By
Jeslyn Nighthawk
A/N: Um…So I know where I want this story to go, and a few of the intermediate points, but a lot of the stuff in the middle is still fuzzy.
Review Responses:
Ilona: Thank you for reviewing again. I use a method very similar to method acting- my beta-reader calls it method writing. It basically calls for me to become the character I'm writing. For this reason, it can be emotionally draining, and this is the main reason I don't update this fic as often as my others. Actually, the first time I tried this technique it was writing a Gundam Wing poem from Heero's perspective. What came out was so dark I freaked my mom out.
White-wolf: Thanks and I'll try.
Disclaimer: Don't own it…Don't really want it…That would involve way too much responsibility, I think.
Chapter 4
The eyes are not here
There are no eyes here
In this valley of dying stars
In this hollow valley
This broken jaw of our lost kingdoms
"I'm leaving."
Perrin and I looked up at Mat, in startled confusion. He was staring into the fire where our leftovers from the night before were heating.
"I mean when we get back. I have enough saved- I'm going to by a commission into the Andoran army. I can't stay here anymore." Mat's voice was harsh. Both Perrin and I could tell he was dead serious.
"Why?" Perrin asked.
"I can't stand the stares anymore- the suspicion, the whispers. There is nothing for me to look forward to here anymore. So I'm leaving." Mat was refusing to look either of us in the eye.
"Good luck," I think I startled both of them with this statement, as both of their heads swiveled to look at me. "You deserve better than this town's petty suspicions, Mat. I hope you'll be happy."
Mat nodded, Perrin shrugged, and we all began to pack up camp. They day was here, and the hunt was on.
***
We found the tracks around noon. They were faint, but still fresh enough for us to follow. We followed them the entire day as they headed relentlessly west, only sometimes turning to the south for brief stints.
We followed on into the next day, stopping only long enough to cook and devour the large hare we had managed to snare. We followed until we reached the base of the Mountains of Mist.
For long moments, we stood there staring up. Once, years ago, we ventured in, but we did not go nearly as far as this hunt was likely to take us. Silently, we began to set up camp as if unanimous in the decision that we would continue forward come morning.
Camp that night was silent, none of us talked. Our stomachs filled with yet another hare, we each went to our bedroll, and slept.
***
Overhead, the stars shone brightly. As if I were a pivotal point in their universe, they began to madly swirl around me. The rhythms were nauseating, yet I was entranced and could not look away. Sitting up, I felt the stars recede, and despite the loss of their wild beauty, I was relieved.
The eyes…they were distant, but coming closer. Panicking I lunged from my bedroll, and began running. I was running for all I was worth. The feeling of the breath burning in my lungs and the fire in my fatigued muscles was familiar…after all, I had felt it in every other one of these dreams. Running, running, I had to find shelter.
Suddenly the mists engulfed me. Before me the mountains' untamed faces rose as if from the abyss. I felt dizzy, and the world spun around me crazily.
Just as I felt as if I would faint, it stopped. I was in a perfect empty clearing. Above me once again were the madly dancing stars. Ahead of me…ruins. The gates of what was once a great city…Most importantly, I no longer felt the eyes pursuing me. I looked forward and started to walk. The city was calling my name…If only I could make out what it was.
***
Sunlight on my eyelids woke me. I sat up and breathed the first word that came to my lips: "Manetheren."
Perrin and Mat both looked at me strangely, perhaps they had dreamt something similar-it wouldn't be the first time.
I looked at them for a few moments before I spoke again, "That's what awaits us in those mountains. Do we go?"
Suprisingly, it was Perrin who spoke up. "I'm following those wolves- even to the Blight if I have to."
Mat nodded his agreement.
We packed up and headed out, the hunt was back on.
TBC
A/N: Thanks to all who read and please review…It's what keeps me writing. If anyone out there is a Night World (By L.J. Smith) fan, I encourage you to go read " Strange Choice or Fate That is Strange" by my beta-reader Besa-sama. She is in my favorite authors. It is a great read, very funny, and she is rather desperate for someone other than myself to review. Thanks and ja ne.