...By night fall we had entered the oasis. Tired and hungry, we made our way through the tall grasses of the small piece of salvation. I watched The Twins and Bird run toward the water. I could see glimpses of them through the many palm trees that lined the pond as they darted about as if small children let loose at a park. They laughed and played and swung their arms. I laughed and waved as they cried out to us.
Jack was smiling and it looked as if he might collapse at any moment. He must have felt my gaze since he turned quite suddenly and gave me a huge smile, teeth and all. His beautiful eyes blending into the equally green plant life, I couldn’t help but smile back. As we proceeded to the pond, I could hear the sounds of birds crying out. Small rodents ran at our feet and flying into bushes and up nearby trees. The Twins and Bird had jumped in the water and were frolicking in it. Eden picked up Bird and threw her into the deeper part of the pond as she let out a high pitched squeal that seemed to echo through our surroundings. Sky immediately tackled Eden for his treachery. I watched them drink the clear liquid and listened to their satisfied sighs.
“It’s so tasty!” exclaimed Bird excitedly.
I laughed and turned to Jack. He had set Rynne’s stiff body down on a patch of moss and grass and started to dig. My smile slid off my face. I walked over to him and started to help him dig. The others came over almost immediately and joined us, shoveling the lush dirt with our hands. Once it was about five feet deep we watched as Jack picked up Rynne and dipped her in the pond as he wade waist deep. He then turned to the grave and laid her to rest. We started to push the heavy dirt over her body. No tears were shed or words of prayer. We all just stared at the newly overturned dirt which now engulfed our comrade’s body.
“Let’s go into the water. Come play with us!” exclaimed Bird out of the blue.
Jack and I stared at her, both shocked at her outburst.
“Come on!” she pulled at Jack’s arm and The Twins followed.
I gave the grave one last glance. We had marked it with stones and stray branches we found about the area. It stood out like a sore thumb in the midst of all the lush greenery and dense trees. I walked over to the pond were they were all frolicking. Jack was standing waist deep watching the smaller ones dance and splash about in the water.
I looked up at the waterfall that crashed down on the rocks of the pond. It looked as if it had no source for its water. It was as if it was falling straight out of the heavens. I shook my head in disbelief, thinking it was just fatigue. I looked franticly at the others. Jack had his back to me and had his eye on the water scooped up in his hands. I watched him gulp it down greedily as a smile came across his face.
“It’s good,” he said as he turned to me, “and cold.”
I pushed myself closer to him in order to calm my fright. I watched the others play and swim. None of them seemed to notice the waterfall. I started to become uneasy. There was something not quite right about it all. An oasis in the middle of the Arabian Desert with a waterfall that fell from the sky was a little strange to me. Even more so was the fact that none of the others seemed to be bothered by this. I shook my head again, trying to get the thought out of my head.
A cold splash of water broke my thoughts. Drenched and shivering in the moon lit night I turned in the direction of the attack. Jack was standing next to me looking at the kids as if nothing happened. Shocked at his betrayal, I pushed him into the water with a short squeak. When he resurfaced his hair was matted over his eyes and his clothes appeared darker now that they were wet.
The younger ones were in an uproar. Laughing and jumping about they pointed their fingers and thrashed about. What are they so giddy about? I looked at the water and scooped some up in my hand for a closer examination. It appeared dark and silver in my hands. I slurped down the liquid and it felt like ice shifting through my veins. When I opened my eyes again Jack was only a few steps away with his arms stretched out.
“Jack,” I started, but I couldn’t finish.
He had already tackled me into the water. It swallowed my body up in its seemingly purifying waters and held me there in contentment. When I resurfaced my long hair was floating on the top of the water and I tried to move strands of hair, which was now matted down, from out of my face. I looked about me. Everyone was having so much fun, thrashing about in the water. The Twins had by then started to target Bird and were teasing her unmercifully. I too began to play and frolic, I danced and swam and drank the seemingly intoxicating liquid. I began to soon shiver with excitement. I felt as though my body would fly away at any moment and leave me behind. As a soft breeze crossed our dripping bodies a quake went down my spine which caused me to shutter.
“What’s the matter?” asked Jack as he pushed Eden out of his way.
“Nothing,” I said with a smile, what’s this feeling?
“You sure? You look kind of upset,” he persisted as he cocked an eyebrow. Something I had never seen him do.
“Positive.” I said smiling again, my stomach, I think I’m ganna be sick!
A shift in the wind made Jack turn away from me. I watched as his expression changed. He was all business, now. He snapped his long fingers to get the kids’ attention. They stopped making noise immediately. They stood waist deep in the water, awaiting their instructions. I was still feeling giddy and it was hard to fight back the laughter, they looked so funny. The Twins with their identical sandy hair pressed over their foreheads, their clothes dripping wet, matted tightly to their bodies, Bird with her hair darkened by the water, sprang up with a small splash with each reforming curl. It was hilarious, I didn’t laugh. I opened my mouth to speak, but Jack swiftly raised his hand, palm facing me as his eyes seemed to glow in the dark as he surveyed the area. I looked too, trying to figure out what was going on.
The moon was large and bright, it lit up the surrounding trees with such grace and poise. The tree leaves bowed up and down with the light desert night breeze, the sound of the waterfall gently hitting the pond below and the buzzing of oasis insects. The grass shifting with every blow the wind had as it caressed the lush greenery. Then, I heard it, the sound of many feet coming ever closer. I turned back to Jack. He was looking down at the water. His hair was hanging over his forehead in dripping strands. I couldn’t see what he was thinking. I listened again, the sound was very close. I looked about us for our next step, there wasn’t an obvious one. I turned to Jack again. He had not moved his position. The feet were just outside the oasis. I turned to Jack one last time, desperate for instructions. Finally, very softly he spoke.
“Into protective combat position.”
By the time our shoulders were touching, they had come into the oasis. All dressed in black with scarves covering their faces, save their eyes, which pierced through the night with black intensity. There were at least fifty men. They had their swords drown and their eyes fixed on us. I suddenly felt very small in their presence. They were at the banks of the pond, but they did not enter the water. In fact, they didn’t so much as touch it. They stood there in striking stance, perfectly frozen like statues. Soon, there was a parting in the crowd of dark figures. I began to feel light headed. My vision had started to blur around the edges. I felt myself wobble slightly, but I held formation.
Through the part of men a tall thin figure emerged. Cloaked in white he walked as far as ankle deep in the water, the edge of his cloak floating on the surface. The oasis had started to make violent twirls around my head. The man knelt down and pushed back his hood slowly, exposing a full head of strikingly white hair and a long goatee equally white. He studied us for a moment as he came in and out of my vision.
“My dear children,” he said in Arabic, his black eyes pleading with such sincerity, “What have you done?”
Friday, May 1, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Chronicles of an Oasis-The Dove and The Raven
...The clicking of desert insects became intensified as we approached a clearing. Thick shrubbery lined a field of moss and grass and in the middle was a large waterfall, its waters crashing down on the rocks around the base of a pond. After only a moment’s hesitation and with a quick glance at each other, Os and I splashed loudly into the pool as the youths we were and started to gulp down the cool liquid. It felt ice like as it flowed through my bloodstream and settled in my stomach. The other knights stood knee deep in the water scooping up handfuls of water and downing it greedily. They laughed heartily as they slapped each other on the back and pointed as Os and I rough housing in the cool, rejuvenating liquid.
Soaking wet and shivering badly, I reached my arms to the sky and tilted my head to the heavens thinking of God. With a start, I noticed something peculiar about the waterfall. The water fell in abundance yet did not seem to have a source. It appeared that it fell freely out of the fog filled sky. Rubbing my eyes, I looked again as my stomach took a violent jump and I stumbled out of the water with Os calling after me. I suddenly felt as if my whole body was consumed my lightning as its force pulsed through my body and I presently became sick. I knelt on the cool moss floor and panted heavily, fists full of dirt as Sir William knelt down beside me and rubbed my back.
“Come one then, Sigmund, you’re alright, now,” he said in a fatherly voice as I felt the storm within me subside.
I turned my head ever so slightly for the ringing in my ears to find Sir William’s worried brown eyes and Os pacing over his shoulder, wringing his hands. I sat on the wet ground and felt less like a knight and more like a small child. I stared up at the waterfall as my stomach gave another violent turn and I quickly looked way.
I studied the three knights before me as I wondered if we had done something wrong. Sir Henry looked at me curiously as a strong breeze sent goose bumps down my spine, his green eyes looking over at the pool we had just emerged from. Os’ eyes were pleading as he knelt down beside me and I took him in my arms, my eyes meeting Sir William’s.
It was then I noticed that the surrounding bushes seemed to be moving, as if they were quivering with the movement of some unknown animal. At a speed that made my stomach jump again, a large group of dark clothed men emerged, swords raised and heads covered save for their eyes. Their black turbans flapped in the wind as the trees seemed to whisper around us. Sir William instantly turned on his heels and stood with his arms outstretched on either side of him, blocking Os and I from view. I wondered briefly if my father were present, would he even bother, me being such a disappointment to him. I shook the thought out of my head as I struggled to stay focused. I felt Os go limp in my arms and I could feel his unconscious breathing. I hugged him tightly as the knights seemed to speak to the advancing men in a language I could not understand, their bodies twisting grotesquely in my vision. Suddenly, both of the knights turned to me and I became aware of my swaying as I hit the soft ground and welcomed sleep, hoping to wake from the nightmare I had found myself in.
Soaking wet and shivering badly, I reached my arms to the sky and tilted my head to the heavens thinking of God. With a start, I noticed something peculiar about the waterfall. The water fell in abundance yet did not seem to have a source. It appeared that it fell freely out of the fog filled sky. Rubbing my eyes, I looked again as my stomach took a violent jump and I stumbled out of the water with Os calling after me. I suddenly felt as if my whole body was consumed my lightning as its force pulsed through my body and I presently became sick. I knelt on the cool moss floor and panted heavily, fists full of dirt as Sir William knelt down beside me and rubbed my back.
“Come one then, Sigmund, you’re alright, now,” he said in a fatherly voice as I felt the storm within me subside.
I turned my head ever so slightly for the ringing in my ears to find Sir William’s worried brown eyes and Os pacing over his shoulder, wringing his hands. I sat on the wet ground and felt less like a knight and more like a small child. I stared up at the waterfall as my stomach gave another violent turn and I quickly looked way.
I studied the three knights before me as I wondered if we had done something wrong. Sir Henry looked at me curiously as a strong breeze sent goose bumps down my spine, his green eyes looking over at the pool we had just emerged from. Os’ eyes were pleading as he knelt down beside me and I took him in my arms, my eyes meeting Sir William’s.
It was then I noticed that the surrounding bushes seemed to be moving, as if they were quivering with the movement of some unknown animal. At a speed that made my stomach jump again, a large group of dark clothed men emerged, swords raised and heads covered save for their eyes. Their black turbans flapped in the wind as the trees seemed to whisper around us. Sir William instantly turned on his heels and stood with his arms outstretched on either side of him, blocking Os and I from view. I wondered briefly if my father were present, would he even bother, me being such a disappointment to him. I shook the thought out of my head as I struggled to stay focused. I felt Os go limp in my arms and I could feel his unconscious breathing. I hugged him tightly as the knights seemed to speak to the advancing men in a language I could not understand, their bodies twisting grotesquely in my vision. Suddenly, both of the knights turned to me and I became aware of my swaying as I hit the soft ground and welcomed sleep, hoping to wake from the nightmare I had found myself in.
Chronicles of an Oasis- Bird
...Once upstairs I was forced down the corridor yet again, passed the bathing room and straight into the throne room where the demon king was waiting. He smiled at me politely as I glared. The guards forced me to kneel with my arms twisted behind my back and I struggled with the effort of fighting back, but it was no use. My curls fell over my eyes and I stared down the demon king through the strands with all the intensity of my pure blue eyes. My evident hatred only caused the grin on his face to grow wider and a long set of yellow teeth more than disturbed me.
“You seem pleased with yourself, demon,” I said as I tried to gather up my force field.
“I sent a message today,” He started smugly, “Over the mountain.”
I stared at him in disbelief.
“I will soon have my kingdom whole!” He said with a laugh.
“You fool. You only told them where I was. You’ll never even see Moon. The Knights will come for me and I will be long gone before you ever knew they were here.”
“No, goddess,” the demon said as he rose to his feet, “for you will already be dead before they get here. Take her away,” he said with a wave of his hand as if I truly disgusted him.
I was yanked to my feet and dragged out of the throne room in a hurry. As we hurried down the corridor and down the stairs the demons taunted and harassed me telling how they would torture me. I panted as I was shoved down the stairs and into the main cell block, nearly tripping when one of the guards grabbed hold of me by the shoulders and squeezed hard. His hot whisper pushing my curls up against my ear and I gritted my teeth trying to stay calm.
“And then I’ll start on your sister and have my way with her and have your king watch in agony.”
I lost it.
With a strength unknown to me I forced my defenses up with the sound of a hurricane. Electrifying bolts shot out of the hazy blue dome and harmed several guards as other came running. They scrambled to reach me, but were only shocked instead and large blisters pink and red could be seen forming on their arms. Purple and pink sparks exploded around me as I let the surge within me run wild and I laughed in spite of myself, a short, harsh gurgle in my throat. I felt my curls start to flap in the wind my force field was generating and I yelled through clenched teeth harsh and quick and not at all steady, “You’ll never get Moon, you bastard! She will destroy the likes of all of you vermin and banish you back to the lowest depths of hell here all you belong!”
“Goddess!” a voice suddenly rang out from behind me and I sent an electric flare.
I was suddenly yanked out of my rage as I found Damious kneeling behind me clutching his left arm to his chest. His neat hair had now fallen over his solid eyes, hiding his expression as sweat trickled down his face. I panted trying to keep the tears back as I gazed around me in despair. I felt lost and frantic and at my wits end. The guards paced about the front of my force field and shouted threats as I desperately searched for a way out. Just as suddenly as the first time, Damious spoke again.
“Leave us,” he said in a gasp and I could see him clenching his teeth in pain.
“But, my prince,” the guards protested.
“Leave!” even his shouts were melodic.
The guards reluctantly retreated back up the stairs and left me and Damious alone. I studied him for a moment still trying to grasp hold of myself. I watched the smoke curl off Damious’s arm as if in slow motion. I fell to my knees as I released my force field and crawled over to where he knelt. My body shaking and my curls trembling over my eyes I let my tears loose.
“Damious!” I sobbed as I leaned my head against his, “My only friend, I’m so sorry!”
“Shh,” he said as he raised his hand and placed it gently on face.
I let out a gasping sob as I placed my hand on where his skin had blistered red and purple and swelling. I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself. I shot my eyes open again when I felt a sharp pain in my hand. I was shocked and amazed to realize that I was absorbing his pain. Slowly and steadily I watched the discoloration leave his body and rub onto the palm of my hand as if wet paint. He raised his head and his soulful eyes gazed into mine. I backed away slowly as my whole body felt as if it were on fire wondering if that was what my victims felt.
“Bird, you’re a healer?” he asked me as he looked down at his newly restored arm as I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak.
“You seem pleased with yourself, demon,” I said as I tried to gather up my force field.
“I sent a message today,” He started smugly, “Over the mountain.”
I stared at him in disbelief.
“I will soon have my kingdom whole!” He said with a laugh.
“You fool. You only told them where I was. You’ll never even see Moon. The Knights will come for me and I will be long gone before you ever knew they were here.”
“No, goddess,” the demon said as he rose to his feet, “for you will already be dead before they get here. Take her away,” he said with a wave of his hand as if I truly disgusted him.
I was yanked to my feet and dragged out of the throne room in a hurry. As we hurried down the corridor and down the stairs the demons taunted and harassed me telling how they would torture me. I panted as I was shoved down the stairs and into the main cell block, nearly tripping when one of the guards grabbed hold of me by the shoulders and squeezed hard. His hot whisper pushing my curls up against my ear and I gritted my teeth trying to stay calm.
“And then I’ll start on your sister and have my way with her and have your king watch in agony.”
I lost it.
With a strength unknown to me I forced my defenses up with the sound of a hurricane. Electrifying bolts shot out of the hazy blue dome and harmed several guards as other came running. They scrambled to reach me, but were only shocked instead and large blisters pink and red could be seen forming on their arms. Purple and pink sparks exploded around me as I let the surge within me run wild and I laughed in spite of myself, a short, harsh gurgle in my throat. I felt my curls start to flap in the wind my force field was generating and I yelled through clenched teeth harsh and quick and not at all steady, “You’ll never get Moon, you bastard! She will destroy the likes of all of you vermin and banish you back to the lowest depths of hell here all you belong!”
“Goddess!” a voice suddenly rang out from behind me and I sent an electric flare.
I was suddenly yanked out of my rage as I found Damious kneeling behind me clutching his left arm to his chest. His neat hair had now fallen over his solid eyes, hiding his expression as sweat trickled down his face. I panted trying to keep the tears back as I gazed around me in despair. I felt lost and frantic and at my wits end. The guards paced about the front of my force field and shouted threats as I desperately searched for a way out. Just as suddenly as the first time, Damious spoke again.
“Leave us,” he said in a gasp and I could see him clenching his teeth in pain.
“But, my prince,” the guards protested.
“Leave!” even his shouts were melodic.
The guards reluctantly retreated back up the stairs and left me and Damious alone. I studied him for a moment still trying to grasp hold of myself. I watched the smoke curl off Damious’s arm as if in slow motion. I fell to my knees as I released my force field and crawled over to where he knelt. My body shaking and my curls trembling over my eyes I let my tears loose.
“Damious!” I sobbed as I leaned my head against his, “My only friend, I’m so sorry!”
“Shh,” he said as he raised his hand and placed it gently on face.
I let out a gasping sob as I placed my hand on where his skin had blistered red and purple and swelling. I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself. I shot my eyes open again when I felt a sharp pain in my hand. I was shocked and amazed to realize that I was absorbing his pain. Slowly and steadily I watched the discoloration leave his body and rub onto the palm of my hand as if wet paint. He raised his head and his soulful eyes gazed into mine. I backed away slowly as my whole body felt as if it were on fire wondering if that was what my victims felt.
“Bird, you’re a healer?” he asked me as he looked down at his newly restored arm as I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Chronicles of an Oasis- Os
...We tried to fight them off as best we could, Raven with his double swords and me with my bow and arrows, but the Magistrate kept coming. I could see Raven getting more and more irritated with every lethal swing of his swords and I tried to calm him with my body language. Suddenly I was grabbed from behind and yanked backward. I turned and was shocked to find one of the priests holding firmly onto my arm.
“I’ve got her, my liege,” the man called out, not looking at me and Raven’s head shot up, his great blue eyes pleading.
“No, wait,” he said as if panicked, “You want me, don’t take her.” He seemed desperate.
“Raven!” I called out to him as I tried to push my way toward him.
I watched as the remaining priests grabbed hold of Raven and forced him to kneel. I cried out to him with my arm outstretched trying desperately to reach him, but I was yanked backward and slammed up against my capture’s chest. The smell of tobacco and incense surrounded me and I was surprised to find myself afraid.
“No, please, my lieges, there’s been a mistake,” I pleaded as the man holding onto my arm looked down at me pityingly, “this man isn’t a demon. He’s no threat to anyone. Please, sir. Let us go! I’m in no danger. I want to be with him.”
Raven was forced to kneel lower. With his long torso bent and his arms held out on either side of him, his face twisted in pain. His long black coat trailed in the muddy path and his swords lay lifeless beside him on either side. His brown bangs bobbed over his eyes as he clenched his teeth and tried to break free.
“Please, sirs, you’re hurting him!” I yelled as I yanked myself free and ran over to Raven in a daft attempt to free him.
I tried to push the men off him, but was only ceased again. The head priest suddenly emerged from the tall trees and studied our scene as if amused. His light gray hair stood out against his long robes and his steely eyes rested on me a moment with a look as if he knew everything about me. He walked over to Raven and pushed him, face down, into the dirt. His boot resting on Raven’s back between the shoulder blades, the others knelt down on his arms to keep him still.
“How dare you, demon! Bewitching the priestess? You have no shame,” the head priest said, his voice rough with age, as he stepped off him and pulled his white and red robe tails around his waist and walked over to me, “We will have to bring this fabricated attachment out of her at once,” he called as he reached for his belt.
I screamed as I was suddenly surrounded by the priests earthy smell and found them unbuckling my belt. I kicked my heavy boots in an attempt to get them away from me but they only moved out of the way, seemingly use to struggle. I called out to Raven desperately wishing he would come and rescue me as he had done so many times in the past. I closed my eyes tight and yelled with all my breath for him to save me.
I heard a strange sound. It was as if a cloth had been torn and a gurgle followed. I opened my eyes, tears strolling down my cheeks, to find the head priest resting his large, knobby hands on my bent knees. Pale and on his knees, he looked at me as if puzzled. The other priests had backed away as I watched the tip of Raven’s sword dripping dark red blood onto my open chest, the blade sticking out of its victim’s body. I could see Raven just behind him, panting and muddy, his eyes hidden from me. He suddenly yanked the blade out of the dead priest’s back and turned to the others. I watched in awe as his swords again took on the shape of wings and took down every red clocked priest, not one spared.
I knelt there sobbing, with my belt and pants open and my top vest ripped, exposing my bare flesh. Raven stood still a moment, looking at me as if he had found me dead. Panting still, he stumbled over to me, dropping his swords and taking my face in his large, loving hands.
“Did they get you?” he asked, his face close to mine, “Manna? Did they get you?”
I found myself unable to stop crying as I gazed into his bright blue eyes. I shook my head as he let out a sigh of relief and rested his head on my shoulder. I could feel the sweat of his brow on my skin and rested my head on his, the frightful sight of the priests surrounding me suddenly entering my head.
“Ok, we need to go, more are coming.” He said as he lifted me up by my waist and took firm hold of my hand, “can you walk?”
I nodded and he tugged me forward.
He spoke rapidly as we ran through the dripping forest and I struggled to keep up with his long legs. With his swords now safely in their sheaths and with his large hand still clasping mine I tried to follow as I fought back the tears. I had the strangest feeling that we were about to part. I looked desperately at his black clothed back and wished with all my power as a priestess of the Guardian Queen that we would be together forever.
“Ok,” he said after quite a bit of running, slowing at a clearing and taking both my hands, “Go through those trees there and just keep running, do you hear me? Don’t stop for anything. I’ll keep them busy while you make a break for it,” he was breathless and urgent.
“Raven, no,” I said as I shook my head and grabbed hold of his dark gray t-shirt.
“Manna, please, they’re coming! They’ll be here any minute.”
“Then let’s run together!” I said through a sudden sob.
“They won’t stop until they have me,” he said quietly as he whipped some of my fat tears away with his thumb, “I’ve done too much.”
“Yeah, but.”
“No, Manna, listen!” He suddenly shouted, “They will hunt us down and capture me and rape you, do you understand!” I stared at him wide eyed, his intense blue eyes looked into mine, his hands taking firm hold of my shoulders.
“No, Raven please!” I begged shamelessly and I went into hysterics.
Raven lowered me to the wet mulch of the forest and wrapped me in his arms. My sobs were deep as I thought of Stern suddenly taken from me and how all I had left seemed to be this warm caring being who surrounded me with his embrace as if to shield me from my pain and suffering. He pulled me away from his chest and looked at me, his eyes now calm.
“Manna, listen to me,” he said in his strange accent as soft as music, “You asked me to run once so we could be together, do you remember?”
I nodded.
“Well, now it’s your turn,” I shook my head as I grabbed hold of his arms, my eyes pleading and releasing more desperate tears, “Yes, Manna. I need you to run.”
“No, I can’t!” I said as I flung my arms around his neck and grabbed my elbows, holding onto him as tightly as I could, but he released me.
“We’ll be together again,” he said casually as he pushed some of my damp red curls out of my face.
“You don’t know that!” I said breathlessly.
“Yes, I do, we’ll see each other again before you know it,” he said calmly, his lovely voice lingering in my ears.
“How can you know?”
“Sig told me,” he said softly and the stories of seminary came rushing over me as all my assumptions were confirmed, despite all this, I tried to make one last stand with the sound of the Magistrate not far off.
“Raven, please,” I said with tears streaming full force as I rested my forehead against his.
“Manna,” he said as he wrapped his long, gentle fingers in my curls, “My dear, sweet Manna,” he kissed me softly on the mouth giving me such a shock I almost pulled away, “Call me Os,” his voice broke as he briefly rested his head on my shoulder.
Stunned, I watched him raise his eyes to meet mine and kissed me one last time before turning on his heels and started to walk away. I leaped up and grabbed hold of him from behind. He stopped and I could feel him shutter. He turned to me and hugged me tightly.
“Raven,” I said, a little horse, and could have kicked myself.
“They’re coming,” he said with finality and I knew it was time to run, “Don’t forget, baby, Sigmund’s never wrong.”
I watched him slowly walk away into the trees and reach back for one of his swords. I watched until he was completely out of sight and with thick tears in my eyes I turned and ran as fast as I could in the direction he had pointed.
As I ran to nowhere in particular, my mind flooded with memories of Raven. We had become friends so effortlessly and came to trust each other and care for each other. He tried so hard to protect me from Stern’s death and he healed me of my pain and sorrow. I thought of our clearing and our flower patch by the village and our meetings. I thought of the first time he touched me and how my skin sang out.
I suddenly tripped and stumbled onto the muddy forest floor and rested there, gasping and crying. My mind slowly settled on the stories from seminary. I thought of the Queen lying still in her bed, waiting for her soldiers to return with her curing serum. Her beloved king must have been so worried left to watch over her and their child. I thought of the Twin Knights and the Goddess Bird and her demon king. Stories of their purple eyed, half breed human child swam in my head as my mind settled on the stories of the trusted and devoted knight, Oswald the Raven.
I sat in a daze as I combed through all the stories of Os. He had waited seven hundred and fifty years for the Queen, alongside the current king, only to be separated for another eight. He was entrusted with the Queen when she lost her son and was known to get into trouble with the Twin Knight, Sky the Falcon.
I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around myself as I thought of Raven as I knew him. The soft, but strange creature, not human or demon, who always seemed to pop up when I least expected him to, but when I needed him the most. I bent my torso so my nose was nearly touching the browned leaves and breathed in their musty smell. I thought of Raven’s lips lingering on mine and how I seemed to have felt his love for me through them. I let out a gasping sob as I closed my eyes tight and yelled his name as loud as I could. His true name, the name that revealed his true nature, in hopes it would work as if a spell and return him to me.
“Os!”
“I’ve got her, my liege,” the man called out, not looking at me and Raven’s head shot up, his great blue eyes pleading.
“No, wait,” he said as if panicked, “You want me, don’t take her.” He seemed desperate.
“Raven!” I called out to him as I tried to push my way toward him.
I watched as the remaining priests grabbed hold of Raven and forced him to kneel. I cried out to him with my arm outstretched trying desperately to reach him, but I was yanked backward and slammed up against my capture’s chest. The smell of tobacco and incense surrounded me and I was surprised to find myself afraid.
“No, please, my lieges, there’s been a mistake,” I pleaded as the man holding onto my arm looked down at me pityingly, “this man isn’t a demon. He’s no threat to anyone. Please, sir. Let us go! I’m in no danger. I want to be with him.”
Raven was forced to kneel lower. With his long torso bent and his arms held out on either side of him, his face twisted in pain. His long black coat trailed in the muddy path and his swords lay lifeless beside him on either side. His brown bangs bobbed over his eyes as he clenched his teeth and tried to break free.
“Please, sirs, you’re hurting him!” I yelled as I yanked myself free and ran over to Raven in a daft attempt to free him.
I tried to push the men off him, but was only ceased again. The head priest suddenly emerged from the tall trees and studied our scene as if amused. His light gray hair stood out against his long robes and his steely eyes rested on me a moment with a look as if he knew everything about me. He walked over to Raven and pushed him, face down, into the dirt. His boot resting on Raven’s back between the shoulder blades, the others knelt down on his arms to keep him still.
“How dare you, demon! Bewitching the priestess? You have no shame,” the head priest said, his voice rough with age, as he stepped off him and pulled his white and red robe tails around his waist and walked over to me, “We will have to bring this fabricated attachment out of her at once,” he called as he reached for his belt.
I screamed as I was suddenly surrounded by the priests earthy smell and found them unbuckling my belt. I kicked my heavy boots in an attempt to get them away from me but they only moved out of the way, seemingly use to struggle. I called out to Raven desperately wishing he would come and rescue me as he had done so many times in the past. I closed my eyes tight and yelled with all my breath for him to save me.
I heard a strange sound. It was as if a cloth had been torn and a gurgle followed. I opened my eyes, tears strolling down my cheeks, to find the head priest resting his large, knobby hands on my bent knees. Pale and on his knees, he looked at me as if puzzled. The other priests had backed away as I watched the tip of Raven’s sword dripping dark red blood onto my open chest, the blade sticking out of its victim’s body. I could see Raven just behind him, panting and muddy, his eyes hidden from me. He suddenly yanked the blade out of the dead priest’s back and turned to the others. I watched in awe as his swords again took on the shape of wings and took down every red clocked priest, not one spared.
I knelt there sobbing, with my belt and pants open and my top vest ripped, exposing my bare flesh. Raven stood still a moment, looking at me as if he had found me dead. Panting still, he stumbled over to me, dropping his swords and taking my face in his large, loving hands.
“Did they get you?” he asked, his face close to mine, “Manna? Did they get you?”
I found myself unable to stop crying as I gazed into his bright blue eyes. I shook my head as he let out a sigh of relief and rested his head on my shoulder. I could feel the sweat of his brow on my skin and rested my head on his, the frightful sight of the priests surrounding me suddenly entering my head.
“Ok, we need to go, more are coming.” He said as he lifted me up by my waist and took firm hold of my hand, “can you walk?”
I nodded and he tugged me forward.
He spoke rapidly as we ran through the dripping forest and I struggled to keep up with his long legs. With his swords now safely in their sheaths and with his large hand still clasping mine I tried to follow as I fought back the tears. I had the strangest feeling that we were about to part. I looked desperately at his black clothed back and wished with all my power as a priestess of the Guardian Queen that we would be together forever.
“Ok,” he said after quite a bit of running, slowing at a clearing and taking both my hands, “Go through those trees there and just keep running, do you hear me? Don’t stop for anything. I’ll keep them busy while you make a break for it,” he was breathless and urgent.
“Raven, no,” I said as I shook my head and grabbed hold of his dark gray t-shirt.
“Manna, please, they’re coming! They’ll be here any minute.”
“Then let’s run together!” I said through a sudden sob.
“They won’t stop until they have me,” he said quietly as he whipped some of my fat tears away with his thumb, “I’ve done too much.”
“Yeah, but.”
“No, Manna, listen!” He suddenly shouted, “They will hunt us down and capture me and rape you, do you understand!” I stared at him wide eyed, his intense blue eyes looked into mine, his hands taking firm hold of my shoulders.
“No, Raven please!” I begged shamelessly and I went into hysterics.
Raven lowered me to the wet mulch of the forest and wrapped me in his arms. My sobs were deep as I thought of Stern suddenly taken from me and how all I had left seemed to be this warm caring being who surrounded me with his embrace as if to shield me from my pain and suffering. He pulled me away from his chest and looked at me, his eyes now calm.
“Manna, listen to me,” he said in his strange accent as soft as music, “You asked me to run once so we could be together, do you remember?”
I nodded.
“Well, now it’s your turn,” I shook my head as I grabbed hold of his arms, my eyes pleading and releasing more desperate tears, “Yes, Manna. I need you to run.”
“No, I can’t!” I said as I flung my arms around his neck and grabbed my elbows, holding onto him as tightly as I could, but he released me.
“We’ll be together again,” he said casually as he pushed some of my damp red curls out of my face.
“You don’t know that!” I said breathlessly.
“Yes, I do, we’ll see each other again before you know it,” he said calmly, his lovely voice lingering in my ears.
“How can you know?”
“Sig told me,” he said softly and the stories of seminary came rushing over me as all my assumptions were confirmed, despite all this, I tried to make one last stand with the sound of the Magistrate not far off.
“Raven, please,” I said with tears streaming full force as I rested my forehead against his.
“Manna,” he said as he wrapped his long, gentle fingers in my curls, “My dear, sweet Manna,” he kissed me softly on the mouth giving me such a shock I almost pulled away, “Call me Os,” his voice broke as he briefly rested his head on my shoulder.
Stunned, I watched him raise his eyes to meet mine and kissed me one last time before turning on his heels and started to walk away. I leaped up and grabbed hold of him from behind. He stopped and I could feel him shutter. He turned to me and hugged me tightly.
“Raven,” I said, a little horse, and could have kicked myself.
“They’re coming,” he said with finality and I knew it was time to run, “Don’t forget, baby, Sigmund’s never wrong.”
I watched him slowly walk away into the trees and reach back for one of his swords. I watched until he was completely out of sight and with thick tears in my eyes I turned and ran as fast as I could in the direction he had pointed.
As I ran to nowhere in particular, my mind flooded with memories of Raven. We had become friends so effortlessly and came to trust each other and care for each other. He tried so hard to protect me from Stern’s death and he healed me of my pain and sorrow. I thought of our clearing and our flower patch by the village and our meetings. I thought of the first time he touched me and how my skin sang out.
I suddenly tripped and stumbled onto the muddy forest floor and rested there, gasping and crying. My mind slowly settled on the stories from seminary. I thought of the Queen lying still in her bed, waiting for her soldiers to return with her curing serum. Her beloved king must have been so worried left to watch over her and their child. I thought of the Twin Knights and the Goddess Bird and her demon king. Stories of their purple eyed, half breed human child swam in my head as my mind settled on the stories of the trusted and devoted knight, Oswald the Raven.
I sat in a daze as I combed through all the stories of Os. He had waited seven hundred and fifty years for the Queen, alongside the current king, only to be separated for another eight. He was entrusted with the Queen when she lost her son and was known to get into trouble with the Twin Knight, Sky the Falcon.
I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around myself as I thought of Raven as I knew him. The soft, but strange creature, not human or demon, who always seemed to pop up when I least expected him to, but when I needed him the most. I bent my torso so my nose was nearly touching the browned leaves and breathed in their musty smell. I thought of Raven’s lips lingering on mine and how I seemed to have felt his love for me through them. I let out a gasping sob as I closed my eyes tight and yelled his name as loud as I could. His true name, the name that revealed his true nature, in hopes it would work as if a spell and return him to me.
“Os!”
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