Doira'Liim (The Beautiful Whisper of the Goddess Saga) (31 page)

     Smiling as she watched her dark fingers move over pink lips, she knew that, even if she and Arizira had not shared their feelings with one another, either verbally or physically, that did not negate their emotions in anyway.

     Arizira would not hurt her. Ever. Talliea knew that. She was safe with Arizira. As she watched her sleep, she vowed to herself  she would never let any harm come to her Ahmanae. Arizira was the most precious thing in her life. She was the only thing worth saving and protecting. Even if it meant she herself came to some harm or worse, she would never allow Arizira to be in pain.

     The vow inspired her and, for once, she realized she had something to live for; someone to live for. Arizira stirred and the sound of her stomach growling sounded around the two of them. Silvery blue eyes fluttered and then opened. A small and happy smile spread across her face before she spoke.

     "Hi," she rasped. Talliea smiled herself, already lost and drowning in the blue eyes looking up at her. "Hi," she breathed, her hand now cupping Arizira's cheek.

     The two of them were silent for a moment, both allowing their eyes to just drink in the sight of the other. "I think your stomach is trying to tell us it is hungry," Talliea said, her smile still present.

     Arizira giggled and moved a hand up to cover the one on her cheek. Turning her head, she placed a gentle kiss on the inside of Talliea's wrist before turning back to stare up at her. "Well, that is one appetite I can sate, at least."

                                                                      *  *  *  *  *  *

     Some time later, the two of them were both preparing their meal. Arizira was stewing a mixture of vegetables over the fire pit while Talliea sorted through their stock of dried meats, berries, and nuts. Her thoughts were contemplative as she worked.

     "Ari?" Arizira stirred the carrots and potatoes in the pot before her and added another leaf of the spice she was using. "Yes?" she answered.

     Talliea looked up and her expressive face was dark with some deep thought. "I can not be without you," she said without preamble, her voice both true and heartfelt. The statement was spoken with great earnest and it immediately caught Arizira's attention. Setting the mushroom in her hand aside, she turned her head in a curious manner and looked into her companion's eyes.

     "You do not have to be," she said softly. Talliea shook her head, biting the inside of her lip, and took a deep breath. "We know not what we are doing, Ari. I have forsaken my people, but I can not ask that you do the same. You were only going to journey with me through the winter months. You were going to teach me to survive."

     Understanding dawned on Arizira and she felt a sinking sensation drop into her stomach and sting her insides. She had become caught up in Talliea and the knowledge of who and what Talliea was had become lost to her.

     Their two peoples were enemies. Even now, Arizira's people were likely scouting the Esu settlement and drawing plans for a raid once the spring arrived. As for the Esu, they were completely unaware of the danger lurking in the woods. Though Arizira had no love for the Esu, she did not think she could condone an all out war without even the mention of peace talks.

     Talyn was a wise and level-headed leader, but absolute power did not reside soley with her. If a vote was called and put forth, and the other Elders decided on preemptive action, then war would take place and Arizira and Talliea would be caught in the middle. The Esu would not stand a chance against Arniran warriors and hunters. What would happen to the women and children or the men who surrendered?

     There were too many questions and Arizira was not the one to answer them. She was not a leader among her people, nor was she one to ponder upon such delicate matters. "I can not be without you either, Tah-li. We share a bond now," she said and her voice was soft.

     Talliea swallowed the lump in her throat and looked at Arizira. Her eyes were dark and unsure. "Then what are we to do? I cannot ask that you spend the rest of your days hiding in the forest with me. Your people would feel your absence, Ahmanae, and I will not have you being without those that you love."

     Arizira wanted to interject and state that, by being with Talliea she would be with the person she loved, but she refrained and only nodded her head in understanding. "I told you that I would not leave you, Tah-li. That has not changed. My people are aware of your people's presence. We have been aware since before a camp was made. I was sent to scout the area. Whispers had come to us from the spirits of the forest of newcomers. My
Nai'iris
," she paused seeing the look of confusion in Talliea's eyes, "my...leader, had tasked me with learning what I could."

     Talliea was quiet for a time, her mind going over everything Arizira had just told her. She had strongly believed that the Arnira were aware of her people, but Arizira had just confirmed matters for her. They had been spying on her clan and relaying information. How much did they know?

     "The night we met...you had been watching us?" she asked. Arizira made no gesture of affirmation. Her eyes told Talliea everything she needed to know. "You told your leaders of our presence?" Again, Arizira said nothing.

     Talliea sighed and wondered why she even cared. Her people had never done her any favors. She was not upset with Arizira. The woman had only been doing what she could to protect her own people. She was, however, upset with herself. She had allowed herself to become so lost and caught up with Arizira that she had managed to forget there was another reality to deal with.

     Her people would never accept Arizira. They would sooner kill her than offer her any hospitality. She wondered if Arizira's people would be more understanding of their relationship or if they, too, would be blinded by past animosities. What were the two of them to do with the threat of war on the horizon?

     "I do not care what you were doing the night we met. I do not care about the past o-or about what myth says. I want no part in this cycle of hatred. Hate and anger and the chains of bondage have ever held sway over my life. The only thing I wish to give a care to is you, Ari. Whatever happens, I know, without a doubt, that I can no longer walk the path of my life without you."

     Arizira smiled, the gesture spreading across her face so quickly that it stilled Talliea's heart. "The path you walk is now also my path,
failira
. We shall continue it together. I told you that I would remain with you through the winter. I shall do that. What plans we make at the dawn of spring shall be decided together. Our two peoples shall eventually come through the mist and fog and learn fully of the other; that seems likely."

     Talliea nodded, all thoughts of food now lost to her. "Once the spring arrives," Arizira continued, "if you wish it, I can return to my people and request amnesty on your part. You are Esu, Tah-li, but you are also a woman. The Elders may be willing to grant you asylum in return for information on your people."

     Talliea held Arizira's gaze. Her mind felt overwhelmed. Could she truly be a traitor to her people? Could she turn her back on her own mother and the people she had grown up around and with? What loyalty did they deserve? She cringed and tried to slow the pace of her thoughts. Why did matters have to be so complicated? All she wanted to do was be with Arizira. Did that desire come with so great a price?

     She wished no part in what their peoples chose to do. It did not matter to her. Only Arizira mattered, but how could they be happy with their people possibly being at war? If she was granted a place among the Arnira, could she and Arizira honestly be happy together? Would the other women of the tribe view her with contempt or worse, treat Arizira differently because of her? She did not speak the Arniran tongue so communication would rely solely on Arizira. The Arnira were nocturnal. How was she supposed to adapt to such a drastic lifestyle?

     No, she did not think living with Arizira's people was in her best interests. Despite not wanting to be separated, she knew there had to be another alternative. But what?

     Arizira was still watching her intently, her glowing eyes acting to calm the upset in Talliea’s heart somewhat. "I just want to be with you," Talliea whispered in a heartfelt tone. "I did not ask for my people to hate yours or for yours to want to remove mine from the valley. I asked for none of it. I-I did not ask for these feelings I have for you, but they are the one thing that brings me joy instead of upset. I do not know what to do. All I do know is that I can not be separated from you. It would kill me."

     Standing and walking around the fire, Arizira sat next to Talliea and wrapped her arms around her in a tight and secure hug. She threaded the fingers of her left hand into Talliea's dark hair and cradled her head against her chest. "You will not be separated from me, nor I you. Whatever happens, Tah-li, we will decide on our course together. Do not let your thoughts be troubled any longer. An option may yet present itself before the winter passes."

     Talliea, her arms wrapped around Arizira's waist and her head resting against her chest, only nodded and tried to believe the words being spoken. Arizira held the back of her head in a tight embrace and she felt a kiss being placed in her hair. Tilting her head up, she looked into Arizira's mesmerizing eyes and leaned forward to press her lips against her chin in a tender kiss. "You are the best thing to ever happen to me, Ahmanae, and I will do everything I can to keep you next to me."

     Arizira smiled, her eyes searching Talliea's and finding only truth, before lowering her head. Her nose dragged down Talliea's until their lips were only centimeters away from one another. "I will never leave you," she whispered before kissing Talliea slowly. Her lips did not move in a rush. This kiss was not about passion or lust. It was about emotion and love. It was about cementing their promises to one another.

     She pulled back, smiling softly, before leaning in again and kissing Talliea a second time just as slowly. Their lips met in a series of small, short, but intense caresses. The taste of mint danced on their tongues and, if possible, they felt even closer to one another.

     The future was unclear to both of them. All paths they could think of held the possibility of disaster or heartache. Despite that, they each knew they could not live without the other. However things came to pass, both women were intent on remaining together.

Elsewhere...

     "It is about time you showed up. These nights are cold and I am not as young as once I was."

     The wolf circled the small and frail looking woman sitting in its den. A blazing fire cast the woman's face in various shades of orange and red, but her light purple eyes were clearly visible. Avoiding the flames of the fire, the wolf, its coat a startling white and its eyes an icy blue, came to sit next to the woman.

     Cynra raised her hand and placed it on the wolf's large head. Scratching behind its ears, she sighed and stared into the fire. "They have stopped being young and stupid and given into their desire, hm?"

     The wolf lowered itself to the ground and dropped its head into Cynra's lap. The heat from the fire was welcome. "Good, good. Events are moving quickly now. They will be stronger together. There is no turning back."

     Yawning, the wolf made a noise in the back of its throat before returning its gaze to the fire. "Next time you go out, you could bring an old lady something to eat, you know." Cynra said, hand still scratching the fur of her companion's head.

     The wolf closed its eyes and settled closer to the small woman. The wind picked up and the sound of a slow progressing rain sounded as it met the foliage of the forest. It was going to be a long night.

                                                        Chapter 22: Taetylona's Vision

     "What do you see, old woman?"

     Lao'dahn hovered over Taetylona with an air of superiority and impatience. The smoke wafting around him only proved to choke him despite the overhead release the vapors were reaching toward. Taetylona had been sitting around the smoking incense for nearly half an hour and had yet to speak of anything to him. It was increasing his impatience and setting his temper to new heights.

     "Hmm...yes...it is clear. This...is...yes," Taetylona's words alerted him and he bent down to be closer to her. Balancing his weight on his knees and placing his elbows over his thighs, he looked at the old woman intently. Though her eyes were closed, Lao’dahn had a feeling she was aware of his gaze.

     "What is it? Speak!" he demanded.

     Taetylona opened her eyes and met his hard face. Her wrinkled brown skin seemed to be enhanced by whatever ritual she was engaged in and her eyes appeared even more worn. She was dressed in a heavy skirt and blouse with a thick shawl thrown over her broad shoulders. Her unruly black hair was interspersed with various shades of white and gray while her eyes were an unusual pale light brown. She did not wear much in the way of adornments, but for a small leather satchel at her hip which she used to hold important reagents.

     Like most of the Esu, Taetylona was tall and stoutly built. Age had not affected her body as much as it had her appearance. Looking into Lao'dahn's dark and pitiless eyes, she knew the man before her was a justicer of his own making and belief. He was without compassion or empathy and viewed the world as his to bend as he wished. She did not know what his intentions were, but whatever they were she knew they could be for nothing good.