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It is I, Goedleimneidr!
Apologies beforehand for making you lot wait for another chapter. As mentioned, I do have real life commitments that may at times come in the way of writing. Hope you lot are not too angry with no release for 7 days. :3
Well as always, feel free to post your thoughts and know that I read all of them! They are my important source of writers nutrition. Although I do not need it to survive but it does make my day. *nodnods* However, I do not think I should respond to each and every one of them. If there is something you direly need answers to, feel free to message me.
Signed
/Goedleimneidr
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Chapter 8
-Emission-
Where else would I go?
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My steps bring me closer to the warmth emitted from Elain’s house. Comfort that is sure to bring relief from this cold reality is within my reach. A door is swung open as I approach on unsteady feet. It is indeed she waiting there by the opening. Elain with tears in her eyes swiftly move over to grab a hold of me, covering me in her warm embrace. She is quite taller than me, covering me whole making me feel so small.
“Where have you been child?” She says with a relieved tone caressing my head. It is enough to make me cry in her shoulder. All these pent up feelings within myself brought forth. “I am back.” Elain with her loving embrace guides me inside as I continue to sob.
Seated I watch her prepare a meal and her Ila softly purrs on my lap. It feels as if Elain never left this place. That it was but I that left like a rebelling child but only now decided to return.
“Now dear, do tell me what you have been up to.” She calmly says stirring the contents within a pot. It smells delicious, reminding me yet again that I am now safe. All my feelings let loose as I tell her everything that I have been up to since. That including the encounter with the strange being the first night here and my failure with the bow. How I was caught and mauled by a troll but cut my hair to escape. Even the encounter with the strange elders of trees along with elves and fairies. It remind me of the conversation I had with the elder tree. That I am of this world and that I was her daughter and still am. However, somehow I ended up living as Liam in another world by the act of some goddess of light that for some reason seem to scorn me. Although the old gods brought me back but that is if I am to believe whatever the elder tree said. It feels too surreal to be true yet here I am and this is the only valid explanation I have received so far. It feels as if I am loosing myself to my body yet I know that I am Liam. Whomever this Rhia was is no longer I. Either I somehow perhaps reincarnated in my world but was forcefully brought back here or perhaps my mother Rhia is from this world and I am her son. The latter sound more probable to me yet the trees seem to vouch for the former alternative. Perhaps the old gods decided to bring me upon not finding my mother? Regardless, either way would make Elain related to me as either my mother or grandmother. This brings me much needed solace as I am not alone without family here in this strange world. Even though Elain is somewhat a stranger to me but with time I may find peace with this.
“Weak.” A crisp voice brings me back from my thoughts. Turning towards the door I see a figure staring at me. Its black eyes perforate my world, staring into my very being. “Weak.” It repeats the same word again. Darkness as black as its eyes envelope my surroundings and cold seep into my bones.
“Stupid human, had I sadly not been tasked to see you safe then I would have left you all alone here to die.”
“Alone?” I ask myself as I look around the empty house. Elain is nowhere to be seen and the light and warmth all gone. Ila whom I had felt upon my lap earlier is gone as well. It is but I alone here with Dueilen by the door. Tears frozen on my cheeks and my whole body numb from the cold.
“Go lay yourself to rest. I shall care for you for now.” Dueilen says but this time without contempt or mockery in its voice.
“Thank you.” My voice barely brought forth.
“No thanks, it is what the elders would have asked of me. Rest now.”
Doing as it asks I slowly, shivering crawl under the furs in Elain’s bed. The furs colder than I am give no warmth. Dueilen swiftly prepare a fire far quicker than I ever could. With a few short words it leaves the house but I am too tired and sad to care what it said.
Tiredly I open my eyes as black eyes stare into mine. “Drink this.” Dueilen says. “It’ll help.” Something bitter enters my mouth as I am forced to drink some strange concoction but I care naught any longer. Am I really alone now?
The morning sun pierce through, the furs now warm and comforting. Somehow I feel invigorated and strong, is it Dueilen’s doing? Dueilen however sits idly by the hearth not moving whatsoever. It seems it has prepared a great deal whilst I rested. There are logs by the hearth, food and herbs neatly sorted upon the table and rabbits hanging flayed and ready. By my bed I notice a small bowl with burned herbs, perhaps incense.
However, the serenity disturbed as Dueilen’s voice break the silence. “You are alive, healthy and awake. It is good. This one’s duty is now accomplished.” It firmly stands up preparing to leave.
“No wait please. Thank you for your help Dueilen.”
“It is the elders wish to see you well for now. You are well thus I am done here.” It firmly says leaving no room for debate.
“No please wait. What should I do now? I am alone here please I need help!” I plead to the elven creature.
It turns to face me, its eyes pierce me harshly yet I decisively stand firm looking straight back. “Help? You have received far more help than you deserve and what you do now is up to you.” Its stare is cold and the tone far from friendly. “Your mother might not be coming back, she might be dead. Either wait here or leave to find others of your kin. Procreate, live and die at your leave. It matters not to me.”
Dueilen grabs its spear leaning towards the wall and moves up to the door yet I still stare firmly upon it. It looks towards me and with a sigh it says. “Do not take my actions as kindness as it is not. It is far from it.” It looks long and hard into my eyes that does not falter. “There is a group of humans to the northwest of here. What you would call brigands but they might take you in. To the south of here bordering the great forest is a small village for your kind. That might be the better choice for you.” Dueilen motions towards the table with assorted goods upon it. “There is enough food to last until spring comes and there are hides to sell. That is all I can do for you. Although the council has promised you their support, it is not much we can do from afar. Fare thee well Rhia, daughter of the woods, blessed by the elder and stupid human.” There is a slight smirk showing on Dueilen’s face as it leaves.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
“Thank you Dueilen.” I solemnly say.
There is no question on what I should do. The food Dueilen prepared will last a week or more thus waiting for Elain may be my best bet for now. She could teach me more about this world I now live in and I could perhaps accustom myself to a life here. Learn from her and perhaps gain a feared reputation as her successor. Should she not return then I must dare venture south to the village Dueilen mentioned. People will surely venture here in due time and I do not think I can fend them off should they bear ill intent. However I must take care venturing south lest I face whatever I saw that night many nights ago.
There is of course the brigands but it does not sound too intriguing. That considering those two that visited Elain many days past. Although even more so considering I am a girl now. Not knowing much about this world makes me fear the worst in men. The possibility of rape but one of the things I bear in mind.
Unfortunately, I do not have much to do around here. That encounter with the troll had cost me a bow and all of my arrows. Although I do have a new strange green bow but there are no arrows to be had which renders it useless. Thus archery practice is out of the question. My leather armour somehow made it through with some scratches to say the least. However, it should hold up were I to venture out again. Though I will have to take outmost care where I move around lest I invite a gruesome fate at the hands of trolls or worse. The mere thought makes me shudder. Now being a girl for real make me worry as men are probably lucky enough to be simply eaten or cooked in a pot. It might just be my assumptions and fear as I could simply face such a fate as well. However, I would not take any chances as the reaction the troll had to me escaping begs me to differ. The sight of it smelling my hair crying makes me think that it was either for hunting or due to affection and in this case I would guess the latter.
Although sitting idly here for a week sounds horrid as I might as well just die here then. Practice with the dagger might be my only option but what should I do then? Swing it in a direction a certain number of times sounds rather foolish.
“Is there anything I can do?” With a sigh I sprawl down on the bed looking up at the roof. Laying there idly it hit me, something I have always neglected. Physical exercise. With newfound energy I rise up from bed. Cardio might be a great start since I just might have to run away from everything I see. For now the path back and forth to the shrine might just do it. There is no reason not to bring my gear including my bow with me. Chris always said that it is better to exercise with the gear you most likely will carry with. Thus I might as well get used to carry it around. With a short warmup I begin jogging towards the shrine.
Panting I look upon the shrine and the doe stare blindly back. Whatever power it may have seem so insignificant now. The area still so cold but the cold is slowly giving way for spring.
“Hey, I’m back.” I manage to say but the shrine does not respond. “For what reason did you bring me here?” I ask patting the shrine knowing that I would get no response. “Well you have me here now and my attention with it.” But a cold stone is all I see. “You have taken everything from me. You’ve put me in this horrid world all alone and I am scared. Why oh why did you?” My fist hits the back of the doe as tears forms on my eyes. My fist finds it way weakly upon its back once again. “I know I shot you but are you happy now having punished me so? Now Elain’s gone and there’s nothing for me here but the jokes on you. The joke is on damned you Flidae. I just might join this god damn goddess of light.” Although my threats idle as I whimper, kneeling at the goddess side not knowing what else to do. “Please respond.”
A gasp is heard from somewhere nearby. A woman in a thick robe stand with a hand covering her mouth. She looks older than me but not by much. Her hair is brown and made into a bun on the back of her head. Is this perhaps a sign from Flidae?
“Witch, it’s the witch!” She exclaims as she darts away.
“No wait!” Instinctively I shout out. Startled she somehow fall down on the ground.
“Ah please don’t curse me, please don’t hurt me!” She whimpers as she crawls away on all four.
“I mean you no harm please wait!” I try to explain rushing to her side but not entirely sure what to do next. Poor woman is terrified of me. She whimpers covering her eyes as if merely looking at me brings misfortune. “Please, I am not a witch.”
“That’s what all witches say!” She exclaims with such powerful devotion. That logic however is quite something though.
“Then are you a witch?” I calmly ask her in a slight mocking manner.
“No?” She answers still whimpering.
“Ah we have a witch here! She claims she is not a witch but that is what all witches do!” I immediately shout out in an even more mocking manner. She simply stares dumbfounded at me. A few more seconds and it would be even more awkward than it already is. Perhaps I should say something but she laughs instead.
“You are not as frightening as the tales let on!” She exclaims still laughing. “Oh dear I thought you would curse me for sure!”
“Well I still am not whom you think I am.” Sighing I look at the woman before me. Her eyes are blue and she is by no means ugly albeit have a more common still pretty face. One would perhaps say she is a natural beauty. Offering her a hand I help her up from the ground.
“The tales did speak of an old hag living around here with warts all over her face. They claim she eats and curse people for merely looking at her. They say she frequents this shrine but none have ever seen her and returned!”
“Well I’m certainly no hag. Also, if they never return then how do people spread the tale and know what she look like? It is probably superstitious nonsense.” Although I know who she speaks of although rather exaggerated to further embellish the tale. Perhaps I should not strive to have her reputation after all albeit it does seem rather effective.
“Ah. I am ever so sorry! Please accept my apology.” She does seem genuinely sorry. Her demeanour still worried but less so now as she gently wipes away any dirt and snow from her robes.
“No harm done, I’m Rhia.”
“Rhia, such a beautiful name.” Her voice rather dreamy as her eyes pry me all over. It is rather uncomfortable being ogled like that. “Ah I’m Yvette pleased to meet you Rhia. Even more so that you did not curse me or anything.” She laughs in an awkward manner. “I do not mean to pry but you look like you’ve been through a lot. Your red hair is a total mess!”
My hand instinctively move up to touch my hair. “I had a run-in with a troll and barely escaped.” Her eyes goes wide upon hearing this.
“A troll?!” Her eyes dart left and right. “We must hurry and tell the others lest the troll might attack again!”
Hurriedly I interject. “There is no need to worry! It was days past and it was deep inside the forest.” I calmly try to explain motioning towards the forest however, it makes her even more troubled.
“You’ve been deep inside the cursed forest?! How was it there? Where are your companions? Is everyone dead? Don’t tell you went in there alone!” She hurriedly exclaims as her shock is definitely visible. It feels as if I am shaking her world upside down.
“It was stupid of me but I managed to get out safely. It was not that bad.” I meekly say but her worry does not alleviate.
“Stupid indeed, a woman venturing alone into the forest. What were you thinking?!” Yvette exhales loudly with a sigh. She eyes me for a few moments as if pondering on something. “Well we need to do something about that hair. Would you perhaps join me for supper tonight? You must be hungry!”
Well Yvette seem kind enough and I do want to learn more about this world. There are practically no demerits whatsoever. “I would love to.”