God Child

Chapter 2

Wondering back home lights were being lit in houses along the streets, she thought about the man she encountered. Lord Phirun, she sighed. He was handsome, well muscled and broad shouldered; he stirred feelings in her that she hadn't realized she had. Remembering the endless black of his eyes she shivered. Why do they shook me, she questioned. 

Reaching home with that thought running through her head she went to confront her stepparents. They were in the living area around the fire preparing herbs. They have aged rapidly, she thought as she watched Rhea struggling to lift a heavy jar from the floor. 

"Let me get that for you," Maral reached down and easily picked it up. She raised her eyebrows and Rhea pointed to the storeroom. 

"Thank you,  Maral," Rhea breathed easier as she stood from her stooped position. The look on Maral's face made her worry. Usually after Maral returned from her walks she was happy and they didn't have to worry about her bringing up her past for at least a month or so.

"How was your walk?" Silas exchanged a knowing glance with his wife. When Maral was younger these episodes had occurred quite frequently but as she grew older it was almost as if she had made peace with herself. He hated to think that she was regressing, but he smiled encouragingly at her. 

"I met a man today," Maral whispered almost to herself. 

Rhea, fidgeting nervously with her apron looked at her husband. Her brow furrowed with anxiety,  "Oh?"

Cheeks flushed she turned from her stepmother and went to the stairs. She half turned a thought forming on her lips. 

"Goodnight, " she fumbled inadequately with her emotions. 

"Sleep well, " her stepparents said in unison. They exchanged confused looks and watched Maral walk up the stairs. 

"That was interesting, " Silas embraced his wife. 

"I wish we could tell her the truth, " regret weighing heavily on Rhea's conscious.

"Me too."

Slowly Maral walked up the stairs and turned the corner to the left. Walking all the way down the hall she turned left again into her room. It was a simple room. A bed in the far corner with a well worn comforter pulled up to a single pillow. The plain white walls had a few framed pictures hanging from nails. A plain dresser sat in another corner of the room and was full of her simple clothes. She opened one of the drawers and pulled out a white nightgown. Washing her face in the basin on the top of her dresser she removed her clothes. Pulling the nightgown over her head she threw her dirty clothes in a hamper. Grabbing the comforter and tugging it down she climbed into bed. Snuggling in she was soon fast asleep. 

‐----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The man with the gentle black eyes was nowhere to be found early the next morning when Maral went looking for him. Slightly disappointed she wandered back to the shop to help her parents set up for business. 

As Maral went about her work she couldn't stop thinking about Lord Phirun. She had heard his servants calling him that, it was a noble name she had not heard. She began placing herbs into the large mortar, carefully selecting the right ones she slowly ground them into a fine powder with the pestle. Satisfied with the consistency of the mixture she poured it into a large marked container. 

Rhea watched Maral as she worked and noticed she was distracted even more than usual. It worried her to see her stepdaughter like this. That man she met yesterday, I wonder who he is, she thought. 

Maral absentmindedly knocked over a jar of herbs and swore under her breath. 

"It's alright Maral," Silas tried to calm her. 

"No it's not I'm useless, " Maral cried and ran from the shop. 

Rhea wiped her hands on her apron and started after her distraught stepdaughter when Silas stepped in front of her. 

"Let her calm down she will be back, " he tried reassuring.

"Silas she's not useless, we should tell her, " Rhea was in tears. 

"If we do, they will find her again." Silas knew the only way they could tell her would be to destroy her amulet and that would bring the afrit's after her again. 

"I know, but I can't stand seeing her so lost, " Rhea left the shop and went into their living room to calm herself. 

Maral ran until her lungs burned with the effort. Hunched over panting she realized her mad dash had led her into the forest. A cold chill went up her spine when she realized where she was. Ever since child hood she had a deep fear of the forest and she had never grown out of it. Looking around she noticed she was lost, having never really been in the forest. She began to tremble and wondered if she could find her way out or if she should wait for her stepparents to find her. 

Sitting rapidly she wrapped her arms around her knees and sobbed for her stupidity. Feeling utterly useless she wanted to give up and die in the forest. The shadows began to draw in as she looked around, a strange silence fell. 

A rustling in the undergrowth frightened her, she almost screamed. Steeling herself to her fears she watched a doe step out of the thicket. It eyed her warily as it's large velvety ears twitched trying to pick up a sound Maral couldn't hear. Just as the frightened doe was readying to jump an arrow emerged from her eye and continued its flight. Maral was frozen with horror as the pierced her shoulder. The doe dropped dead instantly, crumpling on it's legs. 

"Nice shot my lord, " Riley said. 

A pained scream escaped Maral's lips as she fainted. 

"Yes, " Phirun began only to be silenced by the scream. 

"Riley, what was that?" Taran looked at his lord startled. 

Phirun cautiously walked out towards the deer, his heart pounding in his ears. There a few yards away from the felled doe was the girl from the fountain his arrow buried in her shoulder to the flight. 

"Oh, this is not good, " Riley looked at his lord worried. 

Phirun gently brushed the girls white hair off her face and her eyes shot open, fear mingled with pain she tried sitting up. 

Gently he pushed her down,  "Don't try to move the arrow needs to be removed first. "

She winced and tears rolled down her cheeks,  "Make it quick. "  Her soft voice quivered with pain. 

Phirun looked into her eyes, they were different colors making him want to stare into them longer. Her slender body quivered when he placed his hand on her shoulder. Reaching for his hunting knife and the girl flinched. 

"Hold still this will be a little painful, " as he spoke he deftly cut the tip of the arrow and drew it out. She bit her lip to stifle the scream as Phirun pressed firmly on the bleeding hole. Her blood ran down between his fingers anyways coloring her simple white blouse. 

"You have interesting eyes, I don't think I've ever met anyone with one white and one red eye before, " he spoke distracting her from the immense pain. She wad a stunningly beautiful girl, large eyes spaced evenly between a fine nose. Her face was slightly heart shaped with shocking white long hair, flowing all the way down her back ending just above her hips.

"Thank you my lord, " the pain in her voice made him angry with himself. 

Taran handed Phirun a large cloth and he began wrapping her shoulder tightly to stop the bleeding. He didn't to crush her fine bones but he felt if he didn't bind it she would bleed out. She began to tremble and Phirun grew angry. 

"What were you doing out here in the middle of the woods, " the anger in his voice made her flinch. 

"Sorry my lord, " a tear rolled down her cheek. The man she had been looking for all morning was standing over her angry with her. His handsome features more visible in the sun light. His well defined jaw line was tense with anger making him seem more attractive then when he had smiled at her the night before. The feeling of uselessness returned and strangely it hurt more to have this man mad at her then it had to disappoint her parents. 

"No don't cry anymore it was not your fault the doe stepped out of the forest in front of you, " he was angry with himself for frightening her more. He gently touched her face to wipe the stray tear away. Feeling captivated by her, he left his hand on her cheeks as he stroked it.

"I'm sorry my lord, " she was so humiliated it didn't register that the man was touching her face so gently almost affectionately. 

"I should be apologizing to you, " he mused. He gently placed his arms under the slight girl and easily lifted her into his arms. Holding her close his power began to thrum through him to caress her. He was intrigued, no one had ever been able to draw his power to them. 

She blushed, "There's no need lord I can walk back home. " The embarrassment was almost to much for her. His strong arms held her gently and it took her breath away. 

"Nonsense, " he said simply as he lifted her into the saddle of his frisky black stallion. The normally high spirited stallion calmed as soon as Phirun placed the girl in his saddle. Amused, Phirun leaped into the saddle behind the girl and coaxed the station into an easy sedated walk. 

She winced with every move the stallion made, the pain in her shoulder was almost unbearable. She found herself leaning into the man behind her for stability and her cheeks became flushed for reasons other than the pain. Their progress was slow but she was enjoying the quiet comfort of the lord. 

Phirun chuckled gently, "What is your name little one?"

"I'm not little, " Maral turned defensively regretting it instantly as the pain shot up her arm viciously. She gasped in pain and would have fallen if Phirun hadn't grabbed her. 

"I'm sorry my lord, " she breathed painfully. 

"There is no need to apologize, " he looked down into her amazing eyes and almost sighed. It was odd to him that he felt so at ease with her in his arms. 

Sheepishly she said, "Maral, my lord. "

"Kind of ironic don't you think, " Phirun was referring to her name,  "my little deer. " His rich laughter made Maral smile. He guided his horse through the forest with an ease that surprised her. They soon thinned and the village came into sight. 

They had reached the small village and a few of the locals looked at Maral with shocked looks. They were confused as to why the lord would be interested in the slightly crazy girl. They all had a slight fear of her because of her magic traits, the fact that she had none confused most. 

"Ignore them, " Phirun encouraged her when he felt her shrink back from the towns peoples harsh stares.

"We need to find a healer to look at your shoulder, " he said as he pushed his horse through the gaping crowd. 

Maral pointed in the direction of her house, "My stepparents are healers, they live over there."

As she spoke Rhea stepped out of the shop and looked up the street. Seeing Maral on a horse with a strange man her brow furrowed, the bandage drew her attention and she ran to meet them the rest of the way. 

"What have you done to her, " she glared at Phirun accusingly.

"Mother, " Maral began defensively. She sat forward slightly squaring her shoulders, strangely ready to defend this strange man holding her so gently. Her stepmother crossed her arms over her chest as she looked up at her stepdaughter. 

"I shot a deer in the woods and she happened to be on the other side, " Phirun stated.

The commotion had drawn Silas out and he was on the other side of the horse gently lifting Maral off before anyone could protest.

"Father I can walk, " Maral said slightly angry at everyone for treating her like a child. 

Phirun swung out of his horse's saddle, throwing the reins to his guards he followed the family into thr shop. It was like most healers shops he had seen in his travels. Herbs were scattered everywhere in neat heaps, in jars and hanging from racks. 

"I'm sure that you can, " Silas said as he carried her into the house and gently placing her on the sick bed. He signaled for Rhea to gather the supplies they would need to bandage Maral's shoulder properly.  Silas, assured that Maral was comfortable, turned to help his wife find everything. 

Phirun was standing at the head of the sick bed, almost hovering. He looked down at the girl and cringed at the pained look on her face. Cursing himself silently, she's hurt because of me. He shifted his weight from foot to foot, slowly becoming aware of the two healers glaring at him. 

"I'm sorry, " he almost whispered. 

She looked up at the handsome man anxiously watching her and smiled feebly,  "Don't be it's not your fault. "

He tenderly reached down and brushed hair out of her face again. She blushed and he quickly removed his hand. Looking at anything else he watched the healers frantically gathering supplies. They seemed to work very well as a team hardly having to speak to each other to communicate they're needs. 

"Will she be okay, " he questioned. 

"Yes, " Silas said distracted. He returned to Maral and looked down at the wounded girl. "This is going to be painful. "

Silas glanced at the young man standing over his stepdaughter and frowned, "You can leave now, thank you, " he added as an after thought. His hostility obvious as he stood closer to Maral.

"My pleasure healer, but I'm not leaving, " the authority in his voice silenced the them. Silas backed down reluctantly and turned back to Maral.

"It's alright father, " she reassured him. 

Slias' look of distrust did not dissuade Phirun and Silas sighed, "Hold her down when I tell you to then,  if you must be here you might as well help. "

He gently unwrapped the bandage and the color drained from his face.  "An inch closer and it would have pierced her heart. "

Rhea passed Silas the mortar with the mixture of crushed herbs. He placed them into a small amount of water to make a paste. Picking up a piece of wool he looked at Phirun, "Hold her gently. "

Phirun blanched as he looked down apologetically at the girl. She smiled encouragingly at him as he placed his hands on either side of her body, avoiding the wounded shoulder as best he could. He knew what the healer was going to do and he pitied her even more. The cleaning process was always painful, Phirun remembered from experience. 

Silas dipped the wool into into the astringent mix and as gently as he could he began scrubbing the wound. Maral drew in a sharp breath and closed her eyes to the pain. Thankfully she faded into darkness. 

The haze in her mind began clearing and a light touch to her arm brought her fully awake. The handsome face smiling down at her warmed her heart. 

"Don't move to suddenly, " Phirun's dark eyes met hers. 

"Where are my parents?" Maral rasped as her dry throat tried closing on her. She felt as if she had swallowed a fist full of sand. 

Phirun gently lifted her head and slowly poured some water down her raw throat, she thanked him quietly. The relief on her face as the cool water eased her thirst made him happy. 

"They are sleeping, " Phirun smiled down at her,  "they were exhausted when they were finished using their healing magics. You're a very lucky girl, there will hardly be a scar. "

The painful twinge in Maral's shoulder did not make her feel lucky, she wasn't sure how she would return to work. Her feeling of being useless returned and she sighed heavily. It couldn't get any worse as far as she was concerned. She was however happy that lord Phirun had stayed till she awoke and she smiled at him. 

"If you are feeling up to it Rhea has made you the most wonderful stew," with his mention of food her stomach rumbled. 

Phirun propped her up slowly and she realized with embarrassment that they were no longer in the shop but in her own bedroom. She looked around at he meager belongings and felt ashamed. He had probably never seen anyone live so poorly. Her embarrassment became horror when she looked down at herself and realized she was rather lightly in a thin nightgown. Her face drained of color and he misread her expression. 

"I'm sorry did I hurt you, " concern flooding his warm voice with emotion. 

Maral realized he wasn't concerned with her skimpy clothing or her shabby room. Why is this man so interested in my welfare? She glanced shyly up at him and the flush in her cheeks were no longer from embarrassment.

"No, it's just, "Maral couldn't finish her sentence. Her heart began to race at the gentle way he was touching her shoulder. 

"I have seen my share of sick people don't be embarrass," Phirun tried to assure her. His heart beat faster as he felt his magic drawn to her again through his contract with her shoulder. Who is this girl, he thought.

"Now I'm going to feed you, " he said to distract himself. 

If she hadn't been seriously wounded Phirun's body told him he would have enjoyed doing other things with her. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, thinking he wanted to know everything about her. It was interesting to him that he had to travel to this far to meet an amazing woman, the women at court were so fake. 

Holding the warm bowl of stew Phirun blew on the spoon as the steam rose. He slowly fed her the delicious meal watching her savor each bite. The meat was not what she expected and she looked up at him. 

He chuckled, "It's venison, " he answered Maral's unspoken question. 

"I've never had venison before, " she smiled,  "It's wonderful. " Maral slowly chewed on the piece of meat enjoying the slightly gamey texture. 

"It was the least I could do after shooting you. "

Phirun continued feeding her slowly, cooling each spoonful before offering it to her. Maral was getting tired with each bite and she was having a hard time keeping her eyes opened. With the last spoonful he fed her she was so drowsy she yawned, closing her eyes. 

"Rest, " she heard him whisper,  "I'll keep an eye on you all night."