The Land Below our Feet COMPLETE

ROAD

They had been traveling all day, and it was starting to get dark. Souna´s rear was killing her. The large feline was certainly not a comfortable ride, but she dared not to complain as the Yahurian had still not uttered a single word for the entire duration of their journey. So, she remained in silence, struggling to avoid nodding off and risking waking his bad temper.

After what felt like an eternity, the warrior finally signaled his exhausted beast to stop, which it immediately did. He jumped down to the ground and helped Souna get off it before freeing him from his saddle.

-Go for a hunt, Kohu- Ussi instructed him, scratching his soft dark fur –Find yourself a nice meal, you deserve it.

The enormous animal let out a low growl, before springing on its paws and disappearing into the sea of tall weeds and trees surrounding the road.

-Will it be back?- Souna asked with worry, staring at the silent grassland the cat had gone through.

-He always does - The Yahurian nodded confidently- Even if, for some reason, we are forced to get going before he comes back, he will always find me.

-What kind of beast is that? - She curiously inquired, stretching her sore limbs and wincing in pain – I had never seen such a large cat in my life.

-That is because he is a giant jaguar and there are not many of those left around anymore – Ussi shrugged off, carefully undoing the knot across his chest and placing the kid on the floor.

-All right Axe… Now you go find a nice bush and have a piss just like I showed you before - He said, waving the kid away- And don't wander too far. You don't want to make me go out there looking for you.

But the toddler just stood silently, eyeing the warrior inquisitively with a confused look in his cerulean eyes.

-Come on, child, you know this already – Ussiariah urged him impatiently – What the hell are you waiting for?

-Have you tried addressing him by his real name?- Souna mocked him, glancing at the quiet kid.

-I don't know what that is- Ussi scoffed at her.

-Have you at least asked him?-She sneered back.

-Yes! I have – The warrior rolled his eyes condescendingly at her - He doesn't talk.

-Well, if you ask me… I think he is just scared to go alone- Souna observed, installing herself by a tree and resting her arms over her head – He is a small boy, and it is getting dark. Looks like you will have to go with him.

-Nobody asked you - The Yahurian took an annoyed glance at her before walking towards the child with heavy steps - Is that what you want? – The warrior crouched, offering him his hand.

A silver of a smile appeared on the boy's face as he held onto the warrior's raspy palm, and Ussi led him towards the edge of the woods.

-Don't try anything funny – He reminded her without even bothering to turn back as he pointed Axe towards a good spot.

-Why would I? – She simply responded, looking distractedly as they stood peeing in the growing shadows. The tall warrior's frame towering beside the tiny figure of the child – I need you to get the help I want.

Once they returned. The warrior sat a short distance away from her. Holding the boy to his chest, tucked in the bulky cloth as he tried to guard him from the cold air that blew all around them. But as the sun set, the child was clearly freezing to the bone. Trembling and fussing around uncomfortable in his arms. His distressed cries soon echoing in the silence of the woods.

-We need to start a fire- Souna remarked, hugging her shoulders to warm herself up - Look at him! His lips are bluer than his hair now. He is going to die from hypothermia if we don't!

-Fine!- The Yahurian nodded, hurriedly standing up and tossing the bundle on her lap, making her yelp in surprise at this unexpected action.

He rapidly scouted the area and soon started digging a hole using his hatchet. The chamber deepening rapidly down the slightly frozen ground. When it was large enough, he dug out an airway on the upwind side.

-Hold him and keep him warm-He instructed her as he worked with ease - I am digging this pit and concealing our fire underground, that way we can avoid getting flagged. I don't want to draw attention to us, but his wailing already is! So, try to make him stop!

Souna rocked the crying boy, pressing his body to her chest in a fruitless attempt to calm him down, before an idea finally popped in her frenzied mind.

Without a second thought, she reached for her clothing and pulled it up, quickly freeing her right breast and inserting it into the toddler's mouth. The kid latching instantly onto her n****e and making a silent tear roll down her cheek at the feeling of the suction on her swollen gland.

The Yahurian perked his head up at the sudden quietness. His eyes widening as they landed on Souna´s large breast at full display while she sat feeding the kid and softly crying. His masked cheeks reddening at the sight of the unfamiliar scene as he stumbled to avert his stare and keep collecting bark and kindling for the fire.

Once he had the flame burning steadily inside the pit, Ussiariah sat before her with a generous amount of dead branches and twigs set beside him. Tossing a few inside the pit from time to time to keep it going. A pleasant heat soon radiating from it and warming them up.

He stole an occasional glance towards the girl and the baby. A thousand questions lingering in his mind and making him blush and frown at the same time.

-Have you never seen a woman's breast before? - She asked, tilting her head at him with curiosity.

The Yahurian´s visible skin turned impossibly red as he shook his head with embarrassment.

-I was only a boy when the Yahurians rescued me from the burning ruins of my fallen city and I joined their ranks. There are no women but the Guider living inside Yahur´s walls. Most of my brothers indulge in their desires when they are out on a mission. Some even prefer to tend to them among themselves. But I have never…- He trailed off.

-Ask your question- Souna nodded at him with a sad smile- I can see your brain combusting… It is eating you out.

-Why…- He started talking with a hoarse voice, pausing and clearing his throat, his eyes avoiding hers - How is it that you…? Is that normal?

-I was meant to be a mother… Just before all this tragedy happened- Souna responded, looking at the child and running a hand down his cheek - First my baby was stillborn, then my husband was killed by this white demon in front of my very own eyes… But the milk has kept on leaking out of me for weeks to remind me of what I will never have.

Ussi stared at her speechless. Only the sound of the creaking flames filling the silence.

-The midwives said I was lucky to outlive my child, but that I will bear no life ever again - She whispered almost in a breath, glancing at her engorged chest – So now, this is the only thing I have left from a happier time. Once it is gone, there will be nothing but this cruel new world I must face.

-I… I don't know what to say to that- Ussiariah muttered, his eyes shining with a strange, driven glow – But I promise you that when we take your land back, I will hunt the man that did this to you… And I will bring you his head.

-Well… That is the kindest thing you could have ever said- Souna sighed, smiling weakly at him.