Exile (Book II in The Elder Origins series): Novella (7 page)

Jayden sensed her growing determination for an answer. “What is it?”

“Do you think we could create more like ourselves if we desired it so?” she asked.

“How would we do that?”

“In the same manner in which we were created. We consumed poison from the Vam-pyr-ei-ak people, a conquering people of our like nature, for months,” she said.

“I told you I knew not of its origin, it was only a poison they placed in those waters. We could never recreate it.”

“We may not need to. Our blood alone now contains whatever passed through it. Is it not like how a plague spreads?”

“So you want to feed others your blood? For months no less? And how would you control their thirst once they consumed their first taste of blood as we did? And who will watch over them as they sleep through the height of the sickness?”

Madison stopped and looked away in frustration.

“Is there no way we can inquire as to how the healer aided us?” she asked.

“It would not matter,” he said. “Even if we could communicate better with him and learn his ways, he is of their holy people. We could not channel the same spiritual aspect that he does. And why for god’s sake would you desire to create more like us? They would only create chaos and panic. I did the same before you brought me here. I could not contain my thirst. I attacked anything and everything with a beating heart, human and animal alike.”

“I am simply trying to understand, Jayden. If more of our creation were made, then the Vam-pyr-ei-ak would have a legitimate reason to fear us and demand our immediate death. Man alone could not conquer a land as vast as this so quickly.”

“We must agree never to attempt it, mistress,” he said. “We are alone in this world, the two of us. Our survival was mere happenstance, but we can rejoice in their failure to bring us to the slaughter as they did the others,” he said.

“I would never endeavor to create more of our own. It would only result in chaos, as you stated, sir. I am only recognizing the irony that now exists. They were trying to defeat the coming of white men to their shores, and in doing so, they created a species that cannot be stopped from doing so if they wished it.”

“It will never happen,” he said harshly. “We never create more like ourselves nor shall we attempt it.” He spoke as though he was laying down a law between them.

“You think these people safe then?” she asked. “The Vam-pyr-ei-ak had it wrong?”

“No, I think these people are already dead, Madison,” he said sternly. “I saw it in the emotions of the Vam-pyr-ei-ak. They sensed their own end; they just assumed the first coming of our people was the one to be feared.” He looked directly at her. “This is what white men do, Madison. Since the time before Christ, they conquer. They devour new lands, and conquer them. Whatever happens to these natives will happen regardless of whom or what does the pillaging. The English, the French, and more from lands farther than you or I know will always look for new lands to take for their own glory. We cannot possibly hold ourselves responsible for what is to come. Nor can we attempt to stop it without causing further bloodshed. We can only protect ourselves.”

“Then we are to run?” she said.

“Not run, mistress, to live. We continue to thrive in any way possible. We can stay in places for as long as necessary or as long as we see tolerable. Then we move forward, just as we are now.”

Madison felt as though she should change the subject. When thinking realistically, she knew that the option before her was the only reasonable one available to her. “When do you suggest we make way for England?”

“The people here wear fewer pieces of clothing with each day, so I imagine it is growing warmer. The tribe will migrate to warmer lands. And I don’t think you want to burden them with cutting themselves further. Nor do I wish to seek more blood elsewhere. We should likely leave as soon as possible, within the next week at least. We can sail as far as we see fit, then swim the rest of the way.

“Can our bodies sustain such a long journey should we be forced to swim most of the way?” she asked.

“They have thus far. It may be a long recovery, but I do believe us capable.” He looked at her again. “Winter did not affect our bodies in the slightest from the cold. I see water as being no different.” He stopped for a moment, reaching for her wrist.

“We can do this, mistress. And if we succeed, we can overcome anything that may approach us.”

“I don’t know how to leave with the knowledge that these people will eventually meet death by our persons,” she said solemnly.

Jayden looked at her, trying to instill calm within her as he held her wrist tighter. “I leave it to you mistress to feel responsible for their well-being, and all the guilt encompassed with white men eventually taking these shores. And perhaps you can one day return to fight them off one by one. But right now, I want you with me.”

Madison was filled with obvious doubt. She liked the thought of Jayden wanting her company, and yet she couldn’t help but feel fault for what was to come. These people she had grown to care for were by no means her family, but they needed protection.

“You feel blame for what has not yet occurred.” Jayden felt her emotions radiating from her. “For once in your life, Madison, think of yourself. “Even if more are to come to these shores, it will not happen for centuries. People thought our journey from England mad. It will be ages before more are willing to venture as far as we have.”

“One can hope,” she said softly, allowing him to take hold of her hand.

“Besides, by that time I suspect you will have found a way to defend them,” he said smiling. She knew that he was being sarcastic, if not smug. But the thought appealed to her. It would be justified to find a way to protect them for their having safe guarded her when she most needed it.

Jayden went to rest for the remainder of the night. Madison stayed out to watch the men on the edge of the camp keeping guard. It was an hour before she allowed herself to relax. She lay upon the ground, permitting her senses to overcome her once more. She tried to listen farther, but in a new way. Staring at the sky and the vast array of stars and colors before her, she listened for any sound that may protrude from it. There was none. The expanse before her didn’t utter a sound. The sky appeared empty from any sign of life. She wondered for a moment if she would hear the resonances of the heavens she had always known to preside in the skies. Now it appeared as ominous in its silence as the journey that lay before her.

She knew Jayden would not share in this suspicion. He could sense her anxieties, as slight as they were. And yet she knew it more important that she be on her guard.

Chapter 4

A week passed as Jayden left daily to prepare the ship for their departure. Madison graciously took the gifts the tribe gave her as a token of appreciation. Although she could tell from within them that they were more relieved by her approaching return to England than they were saddened by it. The healer and his kin were the only ones to show her any immediate benevolence. She took this receiving of gifts as a sign of their cultural traditions, and not their desire for her to remember them fondly. Their furs and skins to keep warm were beautiful, but her body no longer required them for comfort.

Jayden took the few arrows and bow that they provided. They even gave a portion of their meat to sustain them for the journey, although Madison insisted on only taking a small portion of it. She and Jayden didn’t need food to replenish them as the tribe soon would. Jayden gave them more smiles and nods of gratitude than she had ever received from him. But she sensed that he was sincerely grateful for their aid. It was because of them that he was able to return home.

The healer gazed at Madison as he brought her a small clay container. It had been engraved and painted in vibrant blue and yellow by his wife, who stood just behind him wrapped in skins for comfort. They both looked at her warmly as he presented the gift to her with both hands. She took it just as he had presented it to her, with both her hands, and tried to get a sense for what it was. The healer knew whenever she searched for a reason behind something. His aura slowly penetrated hers as she stepped closer to him.

Her hands turned to ice as she touched the container in his hands. She hadn’t endured a sensation so strong since she felt the river beneath the falls crash against her body the first time she leapt from the ravine. She instantly withdrew her hands from the container. The aura around her healer deadened. She felt nothing. Not his emotions, not the calmness he had given her, simply nothing. It was the essence of numbness. As lifeless and unmoving as it was, it was still a profound sensation.

The wife took the skin from her back and placed it over the container. She gracefully wrapped it and handed it to Madison. She cautiously took it and felt the aura of the healer gradually coming back to her. It enveloped her with a warning of what was to come. He took his hand and motioned for Madison to set the container down. Taking her hand within his, she felt her emotions protruding him.

There would be others. That was the only true premonition that he could concede to her. They would procreate their own kind. Not instantly, but eventually. Whether they chose to or not, it would indeed happen. And the container, there was a substance inside that she was to keep with her in the tiniest of amounts. It was meant for herself and Jayden, and perhaps others they would find worthy in the time to come.

‘What possible need should I have for complete numbness?’

The wife took two pouches strung upon thin chains of skin. They were necklaces. Madison could sense the substance inside the pouches as well. She took the necklaces and wrapped them around both her neck and Jayden’s. The healer never let go of Madison’s hand.

‘There are men of spiritual ways around you,’ he said. ‘They will be able to find you. And when they do, this will protect you. They will not sense your presence or your immortality as long as you wear it. Use it sparingly and you and your companion will remain safe.’

Madison drew back slightly in shock of what he had said. He had spoken clear English. And yet Jayden didn’t react.

The healer let go of her hand and walked away, not looking back. His wife followed in his path and they entered their tented home just feet away.

“Did you hear that?” she asked Jayden.

“Of course I heard it,” he said. “Bloody good it will do us not knowing their language.”

Madison vaguely understood as she looked to where the healer had once been standing. Only she was meant to know what he said. Jayden couldn’t understand, or perhaps he wasn’t meant to. She remained uncertain.

That was the only farewell she would receive. It was meant to be swift. Madison wondered if the healer understood her words ever since she first arrived.

Jayden placed the gifts in a sack from the skins they received and tied them around his back. Madison took a few and did the same. She walked through the path opened for them by onlookers to make their way to the woods. After giving so much of her time and effort to know these people, to learning their ways, and after seeking their acceptance, they were allowing her to leave with Jayden. She could never truly be one of them as she thought she might have wanted. Leaving was her only true option in the end. She was still an outsider to them.

Madison briefly glanced into each of their eyes as she passed them, searching for some hint of sorrow at her passing beyond their borders within moments. She found none. Their helpfulness was in hopes that she may find a future better suited to her, but not amongst their people. She was still a threat.

As she walked away, she understood Jamison’s final words to her. She would never be able to choose what would stay in her life and what would fade away. A life could never have been built to withstand the test of time with these people. And Jayden had been right as well. After what they had done, and after what they had become, she was alone. She was an outsider to all humans. Little else crossed her mind as she stared at the woods before her, listening for Jayden behind her as she walked. As soon as they disappeared into the brush Jayden sped away, allowing Madison to lead their steps. If she were still human, she knew this would be the moment where she would silently weep as they left a place she had found comfort in for a time. But now she only felt acceptance. It would take something more powerful than rejection to bring grief to her eyes. She merely accepted it as she had everything else. She was still unsure if this ability was a considerable strength or a weakness.

Jayden followed her through the forest and along to the scent of the ocean miles away. They leapt over the cliff’s edge and into the water, making their way to the ship Jayden spent a decent amount of time repairing. It moved steadily in the water at anchor. Madison broke the surface of the water beside him and nearly gasped when she saw the ship.

“How did you get it into the water again?” she asked.

“I didn’t really. The tide came forth and I merely gave it a few shoves.”

She glared at him.

“Alright then, mistress, quite a few generous shoves. Is that enough for you?” he said sarcastically.

She looked to the shores just behind them. He nearly tore the beach apart trying to get it into the waters. The sand gave way to what resembled a jagged crevice.

“I could have helped you, sir, if you would permit me,” she said sarcastically.