CHRONICLES OF AADYA

Episode Thirty-one

AADYA

For more days we traversed across spans of great grass plains, through thick forests, and over roaring rivers. Bellamy had again told Gunnar that we have nearly reached their land, yet I wasn't certain if it was to calm him as the young lad had consistently raised the exact question multiple times or that we were truly near the land.

"Brother..." Alisdair mumbled and soon held his horse still and so did Bellamy who was before ours which drove the horse I was on to follow. On its own, my body instantly turned to look at Alisdair in a query of our sudden stop "It's all right" Came off his response as he soothingly stared at me before his eyes rose across my shoulder to the wood before us.

"Precisely..." Except instantly I turned forth to the wood before he could finalize his utterance and behold a glimpse of a young maiden who raced through the near woods and abruptly ceased before Bellamy. "...Bellamy's sister" I hear Alisdair whisper to me.

I was much concerned about where she had raced from at such velocity that I hardly caught sight of her blurry form until she calmed. Her chest slightly heaving up and down. She appeared to be seventeen or possibly eighteen years old, her light ash brown hair plunged over her shoulder embracing the robe that belted down just below her knees. Her head lifted as her deep set of eyes fixed completely on Bellamy. Her countenance was a bit complex as I wasn't certain if she was furious or optimistic though without any delay Bellamy dismounted from his horse.

I was a bit startled by how he was abruptly punched right in the face on getting to her, although her temper momentarily altered as he enclosed his arms around her. She snuggled in, "You promised" I wasn't infallible of how I could hear that tiny whisper escape her sore throat.

"Shh... I'm sorry" Bellamy whispered while fondling her hair as he clasped her against his chest, a hug of strong arms that tells everything that your body, brain and soul - that they are with you. In these moments of togetherness, they were at the centre of their own divine vortex.

She pried away and then gazed peeringly at Alisdair and when I glanced at the male he wore a smug smile and proceeded to dismount "Come here" His smile grew wilder as he summoned, arms stretched out. Without any wavering, she launched and nestled into his broad chest. She was little though a part of me desired to be the one guided completely against his chest. A spark drafted through my heart as I succumbed to my inner thoughts.

Soon she snooped away, narrowly lifting her face in our direction though her gaze eventually resolved on me and collectively I stared back at the young maiden while still on the horseback. Her expression mildly settled “I'm Tryst” She introduced moving energetically to the side of the horse. “If not for my brother’s inadequate manner of upholding a pledge, I would have been more opportune to meet you before now” She let out a charming smile, however, she was pulled back by Bellamy before she could utter another word.

“Nice to come upon you, Tryst. I'm Aadya” came off my response.

“We-” Her words were interrupted by Bellamy's palm over her mouth before the fella shifted her toward his horse.

“Are you all right?” Alisdair appealed as he moved nearer to my side, his eyes offering a distinct emotion, more like he was questioning if I would be comfortable meeting with his people.

Slightly I nodded “I'm all right” I assured him even though I was a bit nervous.

“All right” He let a quick smile tug up his face. He turned to Bellamy who had at one point ascended Tryst on the horseback before he followed suit. I tried to relax as our horses once again proceeded through the woodland and I restrained myself from looking behind at Alisdair. I can't deny the fact that at this point I just needed him closer to my side like a shield. Regardless that he had assured and cheered me, it still doesn't take that scared little girl that believed no land would want her. In all his attempts, the chill up in my spine still wouldn't go away.

The adequate silence by the time we drew nearer was a bit confusing. It was late afternoon and yet not even the slightest sound of kids playing was heard and so I was beginning to get more on edge. Far here in the deep eastern grasslands, holds the home to the two wolf blood I have come to know, pitched and scattered around were heavy fur tents, small wood cottages, and backed against some corners were few rock formations that hung heavy to the ground. They were all clean and well-kept, and the buildings and tents were of good quality. It was obvious that the people here wanted nothing to do with the outside world as everything came off as unique and lifelike. My eyes darted back at Alisdair on seeing the crowd of the populace a few lengths from where our horses had halted. I was slightly aghast at his expression as he came off a bit tense while dismounting from his horse and Bellamy came after.

He peeked at me, silently telling me not to worry and then began to move closer to the crowd and in return, a more chiselled fella emerged from the crowd and began to approach him. I felt Gunnar tense up at the drastic sight and abruptly I gasped as the new fella unexpectedly landed a harsh fist on Alisdair’s face which caused him to stagger back before holding his balance as he endured the pain.

My grip on the horse sash tightened as I focused solely on him though he never looked back. I observed as he rubbed the back of his palm across his mouth. “That is what you earn for rendering Father unnerve” The fella let out and then landed another fist on Alisdair the moment he had only refocused “And that... That is for the people”

“Now come here, brother” The fella called and momentarily brought their forehead together, his palms fixed on either side of Alisdair’s head as they silently transmitted and once they released from each other's grip the crowd’s spirit altered. Alisdair moved to hug an old fella while Bellamy brought his head together with the new fellow. And after the distinctive expression, the fella moved towards me before extending his hand. I immediately took notice of his red eyes, they were just like hers though not glowing. For a while I was held captive by his unique eyes which retained much power, though yet again I recollected myself, my gaze searched for Alisdair and his slight nod allowed me to place my palm on the awaiting one and was guided down the horse.

After Gunnar had dismounted, the fella brought me before the old man Alisdair had embraced. “Father” He sounded off and the old man watched me as though I was a mystery, his hand came forward and gently touched my cheek.

He smiled at me, except his eyes held an emotion I can't figure out. “Thank you” Came forth his utterance which I was a bit confused about though nodded. Few men began to surge forward to welcome the two werewolves, mostly older men and so they proceed to welcome me, their touches were often fleeting and done with a glance of trepidation at Alisdair and the new fella.

Their exuberance was contagious, and I found myself smiling brightly as Alisdair and Bellamy dropped to their knees only to be tackled by some children. There were hugs, jubilance, and cheers shared freely.

Unlike Alisdair who was handled as if he was common property, only a few people reached out and touched me. And when they did, it was mostly a woman and it was usually in reverence, almost worship. As though I was sacred. Though the children were a different story. I was virtually pulled in every part, which was an amusement to Alisdair. I spent a few moments letting myself be pawed, practically my hair, which came off as an oddity to this land as they all harboured silvery, ash-brown, brown and black hair.

I was gently pulled to the side of the fellow I now assume is Alisdair’s brother by the time a few fellas approached. I looked up at him only to glimpse the glare the men were met with. It was of utter hostility and I might have even heard a deep-throated growl. And then he signalled and calmly shoved me to a lady. “Come my dear” She urged.

Eventually, I was offered a dress to change into by the lady and shown to the washroom. It was a long deep in the water as I needed all the time to rest my muscles. She brought me a vessel filled with a peculiar kind of soup that I have now come to consider the best soup I ever had in my life, it was beyond refreshing. By the time I returned to the room I had earlier left my belongings in, I was met with Alisdair’s swooning gaze. “My apologies about that,” He said softly and seized a step closer.

“No. It was... Pleasurable” I returned and my eyes lifted to his face only that there was no trace of any bruises as I had brooded. “Your face...” I ceased, having no words to complete the query I initially aimed at. I aimlessly chewed my inner lips before taking my bottom lips in between my teeth as I perked up at him.

He puffed slightly “That? It healed... Except he broke my nose again, and again it healed” A smile rushed warmly across “Though I'm expecting one more” He informed and my brows drew together.

“Why?” I whispered.

“He was worried, even though he won't admit” He muttered and came further close and then gently pushed away the hair that fell to my face “Though not to worry” He assured me as if that could keep me from worrying. I would've foremost passed out and ultimately end up in a tomb if I was hit with such stability as he was.

He was silent for a while, except not his usual silence. Tentatively, he studied me, catching every atom of an expression I made “I had promised myself I would reveal something to you once we arrive. It is something I am yet to comprehend how it came to be” He watched me with so much empathy

“Your mother is alive, Aadya”