CHRONICLES OF AADYA

Episode Forty-three

ALISDAIR

The night brought such a hush that the crackle of the centerfire was all that could be attended to as the flames made their way upward toward the stars. I leaned against a tree trunk, collected, tranquil, adoring the one sleeping before me. Comparing the serenity of my heart with the serenity of hers, though I couldn't stop myself from the thought of what had happened and whether that would change her.

I watched her until the sky began to turn grey, a whisper of a new day, and then I came to sense the illness that had come upon her. Those tiny whispers she made though never woke up as the illness began to get worst.

Although she was ill, for four days we continued the journey with my hand clasped around her as we rode on the same horse. We came to settle on the night of the fifth day, her temperature getting higher and higher that it began to appear unnatural, but there was nothing natural about the entire circumstance.

"Look after her, I'll be right back," I tell Gunnar before setting my track further into the woods in search of herbs. If only Rudina was here, she would have come up with the proper herbs for her treatment. Though she wasn't the best, I'm certain that her condition would have improved if she was here.

Eventually, I came upon a plant I witnessed her use when her little boy fell ill. Taking out a few off their dwelling, I began to retreat.

Ripping a part of my pants, I drenched it with the remainder of the water from the water sack and then proceeded to position it against her forehead.

"Open her mouth" I urged Gunnar as I squeezed out the moisture from the herbs. A few drops fall into her mouth and Gunnar allowed her lips to seal.

"Would she be alright?" I could sense his eyes on me, I nodded, wiping off the little drop of tears that ran down her right side.

My eyes travelled to the now-empty water sack and I sighed. We are yet to come across any sign of water for two days now and–

Again I departed from them in search of water. Standing silently in the shadow of the night, I attended carefully to the sound of the forest and after a while, I began to surge in that path I felt more energy. A chill was in the air; I could tell that a storm was about to come. I pounded my feet across my paths, the ground blurring below me as I increased my pace hoping to return before the gods releases the downpour.

Though at a point, the aura nonetheless altered, a feeling of another presence. In an opening found only through some soul-searching, lies a log cabin. A cabin made from logs of oak. Focusing on the building ahead of me I abruptly came to a stop.

Slowly, I make my way toward the cabin, the stairs slightly creaking beneath my feet. Taking a deep breath of hope, I open the door which creaks as it pivots on its rusty hinges. I step inside carefully. Inside the cabin was a bit organized, with a fireplace radiating much warmth. Upon the middle of the cabin lies a bed covered in the softest cotton sheets and a large fur cover. Though I was yet to glimpse the presence I had felt from afar.

Suddenly the sound of the stairs creaking revealed a presence and then an aged woman came forth. She carried some plants and a lamp. Her silvery hair was long and lush, and her milky eyes looked confusedly at me. "Who are you, child?"

"My apologies. I'm Alisdair" I let out, the whispering of the storm getting more and more aggressive. "I mean no harm. I only came in search of help, I'm travelling with a sick one and I know nothing of medicines"

It was the only way I could resort to getting my love under a shelter before the rain let loose. And maybe she could also help her condition. The woman dropped the plants she had, placing the lamp beside them. "Where is the person you speak of?"

"Back where I had taken off from"

"Alright, go and return"

"My gratitude," I said before departing from the shelter at a high pace to be able to return before the downpour begins.

"Pack our things and get onto the horse" I urged Gunnar.

"Where are we heading to?" He asked though reaching to gather our properties.

Swiftly and gently I carried her off the place she was laid before Gunnar took care of the fur. Through the darkness of the night, we began to travel. The mournful cry of a lonely fox echoed through the now grumbling sounds of the trees. A huffing wind rose, stirring the small plants on our way, fortunately, we finally came forth before the cabin.

The host stood by the entrance with her lamp. She granted us access while I quickly carried Aadya into the small space with Gunnar following close behind and then I laid the ill one on the soft sheets as instructed by the woman.

The trees were constantly scratching the outer walls of her hut, swung by a howling wind that sneaked into the darkness of the room through a broken window. It was going to be a heavy downpour. The noise was actually soothing; better than sitting in maddening silence, really. Though that would have been a disaster if we were caught up in it.

The coldness of the air that settled into the room made Gunnar curl into a small ball. His arms wrapped around his legs as they screamed in need of more clothes and warmth, he shifted further to the burning fire as his body yearns to feel the rashness of it.

"Why did you wrap her in so much?" The woman's voice came forth and she began to unclip her garment.

I didn't respond, there was nothing I could say. She took off her cloak and then her garment, leaving only her inner garment.

"Take this" The woman offered me a soft piece of sheet "use it to wipe her body” She instructed leaving a bowl of water and then she disappeared behind a door. She returned with a small bowl filled with black condiments and began to apply them across my love’s chest and arms until the whole parts were covered with it before she goes on to feed her a portion of a different herb.

Aadya swallowed, coughing as the dose toured through her throat "She will be alright" The woman tells me dropping the container in which the recent herb was. "Allow the breeze to circulate her body, she needs it"

I nodded "Thank you," I say sincerely and my eyes drifted to Gunnar. He was already sleeping by the time, I sighed. The heavy buzzing of the rain is now gradually lessening, and the drops fade into a musical jingle. I leaned against the rough wall, perhaps the journey has come to its first peaceful night.

After a long while, I had finally fallen asleep, yet awakened by the sun ray that seeped through the damaged window. Gunnar was yet to wake, his fragile body curled together. I breathe in, feeling a little relieved as I felt Aadya’s temperature, it was normal. Normal for the first time since the incident, her skin had almost returned to its actuality, though damp from sweat.

I used the small sheet to wipe off the sweat, her lips were a little parched and her eyelids flushed. I took her arm into mine, gently rubbing my thumb against the back of her palm. She barely moved though I could already sense them and then Gunnar came with a few harsh whisperings before he finally woke up.

"A dream?" I asked.

He nodded and was about to raise when the aged woman turned up with a handful of herbs.

"How is the sick one doing?"

"Better than yesterday," I told her "Thank you"

She approached "No need to thank me" Placing a hand against Aadya's forehead "It is as you've said" She admitted before examining the rest of her body. "I will get this done quickly" she gestured to the herbs and I nodded.

For a night more we remained in the cabin and eventually we rise to continue our journey in the light of the morning. "Give her a spoonful of this before the sun rises and again when the sun is about to return to its home"

"Thank you," I said in much gratitude.

Aadya was yet to wake up but I believe she would, soon. I can feel it. Again, we rode our way through the unending spread of the forest, clutching her against my chest, giving her the best warmth I can through the frostiness.

"Where is she?" I ask Gunnar as I returned from a hunt. He didn't say anything but pointed me toward a path which I immediately took, finding my way to her. Her scent led me to where she perched near a cliff, I was happy to know that she had walked her way up here, though there stood something very distinct.

I'm not certain how she was able to execute it but somehow I no longer feel her emotions again, not even a glimpse. I'm no longer able to tell if she's sad or pleased, not a glimpse except her heartbeat. It was as though her emotion has been sheathed beyond my reach. Yet the moment she saw me approach, a single tear dropped down her eyes and onto the pale skin of her cheek and I knew she was suffering.

In no time, I moved to her, inhaling her scent as I embraced her "Let me feel it, please" I begged of her as my arms wrapped around her, her face relaxed into my embrace. "Please, let me feel it, my love" I desired to share her pain, if possible let me bare all of it. I shall accept whatever as long as she bares them no more.

Except she wasn't letting me, she just succumbed to my embrace, perhaps that's all she desired. To have me by her side. "I'm always here" I whispered, my fingers buried in her soft hair "I'm forever with you, my love"