Shadow Spinners

Chapter Three

~What element is our shadows made from—the same as our souls?~

--Asiyah bint Issa

The day was no longer pleasant. There was still a shiver in the air. A calm before a storm but not also literally but very clear mentally in that side of our brains we haven't mastered. Or maybe not our brains but in our soul that has a magical inborn sense, the part that we cover up more and more as we get older not wanting to listen to anything but our primitive concept of logic—this was where I recognized that impression that was so clear to me.

Clouds humbly built Cimmerian and swaged mysteriously into the sky. I climbed on high ground, silently looking over the forest. Small drafts of wind came; it was soon going to rain.

My insides ached to drink, seeing rain-filled clouds only added to the effect. I needed to find a some water or a river. The answer came sooner than what expected. I, by chance, walked upon a brook that lend to a small pond. I am a lucky fiend, I thought with a grimace.

The pond was clear, holding it's own versions of the organic structures that lurked near it. It seemed desolate as it was on one side spaced as a clearing and on the other side few short trees and bushes crowded on the pond's edge.

I sat on this edge ready to bend down to drink. Leaning forward carefully so my hair did not block my mouth I lowered my hand to dip—suddenly I saw a movement. Surprised, I jerkily moved back. Did I just see another being?!

Ready to jump back and fight, hesitatingly I pressed on myself to move forward, telling myself to glanced into the water. Slightly frowning, I levelly glazed at the surface. As I blinked, the being did the same. As I moved my hand in swiping gesture, it did the same. Puzzled but for only a moment something came to mind. It is me. Why, it was my reflection. Great, more shadows to follow me.

Intent, I lend forward and ducked my head into the water. The being that was me disappeared. Lifting my now wet head, I was done with my experiment. A curious thing… was my thought as I peered at my reflection. I could only suppose this was my outer image. No cross of emotion, no visual stamp said my thoughts or said I was thinking on this face.

My face was pretty even though it was wet. Maybe being wet had just increased the appeal but I didn't waste a thought on that. Dark walled eyes looked back at me whereas another might see a reflecting light of their soul. I gravely glanced at myself but than soon became bored. My reflection had distracted me from my loneliness if for but a moment and it came back even worst now that I had felt what it was like without the undesirable feeling.

I tried to reach out to my reflection as I did with darkness, apart of me needing so severely and greatly for it to reach out to me in return; apart of me needing to know I wasn't alone.

But life doesn't change with a need.

You are being a fool you are making yourself weak. "Why don't you reply!" My thought was a contemptible, miserable, angst shout but my spoken word came out an in monotone whisper, like a faraway wind…lost, unheard. So different from my thoughts. It was then I learned I was to keep to myself—to reply levelly when inside thinking fanatically.

I had never thought to speak, this ability to make noise, a sound into the world. It intrigued me. Though as if I wasn't alone trapped in my own mind. I entered a new realm shutting the door behind to go to a expanse and novel world. The change felt amicable. I now had the refilling feeling of the capability of revealing and concealing. Small—yes, but nevertheless a power.

The air had a warm inhuman tang to it, the storm was waiting. I got up and traveled by the stream. I was on full alert; the heaviness in the air grew. My legs tiered so I stopped to rest. Sounds? For a moment I froze detecting where the noise was from…and carefully climbed up on a thick, dark tree. From the sounds it sounded large. I was indefensible, open. I wasn't eager to meet a large fiend. But if necessary I would face it. No…there is more than one.

For a fiend it's fairly loud. Fiends, partially large ones had to be swift and silent in a forest. Especially if there was a pack, eminently this already silent forest. A thought grew a lump in my throat, What if one of the fiends smells me out?

Ask the darkness, maybe it can cover my scent. I did. However, before I could tell if it worked a "fiend" came into view. Indeed, it was no fiend but creature—A horse—and a clothed…human?

It started to rain. The human, a large man, grunted. "Told ye there's water." He pointed to the stream obviously to another.

Another pair came right below me. The rider on this horse was slim and the horse itself was a gray mare in contrast to the thick-bearded, rounded fellow and his tanned horse.

I was grateful to the darkness for it had covered my scent or the horses would have noticed me. The rider lifted a bag and put it near the base of the tree that was near the two horses who were now grazing heavily on the tall grass. He took a flask from his sack to fill it up with the water of the brook. A glint captured my eye. It came from the bag. There was a large dagger. Not as long as the cursed rapier I threw away I had thrown away without regret.

This dagger had a dull emerald in the pommel and a worn metallic cross-guard. Impulse told me to take it but discretion was first. He—I guessed the second human was a male—might notice it missing. And these people might be the human the dragon inquired for.

Below the dagger was a cloak, the rain dutifully reminded me I was in lack of one. Perhaps, I can take that-? No, now it's too late, the humans must be coming back. I couldn't see through the branches so I could only guess. I had no covet to face the humans, they might be even more dangerous then a fiend twice their size. Instinct told me never to underestimate a possible foe.

Right enough, the bulky man put a thick blanket on top of him and the lanky male came back and rested on the truck of the tree. Did slumber overtake him? Thinking, I suddenly felt tried. Rain that soaked through the tree rhythmically fell on my cheek. I'll just rest…a little….

Startled, I woke up. How long did I go to sleep? I was almost bemused. My face had been lying on the truck of the tree. I felt flushed and tried to lick my perched lips and mouth, I must have slept with my mouth open. My dark, wet hair stuck to my cheek. The once pouring rain was now a weak drizzle. Discomfort didn't bother me in the least it was my next thought— What woke me?

Thoughts came back, The humans. I looked down the slim one wasn't there. From the corner of my eye I saw a movement from between the branches where they weren't as thick. The gray horse had straighten, ears perked up. Something caused him to be alert. The heavy man was already saddled and his comrade was looking forward; in a stance I knew well but couldn't place. It was when I saw his hand on a hilt of a sword that was no longer hidden by his cloak that I realized it. He is on guard position—something is coming.

I glanced down, searching for the bag with my eyes. Sure enough, it was there. A time like this was as good as any; the two men was distracted and something or someone was coming—maybe a fiend. I wouldn't be armless any longer.

Carefully and swiftly I slipped down and grabbed both the dagger and the cloak. And slid it on, out of sight behind the tree. Armed, I was discreetly please that I was so soundless that the humans' horse didn't notice, with a dagger in my hand I felt I had recovered something. I couldn't help it—didn't want to help it, but I felt eager to fight.

What— How did I not notice? There was something behind me. Turning swiftly dagger in hand…why it was a boy! I stopped myself one moment earlier from sealing his life. The boy looked at me with alien eyes; they were pleading—pleading, to take his life.

A flashback—a sense of deja vu hit. As soon as it came it left. Hadn't I felt the same, that I wanted to die? Those once pleading, crying, soft with misery once alien eyes were now so familiar. Why--? I would probably never know.

'Please,' he mouthed. I looked at the small boy's bond hands; he was a slave. He was covered with dirt. He looked like an old man and yet he had that spark. There was no fear in his eyes—they were hopeless, yes but they revealed the only sign of his spirit; passionate determination. He didn't blackmail me saying if I didn't do as he said he would reveal me—not that I would even listen and perhaps he knew that too. Maybe that's what made up my mind.

I sliced through his rope bonds to the tree.

"Come," I whisper in a barely audible voice. I didn't need to say it twice. The boy was clumsy as a result of his weakness. I could easily see he hadn't eaten in a long time.

I glanced back at the two men. The slim lowered his hand but it still lingered near his sword. There was no fiend. It seemed a stranger had entered the camp. The stranger was totally cloaked and hooded which only revealed a strong, beardless jaw. Only lords went beardless and had the time to shave.

There was something familiar in the way he carried himself. But before I lagged on the thought, I moved making sure the boy followed me. The gray evening was so quite; if you breathed to hard it seemed everything could hear you.

I thought for a faction of a moment that the curious hooded man had glanced or looked in our direction as we—I and the boy, slipped away. Of course, I thought, I was just imaging things. For I had no proof that he did see…

His eyes were covered in the shadow of his hood.

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R2R

Muslima's note, "Thank you so much for the pleasant reviews, feel free to criticize! Remember, this is for you guys. I want to get better and want you to enjoy the story!" (Example: Rose needs to act more serous, etc.)

DarkAngelB~ Ooohhhh…!!! I am so thrilled you like it! *Kisses*--not really but you get what I'm saying right? ^_* Lady Crysania Majere~ Your opinion is always important! I'm quite flattered your enjoying this!! ^^ Kikaiyu~ *Beaming with joy* I really hope you've enjoyed it so far as you've enjoy the first chapters! I'll try to update as soon as I can but I'm also busy with another story called Steel Eyes (a Tamora fic) but I had to write this chapter before I started on the next chapter of that story. Lady Wolf Moon~ I really, really hope you like this chappie. I've read your stuff, great job.

Aerena~ LOLz, I am pleased you like it. Hope you like this chapter as well. Rosers live forever! (2 much sugar…) SorsX~ Boy… I feel pressured! I am praying this well come out well! Thanx for reviewing I feel better. Kikaiyu~ Well, you have to wait another chappie for Lloyd. Sorri'd!

Muslim 4 Life~ Salaam! Thanx 4 the music thingy! Could you email me?