The Land Below our Feet II (Unleashed) COMPLETE

CARE

Once the kid had disappeared into the shadows, Ussi got up and walked towards the place where Souna sat, holding their daughter with one arm as she struggled to tuck Axe into his sleeping bag with the other.

-Let me do it – He said, grabbing the fluffy lining from her stretched fingers and swiftly wrapping it around the child, then taking the sleeping baby from her arms and placing her beside the toddler – You had a rough day.

-I'm fine – She protested. Her voice cracking when the soldier abruptly reached for her scalp and touched the back of her head, making her hiss in pain – Ouch!

-You're what? – The warrior inquired, raising an eyebrow and waving his blood-stained fingers before her tauntingly.

-Oh, shut up – Souna huffed, crossing her arms over her chest and rolling her eyes at him.

-No! You shut up! – He cried out, grabbing her firmly by the chin and staring into her pupils, his sight sparkling with a layer of tears threatening to fall – Don't you ever scare me like that again! You hear me? I thought I'd lost you!

-Well, technically you did – She chuckled, tenderly running her fingers down his jaw – But I knew you'd always find me.

-That's not funny, Souna – Ussi reprimanded her with a severe scowl on his face – You know that they were preying on the exact moment when you would be the most isolated and vulnerable, don't you? So, from now on, you stay right where I can see you until we get to Lowland's gate. Is that clear?

-Yeah… I'm sorry – Souna mumbled, staring awkwardly towards the ground – I was just trying to lighten the mood a bit. I hate seeing you all worried.

-Come here – He sighed, extending his arm and pulling her closer to him – Let me take care of you now.

They were sitting by the fire as the warrior carefully cleaned up the wound with delicate movements, Souna closing her eyes and enduring the sting while he methodically worked on the back of her head.

-Who did this? – Ussiariah distractedly asked, softly patting the area with a disinfectant solution and some gauze. A slight grimace creeping onto his face as he discarded the blood-stained pads.

-I'm not entirely sure, I was looking the other way – She shrugged off – But I bet it was their leader... That sturdy old man they called Rovktan.

-Well, good thing I bashed his skull open in return then – The warrior breathed out, his features darkening considerably – It was the least he deserved after he dared to ambush and hit my wife.

-Ussi – Souna called out with concern, grabbing his forearm in an appeasing gesture – It's over now… So, would you let that anger go?

-Oh, I'm not angry at them at all – He casually responded – Those were mere pawns in this game, and they're already dead and dealt with. I'm just saving some of my drive for that egotistical woman who insists on trying to hurt my family on top of threatening peace… You should know I won't tolerate any of that as long as I live.

-I do – She agreed, patting the back of his hand - Just don't get mad, all right? I don't want you losing your head over this.

-I am not mad, I am simply offended – Ussi coldly replied – As for my head, it is right where it's supposed to be, as always, and not going anywhere... Now, I'm afraid I have good news and bad news for you, sweetheart, so which do you want first?

-The good one, I guess – Souna whispered, staring fixedly at the flaming embers – I need at least a little hope before I face the disappointment I'm sure is coming.

-Fine – He sighed, pecking her forehead briefly and rubbing her shoulders – The good news is that the edges of your wound seem pretty fresh even when you spent almost an entire day with them spread open.

-And how is that good? – She sneered, an involuntary moan escaping from her lips as she gave into his touch while he massaged her sore muscles.

-Because in this case we got a better chance to close it off for good without you having any further complications…

-So, what's the bad news then? – Souna asked, letting out a forced chuckle and feeling an involuntary shiver running down her spine.

-That we need to close it off indeed – Ussi announced, somberly walking towards the fire-pit and wordlessly placing the point of his spear against the scorching flames – … I'm sorry, Love.

-I see… - She mumbled in fear, her body instinctively recoiling at the sight of the searing metal slowly turning red-hot before her widened eyes.

-Here – He said, handing her a stick and giving her a grave look – Bite down on that as hard as you can and just try to think about home. It will be over soon.

After a too short moment, the warrior went to retrieve his weapon and Souna winced when he purposely approached her while wielding the large iron pole with its hot glowing tip.

-Grab my arm – He instructed. Offering her his left limb and letting her nervously clutch at it while positioning behind her – Dig your nails into my skin as hard as you need... I'll make it quick, I promise.

Closing her eyes, Souna placed the wooden device between her teeth, trying to brace herself for what was coming up next.

Without any further warning, Ussiariah pressed the sizzling lance onto her skull in a calculated movement, and all she could do was pray as the smell of her own charred flesh reached her nostrils and an excruciating pain coursed through her nerves from head to toe.

An animalistic growl emerging from her gagged mouth while she fought to keep her teeth firmly gritted and both of her hands tightly wrapped around the warrior's forearm, holding to it for dear life… Her nails piercing into his skin as a stream of tears flowed freely down her cheeks.

-It's all right, sweetheart – His voice echoed in her ears at last, and she felt his arm surrounding her body, restraining it slightly – It's all over now… You did well… You were brave, very brave.

Ussi let his spear slip through his fingers, then he grabbed her by the elbow and made her turn to face him, his hand wiping her drenched cheeks while kissing her softly. The sound of his weapon hitting the ground reverberating around the campsite and over Souna´s muffled sobs.

-It's over… It's over! – He kept repeating, more to himself than to anybody else. His strong limbs lifting her up in the air with ease and his head leaning against her forehead tenderly as his digits fluttered around her body with crescent passion.

Souna trembled with anticipation when she felt his hips pressing against her, letting out a delighted moan when he started ripping her clothes off, instantly flushing out any traces of pain with this action. The raw contrition embedded in his voice making her shiver with deep heartache at his sorrowful words.

– I will never let this happen again, Souna… - He sniffled, placing gentle little kisses down her neck and burying his face into her bosom - I'm gonna take better care of you… I swear!