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Tewoeklon: Chapter Five
My father’s eyes were shut, his mouth closed, his body unmoving; the shallow and slight wheeze of his breathe was my only indication that he was still alive. I could barely hear his heart pump and his skin was cold and sweat covered.
“Kayne…what’s wrong with my father?” I kept my hand tightly nestled in his, I hoped that being there would help…but honestly I doubt he knew I was beside him at all. Kayne sat on the edge of the bed and sighed with reluctance marring his breath.
“He’s been ill, Noir. He’s been ill for a very long time.”
“What!?” I looked down at his sleeping face. “That’s not possible! He’s been fine, normal …HEALTHY! He’s not sick! He’s not dying! He is going to get better!” I held his hand tighter and pulled it to my chest for comfort.
He couldn’t be this way, he promised me. He promised to stay alive forever. I felt a cascading tear slip from my cheek and onto my father’s cold hand.
“Noir.” Kayne placed his hands on my shoulders.
“No!” In a slow moving instant I saw myself slap him away and in my saddened state I watched Kayne fly from my touch and into the wall of the ship’s cabin.
My eyes gaped at his bruised form; tears were already flowing like rain from my eyes.
“I….” My voice was raspy and weak. “I-I can’t be around you now…”
I released my father’s hand and went running from the room.
The sting and pressure of my cries burned against my face, I couldn’t even see where I was going. I simply ran.
I pushed out every shout I heard, I ignored every hand against my body…I shoved them aside. I took no care to whether they were friend or foe; they just had to be moved away from me.
I remember closing my eyes once and not opening them the longer I went on and the faster I became. Eventually I detected no sound, no people, simply nothing at all…just the cool air flowing through my lungs.
When I finally opened my eyes I saw a brightening horizon along a quite ocean surface. I looked down to my feet and noticed I had been moving so fast, with such carelessness; I had been gliding across the water’s top.
I turned back and the endlessness continued on in every direction I looked. For a moment I nearly stopped before realizing if I did, I would sink…and be stuck having to swim for who knows how long until I reached shore.
I lowered my eyes and sighed. How could I have gone so far so fast?
Unfortunately my sense of direction was quite abhorrent, basically leaving me in the middle of nowhere, on the ocean, running like a nut.
I cupped my head and scratched furiously. Last night was really such a blur, like a faded memory or dream forgotten over the years. I only remembered my tears…and then nothingness.
“Syren…where are you…?”I suddenly gasped …Syren! My mind leapt to the day we left home. The memory of standing upon the mast and looking out to see the town we were meant to raid.
“Concentrate. Put all your strength into what you see.” I mumbled under my breath.
“I really wish I had gotten a chance to practice.” I inhaled a deep and long breath, inflating my lungs as best as I could. I glared out over the horizon, taking in every angle I could manage and tried my hardest to focus my thoughts onto looking for something, anything that may indicate land.
To my right a small mass formed in the distance, but nearly a second later I lost control and faltered my pace. I barely caught myself and then turned to make a way towards the land I saw; hopefully it was where we were meant to raid. If not, I sighed and dropped my head…if not, then I was very much screwed.
After almost two hours of ceaseless running, a town became coming into view. However the closer I came the more I realized that this was most definitely not the place we came to raid. This was a poor harbor town, where several small boats floated by old wooden docks.
As I watched the people working and walking and talking at the market, I stopped. I tried to balance on the water’s surface. It had been a very long time since Syren and Menya taught me how to stand on water and the memories were fuzzy at best.
I spread my weight through my body, but my feet still slipped up and down in the waters. The voices that hovered from the shore were difficult to hear and make out, but as I moved to step closer they changed into loud and shouted ones.
“What is that!? Is it a demon!? Look it’s a girl!? She’s standing on the water!? Hurry look, look! Children get inside!”
“Oops…” my concentration slipped entirely and I fell beneath the waves.
The drop was sudden and flutters jumped up my throat as I fell deeper and deeper before slowing to a suspended stop.
Shoot, shoot, shoot…I began having a slight fit in the water, before noticing a few more feet down that a large cave with a clear circular opening in the top caught my attention. A cave! I grinned and accidently released a few bubbles of air.
I regained a bit of my senses and started swimming for the opening; it was wider and smoother than the one I had been in only the other night.
Once I breached the surface, I was thankfully pleased to see that no one was occupying it. I pulled myself out of the pool-like entrance, I reached up to released my hair from the ribbon I always wore but found that I didn’t have it…in fact I was still wearing the nicer clothing of mine from the evening I was meant to have dinner with my father.
I dropped onto the stone flooring. My father. Tears began flowing again as I remembered in my moments of anger and sorrow that I had left before I said goodbye….I wouldn’t even get to be there when he died.
I crawled over and up onto the bed. It was rather large and soft against my fingers; while I laid down I couldn’t help but feel slightly comforted by the scent rolling off the sheets. I held one of the pillows to my chest and draped my hair over myself.
I was lost, alone, and soon to be an orphan. Something told me my life was not done kicking my ass yet.
A few hours passed by and I had gone in and out of consciousness.
In a moment of fleeting awareness I noticed a slight splash and mumble behind me, though I was too worn and tired to bother moving. Just before I slipped off again, I thought I may have noticed a man’s face looking down at me but I fell back asleep.
I gasped and threw myself up on the bed. “Who’s there!?” I searched the area
but no one was anywhere around and actually through the clear opening in the ceiling I found that the day had come and gone. The moon glittered down from the surface.
I sighed, “Must have been a dream.”
I jumped off the bed and stepped back into the water. I figured that I should go and try to hunt down some food in the town I saw, though considering its poor appearance it may be one of the few that still believe in the old myths.
When I reached the shore line, I did my best to climb up near a darkened alley so that I wouldn’t be noticed coming out of the water where a mysterious woman was seen standing. In places like these people were inclined to believe elves and other such creatures were dangerous and not to be trusted. They believed us to be responsible for the few serial murders that have happened throughout the centuries. After speaking with Syren I was beginning to wonder if it had been the Tewoeklons.
“No that’s cruel…some of it had to be someone else.” I shook my hair a bit to make sure I was as dry as I could be. My clothes were still a little damp but hopefully it wasn’t entirely noticeable.
I looked around the corners but there were just too many people, thankfully it was rather dark and so I leapt up to the smaller building next to me and moved over a few rooftops until I found a less populated area to drop down in. I slipped between what looked like a bakery and an antique shop and then walked out into the streets. When I looked down to my feet I noticed a small glow of green.
“Crap!” I covered my mouth and lowered my eyes as best as I could while still being able to see where I was going.
I really needed something to cover my eyes; Syren never taught me a way to control my night vision…if there was a way!
I began muttering slurs of curses and other various irritants while walking and very intently watching my feet through my fingers.
Suddenly another pair of shoes came into view and my head rammed up against a firm chest.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” A gentle voice whispered.
He sounded young, not young like a child but not an old man either. He actually sounded rather attractive, I fought with myself since I really wanted to look and see.
“No, my fault,” I spat out quickly before sidestepping the man and moving even faster, just so that I could get away from the embarrassment that flushed my cheeks. As I passed I had a slight notion of familiarity with the man, but no…not possible.
Silly, you don’t even know him! You didn’t even see him! I kept forcefully thinking to myself as I headed on up the path. I started to slow my pace once people started to become scarce; I took a cursory chance to look up and noticed a fabric store. There was a chance I could find some fabric that was see-through enough for me to cover my eyes with.
A little wooden chime sounded as I stepped in, the noise was a bit unpleasant but I tried to ignore it.
“Hello miss, is there something in particular you’re looking for?” A chipper young woman greeted me.
I thought that perhaps if I intended to put fabric over my eyes, I could start my pretend loss of sight now. I closed my eyes and looked up to where I heard her breath and bizarrely strong heart beat.
“Yes, I need a new piece of fabric to cover my eyes.”
She gasped sharply and jumped to take my hand. “Oh, I’m so sorry! Of course, we have many smooth and soft fabrics here!”
Thinking that I was unable to move myself at all she nearly dragged me over to a table she described as being covered in the best fabrics ever made.
I took a deep breath, trying to remember that I was going to be a calm and gentle person…who was a little mysterious…my mind started to wander as the woman continued to babble on and on about how each type of textile was made.
“Here, feel this one.” She flippantly set a silky fabric against my palm.
I brushed the cloth piece by my ear and rubbed it together. The feeling was a bit too thick.
“It’s a bit thick, do you have any lighter materials? Preferably something in black, if you can.” I flashed a placid smile her way to show my gratitude for her help.
“Yes, yes. This piece has always been made with high thread counts.” She made a rather loud ‘thinking’ noise as she irritatingly tapped her foot against the wood flooring.
“Ah! I know!”
She rushed past me and I calmly followed, a part of me had been a bit afraid she was going to again drag me across the room.
“This just came in the other day, very rare threading.”
I reached out and took hold of the fabric; she made a small gasp at my forward gesture. It was smooth and almost fluid like in feeling. I ran it against the strands of hair that hid my ear. Yes, very gentle; not to thick or thin at all.
“This one is quite nice. …How much is it exactly?”
Money hadn’t really crossed my mind until this moment, did I even have any with me. A bit of anxiety began to curl itself around my stomach.
“Ah, well, we have this priced at 250 nolles.”
I made sure to keep my face level despite the fact my emotions were flaring inside. Money, do I have money? I very casually slipped my hand into the lone pocket at my side; cold metal touched the tips of my fingers. I released a long internal sigh and pulled out everything I had.
“Excuse me, ma’am. I’m not sure how much money I have with me. Could you help?”
“Oh, of course!” She grabbed my hand. “…Oh my!” She exclaimed even louder than before.
“What is it?”
“This is…so much money!”
“Really?” I cocked my head. “I had no idea; I simply dropped a few coins into my pocket.” I giggled lightly at the thought.
“Uh, my, well you have about…hmm, 22500 here.”
I resisted the urge to outwardly gasp myself. Where had such money come from?
“Then, I suppose I would like to buy this fabric from you.”
“Sure, sure!” She seemed to dance away from me before dashing back with a few coins clinking in her hands.
She lifted one coin from my own hand and then replaced it with the others she carried.
“Oh!” She bubbled. “And because I like you so, here’s a free coin purse for you.” I may have still had my eyes closed but I was sure she had a grin stretching from ear to ear.
“Thank you very much.” I dropped the coins in and attached the nice bag to the small belt slouched around my waist.
“You’re quite welcome! It’s rare I get a chance to meet such a kind and beautiful person here.” I smiled truthfully at her and she placed the now folded cloth in my hands.
I began tying the fabric across my eyes, slipped it beneath my hair and over the points of my ears, and then back out to tie in a small knot. Once I had it nicely secured I took a peek and saw that I could see through adequately and the young woman made no mention if she noticed any green.
She was a plain girl with light blond hair curling around her face, though she had very pretty blue eyes. I wouldn’t say she was any older than 21. She yet again flashed me a smile, as she did surprisingly white teeth gleaned back at me.
I turned to leave but just before I opened the door she called back to me.
“Oh wait! I didn’t get your name.” She ran over to stand not quite a foot away from me. “I’m Penelope Crawford, my father owns this shop.”
I looked out to the street were a few flickering torches were all that light up the darkness.
“I’m Noir. Just Noir.” And with that I left the young woman and began to walk casually along the road.
Tewoeklon: Chapter Four
We rammed into the stone pillar-like walls on the opposite side of the cave. I had propelled toward the man with so much force that we completely cleared the water which opened itself up in between the two sides of the underwater cavern.
Beneath my own growls and screams of anger I heard him below sounding just the same as he continuously made attempts to throw me off him.
“What is your problem, Bitch!?”
He pushed against my arms with great strength, but my fingers were dug deeply into his shoulders and the inertia of the moment merely thrust us from a place against the wall to another only a few feet away. My body smashed into the stone and then his crushed up against mine, my face was crammed up beside his neck. I felt his hands press in against the wall in order to force himself away but I kept my hands firm.
“Let go of me!” He screamed into my ear.
“Fine.” My voice had a nasty rumble to it.
I released my grip and the man toppled backward before making a quick flip and landing nicely on his feet. I coiled back on my calves and lunged toward him again, this time he blocked my kick. Instead I punched him in the face, forcing him back again into the pillar we had first hit.
“Holy Shit!” He stood from the broken indent in the stone and wiped the blood leaking from his mouth.
I gave a cynical smile at his angered expression and leapt lithely back over to Syren, who had still not moved since my attack.
“Sy, are you alright? …Syren?” I had taken her hand in my own while I watched her blank face. Her eyes moved to look behind me and in the reflection of her large pupil I saw the red haired man standing back on our side of the water.
I glanced at him once, his lip was already nearly healed and his face now held an understanding when I glared at him. I moved back to speak with Syren but before I got a word out she placed a finger against my lips. Her eyes appeared to be the normal golden color and she smiled slightly at my confused face.
“Thank you for trying to protect me Noir. But I can see I was mistaken.”
“Mistaken…?”
Syren moved away from me and over to the man I had just tried to…practically kill.
She placed her own hand in his, speaking to him in hushed tones, so quiet I couldn’t make out any of it. I furrowed my brow in utter confusion.
“Sy, who is this man? You were so afraid a second ago.”
The man frowned at me, but Syren faced me with a grin, different from any I had seen her wear before.
“Noir, this is Joryn. He has been my very close friend since childhood.”
I shook my head in refusal, “But that doesn’t explain why you were petrified at his appearance?”
“The last time I saw Joryn he was dead…or I was sure he was dead.”
“Then shouldn’t you be pleased to see him?”
“Generally, I would…but….” Syren and Joryn looked to each other. “…well, lately, back home, there have been unusual things happening on the battlefields. About four decades ago, Joryn and I were fighting as part of the palace guard to protect one of the smaller villages from an attack by some mountain dwelling dwarves. Things were going very well and once we had pushed the rebels back to the border we returned to our fallen comrades. It was there I found Joryn…and a few others.
“Suddenly two of my soldiers, dead according to the physician presiding there, got up! They retrieved their weapons and licked the blood off the blades, watching us like we were no one and as more returned I began to hear their murmurs of bewilderment. However, since I was a high ranking member of the guard, during a meeting of our senior staff I had been informed that something odd had been occurring among our dead, and that we were to destroy all deceased comrades immediately upon death or battles end.
“As I recalled this information nearly all members of the dead were again moving towards us, all except Joryn and his second in command, Tan. I ordered the squads to eradicate everyone that had arisen, some were uncertain but many obeyed. By the time we had burned all the bodies, as well as Tan’s, Joryn had not been accounted for.”
“So, you thought that this, he, was one of these…things?”
“Exactly, but that was only my first encounter with them, afterwards, we began receiving more intelligence about these creatures. Ones left alive after seemingly coming back to life during battles were found to be similar to who they once were, with the same memories and mannerisms, though they were more aggressive and prone to murder if angered. Some were immediately found to be strange, while others took time to notice the change. Apparently after some time their eyes or skin would change color to a pale white or yellow, although a few stronger ones were known to stay the same. Eventually they would leave the places they were brought to, several after leaving trails of dead family and friends.”
I sat down; I couldn’t believe what I was being told. That…after all this time, elves could be some blood thirsty creatures? Syren also settled before me, and in my lowered view I spotted Joryn sit as well.
“Noir, I understand how difficult this is to take in. But it’s now been 25 years since any of these creatures have been spotted or reported anywhere.”
“Did they ever figure out what caused all this?” I leaned a bit towards Syren in my curiosity.
“No, they didn’t, but the few who were kept frozen for study after the initial attacks were found to be somewhat altered…but no one outside the medical team, security chiefs, and the royals knew anything of it. …But in my experience, I found that elves who had been transformed did not bleed. Not a drop of blood at all. That was how I knew Joryn was not a creature.”
“I too, have come across some after I managed to escape the battle.” Joryn spoke with a strong but low voice. “I have only met two since they were said to be diminished. Both were strong, but I did find that none of them bleed. I removed the arms of the last one I encountered, it was…strange. The bone and muscle were there, but were anatomically wrong, the bones were blue and had black tinted nicks all along them and the muscle tissue was larger but completely brown in color.
“I examined the creature before I burnt it and there are no lungs or heart in the body, and the ribs were fewer and warped into one another. They were virtually no organs left in the body, just bone and an excess of muscle, a few veins were still there but when I touched them, immediately they fell to dust. Which I found in numerous places inside the body.”
“Did he have a brain at all?” I had been intensely watching him speak about these beings; I was curious what they were.
He looked over at me, as though he had forgotten I existed, which irritated me and I glared at him.
“I had no chance to look, I had spent too much time probing his body, and he would have come back again had I not set him on fire.”
“Hmm….” I leaned onto my hand. “Syren, did they ever name these beings? They don’t sound like elves too me, nor humans, or even hybrids. They aren’t like any of the creatures I have come across or red about.”
“As far as I know, they had been called Tewoeklons.”
“That’s an odd name…is it elvish?”
“I do not believe so; I think it was a combination reached by some of the elder scholars…a mixture of several languages. The closest meaning I know of was Hollow Murders.”
“I know I don’t know these creatures, but isn’t that rather prejudiced? Have you found that all these mutated beings are killers?”
“Of course they are!” Joryn shouted at me, his orange eyes flared like fire.
“I simply mean that…” I stopped speaking and looked to the stone walls. “Syren, the ship is taking up anchor, they’re about to leave.”
“Yes, I know.”
Syren placed her hands on Joryn’s. “I am very glad I was able to see you again, after all this time.” They stood together.
I followed, though somewhat less graceful.
“I assume you need this cavern, I will stay up on the ship tonight.” She released her hands from Joryn.
“Sy, are you sure? You said the smell is hard on you.”
“Yes, I’ll stay up with Menya.” She flashed me a small smile.
“Ship?” Joryn looked confused. I simply narrowed my eyes at his voice, I know I had no place to judge, but this man bugged me.
“Yes, Menya and I have been working with Noir’s village for the last few years. We assist in raids and hunts.”
“Menya? You mean Men, from the archery squad? The giddy pink eyed girl?”
“Yes, she’s been working with me for almost 20 years now; around the time when we came to the human’s village.”
“Ah yes, the hybrid.” They both turned to look at me, though he clearly did not hold any kind feelings towards me.
“Well, pardon me for not being perfect.” My anger flared up again.
“So why are you with this hybrid anyway?”
I moved to stand next to Syren and crossed my arms in defiance at his clear dislike of me and my ancestry. As well as his endlessly irritating propensity to speak as though I weren’t even here. Syren then placed an arm across my shoulders.
“Joryn, this is Noir. Daughter of Captain Jonathin Schar and Sena of Toryl.”
“Sena? This is the only child of Sena of Toryl?”
Syren nodded.
“Toryl? What is that?” I looked to Syren but she did not turn to face me, she seemed to be ignoring my question.
“Noir, I hear Kayne looking for you. You should go and eat with your father and friend.”
“But, what about you?”
“I’ll be fine; I would like some time to catch up with my friend before I return to the ship.” She set both hands on my shoulders. “Inform Men that I’ll be a little late.”
I looked over at Joryn briefly, “Alright. I’ll see you later.”
I walked backwards to the water and jumped in, all the while I watched Joryn. He continued to annoy me, even without saying anything.
The waters were much colder than before and certainly darker as well. Thankfully, at least the swim to the surface was much quicker than to the trove.
I wonder what those Tewoeklon are really like. My thoughts seemed to unwittingly wander back to the images I crafted when Syren talked of the creatures once plaguing the elves. I pushed the idea away though as I came closer to the darkened shadow casted by the Snyaria.
Once I breeched the water’s exterior and I quickly climbed up through our cabin’s window. I hated being in wet clothes, my hair and skin would take a little longer to dry outside the cave as well. Menya wasn’t in the room and the door was still locked.
I quickly pulled myself out of my damp clothes and unwrapped the bandages I still wore. My wounds were looking quite well, though I had never been much of a physician. I put on my other set of clothing, a looser and slightly more formal outfit but my only other set.
I decided to let my hair down, especially as it was nearly dry, and anyway my father had always liked my hair down. I ran a brush through my hair before stepping out of the cabin, too the laughing voices of the men preparing for dinner below deck.
“Hello.” Kayne spoke suddenly at my side.
“Kayne.” I nodded with a smile. “How have things been today?”
He chuckled at my nonchalance. “Things have been fine, noisy though. We should be at the city tomorrow at dawn. Everyone has been getting somewhat anxious.”
“So then…tomorrow we go in.”
“Yes. Will you be alright?”
“Of course, I’ll be fine.” I grinned up at him, but when I lowered my head I felt the nervous flutters of the realization that I would be back where my mother never left.
“Noir.” Kayne placed a hand on my shoulder, stopping me from continuing along my path. “Are you sure you’re ready? You don’t have to go; I can speak with your father.”
“No, no.” I shook my head and lightly placed my hands against his chest. “I’ll be fine; I want to help provide for our home. It’s my duty to help.” I continued to stare down at our feet; the memories of the other night when I broke down and Kayne and I shared a long embrace came to mind as my fingers twitched against his chest. A hot blush came to my face.
I swallowed deeply and tried to ignore the feeling.
“Kayne…you’ll stay with me right?” I looked up at him and his face was shocked; a slight pinkish tint glowed on his cheeks.
“Uh…wwhat do you mean?”
“When we reach the town, you’ll not leave me, you’ll stay by my side?”
He sighed. “Yes, I’ll stay with you.”
“Thank you Kayne!” I wrapped my arms around his torso, my face pushed against his warm chest.
I quickly regained my senses, released my grip, and hurriedly walked away from Kayne with a silly, half embarrassed look on my face.
Once I reached my father’s cabin, I took a moment to breathe as I leaned against the doors; I tried my best to push away the strange emotions dancing around inside me.
I took hold of the large wooden handle and pulled it open.
My father was sitting quietly on his bed.
“Father?”
“Ah, Noir. Are you ready to eat?” He stood up slowly and walked over to the threshold, where I was waiting.
“Yes…I am.” I looked at my father’s face; he seemed pale and his eyes distant. “Are you alright?” I reached my hand out to his cheek, he felt cold.
“I’m just fine, darling. No need to worry.” He placed a hand on my head.
“…Father…?” As he stepped past the door his hand began to slip from my head and his body toppled forwards.
I caught him as best as I could. “Father? Father..?? Come on, wake up!” I shook him slightly but he remained unresponsive. “KAYNE!”
Tewoeklon: Chapter Three
It’s been two weeks since we fought the Zorre and I got the pommel and entire handle of my own dagger through my abdomen. It was only today that Syren and Menya finally let me out of our cabin.
I decided to simply wear my bandages. With Syren’s bizarre paranoia, she now had me covered from my hips to my right shoulder. From some reason she thought if I exposed my former abrasion I might get irritated and try to rip at the skin again.
I rolled my eyes thinking of her overprotective insanity.
The early morning sun had just barely breached the horizon and the air was crisp as it blew through my loose hair. I had been stuck in the cabin for so long; the cold wind was nice against my skin.
My ear suddenly twitched to the sound of fibers rubbing against wood. I tried to ignore the sound, but since my hearing had enhanced during my forced absence I still had yet to control it. The noise made me want too tear my ears off.
I growled angrily toward the sound, though I kept my face in the direction of the coming warmth of the sun.
Wherever it was coming from and whoever created it stopped the motion generating the ear sore, I think after hearing my quiet feral roar. I smiled in satisfaction.
Then it began again.
My nails dug deep into the old, beaten wood along the starboard side as I glared fiercely at the calm sea water slopping up and hitting the ship.
“Who the hell is making that annoying sound!?” I screamed.
A sudden sharp thud followed by a gasp caught my attention and caused me to turn around. On the ground a bucket of a strange looking and smelling liquid was spilt on the deck and a few ropes and high up about twelve or fifteen feet was Kayne hanging onto a slick rope with one hand.
I gasped, throwing my hands over my mouth. I had forgotten how high and clear my screams were now. I ran over to him and looked up; his face was red with exertion and shock.
“Kayne, oh my gosh, I’m so so sorry! I forgot!”
He grunted a laugh then groaned in pain.
I moved to stand directly beneath him. “Kayne let go of the rope, I’ll catch you. Not well or comfortably, but you shouldn’t be hurt.”
“Are you crazy?!” He shouted with effort.
“No. I’m trying to help you.”
“You can’t catch me, I’m too heavy.”
“I’m even stronger than I used to be, just let go.”
He said nothing.
“Kayne let go! Would you rather break your leg or your neck!?”
He still said nothing but I thought I may have heard a grunted response.
“Alright. Are you ready?”
“Yes. Let go.”
He released his grip and began plummeting toward me. My initial instinct was to move out of the way and not be crushed by a full grown and muscular man falling at me from over a dozen feet in the air, but I swallowed my fear and closed my eyes, waiting for the impact.
His weight hit me. I barely had time to hold my stance steady without breaking my own legs in the process. Once he was entirely in my grasp I tightened my hold and fell backward. He was heavy.
“Holy shit, you really caught me!” He blinked.
“I told you I would.” I tried to keep my voice even, although my limbs were a little shaky.
He quickly pulled himself him up; while his back was still turned I took a moment to express my bodies shock with a strange pained contortion of my face. I’m sure I would have looked very silly. Kayne cracked his back then turned to me and lowered his hand. I grabbed it and he pulled me up.
“I’m sorry about your …uhh…” I looked toward the strange substance spilled on the deck “…your work.”
He chuckled.
“Don’t worry about it. I can do it another time; it’s not super important right now.”
He reached for an already slightly dirty rag and started trying to clean up the mess I had caused. I heard a noisy rustle come from below deck. The day shift must be on their way. Unfortunately the crew that worked while the sun was up had a tendency to smell…weird. I wrinkled my nose at the memory.
“Well, I’m sorry for the problem I caused you and I think I will be going away from here now.” I began walking away with my hands held behind my back.
“Wait. Where are you going? You just got here.”
“Um, let’s just say ‘the foulest’ are descending.” I nodded while keeping my eyes and nose alert.
Kayne nodded knowingly. “See ya then.”
I leapt at our cabin door and quickly thrust it open and closed myself inside. Only a second later the men poured onto the deck, shouting and laughing loudly. The sounds and smells danced in my mind with a furry that made me nauseous.
I slid my back along the wall with my hands held tightly over my ears. UH! Stupid senses!
“Noir?”
Syren was standing by an open window with her head cocked in confusion.
“Noir, what’s wrong?”
I groaned. “Everything is loud and smells; I can’t shut it out! How do you and Menya do it!? How!?”
She smiled and gestured for me to come to her. So I did.
“It’s not hard to control, but it takes time. For now come with me.” She gently reached for my hand and held it between hers.
We both stepped up onto the window’s ledge, looking out at the water as it conjoined after being swathed by the ship.
“Take a deep breath.” She whispered.
I did as she said and we leapt.
We slipped into the water like arrows, hardly disturbing the surface and barely a splash followed our plunge. I had always found jumping into the water a little disorienting even when I had the help of Syren to guide me. My eyes reactively blinked several times to the foreign sensation of salt water rubbing against them. Once I could see clearly I felt Syren tug on my arm and we started swimming closer to the reef.
The water was warm and comfortable, like being wrapped in a blanket. It was also quite serene beneath the waves and not so painful to my senses either; I wouldn’t mind living in the water, although after a while I would most likely become a giant shriveled prune or something.
I laughed at the image in my head, suddenly releasing all the air I had gathered in my mouth, which startled Syren.
We stared at each other for a long while and the longer I held my eyes on her the wider Syren’s seemed to get. I was about to gesture to her but she abruptly thrust her hand over my mouth and gripped my body tightly. We were moving very rapidly through the waters; everything just happened so fast and I was completely shocked and confused as to what the hell was going on.
The reef beneath us was shrouded in the foaming bubbles left behind by Syren’s incessant pumping to get to the surface. However the more I watched the waters swirl and fizzle out of existence, I began to notice that my chest felt very warm and my head throbbed as well. The pulsing beat of my head seemed to flow as though I were dancing with the bubbles I watched so closely.
My body then reacted to the feelings. I immediately tried to inhale instead finding that I only pulled against the firm clasp of Syren’s hand. Her speed then increased and I in turn began to help reach the surface.
The instant my nose broke free I took a deep breath, inflating my burning lungs and calming my heart and brain’s cries for oxygen. Before I even opened my eyes I felt the sting of a wet hand collide with my already wet face which forced me backward slightly.
“Noir! How irresponsibly stupid are you lately!!! You almost allow yourself to get killed by a simple Tore, you get seriously injured twice while taking down a small Zorre, and now you just release all your oxygen while being over 75 feet below the surface of the ocean!!! What is going on?!?!”
I blinked, my mouth was hanging open and I held my hand to the throbbing welt that now covered the right side of my face. Her eyes glared intensely at me, the golden color melted with a furry I had never seen before on such a kind, placid visage.
“…I…” Grumbling noises vibrated in my mouth, which sounded like ‘I’ but honestly I have no idea what I was saying. The crease between her narrowing eyebrows darkened at my response.
“I don’t know.” I whispered.
It seemed Syren didn’t mind my answer as she sighed heavily and looked toward the sun, still high in the clearness of the day.
“Never mind, it’s not important now.” She spoke with a definite yet also gentle tone before turning to face me.
She reached her hand toward my wounded face and nodded sagely. “You’ll be fine; I apologize for striking you.”
“No, it’s alright… it was my fault.”
She nodded yet again in response and took hold of my hand. “Take a deep breath and hold it until I say otherwise.” A golden eye looked firmly at me.
I inhaled as much as I could and we dove down in sync, heading straight for the reef. I tried to keep my mind clear as I went in hopes of not furthering Syren’s apparent temper toward my actions.
My eyes seemed to inadvertently glance at her as we swam, although her face was blank and emotionless as usual. She noticed my staring and quirked her brow in confusion; I swayed my hands side to side and shook my head as best as I could. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, but then continued on as though nothing happened.
We finally reached the reef. Hundreds of creatures fluttered around the many plants decorating the rock. The brilliant colors distracted me; they were even more beautiful now that my eyes were stronger. However I had barely any time to admire them, once I began drifting away Syren grabbed my arms and pulled me away, directing us toward a small cave opening. It looked almost nothing like the one we had entered to find the Zorre. Instead this cavern was bright and wide and further back a gentle pattern of sun glinted water was dancing along the floor of the cave.
Once we entered the opening, Syren and I began swimming straight up heading for what appeared to be large air filled room hidden within the reef. I felt the break of the water’s surface and took a deep breath; the air had a salty taste but was otherwise fresh enough.
The trove was more like a room then a cave, the rock walls were relatively smoothed down and on the ceiling there was an opening covered with some sort of clear substance; couldn’t be glass, could it?
Syren was already out of the water and onto the stone flooring, her hair now perfectly dry in appearance as though the water simply slid off. I frowned slightly, my hair never did that. I swam for a moment and then walked through the shallower water until I stepped up to the floor behind Syren, who had started walking toward a small type of waterfall pouring down quietly from a hole in the wall. I turned my head in confusion while watching the gentle flow; I wondered, half dazed, where on earth that water could be coming from.
“Sy, what is this place?” I ran my fingers against the rock, tracing patterns as I went.
“Elvish cave, they are located in every water source in the world.”
I walked to where Syren knelt by the basin like pool formed by the waterfall and sat beside her. It wasn’t until then that I noticed that on the other side of the room past the water was even more cave, however it looked like part of a basic styled home had been built there.
“Uh…what is this place used for?” I pulled my attention away from studying the large comfortable looking bed to focus on Syren, who was staring blankly at the rippling water.
“We elves use them. Those who choose to live outside the three Elvish cities surrounding our capital use these to stay in rather than inns. We live differently. Also whenever an elf travels they will use these. There are also several within large trees in a few of the forests as water is not always near and convenient.”
“Oh. Interesting. Is this where you always go? I never see you sleeping on the ship.”
“Yes. The stench gets to me.”
Her face was still blank as she slowly touched one finger into the water of the basin. The ripples immediately froze in place and the water fall stopped as though someone pressed pause on time. I blinked several times, I opened my mouth to question her but she suddenly opened her own mouth and began formed words quickly. The only sound was a high pitched muttering type of noise.
The echoes confused my ears; I wasn’t sure whether the sound was painful or soothing and as I went to block out the blare, the still water flashed and a green and gold wall appeared in the water.
“Tephyr? Tephyr, are you there?”
“Syren?” A warm female voice called out from the water and suddenly a lovely though slightly aged face came into view.
My eyes widened as I watched Syren begin speaking with another person whose face’s reflection was essentially in a large bowl of water. I found myself focusing mostly on her large amber eyes, which reminded me a bit of my mother’s.
“Syren, where are you now? Perhaps I can send an escort for you?”
“No, that would take far too long. Once we are closer to the gate, I’ll be sure to call again to either you or Sai. Until then Menya and I shall be fine. Regardless I should hope that her skills will have been enhanced enough that no more than one or two should be required to pass.”
“Alright dear. If that’s what you wish.” The woman’s eyes turned to me. “Hello, Noir. I hope you’re well.”
I had still been gawking at the water, so that I hardly noticed when the woman’s gentle voice was addressing me.
“You seem in good health, young still but maturity will come. Give your father greetings for me dear. Syren, do take care.”
“Yes Tephyr, farewell.” Syren touched two fingers to her forehead and the woman in the water reciprocated.
I still gaped.
“Noir, close your mouth.”
I quickly did as she said. Syren stood up gracefully and then abruptly the water started falling again, startling me from my awkward position which caused me to tip over.
“Uh, sorry. I was just a bit baffled.” I pushed myself up to follow after Syren.
As we headed toward the clear water which lead out of the cave and back into the ocean, I spotted the darkened, almost opaque mass of a person heading up to the surface from our exit.
“Sy…” I pointed to the stranger and wrapped my hand tightly around her wrist.
“I see him, Noir.”
“Him? Him? Who is he?”
“I cannot tell yet. Most likely an elf in need of a place to stay; we should leave if that be the case.”
A bright red head of hair broke the surface without one once of grace, splashing every which way and finally settling as a young man came out of the water. Once he was up on the stone flooring his steps stopped cold and I felt Syren’s body go rigid.
“Syren?” His voice echoed with a masculine, yet excited tone.
He shook his head once and all the water drops fell right off his hair, which was held in a high pony tail similar to how I held mine only his hair was much thinner. His Elvish ears protruded delicately from his head, which drew me to see his very handsome, smooth face. Syren was still unmoving by my side and so I stepped out a head of her.
“Hi, um, do you happen know my friend here?”
“Obviously I do. I called her by name, didn’t I?”
I sighed. “Fine. What is your name then? I obviously don’t know who you are.”
He scoffed at me irritably and crossed his arms. My protective anger was starting to flare uncontrollably as Syren was still not moving in my grasp. I know I should have worked on calming myself, however yet again it seemed my hypersensitivity to my own emotions was getting the better of me.
“My name is not important; especially to you…you’re not even a full elf, are you? Hybrid.” His strong, narrow orange eyes glared at me with sarcasm and annoyance.
In the back of my mind I was shouting that there was no need to be so aggressive toward him, he was messing around, that’s all. But something about Syren’s unresponsive, almost statuesque nature made my hair stand on end. Nothing ever perturbed her. Ever.
“Syren, please, I never expected to find you here. But now that I have I would like to speak with you.” The man stepped towards me and Syren, and shockingly I felt Syren take a step back tugging on my arm ever so slightly as she went. That set me off. My own grip on her wrist tightened greatly and I crouched a bit in reaction.
He stepped closer again, his hand held out to us. His head tipped down a bit, flaring the color of his eyes. “Syren, come on.”
I growled at his voice, even to my ears I sounded more like an animal than a person. And in one swift motion he took a whole foot toward us and Syren’s wrist slipped from my grasp. My emotions flared violently again and I lunged at him.
Tewoeklon: Chapter Two
The slightly more rapid beat of my heart rang deeply in my ears the farther down I swam in the clear, temped ocean water. The various reefs that decorated myriad levels of the sporadic ocean floors gleamed with gentle numerous colors from the sun’s rays piercing the surface of the water.
Fish swam fearlessly around me while I gracefully pumped myself deeper.
Elves are often referred to as ‘Those of the Earth’ meaning they seem to have an unseen connection with all life, however they are also one of the most dangerous creatures to exist. Although I’m part human, animals and plants have still seemed to like me as much as Syren and Menya; well… with the exception of birch trees and ants, I really have no idea why they don’t like me.
Regardless, it’s nice and calming but the fish keep getting in my face.
I suddenly felt a gentle hand take hold of my shoulder and stop my pace; Syren looked into my eyes, and then gestured slowly, due to the weightless feel of the water toward a dark cave-like structure hidden within a barren rock.
I nodded and followed the two into the murky cavern. All our unique colored eyes glowed in the blackness; it was something I enjoyed about being part elf. I would often freak out Kcara and Kayne when we used to play in the dark.
The bottom floor of the cave was littered with fish bones and several forms of algae and seaweed. Despite my lack of smell, the water seemed to have a heavy rotten feel to it.
I felt my body cringe.
Menya’s bubbly personality was now gone as she continued surveying the floor and walls ahead of me. I rarely had her so serious and level minded, it concerned me more than interested me.
Suddenly strong vibrations pulsed through the waters. We all stopped abruptly.
Menya’s bright pink colored eyes turned toward Syren and I; she gestured something I didn’t understand. I looked at Syren with a questioning look on my face, she took hold of my shoulder and pulled me away; Menya was right behind us.
Syren stopped us then turned me toward her. She started forming things with her hand, it looked like sign language. Damn I don’t really know that much, I should have learned more before I left the island.
She made slow, easy motions while looking directly at me. I furrowed my brow as I watched her.
…uh…D-a-n-…I don’t know that one…e-umm, I don’t know that one either. Dan_e_???
I shook my head once and then looked directly at her. Our gold and green eyes reflected on the walls.
The water reverberated again, Syren quickly pointed down into the cave where we had been, then formed the word again with her hands. D-a-n_e_! Her movements were becoming more adamant. She pointed again. D-A-N_E_!!!!! She tried mouthing the word.
Menya grabbed both our arms and pulled us against the wall. I was so confused, I had no idea what was going on. I tried asking Syren but she put her hand over my mouth exceptionally fast despite the water.
Another vibration shook us; a few shards of rock slowly fell from the walls. From the corner of my eye I saw both Menya and Syren slide two small hidden daggers from their sides; they both looked at me. I removed my own and looked to the abyss as another more forceful pounding came.
Two sharply clawed hands appeared from the darkness and took hold of the rock shaking the cave and waters. The fish-like face of a Zorre came next; its rotten teeth were grinding together and the large scared flaps of its gills opened and closed as it breathed the vile, salted waters of the cavern.
Menya gesticulated strangely at Syren again and then started counting down from five on her hand. Syren looked to me and quickly thrust her daggers upward along her body then pointed at the Zorre as it began to move again.
This I understood and I nodded. The Zorre slowly pushed its clawed hands forward, causing it to land directly above us. Immediately as the nails dug into the rock Menya’s fingers reached one and we all in sync thrust our daggers up into the arm of the Zorre faster than the eye could see. Though I think I may have been a little slower than Menya and Syren were; I’m still woefully untrained in underwater combat.
The Zorre screamed, however we only felt its pain as the entire cave shook and rock from the claws fell. A green-brown like blood spread through the water. All three of us swiftly moved from our previous position and again went to stab the Zorre’s other arm with hopes of disabling it faster. However when we reached the spot the arm and its clawed hand were gone.
Abruptly I sensed the claws coming down on us and I strongly grasped Syren and Menya’s arms, pulling them away as the ground of the cave broke into bits of rock and dust. They both nodded in gratitude and we again leapt up and swam forward with our daggers before us.
We managed to pierce one of its eyes when it lunged its rotten, blood stained razor-like teeth for us.
I felt a sharp tooth puncture a line across the right side of my collar bone to my right shoulder. I didn’t notice the initial pain of the wound until the putrid salt water reached the gash. Thick red blood tinted with brown began seeping into the water around me.
Four arms pulled me back from the Zorre so fast I lost sense of where I was. Syren and Menya stared down at me in panic, their bright eyes illuminated the cut as blood continued to flow out of me. I felt my heart slow to that of a normal human, too slow for an elf, and continue to slow its beat. The water started to feel heavier, I knew the wound wasn’t critical but I have already been deprived of oxygen for nearly an hour now.
From what I remember elves can heal themselves much quicker with oxygen flowing through their system, I had barely learned how to do it and I know there are other ways but I couldn’t…I couldn’t seem to remember them.
There looked to be a red-brown fog before my eyes and a faint pulse shaking the floor I had been set on. Syren and Menya communicated through those strange gestures I didn’t understand, both were moving so rapidly I didn’t see how even they could understand.
They both looked to the Zorre which was thrashing about angrily at the loss of its eye and left arm. Syren looked to Menya than pointed to the Zorre and handed her one of her daggers. Menya nodded and left, my left side was now somewhat…colder. I think.
Syren didn’t even watch her go; she immediately grabbed something beside me and started waving her other hand around in the water above me. Then she wove her two hands together holding something in each and then she started rubbing it into my wound.
I wanted to scream so much but I couldn’t risk releasing the little oxygen and carbon dioxide I had kept within me to stay breathing and alive.
Whatever she did it burned. The pain from the wound and the horrible stinging that came from the stuff she was using kept me from recognizing the substance and what is was made of. Usually being hypersensitive is a very useful part of having elfin blood, but when you get wounded it only intensifies everything. And why, people wonder, do we work so hard to avoid becoming injured, it’s the reason we learn to be as skilled in combat as we are. It’s what makes us so deadly. Well, them.
Everything in me started shutting down and trying to ignore the pain. At least that’s what it felt like.
Syren’s hands were still working the substance into the gash, harder and faster. Her eyes looked concentrated when I saw them.
My body started convulsing; I thrashed my arms around and tried ripping my fingernails into the wound. I have never felt such a thing before, a combination of pain and itch, as though something were eating me alive. I felt like I was on fire.
Syren’s hands pushed me down and kept my arms away as best as she could while continuing to rub into the abrasion. The cavern erupted again and large rocks fell from the ceiling directly above us. Syren ignored them and continued to work on me.
Adrenaline started flowing into my veins and the sensation driving me mad was finally ceasing.
Just before Syren was finished, I saw Menya fly back from where the Zorre was and spin gracefully, her feet landing on the wall behind me and pushing off right back to the battle. I wanted to do that. To go back.
I laid my hand on Syren’s and looked into her eyes, smiling. She nodded with relief and handed me my daggers.
We stood together and rushed toward the Zorre just as Menya managed to remove two clawed fingers with ease. I placed my hands on Menya’s shoulders and forced myself through the water and onto the head of the Zorre. Water resistant mucus covered its scaly skin and caused me to lose traction and fall along its back until I jammed one of my daggers through its second spine. I pushed it in more until I severed the vertebrae and clawed myself up to stand on the dagger protruding halfway through the Zorre.
I grabbed my other one and began hacking away at the skin layered thickly over the soft skull. Syren and Menya were trying to incapacitate the Zorre’s other arm and incidentally sliced through its remaining eye. Its green blood tainted all the water in the cavern and mixed slightly with my leftover red-brown blood, creating a sort of mist.
The water became harder to move through, even with our advanced abilities and strength. Plus every cut I made on the creature released mucus into my field of vision and slowed my movements. It was so thick I felt I could taste the horrid waters we were fighting in.
Syren got a solid slice into its arm and the force of the vibrations the Zorre caused nearly knocked me off its back, instead I rammed my dagger into the scrapped patch of skin I made on its head. The skull cracked like an egg beneath my strength and force, but the pain made it to the Zorre before I could remove myself from its back and it began shaking and screaming. The pulse knocked me backward and I drifted quickly onto the stone covered floor.
Syren and Menya must have still been fighting and didn’t realize I had lost my footing and fallen because the Zorre began tipping backward.
I tried to move but due to the pulsations I couldn’t seem to get balanced. I was helpless as the Zorre came crashing down onto me. The many rocks that had been knocked from the walls kept it from totally crushing me, but I felt two ribs crack and a foreign, uncomfortable pain coming quickly from my abdomen.
I saw Syren stare at me in disbelief, then pull at Menya to help drag the dead thing off of me. I helped some by lifting what little I could while they yanked at the body; adrenaline still rushing threw me lessened the pain of my new injuries.
After we managed to remove the deceased Zorre, I saw what had been bothering me. The blow had been so strong that when the Zorre fell backward the pommel of the dagger I had in the back of the creature had gone straight through me, directly above my naval.
It was a strange sight, having the pointed side of a weapon jutted out of the body rather than the handle. I wanted to laugh as blood began flooding up my throat and pooling in my mouth.
Syren and Menya didn’t seem to think it was so funny, especially when I stood up and took hold of my end of the Zorre as though the blade lodged within me was nothing at all. They seemed to understand though and grabbed onto the body as well; we pulled it out of the cave and headed for the surface.
I swam faster than either of them; my need for air was more pressing due to the injuries I sustained. Once my head breached the surface I gasped so hard I forgot about the mass amount of blood that dwelled in my throat and mouth. Rather than gasping oxygen I inhaled blood and salt water, but instead of coughing I took another breath filling my lungs with a potent mixture. With oxygen, I stopped my breaths as though I were still underwater and helped pull up the gigantic Zorre.
Once we had gotten the dead creature on board Syren and Menya helped pull me out of the water. Everyone stopped working and stared. I had several small cuts and punctures covering my entire body, the healing abrasion on my chest, and worst yet the pommel and entire handle within my gut with only the green blood covered steel showing.
Kayne and my father stepped toward me, and I’m not sure but I think I had a smile on my face. Kayne reached his hand out to me though Menya and Syren kept him away. They seemed strangely protective of me from my own family and friends. Kayne said something; his face appeared incredibly shocked and concerned. I opened my mouth to answer but instead of words I hacked up the blood and salt mixture that had festered in my lungs. Syren caught me before I hit the deck and pulled me into her arms, holding me close to her body like a feral mother lion protecting her cubs. Kayne had gone to catch me after I coughed blood all over him and my father, but Menya stopped him. I saw him fighting back, yelling at her but she didn’t move at all.
Then I closed my eyes.
“Noir? Are you with me?” I blinked several times as my name echoed in my ears.
I mumbled something incoherent and shielded my eyes from the light surrounding me.
“Noir? Noir, you’re awake open your eyes.” The woman speaking to me moved my arm away from my face.
I slowly pulled open my eyes and squinted from the sun’s rays to look at the person speaking to me. Syren’s golden eyes stared down at me gently.
“Syren.” I whispered. She smiled, relieved.
“Oh Noir, you should have told me you hadn’t trained or hunted for so long. I would not have taken you.” She lightly pressed her soft lips to my forehead and stroked my loose hair.
I swallowed slowly and pulled myself up. My stomach felt warm and secure, I ran my hand along soft gauze wrapped around my abdomen. I pressed my fingers down where my stab wound had been and closed my eyes. The fabric was elfin, strong and protective the puncture that once existed was nearly gone though there would be a small scar.
“Noir, you’ve been asleep for about a week.”
I opened my eyes. “Wow. Did we at least make sure everyone got fed?”
“Don’t worry about them, we got them food and saved what we needed. That’s all.”
“They are my family, of course I worry.” My voice rose.
“Calm down. I know you care for them, but you need to worry about yourself right now. You must focus all your energy into healing or I’ll have to put you asleep again.”
“Again? I was awake before now?” My brows pulled together in confusion. I didn’t really remember much about returning or anything afterward.
“Four days ago you woke up screaming, roused every sleeping person on board and scared the hell out of the ones keeping watch. Elvish screams are like singing a high note, beautiful but very dangerous to human ears. You continued and began thrashing around in pain, nearly tearing the skin I had finally gotten to take hold on your stomach, so I had to put you to sleep.”
I didn’t remember that at all. I don’t even remember the last time I had made any sounds that could be considered beautiful. The closest would have to be my singing but even that’s not that great. Not even close to what elves can do.
“It’s no big deal, expected even.” Syren shook her head at me.
“I know…I was just thinking.”
“About what?” Syren cocked her head slightly.
“Nothing, I just can’t believe I made any sounds that would be considered beautiful.”
“It’s not that surprising. Between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one an elves body stops aging. In your case you will also most likely acquire some elvish traits or at least any you already have will be increased. It’s something you should be aware of now that you are eighteen.”
I had nothing to say. Everything was already so warped and different I couldn’t seem to grasp that I would be changing even more. I stared down at my bandages.
“Noir, don’t worry about it right now. Rest.”
I nodded though I didn’t really catch what she said. She pulled the light covers over my body and I slide down beneath them, staring up at my ice blue lace hanging from the ceiling.
Although I didn’t really want to, I closed my eyes and tried to sleep. My whole body was starting to itch as it struggled to heal itself.
A creak in the floor caused my ear to twitch and arouse me from the small nap I had taken after my initial waking. I opened my eyes to find Kayne hovering over me.
“You’re being very creepy.” I mumbled.
Kayne pulled back some. “Your voice sounds a little different, not much though.”
I blinked in surprise. I had no idea my voice was any different, Syren never mentioned it. Well of course she never mentioned it. I rolled my eyes.
“So why have you snuck in here? How did Syren or Menya not catch you?”
“They’re out in the ocean checking for any unknown ships in the area that may alert the city we’re heading toward.”
“Ah.” I nodded, a small smile curling my lips.
“You’ve healed well; you don’t even look like you were injured at all.”
I laughed.
“Well, I will have a small scar from where that dagger was embedded.” I made a small airy laugh at the memory.
“What?” He grinned.
“Oh nothing, I just…it was the funniest thing. When we got that Zorre off me and I saw what it was that had been bothering me, I wanted to laugh.” I giggled again. “Oh, seeing the blade of that dagger sticking out of my body, it was so bizarre I nearly released my remaining oxygen to laugh at it.”
Kayne didn’t seem to see the humor in it, just like Syren and Menya when they had seen my smiling face down in the cave.
“Noir…you almost died. It wasn’t funny at all.” His face was stern and angry at my reaction.
“Kayne, it’s fine. I knew I would be fine.” I kneeled toward him on my bed.
“No you didn’t Noir, you couldn’t have known that! When you came on board you smiled, like you were so happy and then you cough blood everywhere. Syren and Menya wouldn’t let anyone near you for days, not even your father. We thought you were dead Noir! Dead! It wasn’t funny.” Kayne wasn’t facing me. He body was shaking from the adrenaline.
I slowly stood from the bed and walked over to him. I wrapped my arms around his waist, laying my face against his back. I felt his body freeze at the sudden contact, but then he put his hands over mine.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you, I’m sorry.” I embraced him tighter, trying to hold on too not only a friend but myself, and who I was no longer going to be able to be anymore.
Then I started to cry.
Tewoeklon: Chapter One
“Noir! Noir, come on! You can’t keep ignoring this!”
I could hear Kayne’s strong voice boom through the thick, tall trees lining the coast of our small island home hidden within the open sea.
Through my shrouded hiding place in a tall palm tree, I watched my father and his crew load the Snyaria, his fastest ship. Since today is my eighteenth birthday I’m allowed, no, more like supposed to go on the small raids that provide for our people. I know it’s my duty being the daughter of the captain, but I’m afraid.
My mother died during a raid; I was only three at the time. Ever since, I have always dreaded having to go. I wouldn’t have even managed to get this close if Kayne and Kcara hadn’t pushed me into it.
“Noir, why are you in a tree?”
Darn, he found me. I looked down through the branches and saw Kayne standing shirtless and tired.
“Nothing, just watching you load the ship.” Kayne gave me a disbelieving look; his eyebrow practically vanished beneath his disheveled black bangs.
I sighed reluctantly, letting a small moan of irritation slip out. “Fine, I’m coming.”
I took hold of the rope I’d securely fastened to the branch above me and slowly eased my way down using the rough trunk to steady my body as I went. I could tell he was pissed at me, but he knew why I hid.
Before I even made it to the ground, I felt Kayne’s strong hands take hold of my waist and effortlessly set me on the sandy grass in front of him. He was obviously impatient to get going.
“Come on, we’re already late.”
“Alright…OW!” I gripped my head in pain.
“Oops, hold still.” His silly bracelet got caught in my hair again. I don’t know why he still had that thing He told me he found it, back when we were still kids, but it’s such a girly trinket for a twenty year old man to have.
“There, got it.” He smiled triumphantly while I continued to rub my poor, abused scalp.
Suddenly his happy face turned angry, his gentle, ice blue eyes were now glaring coldly at me.
“Noir, you need to cut your stupid hair.”
“What!? Why should I!? You told me I had pretty hair!”
“I was 13! Noir, it’s a hassle and a problem. I bet your dad is going to say the same thing.”
I held my long, hip-length chestnut hair which I kept in a high ponytail using a few thin ribbons my mother gave me. It was all I had of her, well that and my hair which was the same beautiful color as hers.
I diverted my eyes from Kayne.
“Never. I’ll never cut it.” I whispered sternly.
Kayne growled in annoyance and left me, heading for the ship. I watched him walk up the plank used to board the ship when it was anchored near the shoreline. He was muttering to himself again as he began tying and re-tying the mast’s ropes. I hadn’t meant to hurt him. I knew that bracelet was important to him, but it’s not like I did anything…it wasn’t my fault.
I exhaled in defeat and quickly grabbed my bag, which was near the tree I had previously been perching in and ran for the Snyaria.
“Noir!” A young feminine voice called from behind me.
I skidded to a stop in the sand and turned. “Kca—OH!” Kcara smacked into me as she ran to tell me goodbye. Sand covered us entirely once we landed.
“Oops, sorry!” She herself off me and smiled apologetically with a silly expression on her game.
I stood up after her and noticed her short blond hair full of sand. I rubbed her head.
“Hey, what are you doing? I’m only three years younger than you!” She brushed my hands away awkwardly. “I’m not a kid.”
I smiled.
She looked at me sadly, and then wrapped her tan arms around my waist. I hugged her back, burying my face in her tangy, fruit smelling hair. She was like a little sister to me and I didn’t want to leave her behind. She knew I would be fine alone and decided not to come; she’s very experienced though and could have helped me but she wouldn’t change her mind.
“I’ll miss you so much.” She mumbled against my chest.
“Me too, sweetie.” I felt like I may cry but I held it back, though I could feel her tears seep through my clothes. We had only been apart five times since she first started following me around and the thought of probably never seeing her again was painful. But I released my grip.
I rubbed her head again, this time just for fun.
“Hey!” She whined at me.
I laughed.
“Noir, come on!” Kayne beckoned from behind me. I rolled my eyes, Kcara giggled at my hidden response.
“Yeah, I’m coming.” I shouted to him, in hopes of stalling a little longer.
“I’ll be back soon.” I smiled at her; holding her hands in mine.
She gave me a watery grin then looked to my right.
“Come on!” Kayne’s voice was suddenly behind me.
I felt his hands grab my waist and set me on his shoulders. His arm held me in place as I squirmed angrily but his arm was like iron. He leaned down and grabbed my bag from the sand and turned toward the ship.
“Bye Kcara, see you in a few weeks!” He called to her so nonchalantly, as though he’d never taken me captive. I rammed my fist against his chest and although he seemed not to notice I felt his body react to the pain of the blow. That alone gave me a little satisfaction…but only a little.
“See ya, Kayne! Don’t be too hard on her! She’s never done this before!”
The men on the ship laughed lightly, even Kayne, which only aggravated me even more. I crossed my arms against his chest and glared at him as best as I could in this position.
“Don’t be like that Noir. You’ll have Syren and Menya with you, so don’t worry about us guys.”
I exhaled, blowing part of my bangs up.
When we reached the deck, Kayne gently set me down and handed me my bag. “So
you ok now?”
“Sure.” I mumbled through my teeth.
He grinned at me. His ice blue eyes warm and seductive, like usual. I hated when he did that, it made it so hard to hate him.
“Noir!” Menya nearly pushed me into Kayne with her embrace.
“My you’ve grown Noiry.” Her smile covered half her face.
“Uh…you too Men.” I skillfully weaved out of her grasp.
Her poofy pink and green pigtails bounced around as she restlessly jumped around me. She had always been the happiest of my few elvish friends.
“Ooo, Noiry, I can’t wait for this trip. You, me, and Sy together again!” She took my hands and started pulling me toward the old captain’s quarters, which I heard was now a room for us girls.
“Sy, Sy come see! Noiry’s here!” Menya seemed to sing her call. She always had the most musical voice, even for an elf.
Abruptly Syren landed silently in front of us. Her golden eyes startled me, as though I had done something horribly wrong. It had been a long time since I had seen her blank expression.
“Hey Sy, been a while.” I said awkwardly.
She continued to scrutinize me. Her cyan colored hair danced around her delicate creamy complexion.
“Hello Noir.” She smiled gently and gave me a hug.
I embraced her tightly. I hadn’t seen her for nearly four and a half years and I missed her mysterious and caring personality so much. She was so very important to me…like my mother.
“Come, I have something to show you.” She grasped my hands tightly and leapt straight up. Her feet touched the mast and she securely held my waist to make sure I wouldn’t fall.
“Look.” She pointed toward the horizon. “Concentrate, Noir, you’ll see it.”
I tried very hard, so hard my brain was starting to hurt and just before I gave up I saw a small, stretched island with several buildings covering it.
“Did you see?” Her golden eyes shined brightly as she awaited my answer.
“Sort of.” I shrugged.
Her usual look of disturbing indifference took over. “Noir, have you been practicing?” Her calm voice became stricter.
“Yes…ish.” I quirked my brow apologetically as I looked at her. “I’m sorry!” I blurted.
She kissed my forehead lightly. “That’s ok. But I WILL make you work on it during the voyage.”
Swiftly she leaped from the beam and we landed on the deck again. After many introductions to the crew members and a quick hello to my father, we walked into the room deemed as ours and Menya jumped out in front of me.
“Noiry, this is your bed.” She led me to the largest of the three, with delicate, off white bedding and ice colored lace sheets hanging from the ceiling. They vaguely reminded me of Kayne’s eyes.
“Oh, it’s beautiful.” I gasped.
“Sy picked it out.” Menya beamed.
“Thank you.” I whispered.
She smiled softly, then turned and leapt out a window. She was never very big with hellos and goodbyes. I smirked knowingly.
“Noiry…” Menya sat on my bed and I followed “…are you sure you’re up for this?” Menya had been one of my best friends since we were both three before she decided to start going with the raiding parties. She knew all about my mother and remembered how hard it was for me to see my father leave on raids.
“Yeah, I’ll be alright. Don’t worry about me.” I reassuringly placed my hand on her knee.
“Ok!” She jumped up and pulling me into the center of our large room, turned me toward the many windows along the bow of the ship. “Wave goodbye, Noiry, because we’re on our way!” Her mood swings were so sudden, it was usually best to just go along with her. I giggled and did as she asked.
“Bye.” I said.
She chuckled then turned abruptly to the two doors to the room.
“Noir!! NOIR, get out here! Syren needs you!” Kayne’s panicked voice erupted from the deck, where sounds of combat started shaking the ship.
“What the hell, we only left the shore fifteen minutes ago?!” I shouted to Menya but apparently she had already gone out the window herself to help.
I shoved the two large wooden doors aside and saw Syren leaping backward as a large ax swung toward her. Somehow three large Tores had managed to get on board.
Tores were oversized, muscular men-like creatures that generally dwelled in caves on the other side of our island. The one currently attacking Syren looked about 7’ 5”, very strong and incredibly ugly. His nose was nearly nonexistent and his lower lip was huge.
“Dammit Noir, help her!” Kayne shouted as he forced away another, smaller Tore’s blade. Menya appeared beside him to help.
“I’m going! Sy, toss me Nirwen!”
While slicing the gut of one Tore, she skillfully slipped Nirwen and its sheath from her back and tossed it to me. I grabbed it a little awkwardly; it has been a long time since I practiced with Syren, and I quickly pulled the blade free to stop an oncoming ax from the remaining Tore.
“UH!” I screamed. I forgot how freakishly strong these guys were. My legs were bending beneath the pressure he was giving on my blade.
I tried slipping around him and slicing his back like Syren taught me, but gosh he is really strong! I barely forced the blade away and managed to slice through his right wrist. However he sent his blade crashing down on my again, flaying his blood spewing arm around crazily.
I suddenly heard the Tore gasp; then abruptly right in front of my face a bloody katana tip erupted from the Tores stomach, unfortunately covering my face in blood and fluids. I took advantage of his shock and forced away the large ax again, causing him to lose balance, and right before he fell I slid my several edged blade through his throat tearing the arteries and easily ripping straight through his vertebrae.
I turned around after watching the Tore choke on his own blood before his head fell off, the skin on the back of his neck barely holding it on. Kayne was breathing heavily with his katana held tightly in his hands. He smiled tiredly at me and I could see his ice blue eyes dance in the light of the sun. He had evidently helped me.
“You shouldn’t take on more than you can handle.” He laughed a little.
I scowled slightly with a little sarcasm in my eyes. “Kayne…” I stepped toward him, blood covered and trying my best to be seductive. “Thank you so much for saving me…” I brushed my fingers through his hair. I nearly laughed at his shocked face. Then…I thrust my knee into his groin. “But I can handle myself without you mocking me.”
He keeled over in pain but I could still hear him laughing between gasps. “Noir…you still get so upset when people help you…”
I sighed. “I’m sorry Kayne…I just…I can do things on my own.” I looked down at him, he still smiled at me. He knew I didn’t me anything by what I did but I couldn’t get over it. My emotions clouded everything. I turned away from him, from everyone and quickly walked to our cabin.
I locked the door behind me and laid my head on the carved wood of the door and sighed. “Stupid.” I then sauntered over to my bed, where I simply plopped down face first. I stayed there, unmoving, until the need to scratch the tips of my half pointed ears came over me. I sat up and ran my fingernails along the delicate skin, a strange habit that came over me often when I became upset.
“UGH…being part-elf is SO frustrating!” I yelled to no one.
Elves have always been the more mysterious of the creatures that populated our world. Exceptionally strong, agile, and hypersensitive; emotions are practically doubled in intensity as well. That is one thing I had the misfortune of receiving an abnormal amount of despite my breeding. It made little sense that someone with only half elvish blood would be so…emotional.
And I have never been very good at controlling myself.
“Noir.”
“Holy crap!” I gasped.
Sy stood quietly in front of me, not even a single drop of blood on her…of course. I smiled though I was still shaking from her sudden appearance.
“What is it, Syren?” I tried to calm my exceptionally fast beating heart.
“I simply wanted to make sure you were alright.”
“Yeah…yeah I’m fine.” I breathed.
“You know Noir…if you want more training, I can help you, with combat and controlling your elvish instincts.”
“Sy, I can do this on my own.” I started to get stubborn again.
She put her strong hand on my shoulder and starred directly into my eyes. “Noir, there is nothing wrong with asking for my help…or anyone’s for that matter.”
“Syren I can’t help it, the feeling is so powerful.”
“I know.” She smiled; her perfect, white teeth were so stunning. I may be part elf, but I’ll never be a radiant beauty like elves are supposed to be. “Now later today, Men and I are going hunting in the ocean. You’re the best swimmer of us all.”
I laughed a little. “Ok…but just to warn you it’s been a long while since I’ve hunted, I don’t know if I can hold my breath as long as I used too.”
“Well you managed three hours last time and I expect you will do just fine today.” She smiled again and took my hand. “Come on, time for some fun.”
End
