Chapter 5: Steam
2041 Words
::Ryanna's POV::
I did not say anything, instead I looked away and withdrew my bow. He settled the pig on the back of Merwin and looked up at the sky. The sun was close to setting and by now the hunters should have returned to the camp.
"We are done for the day," he walked Merwin and I back.
I did not say anything the whole way back, and we were happily greeted by the soldiers.
"Welcome back Lord Dom," one said, "Did you really catch that?" another asked.
I stayed in silence while they cheered on their leader. Some were bantering with him.
"C'mon, the Lord Dom we knew could've easily came back with more game than the rest of us combined!"
I heard him scoff and say, "Well, alone yes, but with carry weight, I guess not," referring to me.
I took a deep breath and allowed their laughter to continue. I felt so humiliated.
"She just needs a few training and a working leg," I heard Lord Dom say, "Then you will all be scared of losing your ranks," they nervously laughed.
I wasn't sure if that was an attempt to make me feel better, but I knew he was right. I got so excited when we stopped and everyone attended to their roles respectfully. I thought hunting would be a great experience and wanted to be a part of it. I only asked Lord Dom because I often overheard the soldiers whispering about me being a half-blood royal. They seemed to despise the royals and the feelings were mutual, but how was I going to prove to them that I was not their enemy? I wanted to learn their ways.
But the way I saw him slay that boar haunted me. I was not ready to see how merciless he was despite it being for our meal. As a kid I never butchered any of our animals. My dad always did it. I couldn't bare to kill what I raised. But I guess out here, beyond our borders, things are different. It felt like a skill for survival. And I best learn.
"How long until suppertime?" Lord Dom asked.
"We have already gathered some foraged veggies for the venison stew. Two hours after sundown we should be able to eat," the scout estimated.
"In the meantime, head to the river to drink and bathe. You all smell musty," Lord Dom laughed.
They laughed in unison and departed to their stations. I saw Lord Dom walk over to me, "Get to bathing soldier," he coughed.
I was not going to bathe in a river with a whole bunch of men! I looked at him in disbelief, and he rolled his eyes, "I'm kidding you can bathe at the spring after me."
Spring? There's a spring?
"Do they not have those up north?" he asked.
"We had showers, I guess?" I answered back.
"Nature is always better than man-made junk," he walked past me to his tent. His tent was bigger than the rest, and it had a campfire within it to keep it warm.
"Wait!" I followed him inside.
I passed through the entrance and saw the campfire blazing steadily. There was a huge patch of hay in a corner.
"Is that supposed to be a bed?" I asked.
"Well, we can't just fit the ones at the Inn on our horses everywhere we go now could we?" he retorted.
I felt like it was best to stay quiet. But of course I didn't.
"So where is this spring you speak of?"
"It's not far, I am familiar with this area and we could walk there. However, I don't think we have any clothing left of the one you wear," Lord Dom gestured to my dress.
He continued, "And I know just how much you simply cannot rewear filthy clothing," he mocked.
Where was this all coming from? He was a lot sweeter before. Well... before I chose to deny him.
Well, that was well deserved.
"I only have our hide clothing, but it is not particularly suited for women," he looked disgruntled as he tossed me a hide similar to his clothing, "It's kinda heavy, but you'll get used to it."
I didn't say anything, I had to be appreciative that I was given any clothing at all. I folded it up, and he lifted the flap and headed outside, assuming that I'd follow.
When I peaked outside I could smell the pleasing aroma of the food being prepared. The smell of the roasted pig on a spit was tantalizing as it was stuffed with onions, garlic, and lemon grass. The venison stew was coming along great, and I honestly wanted to sneak a taste.
"If you want to eat on time, it's best we go now," Lord Dom saw the hunger in my eyes.
I sheepishly followed him, and we walked about three miles away from the site. He held his dagger close by, and I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling of being afraid.
"Don't worry," he sighed, "If I wanted to take you down I wouldn't need this."
"Then what do you need it for?" I asked.
"Protection," he answered, "For the boars, ya know?" he chuckled.
"I could've had him," I pouted.
"Whatever you say," he then paused, "We are here."
I felt the warm steam blow over my skin and I stepped ahead and was amazed at the sight. It was a hot spring! An actual hot spring! I knew my eyes were gleaming as I touched the water with my toes. The temperature was perfect for a relaxing bath.
"You can take this one. There's another one not too far away," he looked over the pool.
I should have been relieved, but why did I get an odd feeling that we were supposed to either take turns or...
No, no, no! We weren't possibly going to bathe together! I shook my thoughts away.
Lord Dom began walking off and shortly I heard him undressing. His grunts soon turned into a sigh of relaxation as he entered his spring pool. I knew he was just a couple feet away, but I was unintentionally stalling.
Whatever, he saw me naked before. No biggie.
I then began to undress myself. I adjusted myself into the deeper depths and found my body feeling like it was in euphoria. The heat of the spring relaxed all my troubles away, and I took a short dive. I came back up for air and was incredibly satisfied with this experience. I swam back to the shallow water and began to ponder.
The more I see, the more I learn that I don't know what the truth is. I thought the stories of the southern border were just those of barbaric people and wastelands. But I never expected the place to be so beautiful. And the people... I sank to where my mouth was below the water. They're a whole lot nicer than those beyond the northern borders.
The Royal Government always painted the picture of their bloodline being the true heir to the kingdom. Anarchy ranks that the commoners had grown accustomed to. I am unsure whether it was mutual or by force. With everything I have gone through these past days, I'm beginning to wonder about the south's history.
About an hour went by, and I remembered it was time to head back, so we could prepare to eat. I got up and wiped myself dry with the cloth that Lord Dom had provided me. I called out to him but got no response. I called out once again and he did not say anything. I walked over towards his direction, wrapped in the towel.
What if he's gone? Was I here alone?
I passed through some shrubs and then instantly froze.
There he was, soaking in his spring just the opposite of me. I had a clear view of the steaming scene clearing away from his skin. Those tensed muscles had water droplets tracing down his frame. His chest with battle scars and an impressive set of abs. His slow and steady breathing was met with closed eyes. He seemed so peaceful. I knew this was a stupid idea, but I looked further down.
I began to get light-headed as I witnessed his tool. It was not all erected, but there was definitely some size to it! I couldn't explain whether to be embarrassed for peeping on him, or curious about how big it could get...
No, you perv! Wake him up and let's get going!
"Hey, wake up, we gotta go eat," I said.
No response.
"Did you hear me?" I tilted my head and began to raise my voice a bit, "I said we gotta go."
Still no response.
Wait a second? Was he actually knocked out cold? From heat exhaustion?
I remember hearing something about heat exhaustion caused by staying in saunas too long, that it could be dangerous, and if not helped, something bad could happen.
I was not going to have the only person I could talk to fall into their demise in a damn spring. I marched on over and tactfully looked away from a specific region. I tried to look through slit eyes and then stopped and bent over his shoulder. I nudged him and then felt a strong grip grab my wrist.
I felt my body being flung forward at full force, and I fell face-first into the water. I almost hit the bottom and struggled to get back up, Lord Dom's grip did not loosen either. I gasped for air and looked over at him. I was pissed!
"What was that for?" I spat out some water.
"You don't just sneak up on someone and not expect to be reacted to accordingly," he answered.
"Well, I have been trying to wake you up, but you weren't responding," I countered.
"Are you always that gullible?" he looked me dead in the eye, "Did you really think I was unconscious?"
"Well..." I hesitated, "Yeah, I mea-"
"Adorable," he smirked.
What did he mean by that?
He continued, "Is it the hot spring or are you naturally getting red-faced?"
I denied him everything I had, "We need to go."
"Alright," he then stood up.
I was on my knees and stupidly looked up at him as the rest of his body left the steaming pool. His calves were soaked, his muscular quads tightened with every second. And then I covered my face as I realized I looked further.
"Is your mouth opened for a reason?" he tilted his head.
I could not bare to look at him. But I knew my face was getting hotter, and it wasn't because of no damn spring!
"Relax..." I heard him say and then shortly left the pool, "I just thought it would be fair that you saw me, since I saw you before."
"I don't think that was a fair trade at all!" I exclaimed, using my hands to guide me out of the water.
Disappointed, I looked down at my soaking towel, "Look what you did!"
"You wanna borrow mine?" he offered.
"No," I looked away, "You need to over up. Just get dressed already," I hurried him.
"You can look now," he said, and he was wrapped waist down.
"Phew thanks..." I sighed.
"You gotta be careful Ryanna," he warned.
That was the first time I ever heard him say my name! I looked up at him. His expression was a mixture of seriousness and disappointment.
"You can't be too careful out here, luckily it was me, but if it was anyone else..." he paused, "They wouldn't take 'no' for an answer."
"Yes, Lord Dom," I responded, realizing that this had turned into a damn lecture.
"You can just call me Dom," he corrected, "Only my soldiers and ranks call me Lord Dom, I don't even like having that extra title in my name really."
"Is Dom short for something?" I asked as he slipped into his gear.
"It's short for dominate," he winked.
I gave him the straightest poker face you could imagine. He was serious a second ago and now he's childish?
He chuckled and said, "It's short for Domarius."
- Writer
