DARK HOURS, a Fantasy Romance by Linda Mooney - Chapter 7

DARK HOURS

Chapter 7 

            Kayge glanced up at the cloudless sky. It was turning out to be a beautiful day despite recent circumstances. A beautiful day to cap a beautiful morning, which will end with a beautiful night.

            Emers tightened her grip around his waist before laying her cheek against his back. Reaching down, he gave her hands a squeeze. She hugged him in reply.

            “How much farther, do you think?” She didn’t have to explain what she meant by her remark. He knew exactly what she was referring to.

            “If this fair weather continues, by tonight.”

            She answered him with another squeeze.

            That moment had been long in coming. Heaven knew how many times they’d been tempted to let their carnal desires override their common sense and morals. Fortunately, by the grace of the Lord, they’d managed to abstain before it went too far. Now they were glad they had held back. It made the promise of tonight that much sweeter with anticipation.

            Once they were far from Noranye, they had stopped near a small stream to let the horses drink and have a moment to rest before continuing on their way. During their brief respite, Kayge removed his armor and tied it to the saddle of Emers’s horse, keeping just his sword and dagger on him. Since only the king’s royal guards were known to wear armor, he knew he’d draw attention to themselves from passersby and townsfolk if he kept it on.

            After draping a horse blanket over the armor, he’d had Emers climb into his saddle with him. “This way I can have you close to me,” he’d stated.

            They took their time, careful not to push the animals too hard despite the fact that they both knew their disappearances would soon draw the attention and the ire of Gola and her heathen horde. And once it was discovered they were no longer in Noranye—

            “Tis past noonday,” Emers remarked, drawing his focus back to the present. “I am hungry.”

            He eyed their surroundings. “We are coming up to forestland. There could be fruits and nuts we could gather.”

            “Or a rabbit or squirrel we could quickly roast over a fire,” Emers countered.

            He nodded. “Your suggestion is better. A rabbit or squirrel would keep our bellies from tightening too much before we reach the inn.” He pointed ahead. “We will stop once we reach the safety of the trees.” He didn’t explain what he meant. She would know. Once they were within the sheltering confines of the forest, they would be safe from immediate discovery by vagrants, thieves, and other miscreants using the road to travel between the villages and towns.

            It would also afford them a little privacy if they chose to steal a few kisses.

            He found the perfect spot nestled within a grove of trees. Sliding off his stallion, Kayge reached up to help Emers down. He eyed the gown she wore. It was a beautiful yet simple dress and outlined every curve of her body. But it wasn’t suitable for travel on the back of a horse. A carriage or wagon, yes. But not on a horse.

            “You need to change your attire,” he remarked.

            Emers gave him a challenging look. “It is already rumpled and stained from our journey. What difference will it make if I keep it on until we arrive at the inn?”

            “Even stained and rumpled as you claim it is, one look will let others know it is beautiful and costly, for one thing,” he countered. “The closer we get to Lisstanbor, the more people we will encounter.” He indicated the other horse. “I divested myself of my armor so strangers would not be aware of me being a Centurion. You need to change to the other clothing you brought—”

            “So they will not suspect I am a lady of stature and wealth? Is that it?”

            “That is correct.” He expected her to balk. To his surprise, she acquiesced.

            “It would be a wise move. It would make someone less likely to consider robbing us.”

            Kayge smiled. Sometimes he misjudged her wisdom and intelligence. He made a mental note to refrain from doing so again.

            “I will go in search of something we can cook,” he informed her. “Can you start a fire while I am away?”

            “I will as soon as I change my attire.”

            “I will not venture far. Call out if you should need me.”

            She waved a hand to let him know she’d heard him as she went to retrieve a less fine gown from her satchel she’d tied to the saddle on her horse.

            It didn’t take him long to find to find the narrow, tell-tale trails left by rabbits when they ventured out of their burrow in search of food. He briefly debated with himself whether or not to set a trap, but decided to wait it out instead. Knowing his sword was too bulky, he left it behind and drew his knife.

Luck was with him. Presently, a nice fat hare loped into view. A quick flick of his wrist, and the animal was pinned to the ground. Kayge snatched up the rabbit and his blade and was about to hurry back to the clearing when a second, smaller rabbit appeared. It, too, fell victim to his deadly aim. Feeling triumphant, Kayge returned to discover Emers had constructed a shallow firepit where a small fire was already going. She glanced up at the approaching sound of his heavy boots. He immediately recognized the faded dress she wore. It was the same one she’d been wearing the very first time he’d laid eyes on her. Although it was well-worn, she still managed to look regal in it.

“Oh, good! That did not take you long.”

“They were waiting to jump into my hands,” he joked.

“Want me to skin them?” she offered.

Kayge stared at her in astonishment. “You know how to skin a rabbit?”

Emers pretended to be insulted. “You forget I spent several years at the nunnery. We did not spend all our spare time doing needlecraft. Everyone there learned how to tend to and prepare what was grown in the gardens, as well as dress and cook whatever game was captured or brought to us. I can also tan that pelt and sew it to make a cloak.” She held out her hands in a mute request for him to turn the rabbit and his knife over to her. He did so with a smile. “Now, while I skin and gut these, you can fetch more firewood. Oh, and if you find one, a nice long branch to skewer these.”

Laughing, Kayge grabbed her by the shoulders before she had the chance to walk away. The kiss he placed on her lips was too brief, but it was as sweet as the one they’d shared when they’d sealed their vows in front of Father Matthias. Before she had the chance to say anything more, he turned on his heel and went to retrieve his sword as he searched for more dead wood.

By the time he returned with an armload and a short branch he’d stripped of leaves to make a skewer, Emers had the rabbits ready for the fire. She snickered when he presented the skewer to her.

“Yes, I know it lacks length, but it is sturdy,” he assured her.

“Let us hope that stick is the only thing that lacks length,” she quipped, earning a hearty laugh from him. He was tempted to grab her and plant another kiss on those rose-colored lips.

As he fed the fire, she got the larger rabbit secured to place over it. “When this one is done, I can place this other one over the flames to cook while we feed. By the time we are finished eating, this one should be cooked, and we can take it along with us.”  

            A chilling breeze washed over them. Emers shuddered as she washed the blood from her hands with the water pouch.

            “Come sit by the fire,” Kayge said as she dried them on her skirt. He patted the ground beside him. Emers joined him, and he slid an arm around her shoulders to share his body warmth. They remained that way, facing the fire and watching the rabbit as it roasted, while occasionally rotating the stick to cook it evenly.

            “Do you think she is aware we are gone?” she whispered.

            Kayge grunted. He’d known that they would eventually have to discuss the reason why they’d fled the only home they’d known. Namely, Gola. “Most certainly,” he admitted. “That witch’s rage must be fearsome to behold by now.”

            “Do you think she has sent her soldiers to find us?”

            “Of that I have no doubt.”

            “What do you think will happen if they manage to catch up with us?”

            Kayge looked down to find her staring at him, her eyes wide with fear. “If they do, you have nothing to be afraid of. She is not after you. She is after me.”

            He was tempted to venture toward another kiss to allay her anxiety when she reached inside her waistband and removed a small bundle. Getting up from where she sat, she turned to face him and dropped to her knees.

            “I had planned on giving this to you when we got to Lisstanbor, but I cannot wait any longer.” She cast him a small smile and held out the bundle. “Take it, my husband. My husband.” She repeated the last two words as if savoring them. Affirming them. The smile turned shy. “This is my wedding gift to you. You know I have no dowry. I have nothing other than myself to give you, but Father Mathias was generous and offered this to me to give to you.” Her words came fast and soft, stumbling and hesitant. “He blessed it. I hope you like it, as I have not seen you wearing one.”

            Curious, Kayge plucked the small bundle from her palm. It was wrapped in a piece of fabric and tied with twine. Undoing it, he slowly lifted back the linen until he saw the fine silver links glitter in the sunlight. Removing the last layer of fabric revealed the simple yet exquisite silver cross. The crucifix was no larger than his thumb, and the small embodiment of Christ was detailed to the point of almost appearing lifelike. Kayge stared at the necklace in awe.

            “Emers, this is…”

            She didn’t wait for him to finish. Taking it from his hand, she lifted it over his head, lowering it to where the cross rested against his chest. This time he didn’t hesitate to pull her into his embrace to kiss her long and hard.

            It would have lasted longer, and possibly led to a more serious pursuit, but a loud pop reminded them of their meal hanging over the fire. Kayge released her and went to check on the rabbit, hoping it hadn’t burned. Fortunately, he saved it in time. Chuckling, he turned to let Emers know their feast hadn’t been ruined when he was stopped with a jerk. Something dug into the back of his neck, preventing him from lifting his head, and he realized his necklace had gotten caught by the end of the stick they were using as a skewer. Luckily, the sudden stop didn’t break the chain.

            “Kayge?”

            “All is well,” he quickly assured her. “This gift is too precious to me. Forgive me, but I am going to put this someplace where it will be safe.”

            He considered tucking it inside his shirt. On second thought, he removed it and placed it inside the pocket of his breeches.

            “I believe this hare is done.” Lifting the roasted animal to his face, he sniffed it and smiled, then held it out to her. “Tell me you agree.”

            Emers smiled up at him and reached for the stick when sheer terror turned her face into a silent scream. Kayge whirled around as a dark, silent shape descended upon them. He reacted instinctively and used the skewer like a short sword, thrusting it in front of him. It was ripped from his grasp. At the same time, a leathery wing slammed into him, knocking him several meters away.

            Kayge hit the ground and rolled, leaping to his feet in time to see an enormous dragon looming over Emers. As she cowered, it opened its mouth as if to regurgitate a ball of flame, its black wings nearly filling the sky.

            He searched for his sword, but it wasn’t where he’d left it. Emers screamed as she crouched, unable to flee. Weaponless, Kayge charged at the creature, yelling and waving his arms above his head, hoping he could startle the creature. Instead, it turned to face him. Kayge shouted a warning to Emers a split-second before the dragon pounded the ground with its wings, one of them landing directly where she lay.

            The screaming abruptly stopped. The dragon stepped toward Kayge, and he caught sight of the still form left behind. Cold fear froze his heart at the realization that Emers could be dead when something glittered on the other side of the firepit.

            He sprinted around the dragon, hoping to lure it away from Emers as he raced to grab his sword. The thing roared in anger or frustration and lunged for him. Throwing himself on the ground, he rolled, snatching his sword before leaping back to his feet.

            The dragon launched itself at him, wings up. Its neck stretched out as it opened its maw, teeth gleaming, and Kayge saw the ball of flames forming in the back of its throat.

            He swung at its head. The sharp blade struck the neck, but the hard scales deflected the blow. Adjusting his grip, he tried again when both wings came down together and almost crushed him.

            Dizzy, Kayge fell to his knees, his arms still extended, his sword held with both hands. The creature closed its jaws around the weapon and jerked it from his grasp. Kayge was aware of the sword flying away from him but couldn’t see where it landed.

            The beast must have realized Kayge was no longer a threat, and it turned back in Emers’ direction. Seeing it begin to move toward her, Kayge bellowed for it to stop, but it paid no attention. Its focus was now on Emers.

            Staggering to his feet, Kayge tried to run to her, to throw himself on top of her to protect her, hoping to prevent the creature from either eating her or flying away with her, or whatever else the damned beast intended. He’d almost reached her when the dragon bowed its head and rammed its snout into Kayge’s side. Kayge fell hard onto the ground, narrowly avoiding landing in the fire. Sharp teeth closed around his right leg, and he was flung almost to the edge of the tree line.

            The dragon roared again, and Kayge would swear he heard it cackling. Cackling in a voice he thought he recognized. Cackling like that hell bound witch.

            He tried to get back to his feet but his body wouldn’t obey. Struggling to breathe, he was barely aware of the creature advancing toward him. It was at that moment when he knew Gola hadn’t sent a battalion of her soldiers to hunt down him and Emers. She’d sent this creature. This monstrosity that was opening its maw, eyes glowing like the fires of Hell as it descended on him.

            Kayge barely had time to throw his arms up in a feeble attempt to ward off the beast when the cavernous mouth came down on him, its teeth clamping around him and trapping him inside like a cage of flesh and bone.

            Lifting its head, it stretched out its neck, and with one hard gulp, Kayge was swallowed whole.

 

TO BE CONTINUED