention to himself with sudden movements. Garret had heard the sound too, but from his position on the floor had no way to look behind him towards the noise, and so remained intent upon his twin awaiting a response or command.
Seth peered into the darkness unable to see anything, yet knowing just beyond his vision, something lurked in the shadows. Something moved then, appearing as just another shadow in the darkness, Seth had not noticed it until it moved. Now that he could see the difference between the object and the shadows he was able to make out more details about it. Whatever it was, it was crouching in the darkness standing on two legs. That ruled out most animals. It was doing something as well but Seth could not tell what. The creature too had its back against the same stone Seth rested against, and so its gaze was not on him. Seth slowly freed his hands from around Sara, careful not to disturb her, praying she would not wake. He still wore his belt, but from this position, with Sara in his lap, he was unable to draw his sword, and unable to reach his dagger. He looked to Garret to see if his brother was still armed and noted at once that he was not. Remembering the previous night, Seth recalled both Ashton and his brother placing their items in the back of the cave where the creature now lurked. Seth peeled his eyes from his brother and again looked into the darkness until he could distinguish the creatures form once again. He located it, right where it had been, and now realized their predicament. The creature was rummaging through their packs, standing between them and his brother’s weapons. Seth looked around for something, anything he might use to distract the creature, long enough for his brother to regain his sword. Garret had suddenly realized what was going on. Garret Watched helplessly as his brother’s eyes darted around the cavern, first to him, then back to their gear, back to Garret, then everywhere. Realization came to Garret just as Seth found his solution. He hadn’t found anything to distract the creature in fact, he found something better. Propped beside him was Sara’s pack, leaning against it her small crossbow. This was perfect. The crossbow sat on the opposite side of him as the creature, so whatever it was it would not see him reach for the weapon so long as he moved slowly.
Seth’s eyes on the creature, he reached out his left hand slowly. Finding the crossbow with his fingers he traced it top to bottom and frowned. It was not drawn, nor was it loaded. This altered his plan extensively. He might be able to draw the small crossbow with one hand, maybe even without making enough noise to gain the creatures attention. But the short arrows for the crossbow were in the quiver, belted to Sara’s waist. First he needed his ammunition. With his left hand, the one the creature wouldn’t see, Seth slowly traced Sara’s body, feeling a little guilty as he did so. Sliding his hand over and around her waist he located the quiver. Another setback. He could reach the quiver with his left hand, but the opening was facing off to his right, just out of reach. He would have to get an arrow with his right hand. He now knew where they were, and he was certain could get one loaded in a fraction of a second if he could get the bow drawn. Still watching the creature, which remained oblivious, Seth again searched for the crossbow with his fingertips. Finding it he slowly, carefully lifted it away from the pack and away from the wall. Feeling it was far enough from anything to make any noise he flipped it over in his hand, turning it bow side up. Again he moved, just as before, painstakingly slow bringing the crossbow to once again rest against the stone that made the wall behind him. He gingerly released his grip on the weapon assuring himself it wouldn’t fall in his hand’s absence. It remained, unmoving. Maneuvering his shoulder and arm he was able to reach above the bow to the handle that was used to draw the cord. He gripped and pushed both down and back, one direction to keep it securely against the stone, the other to draw the cord. The awkward position he was in made it more difficult to draw then it usually would be and he strained in the effort. Slowly, gradually the cord neared the catch, and Seth, unable to watch what he was doing, realized he almost had it when he felt the handle come to a stop. He had reached the catch, just one more tiny push and the crossbow would be drawn. He pushed, and the catch caught, with a click. Seth closed his eyes and froze. He heard the creature turn. He knew it was looking at him, he could feel its gaze upon him. Seth waited afraid even to breathe. He listened intently to hear if the creature moved towards him. Worse than that, he heard something more familiar. The sound of steel on leather. The creature, it seemed, was armed. Seth at this point was not. Sara stirred slightly in his lap, and Seth wished she would be still, not bring attention to herself. Seth listened, and just as he feared, he heard the creature take a step. The creature again paused as if watching and listening. Another step. Seth had to act. He knew if he waited until the creature got any closer, he wouldn’t have a chance.
In one moment, in a flurry of movement Seth opened his eyes, nodded to his twin, grabbed the crossbow pulling it before him with one hand, and pulled an arrow out from beneath his blanket with the other. Looking to his hands he brought the bolt to the crossbow and seated it in place. Turning his head to find his target, he found it. It was too late.
The very second Seth began to move, the creature raced across the small cavern raising his thin wicked blade in front of him, turning the blade over in his hand. He Saw the man brandish a crossbow and lunged at the man with all his might. The creature knew it was a long shot. He would have to travel through the air an incredible distance to deal the man a death blow. Even so, he was already in the air, sailing forward, falling short. His attack would meet the man's leg or his lap if the creature was lucky. Maybe if he injured the man he would buy himself enough time to kill him then the other two men before they were aware of him. The creature thought all this while still in the air, in a fraction of a fraction of a second. He was falling now and thrust his blade out before him, blade down. He would not reach the man's head or chest, but he would be able to drive the blade into his gut.
Seth reacted the only way he could. The creatures lunge had propelled him and his blade not to him, but to Sara. Seth did not think, he had no time for thought, instead he reacted. Rolling his body around, and turning his back to the creature, Seth shielded Sara from danger. At that moment the creature collided with Seth’s back. Seth felt the blade rip through his ribs, driven deep into his chest from behind. The wind was knocked from his lungs, and light exploded before his eyes. He was helpless. The creature had regained his feet, and drew the blade from Seth’s back. Seth screamed in pain.
His scream was echoed in a roar from the back of the cave. Garret came racing, sword in hand, towards the creature. The creature spun and raised his blade to protect himself. Garret closed the distance quickly, and swung the huge blade at the creature. The creature deflected his blow easily, sending Garrets blade to smash heavily into the stone wall. Seth moaned in agony, rolling to his side. Garret regained control of his sword, just in time to see the creature lunge at him. Garret had no time to defend himself and so braced himself for the blow. Midway through the air the Creatures evil, tooth filled grimace was replaced with one of panic and its blow went wild missing Garret altogether. The creature hit the ground sprawling, the nub of a crossbow bolt sticking out between its ribs in its side. It tried to recover brandishing its wickedly curved blade preparing for another lunge but Garret had already moved in, his blade in motion. With every ounce of strength he could muster Garret brought his large blade to meet the creature in a sweeping motion. The beast managed to get its own blade in the path of the oncoming assault but such was the momentum behind the swing that Garrets blade simply clashed against the beasts own blade sending it flying and Garrets stroke made true to the beasts ribcage cutting clean trough the beasts side all the way to the spinal cord where it wedged between two vertebra. Its creature's eye’s rolled in their sockets, as it hit the ground nearly cleaved in two. Garret couldn’t believe his eyes. He looked up to see not Seth holding the crossbow, but Sara. She shook from head to toe, the weapon slipping from her fingers, and falling with a loud clang upon the hard ground. She dropped to her knees sobbing uncontrollably wrapping her arms around Seth, trying to push him onto his side, so that she could see his face. Ashton was there then, helping Sara roll Seth’s limp body. Garret stood frozen, not knowing what to do, what to feel. Ashton felt Seth’s neck first, and then placed his ear to Seth’s face, listening for his breathing. Assured of something he then climbed over Seth to assess his wound. Grimacing at the grievous wound upon his friend he dropped to his knees immediately as he had done before, and raising his face to the heavens he prayed. He prayed longer than usual and Garret found this annoying, how much time did he think he had? Ashton finished his prayers, and turned his gaze down to his fallen friend. He placed both hands over Seth’s wound and began chanting. Louder and louder, faster and faster the chant continued. First Ashton’s fingers exploded in light, then his hands, then his entire body. As Garret had seen him do before, Ashton began to tremble, this gradually worsened until he began to shake violently. Even through his violent spasms Ashton continued, controlling, bending, and twisting the god’s power to his will. Ashton continued long past when he knew he should stop, he continued wielding the power until it was all he could see, all he could feel. He continued even when he could no longer feel the power, he continued until he lost consciousness.
Ashton collapsed on top of Seth. Sara did not notice, she still cried uncontrolled, oblivious to what happened around her. Only Garret was there to bear witness, his entire body numb. He reached down, grabbing Ashton’s limp body by the shoulders, dragged him off of his brother, laying Ashton, on the ground a few feet away, on his back. Garret then knelt down beside his brother, looking at his blood drenched clothing. He reached down and peeled back his brother’s shirt. The wound remained, still bleeding. Ashton had failed. Knowing little about medicine, Garret removed his shirt and tied it around his brother’s torso tightly to stop the bleeding. Sara sat, Seth’s head in her lap, crying over his face. Tears rained on Garrets twin. Garret sat down on the floor between the unconscious form of his friend, and the dying form of his brother. He sat there, unmoving, showing no sign of emotion, no intention of ever regaining his feet. Garret was numb, lost in his subconscious.
Garret was in fact dimly aware of his surroundings. From his peripheral vision he could see Ashton lying to his left and Seth to his right. He could hear the continued sobs of anguish from the small girl just out of his sight, and he tried to ignore them. Ashton was alive, this much he knew. The healer had overexerted himself somehow and passed out. Seth on the other hand, was probably still bleeding, bleeding slowly to his death. Garret was helpless. He sat, unblinking, unmoving, barely breathing himself. He did not know how long he sat there, it seemed to him it must have been an eternity, but then, as if from nowhere, Sara’s wailing was interrupted by a cough. Garret raised his head, this new sound confusing him, and realized the girls relentless sobs had come to an abrupt stop.
Garret forced his mind to focus, and regaining control of his body turned to see if she too had passed out. Sara sat unmoving, turning blue, refusing to breathe. The cough came again and Garret seen Seth’s body jerk in unison with the sound. He stumbled to his feet, to better see his brother’s features, to be sure he hadn’t been mistaken. Sara still did not breathe. Garret looked to his brother’s face, cupped in the small hands of the girl. On Seth’s lips and on the girls hands lay small droplets of blood. Seth coughed again then, spraying more blood across Sara’s hands. She finally took a breath, but just one as she stared at the face in her hands. Again a cough, but this time Seth’s eyes moved beneath his eyelids. Garret and Sara now both watched him, un-breathing, waiting for another sign of life. It came suddenly, though it was not another cough as they had expected. Seth’s body jerked suddenly, violently. His appendages thrashed about for a moment, and then he was still again. Another cough followed this time spraying an entire mouth full of blood into the small woman’s hands. She sobbed again gasping for air, and then was silent once more. Seth moaned. It was an agonizing sound, a sound not of the living, and it sent shivers down Garret’s spine. The moan was followed swiftly by another round of coughs. This time, it was several in rapid succession. These coughs were more powerful, from somewhere deeper down.
Seth opened his eyes then, a panicked look on his face. He looked towards Sara and then away, his eyes unable to see, unable to focus. He tried to move, and found he couldn’t make his body cooperate. He was having trouble breathing and tried to clear his throat. All that escaped his lips was a gurgle. His vision again started to go dark, and he found himself fighting for air, it dawned on him then, he was drowning.
Garret heard the gurgle, and seeing the blue tint on his brother’s lips understood the situation. Dropping to his knees, Garret again pushed his brother onto his side, and careful to avoid his wound, he struck his brother several times between the shoulder blades with the palm of his hand. The gurgle came again, followed by another fluid sound. Seth vomited blood, spewing it everywhere, but as he did he gulped air. He was wracked by coughs again and again, but he was breathing. His vision began to clear, and feeling returned to his extremities. He lay on his side in a pool of his own blood when his eyes finally were able to focus enough to make out Sara. She sat in front of him, holding his head. Tears streamed down her face, a face that was twisted in pain, a face that was one of an angel. Seth looked into her eyes, and willing his lips to move, was able to whisper brokenly.
“Are you…” Seth was shook by another round of coughs before he could continue. “Are you ok?” This time he was able to complete his question before the coughing spasms overtook him.
Sara waited patiently for Seth’s coughing to subside, and waited still for his eyes to reopen. When they did she was smiling at him warily, stroking his hair away from his face. Seth knew not how close to death he had come. He knew only that he was afraid the blade of the evil creature had pierced completely through him and had injured Sara. He was afraid he had failed to protect her. Seeing her smile, knowing she was ok, Seth relaxed and let unconsciousness take him.