To: A Not-So-Clever Cookie
Request granted.
:)
Chapter 38 - Oliver
He took her southward, beyond the regions she had explored with Ivan toward a large boulder. It sat like a brooding giant near a set of what looked to be dunes in the darkness. She followed him around the great rock-like structure. The light of the single blue flame danced across the surface as they approached it, revealing similar etchings to those on the Fleshgatherers' rock.
"This is one of the oldest, most interesting vestiges in all the land," he told her as he began to ascend a jagged set of elevated places in the great object. She joined him as he stood on the plateau and stared out over the expanse. "I used wonder why it was here. Casey, you are standing on bone; part of a skull, in fact." She looked down, not at all pleased with the knowledge, yet trying to identify the shape in the darkness.
"Look in the distance." He motioned toward the gorge, which was just over the ridge of the jagged dunes. On the opposite side, she saw a clearing with a large issue of multi-shaded smoke rising above the land. It was so far away it looked to be a flicker of a snake's tongue; it seemed to feed on the darkness. She squinted at the ravenous, beryl wisp with a tunnel of night between her and the region over the way. "Listen," he rested his hand on her shoulder, bringing his face beside hers. She could barely still her heart to pay attention to the slight sounds from the other side. He began to hum the tune in her ear, making it easier to recognize the melody of the music.
"What are they doing?" she asked.
"They are dancing and playing. They are having a celebration. Every year they welcome the return of the Viliath."
"The Viliath?"
"The beautiful creature of the sea. This place – this land - is known as Dreone (Dray'-o-nay). It is in the heart of what was once a great mountain. If you were to travel it in the four directions, you would find it hemmed in by walls of rock in every place but two: where the water enters and where it flows out."
"Have you walked all of Dreone?"
"No. I have seen it from the crest of the southern peak. That way." He pointed toward the left into the darkness. "It is part of Dreone's boundary, and reaches a height that allows a view not only of this valley, but what remains of the great mountain northward through which the Ebydd flows."
"The Ebydd is the water in the gorge?" Casey asked.
"Yes. It flows from the Drakkytbet (Drahk-et-bayt)– in the north. One day I will show you the view-"
"No," Casey said quickly, pulling away. "I – I don't want to see anymore of Dreone. I want to go home. You – you could help me go home, couldn't you?"
The prince withdrew his hand as she turned toward him. "Oh, Casey. I had hoped to give you time to love this place as I do. I know you want to return, but can't you see the beauty of what you have?"
"It – it is very pretty. The food the pixies have brought to me – oh, I thank you for it! Still, I need to go back. I belong there, not here."
"You belong, you say." She heard a bitter note in his voice. "Can one really belong anywhere?" His tone abruptly changed; and, instead he said, "Well enough, Casey. I understand your thoughts for home. I will help you return."
She looked into his face, lit softly by the azure glow of the strange rock he held, too cautious to believe he would really grant her request.
"You want to know why I will help you," he said. "So ask."
"Okay. Why?"
He lifted her hand, entwining his fingers with hers, drawing closer. His face was so beautiful in the haunting cerulean glow. As he scanned her eyes, she held her breath; there was something fiercely calm within him. She could feel his presence, like a raging storm masterfully controlled. "If I let you go, I think you will return to Dreone; and I will make it so there will always be a door open to you."
Casey, highly doubtful of ever coming back, wore a pleased expression. "Will you do this now?"
"It cannot be accomplished until the Viliath comes."
Her eyebrows furrowed. "But when will that be?"
He pointed toward the curling clouds of colored light beyond the gorge. "The celebration begins. The Viliath will come to Dreone within the week. Until then, I will ask something from you in return."
"What would that be?" The words were spoken warily.
"Before the light fades each evening, come to this place. I wish to tell you more of this land, so that you will know it as I do."
"Is that all we will do? Talk?" The question was bold, but she needed to know.
"Do you exact a promise of restraint from me?" His tone expressed nothing, but she had the distinct impression that he was amused. It wasn't clear to her, since the light had been directed away from his face. "Is there no trust between us? Have I not proven myself to be always concerned in your care and well-being?"
"Yes. I mean - I don't know you. I want to trust you…"
"What prevents you?"
"Things like: I don't even know your name."
"I was once known as Oliver."
"And, you are… different."
"Does different mean that I am not to be believed?" he asked. His question was a challenge and she gave a guarded laugh.
"I don't know what 'different' means, but that doesn't change how I feel…" She trailed away, remembering her conversation with Ivan about her love of redefining words.
"I do not wish to do anything to make you uneasy." The light from the stone wavered as he moved, releasing her fingers. "Do you want to go back now? I will take you back to the pixies."
"I don't know." She hesitated, unequal to admitting the emotions he awakened within her. Her heart, even when it returned to its normal pace, ached when she was near him. It was delicious and frightening. She wanted to touch him and run from him simultaneously.
"Your face is so expressive. Right now the way your forehead crinkles… I think you are afraid of me."
She shook her head, wishing to deny it; but honesty won out. "Definitely."
He chuckled quietly, and Casey's heart fluttered like a restless pixie. Why was he laughing? "I'll take you back."
"No. I don't want to be alone." He was very still, looking down at her. She had surprised herself with the resolve she felt.
She heard him give a sorrowful sigh before he sat down. "Then you won't be alone. We'll watch the celebration until you wish to return." She placed herself next to him, curling her knees to her chin. "You act as though you are cold," he remarked after a few minutes.
"Not on the outside," she mused aloud. "Does it never get cold here?"
"It is spoken that Dreone's heat will not increase, nor will it decrease. The winds will not shift its calm," he quoted.
"What is that from?" She waited, but he didn't give any explanation. "Is it from a book?" He turned his face and she saw his profile in the light. His nose, his lips, his chin; everything was so perfectly appealing about him.
"It is one of the many stories of Dreone. A passage much like poetry."
"Quote more of it."
He seemed to consider it before telling her, "Haven't you read enough of them?"
She paused, puzzling over what he meant, before it dawned on her. "You mean in the cave in the gorge? I'm not allowed to read those."
"Not allowed?"
"Ivan won't let me."
"Why should he stop you?"
"Do you know Ivan?" For some reason, Casey felt relieved to speak of him. "He's the one that rescued me when I first came here."
"Why aren't you allowed to read the stories?"
She shrugged uncomfortably. "Because the people who wrote them were crazy – or went crazy."
"My story is there. I wrote it a year ago, before the time of the Viliath. I read many pages in that cave."
"And you didn't die in there?"
Oliver laughed. "No, I didn't die in there. But it is a dangerous place. I didn't think you'd visit it as much as you have."
"I probably wouldn't have, but Ivan practically lives there." There was silence again. Was he trying to avoid speaking of Ivan? She decided to be direct. "Why do you speak to me and not to Ivan?"
"Because his fate is not yours."
A/N: *hops up and down* What do you think?
Arista Everett June: "Too short, too short." To think, that was one of the longer chapters. I'm glad it pulls you in. "It's odd that the dragon would say 'Do not cry out. Do not rile the beast.' about himself!" Yes, isn't it? "Are you doing a symbolism of his sacrifice to save Casey when he didn't have to or am I making it deeper than it really is?" He felt responsible for her and acted on that. So, were your bones right?
Lady Thorne: "OR all of the fiction stories that I've read in my life will come back to me and I might discover that I have super cool powers as well!" The fiction stories coming to you sounds like Inkheart. Discovering super cool powers? Nice! King David of the Bible said, I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are your works; my soul knows it very well. -Psalm 139:14. The word "fearfully" there means to inspire a respectful awe; and the word "wonderfully" expresses a meaning of being set apart. So, each of us is an awe-inspiring, set apart creation of God. Our existence - a human life - is a super cool power then.
A Not-So-Clever Cookie: :D Did you like the chapter? I hope you weren't using God's name as an interjection. :o{ I wish that acronym meant something else.
Smiling Pancake: How can Ivan be so angry? That's a start to figuring out what's going on in his head. "You sure do love the cliffhangers, don't you?" Tee hee *smiles back*
Quiet Mindreader: I was seriously concerned when I didn't hear from you. 'Was the chapter boring? Has it left QM with two little info?' I was thinking all sorts of sad things. Just shows how I look forward to your thoughts after each chapter. Is it possible I'm addicted to your reviews? :} "Did the Zource water make her nails prettier?" Less wear. She's been there less than two weeks compared to Ivan's eleven months. "Was he not wearing any pants before?" *chuckles* He was actually wearing these clothes in the cave, but the flaking apparel covered them over like a robe. When Zyri knew the Dfly P was near, she flew to investigate where he was going. She was just nervous. Yes, Oliver looks just the same as before, just as handsome and all. I hope you felt that from this chapter.