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Thank you for reading. ^-^
I honestly am getting the hang of writing things quicker. However, if you find faults feel more than free to point them out.
Quick question though, is the length of my chapters proper?
Sincerely yours
/Goedleimneidr
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Chapter 4
-A New Life-
There are actions and in turn consequences. Thus if I do not act then there should be no consequences. Albeit not true, it is something I childishly tell myself.
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Elain suggested we share the only bed as it is customary, something Rhia had always done with her. However, for me it would feel like sharing bed with a stranger. Dejected she began preparing a bed on the floor. Laying out furs on the ground by the hearth. Though forcing an old lady to sleep on the floor leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Thusly I demanded that I would sleep there instead. Elain would not have it of course and defeated I obliged with her previous demands. Somehow it felt like a ploy perfectly played by her as she victoriously climbs into bed.
The hearth fire surely, slowly dies down. Elain’s breathing relaxed and slow. She is fast asleep. The wind surge itself through every cranny making eerie sounds. Chris and I had shared the bed nights like this when we were very young. Sleeping together when I had bad dreams or simply were frightened. Later I grew up forced to somehow rely on myself. Father gave me what I needed to be strong and my older brother pawed the way. What would I not give to be with them now. The outside world seems so frightening. Eerie noises made, be it the wind or something else I do not know. Darkness slowly envelope the room and there is nothing else but a slight hint of shrouded blue. There is no way of knowing what time it is. Slowly rising from the bed I make my way towards the door. The ground, hard and cold as I step on it barefoot. A nightgown doing its best to cover me from the encroaching cold. Hard to believe that I inhabit a woman’s body. It is slender, petite yet it does not feel weak. Perhaps even stronger than I ever was before. My now long flowing red hair falling into sight as I look down on myself. The door is forced open and I look outside. Night sky marvellously filled with stars as never seen before. A huge moon gently brings light over the snow covered lands. There are two other stellar bodies in the sky, further proof that this is not home. It is surrealistic, as if I am walking in a dream. The wind blows harshly outside and my gown does nothing to aid the against the cold winter. Someone or something is watching me; my gut tells me such. Eyeing the field, I notice a pair of yellow glistering eyes. A large, inhumane dark figure standing on two long hind legs on the field. The wind moan and creak against nearby trees. Whatever that creature is, as in tune with the shifting wind turns and walks away towards a nearby grove. My feet, numb by the cold forces me to realize that doing this further risk permanent damage. That creature utterly terrified me even though I felt no ill intent from it. Hurriedly I shut the door and make my way towards the bed. Elain still soundly asleep. Frightened, terrified by whatever is out there I shift closer to her, covered in the fur that smell of dog.
Time fly by when you have fun but the opposite is as true as well. These last few days I have spent in hiding, hiding in Elain’s house. Forced into dormancy due to my feelings all being in turmoil. It is tedious as I tend to end up crying all the time. Be it due looking at my own reflection, thinking of home or dropping a spoon. Elain has been accommodating enough, taking care of me when there is practically nothing to gain from it. She does not question me when I break down but instead give comfort. Somehow, I feel that I have never gotten this level of support before. Yet, as all good things it must end someday.
Elain gently smiles as she prepares breakfast, a porridge of some sort along with choice nuts. This on my sixth day since coming here. “Rhia dear, I fear I must leave for a few days. It has been long overdue but I must visit an old friend of mine.”
With a spoon of porridge in my mouth I gasp. The spoon falls down to the floor as I stare at Elain.
“No need to be that worried about me dearest daughter. I can handle myself.” She laughs yet she does seem reluctant.
“Why now? Can I come along? I do not want to be left alone!” My voice panicked. The thing I saw that night, I have yet to tell her about it. What if it comes back? What if those men come back?
“I fear it would be best were you to stay Rhia. This area, so close by the shrine is safe.” She claims but considering who the shrine is made for tells me otherwise. Worry that my pillar, my only source of emotional support is leaving brings forth vivid emotions. Tears form as the thought of losing her violently stabs me. With haste I rise from my chair and make way to hug her. Hold her close so that she may never leave me. It is selfish, perhaps her friend is sick or whatever but I do not care. Right now, I need her the most.
“Please don’t leave me.” I cry into her shoulder. “I’ll be your daughter; I’ll do anything so please don’t leave me!” My fear of losing her growing ever stronger as I wail. e
Her hand gently pats my head giving me much needed comfort.
“My dear silly Rhia, you are my daughter and you will always be my daughter. You are strong and you will manage even if I were not here. It is however but for a few days so trust me, I will return soon enough.”
“No, please.”
“Rhia, I must. I am sorry but it is important that I do this now. Please take care of Ila for me in the meanwhile.” The cat Ila, as if understanding Elain rubs herself against my leg. Suppressing the urge to kick the cat away out of frustration but I manage somehow to restrain myself.
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Elain had left, surely she is gone. Deserted I slumped down on the floor by the door she had closed leaving me behind. She did not tell me who she was visiting, why or where out of worry that I would make my way there alone. Now I am all alone in her house with only her cat as companion. Ila licks my hand, rubs herself against it craving attention but I do not give heed. These past few days I have spent with Elain could have been spent better. Instead of hiding I should have talked to her. Asked questions about this world but it is too late now. The only thing I can do is hope that she will return safely.
My stomach rumble as I realize I have yet to finish breakfast. The porridge with nuts now lay cold upon the sole table in this house. Elain had not finished her bowl either. Did she prepare enough food for the voyage? Too preoccupied with myself I probably never took notice of her packing. With a defeated heart I finish both our portions with a soft sobbing.
Tired of hiding and doing naught I turn my attention to her bookcase. There will be days Elain must go away thus I must be prepared. She did say it would be but a few days now but who knows how long she will be gone the next time. Learning everything there is should be my top priority. Old leather bound books don the bookcase, all look mighty old but they are probably a great source of knowledge. Elain seem to have procured a whole lot of books but I, with a swift motion decide upon a book that look enticing. It is a book covered in red leather embroidered with a strange marking I have never seen before. The thought of what it could be filled with entices me. Its contents are revealed to me as I with a careful motion open up the first page. Unfortunately, it is written in a foreign language that I have no way of deciphering. To my great despair it would seem all books are written in this foreign language. Leaving a mess behind me I make my way towards the bed. Seeking comfort in the fur which remind me of Lucky.
Bawling for god knows how long.
The day slowly reach its end. My eyes darting about the now dark cave that is Elain’s house. Devoid of life, Ila and I cover under the furs due to the harsh cold of winter. It is dark and it is getting even colder than the days before. With a rumble my stomach force me to realize that I have not eaten anything other than breakfast today. I must prepare a fire to cook whatever there is to cook. Some warmth would also be nice. It should not be too hard considering how easy Elain make it be. Tumbling about in the darkness I decide to start easy. A porridge, the same she made this morning. Gathering dry firewood, I stack them in the hearth. Now to find something like matches to start a fire. There are sadly none to be had. How did she start a fire anyhow? It seems that part is omitted as I have never seen nor given it much thought before. How will I ever survive this hell? “Please come back soon.” I plead.
Defeated I consume some nuts I found stowed away as I failed to create a fire.
Morning come and my stomach is hurting, it is a gnawing hole screaming for sustenance. The realization that I may just die terrifies me. Elain might return home to find her daughter dead because I had failed to start a fire. No I must not give in to bad thoughts. There is some light now at least thus I can search for a way to start a fire. Searching for what seems forever, I find a small box by the hearth. It contains an iron like tool along with a stash of tinder. It did not take long to figure out how the tool worked. Like magic, some of the tinder I stowed under the firewood started burning. Sadly, it will take more than that to create a fire as the tinder simply burned away leaving the logs slightly charred. Defeated and desperate I cry again. Quite possibly I could use all the tinder to make one fire but that would be suicide. There must be a way to make the wood burn somehow. My thoughts wander, salvaging whatever knowledge I may have stowed away in my mind. Cursing school in my mind as I am hardly prepared to survive alone without technology. Why did brother teach me how to fight, not to survive? Then amidst my cursing a sudden realization hits me. Why not simply chop up the wood into smaller pieces? Then maybe, just maybe it will burn. Rhia’s dagger is just what I need. Her clothes and trinkets still stowed away in a casket. It did not take long to find what I need. With the dagger I cut small chips out of the wood. Cut larger parts into long thin pieces and with these I will build a smaller fire. With the tinder the fire gently starts and builds up as I slowly add smaller pieces of firewood to the fire. Overjoyed I cry for the first time since coming here tears of joy.
The meal I prepared was by no means good but it was something I have managed to prepare myself. A sense of pride wells up inside me as I eat a hearty meal. The warmth enveloping this place and it does not feel so lonesome any longer.
Considering the effort required to have a meal and even more so cleaning it up, I decide that I must prepare myself. This world will not take me down without a fight. The stash containing Rhia’s things are now required for my own survival. Rhia, I am ever so sorry should you ever return but I will alleviate your things. For the past days I have but worn the very same gown since I arrived. A dark, thick fabric donning my body that I somehow have grown accustomed to. The fabric is not so bad now that I have worn it a good couple of days albeit definitely not as clean as it once were. Elain being mindful had prepared a bucket with clean water. Undressing and with a wet towel, I wipe away the accumulated dirt on my new body. It is rather embarrassing but I must be thorough. It is definitely not as bad as the time I had to relieve myself for the first time.
My reflection stares back at me in the water but it is not as chocking any longer. Choosing a set of clothes, I dress myself properly in a dress in red and black. The leather armour is far too embarrassing for me but perhaps someday. It seems Rhia indeed have a lot of things prepared for daily duties. My hair all tangled I decide to brush it, fighting any tangles I come across. Having cleaned myself properly I once again look at my own reflection. Would say I do not look too shabby. Thank god that there is no makeup whatsoever in sight.
Feeling ready to fight the world I attach the dagger to my belt. The bow lay ready along with a quiver. There is no harm in bringing it along thus I attach it along the quiver on to the other side of the belt. With a bucket in hand I make way outside to gather snow. One can never be too cautious around here. Chris once told me “Big bubbles no trouble.”. Thus today’s task is to prepare water by boiling snow.
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