The Land Below our Feet III (Legacy)

ICE

-This is pointless! – The crimson-attired soldier proclaimed with an exasperated yawn, scanning the foggy horizon through his spyglass – Those dark waves might be freezing cold but still, they're nowhere near frozen yet. Where the f**k is the ice?

-Why the rush, Mikkho? – Iktan jovially commented, patting the youngster on the shoulder while letting a soft chuckle out – I thought you and I were having a good time! Besides, weren't you the one who adamantly insisted on keeping watch along with me?

-That was before I learned that this was going to be an incredible waste of time – The young man bitterly responded, puffing out a steamy breath that quickly dissipated in the air – No offense, Sir. But this is just as hopeless as expecting a pasture to suddenly pop out from some completely barren land.

- Well, I am afraid downtime is a huge part of this gig, Mikkho, but you should already know that – The Yahurian amusedly scoffed – Weren't you a proficient watchman back in the day, or was I told wrong?

-Oh, you bet I was! – The warrior proudly declared – One of the best! Yet I was never faced with such a tedious task.

-Is that so? – A loud, feminine voice sarcastically asked, making him jump in fright– Shall I give you a more suitable duty to make you reconsider, perhaps?

Gulping down a painful lump as he murmured an inaudible curse, Mikkho rolled his eyes and reluctantly turned around to see Teranha, the tanned lieutenant, standing there with a sleeping infant in her arms.

-I believe that keeping children away from death was one of your other countless talents – The officer sneeringly told him, raising the bundle containing the small Mavaerian prince – So, go ahead and take care of this one, would you? See if you find the chore a little more challenging.

-The guy is right, though – Iktan somberly mumbled once the crimson guard had resignedly walked away and Teranha had promptly occupied the place beside him – We've been here a long time and nothing has changed… I fear that he is not the only one getting bored around these shores these days.

-I know – The Cahenean sighed, distractedly peeking through the telescope – Look, I get that your people are all about peace, and it is not like I'm wishing war upon us or anything, but those twins made it sound like this was the ultimate threat and doomsday itself!

-They did – The Yahurian serenely agreed – Willingly, or not, those two have created some serious expectations among the troops… And when none of their apocalyptic nonsense has materialized so far, it is only natural that everyone is beginning to think that this was all just a bunch of lies.

-Exactly! – Teranha sharply replied, inquiringly staring at him with fiery eyes – So, is it? Did we all come here for nothing?

-Things are rarely ever for nothing – Iktan evasively responded, looking away from her scrutinizing sight – Our fate has brought us all here for a reason. Let us give it some time to show us why.

-Oh, I've got nothing but time, Yahun, and nowhere else better to be at myself – The Cahenean bitterly sniffled. Lightly smacking the spyglass against his plated chest and leaving him standing there – But I am not so sure about the armies they selfishly mobilized with their claims.

-It is a very thin ice, the one that we are walking on, Mother – Iktan worriedly informed the surprisingly unmasked woman as he approached the lonely flat stone where she was sitting cross-legged, and cautiously stood by – I don't know how much longer it will hold, but people are starting to get very anxious and mad.

-Well, things must have gotten quite bad if you are calling me “Mother” now – Sehira-Xe jokingly observed as she nimbly stood on her feet and walked over to him with a playful smile – You rarely call me that.

The Guider tiptoed towards his tall frame and threw her arms around his stiff neck, placing a peck on his still shielded face.

-I am serious, this is serious! – The warrior huffed behind his mask. His voice resonating against the metallic barrier, then being mercilessly carried away by the glacial breeze that prevailed at all hours in that distant place.

-And I am aware – She sadly nodded at him. Distractedly removing the cover off his mouth and tenderly kissing his lips.

-So, that's it! – He angrily exclaimed, pulling a bit away from her – Is that all that you have to say?

-Uh… Yes – The Yahurian woman blankly answered with a slight shrug of her shoulders and a careless tilt of her head.

-Why? – Iktan cried out in utter disbelief as he restlessly paced around the deserted esplanade and glared resentfully at her – Why are you suddenly being so secretive?

-For the same reason that you are calling me “Mother” today – She knowingly replied – Because you are my subordinate.

-But I am also your lover! – He boldly responded, crossing his bulky arms offendedly over his chest.

-You are… So, come and play your role then – She defiantly said. Picking her mask off the ground and wordlessly gesturing for him to go after her.

Noticing the subtly demanding tone beneath her apparently calm voice, he lost no time following her away from the cold boardwalk, and into the small village ahead. Then they silently walked to an old-looking establishment, and were soon greeted by the comfortable heat that radiated inside.

A faint vapor flowed cozily within the tiny stone hall as the only visible clerk rushed to stand up and open a heavy curtain for them, behind which an empty parlor, and a sumptuous lavatory invitingly extended.

Iktan glanced at the steam-filled room that awaited them and was invaded by a mixture of anticipation and lust, its hot interior welcoming him into its confines and making him almost forget about the cruel winter that persisted outside those walls.

Those saunas had become by far his favorite place to be during the time they had spent stationed in that frozen hell, not only because it was the only room where he could take his clothes off and not shiver to a near death, but also, because of the company he was with most times he went… And what usually came next.

So, as he entered the humid chamber, freshly disrobed and with his senses on full alert, his rising heart rate would inevitably peak just a little higher because of what he found innocently lying on a bench.

-What are you doing standing there? – Her voice asked, eerily floating towards him among the suffocating wafts of warmness that engulfed them whole in a hazy embrace.

-I… I am admiring you – Iktan feverishly replied as he remained still, sheepishly staring at her.

-Well, stop fooling around and come here already – She heatedly ordered. Shaking her head slightly while suggestively spreading her legs – That's enough admiration for today.

And he wouldn't hesitate one bit to do as she had said. Because in the end, that woman could be his Guider, his lover, his owner… And everything else that she wanted to be, for all he cared.