Emerald And Aharon

Chapter Two

I sat silently in the lower branches of a huge oak tree, waiting patiently. They would be here soon; I knew they would be. The Isilk raids had heated up over the past few months, and doing away with this spy would make sure they didn't raid my village and harm my family and friends. I heard footsteps; someone was coming.  I tensed, waiting for them to come into view when suddenly I felt as if someone had thrown a bucket of icy water on me. What the hell was this? What kind of mortal gave me a feeling like that? My grip on the hilt of my sword tightened as I watched and waited. Whatever or whoever it was, I had obviously underestimated it. I heard humming, but didn't move until I saw a woman stop and draw her sword. I couldn't help but stare at her. She was beautiful, in a strange sort of way. Her voice interrupted my thoughts. “I know you’re there, so come out.”

I did just that, jumping out of the tree and landing on my feet, sword in hand. When I landed on the ground I could tell that she was about a head and a half shorter than I, and that her eyes were a bright emerald green. That same cold feeling washed over me but part of me felt drawn to her. I pushed that aside and swung my sword at her and she blocked and as the 2 blades meet, sparks flew. This woman was a better fighter than I'd given her credit for. "You won't live to harm my family," I growled, slashing at her neck and she ducked. As she came back up she swung at my legs forcing me to quickly step back.

"Why in the hell would I want to hurt your family? I'm interested in you, unless your family is immortal. Then it's a whole different dagger in the mud." She retorted at me as she stayed on the defensive.

What was she talking about? Was she an immortal? I hadn't met one of those in years, and the last one I met I wound up killing because they mistook me for one of their own and wouldn't stop trying to kill me. Wait a minute, since when were the Isilk using immortals as spies? What if I'd attacked the wrong person? I stopped and stared at her, "You're not undead or one of the Isilk's minions?" I warily studied her, my sword never leaving my hand.

Those emerald green eyes flashed at my words and she spoke with a sharp tone, "I'm not a zombie or vampire, and I hate the Isilk almost as much as most mortals. You're not immortal?"

I shook my head and said "Nay, why?" I asked. What did it matter to her whether I was immortal or not? It dawned on me as the thought passed through my head of course it mattered. Immortals had to fight each other until there was only one left. She paused before answering and sheathed her sword. I followed her example, sheathing my own blade.  If she didn’t have her sword out, she was less likely to try and attack me again.

“Because that’s the only reason why I would fight you.  I sensed something and thought it to be a fellow immortal, watching for an opportunity to do a surprise attack, hoping to take my own head before I took theirs.  I don’t like sneak attacks so I said to come out.” I stared at her for a moment, trying to decide whether to believe her or not.

She sighed and said, “Want me to prove it?  I can cut off my hand and have it reattach itself.”

I shook my head and stated, “That’s not necessary, I’ll take your word for it.” I wasn’t in the mood to see someone cut off her own hand and her tone said she could and would do as she said.

She tilted her head to the side and arched an eyebrow at me, “You have a name to go with your looks, mortal?”  Her ton held a note of a challenge and I felt interest flash through me though I kept my expression blank. I debated a second whether to tell her my name and figured it would do no real harm.  “Aharon.”

She smiled in response, and smiling made her look even more beautiful.  She interested me, this strange woman who had come out of nowhere. There was something different about her that I couldn’t place, besides the fact that she was an immortal.  I wondered what she was doing here, and why she had chosen this trail to travel. It wasn’t the quickest or the safest route to travel, but it was good if you were trying to stay out of sight.  Maybe she was running from something, though the way she wielded her sword she didn’t seem the type that would run from anything.

She held out her hand and I took it and she said, “I’m Emerald.”

I stood there holding her hand and staring into her eyes, “It suits you,” I finally said and released her hand and then got to the point.  “Why are you traveling through here?” I asked her, more interested than anything else now, all thoughts of killing her or her being a spy left behind.

“Because that’s where my feet were taking me.  I have no real specific reason. I travel wherever my feet take me and I don’t really question it if I have nowhere specific to go or to be.” She grinned, “I never know what useful things I may learn or interesting people I may meet.”

I didn’t reply to what she said, and I studied her for a few moments more.  ‘Now that you’ve met her you may as well let Desiree meet her too.  She always likes company, and someone to talk to,’ I thought to myself.  “Come with me,” I said shortly and started back towards my village taking a shortcut through the woods.

Soon the trees started to thin out, giving way to a variety of grasses and weeds, and the village where I lived came into sight.  I led Emerald down a side path and came to my home. I could see Desiree outside watering the vegetable garden to the side and front of the house.  She looked up when she heard us approaching and Desiree set the water bucket down and walked towards us. I stopped in front of her and nodded to her and gestured towards Emerald, “Emerald, my wife Desiree.”

Desiree pushed a lock of fiery hair out of her face and smiled faintly at Emerald.

Emerald extended her hand and said, “A pleasure to meet you.” Desiree took her offered hand and I watched with interest as the two women grip each other’s wrists.

Alleyne came from inside and studied Emerald with curious eyes.  Desiree touched her head and Desiree pulled away slightly. “This is our oldest, Alleyne.  Her baby sister is asleep inside.”

Alleyne glanced at me, waiting for me to say something but I just nodded my head.  Desiree had always told her that children should be seen not heard, but Alleyne rarely paid much attention to what her mother said.  “Her name is Fire, by the way,” glaring at her mother for not mentioning Fire’s name.

I watched as Emerald knelt down so she was eye to eye with Alleyne and extend her hand to her, “nice to meet you, Alleyne.”  Alleyne hesitated before taking Emerald’s hand, glancing at me again before finally taking it and shaking it once.

Emerald stood back up and glanced at me, and I met her gaze.  "It would seem that you had a good family. I can see why you are so protective of them." I didn't answer, not really sure of what to say. I gestured for Alleyne to follow me. She glanced at Emerald and Desiree, then advanced toward me

"You two go on into the house. Alleyne and I will finish this," I said, gesturing to the garden. I knew Desiree would want to show Emerald the house and Fire, and really didn't feel like listening to women talk. Besides, I wanted a word with my daughter. I watched as Desiree led Emerald into the house, and then I lifted the heavy water bucket.

"Mommy was talkin' about you again," Alleyne whispered after she made sure Desiree and Emerald had gone inside. I didn't look at my daughter as I began watering the plants.

"What did she say this time?" I asked, even though I already had an idea. "And who was she talking to?"

"She was talking to that man again," Alleyne replied, a disgusted look crossing her face. "That man" was Yarran Delaseyrna, an old friend of Desiree's that Alleyne had always disliked.

"What did she say, Alleyne?" I asked again.

"Same stuff she always says...she's tired of you not being home, she don't think you love her anymore...she should've married him..."

"WHAT?" I demanded, nearly yelling. "She said WHAT?"

"That she should've married him," Alleyne whispered, staring down at the ground. I felt like someone had hit me hard. Why had Desiree said that? Was our marriage really that miserable? I felt anger rise like a wall of fire, and tried to push it back. I set the empty water pail down and walked toward the stables to get Nightshade, my black stallion. Alleyne followed me inside.

"I want to come too," she stated. I sighed, lifting Nightshade's bridle from its place and slipping it onto him.

"All right, you can come. Go and tell Desiree we're leaving while I get Nightshade and Silver ready," 

Alleyne turned and ran into the house. I faintly heard her talking to Desiree.

"Daddy's leaving again," I heard her say, than something from Desiree I couldn't make out. "And I'm going with him. He said I could." There was more, but not loud enough for me to hear. I led the two horses out into the yard and mounted Nightshade just as Alleyne came out and mounted Silver.

We left, riding into the woods.