Chapter 2

He called himself Aidoneus-fancy name for a man who fancies himself King of Nothing!

He was prickly and condescending for a man who could barely sit up on his own-calling me a girl and actually ordering me to bring him food as if I am some servant ready to do his bidding.

To think that I was so guilt-ridden for almost burying him alive and for smashing his nose with my foot that I almost kowtowed for forgiveness. Kowtowed! He would have enjoyed that, wouldn't he? Maybe I ought to kick him again?

Instead I told him firmly but politely that he needed to leave the valley immediately. His reaction was to stare me down his long nose as though he lords over me. "Excuse me?" he said.

"You are lying on sacred grounds, where no one from the outside is allowed entrance," I answered, crossing my arms and squaring my shoulders to seem intimidating. "I'm already doing you a favor by not telling anyone but, for your sake and mine, you have to leave."

He blinked. Twice. Slowly. He looked at me with the blackest of eyes as if I was a small stain on an otherwise pristine rug. Or a bug that he seriously wants to crush under his boot. I never felt so tiny under scrutiny before. Not even from my mother or Ianeira.

"I think my state of helplessness and pain wasn't obvious enough," said Aidoneus, voice grating, "I should have made it loud and clear that I... Can't... Move!"

I winced guiltily. "Look, I-I could get the mule back and have you carried to the borders. There's a shrine where people usually come to lay offerings and prayers. They should be able to help you with... whatever ails you."

He groaned, letting himself fall back ungracefully on the ground. "I remembered the world being far more... compassionate than this," he muttered with a pause to breath raggedly.

I felt shame and guilt grip my stomach tightly. I'm not usually callous but there are rules to be followed that if broken, I know have severe ramifications.

"I'm sorry," I said sincerely.

He rolled his eyes. "Clearly not sorry enough to aid an injured man yourself."

His words could not be more true. I could see his pale hands trembling, the sweat beading across his forehead, his breathing short and ragged from effort to keep awake. I truly felt horrible with myself.

I was certain there was at least two nearby villages that some of the nymphs go to 'frolic' with the mortal inhabitants... but what if it's not their time to pay respects at the little shrine? How often do they come-weekly or monthly? I never really bothered myself with the on-goings of mortals but if no one came, Aidoneus could not possible fend for himself in his current state. He'd probably die within a few days from starvation if not the hungry interest of wild beasts. And if he dies, it would be on my conscience. It would be far worse than unwittingly burying him alive... I think.

But if the nymphs-or worse, Mama-found out I have been harboring an outsider... I shuddered remembering Akaste's mortal friend and the days the inconsolable nymph wailed her terrible song of despair.

I rubbed a palm over my face with a long sigh. Whichever way I decided, he'd probably end up dead and I will be left with guilt and perhaps with some physical scarring.

"There... maybe a way I could find you accommodations in the valley," I carefully said to him, "A cave not far from here. I can offer you food and bedding but you have to promise me that you will stay out of sight and that you have to leave before the sun rises on the second day."

He looked at me with bleary eyes, he asked, "Are you sure you haven't left something out with those conditions? Have my first born child perhaps?"

"Why would I ask for your child?"

He waved a tired dismissive hand, closing his eyes, and said, "Never mind-just take me to that cave."

Clearly, he was trying to jest but was too exhausted to pan it out. It took me about five thudding heartbeats before realizing it though.

By the time I came back, Aidoneus was unconscious again. It had taken me a bit to find where Kykhreides ran off too and maneuvering her to crouch down on the ground beside the not-so-deceased man again was taking even longer.

Eventually, the mule relented. Now, I just needed to move the big oaf onto her back. Which was easier said than done-because had I ever mentioned he was humongous and weighed a ton?

I took a moment to look him over. He seemed so still and pale that it took pressing my ear to his chest to hear his heart beating and soft breathing to convince me that he was still alive. He did not seem to have any visible wound as far as I could tell. His clothing consisted of dark leather and fur, carved metal and a deep ebony cloak that was very unnecessary for Nysa's warmer climate. A heavy sheathed broad sword was strapped to his belt. He also strongly smelled of firewood and mint and something I could not name.

Such a strange man.

Situating myself above his head and putting my arms under his shoulders, I struggled to push him up right and on Kykhreides' back as delicately as I could. He seemed to be absolutely knocked out because he did not even stir through the entire process and even when I managed to put him completely on the mule's back. His great sword was sticking up from under his heavy clock. It did not look comfortable but I found myself not caring all the same.

Getting him off Kykhreides was a lot more easier than getting him on. A slight push and he fell sprawling on his back on a pile of fur with a great, "Oof!"

"Oh no, I'm so sorry! You're awake!" I exclaimed. If I knew he was conscious again, I would have been more careful.

That is, until he opened his mouth again.

"Are you, seriously... trying to kill me?"

"I said, I was sorry!" No, I'm not really sorry at all!

"You said you were sorry when you kicked me in the face-where are we?"

He looked around the cave. It was not a very deep cave but it was large and dry. The gaping entrance was covered in long thick vines but faint light still pass through. The earth was dark and sandy but the stones were paler with crystal veins running through them.

"This is my hideout," I told him, "I normally come here when I want to get away. No one should find you here."

He looked at the bedding of furs and the little knick-knacks I had gathered over the centuries scattered all over. Some were souvenirs Mother brought from her travels, such as decorative pots, plates, pans, cups, pins, combs, figurines, moldy scrolls, a rusted iron shield-junk basically. Some were of my own creation, like the misshapen stone golems who now guard the cave entrance. Aidoneus was looking at them rather grimly.

"They were suppose to be bears... I think," I said sheepishly, "I'm better at wood carving than sculpting anyway."

"I will have to take your word for it," he answered, deadpan, "Do you happen to keep any food in here?"

"Uh no, I don't."

"Well, I do hope you'll remedy that because how else am I going to survive the next two days?"

I did mention he such a serious prick, right?

"Well, you know what?" I tilted my head with a finger on my lips as if in thought, "Hmmm... I might just do that."

His dark eyes grew wide with alarm. He was helpless and weak. He was probably dying with whatever ails him. He needed me and he knew it that moment. Why else would he react that way?

I gave him the wiliest smile I could muster before taking my leave; Kykhreides following close by.

"You're... not being serious are you?" he asked, still prone on top of the furs.

I did not bother to answer or look back.