Sorry that this chapter took so long to get out, had writers block and was very busy over winter break (which is a testament to how much school work I do during the school year...). Big thanks to all the people who offered to do proof reading. Unfortunately I can only really use one or two proof readers and I felt really bad about turning people down. If any one knows how to draw and feels like doing sketches please pm me.
I will try and get the next chapter by this time next week but I'm not sure. If I get stuck again I will start on a series of one chapter short stories that I have had in mind for a while so stay posted. For the record, if for any reason I ever am going to drop this story I will say in the story description. I don't want to worry you guys thinking that I am about to stop writing. Quite the contrary, I fully expect to finish this story and am simply letting you guys know that I will never leave you hanging.
As always, thanks for the support and thank you for bearing with me over the break. And even though it's late, Happy New years! I hope your guy's wasn't as miserable as mine!
Sev woke up slowly. It was silent except for birds chirping and the gentle rustling of the wind through the trees. It was so peaceful that it took a second to remember where he was. Light streamed in through the entrance to the dugout, and Sev covered his eyes with the back of his hand. He turned his head away from the light and stared at the snow roof above him. A drop of water fell and landed on the tip of his nose. He made an effort of blowing it off by jutting his bottom lip out. After a minute of trying he gave up and wiped it off. He realized that Illineth had been staring at him the entire time.
He gave her an embarrassed smile and she laughed at his foolishness. He rolled onto his side, away from the door to face her. She wrapped her arm behind his back and pulled herself into him. She nuzzled her head into his chest and Sev ran his hand through her hair. She whispered something to him in her own language. Sev still felt conflicted about his relationship with Illineth, but it was almost as if he could physically feel his resolve crumbling. Years of hatred and religious fervour, drilled into him since he was born, was falling apart.
There was a shout from outside. The Sergeant was coming along, calling for third squad to turn out. It was their turn on watch. Sev and Illineth crawled from the dugout, pulling on any gear they had taken off during the night. It had been quite warm in the snow cave, especially with their combined body heat and the blanket, and the early morning chill was a shock. Sev stumbled towards the machine gun nest, Illineth tagging along.
"Is she going to follow you everywhere from now on?" Tunsy laughed as they passed. Sev shrugged at the huge man. The Sergeant informed Sev that Ryn had been sent to help out with a broken track on one of the Leman Russ tanks. Sev nodded and climbed into the machine gun pit, Illineth following along. Inside they were shaded by the camo netting and surrounded by frozen sand bags. After cooking up breakfast and some recaf, Sev decided that he was going to try and teach Illineth low gothic.
The hardest part was explaining to the girl what he was trying to do. He couldn't figure out how to tell her that he was trying to teach her his language. After ten minutes of drawing pictures and getting increasingly frustrated, Illineth finally nodded slowly with understanding. She chewed on her index finger thoughtfully as Sev explained words and letters; drawing pictures in the snow to explain their meaning. It was slow going at first but by mid-morning she had figured out a few words. At first they were important things: food, lasgun, sleeping, eating, fight, wound, that sort of thing. But as the morning progressed Sev started to get bored. He showed her curses, drawing out their explicit meanings in the snow. She started off confused, giving him blank looks. But soon her confusion turned to disgust, and then she started laughing.
Marn, the squad's melta gunner, looked into the gun pit as he walked past. He saw Sev drawing things in the snow and the girl leaning against the wall for support as she howled with laughter. He shrugged and continued on.
Illineth was almost able to string together extremely crude sentences. The grammar was horrible and most of the words were obscenities but Sev was amazed at the progress. After she finished one sentence Sev was so amused with the meaning that he drew out what she had just said in the snow. That got her laughing so hard that when she finally managed to regain her composure she had to lift up her respirator and wipe tears from her eyes.
It was about eleven when the Sergeant called the men together. The ten of them gathered in a more open section of the trench. Sev leaned up against the wall and Illineth sat cross legged next to him. The Sergeant explained that they had been chosen to go on a retrieval mission. There was a collective gasp of excitement which soon turned to disappointment when the Sergeant explained that they were to head up the mountain and pick up some parts for a busted vox on one of the leman russes from a communications array. It was all behind imperial lines and there would be no contact with the enemy. There were a few grumbles, mainly complaining that the tankers should get the damn parts themselves. The sergeant calmly explained that not only were the tank crews too small to carry all the parts but the men wouldn't be there to get the parts for the tankers if they hadn't saved their asses.
After emptying their bags of any non-essential supplies such as the heavy bolter equipment the squad left. The men nearby waved as they passed. It was almost noon and the Sergeant hoped to be back by the evening. It wasn't too far, only about five kilometres, but it was all up hill and hiking through the deep fresh snow was exhausting. After ten minutes Sev's legs were burning from the exertion and Illineth was panting behind him.
Despite the painful climb Sev couldn't help but notice how beautiful the scenery was. The boughs of the evergreen trees hung low; heavy with fresh snow. Wispy light green moss draped in long curtains, shining with crystallized frost. Sun shone through holes in the canopy, casting patches of light on the ground and picking up the tiny specks of snow that blew off the trees in the light breeze. Birds, invisible to the drop troopers, could be heard, singing to each other. At one stop Illineth pretended not to listen but Sev saw her subtly cock her head. A dark skinned man, Holly, tried to whistle along but had little success.
After a while they made it onto a dirt logging road that had been cleared relatively recently. There was still a layer of snow, but it wasn't too deep and walking was much easier. The snow rose in vertical banks on either side, over two metres high. Ryn had dropped back to walk alongside Sev and Illineth and now that the marching was easier they were able to talk. Ryn told Sev about the thrown track on the tank. Sev laughed as Ryn explained the misfortune of the crew, the tank having managed to hit a link directly on a tree buried by the snow. They went on to talk about life back home, and what they missed or didn't miss. Finn and Holly chimed in at one point, complaining about how much harder life in the city had been.
It was mid-afternoon by the time they got to the communications array. The Sergeant and Marn headed in to talk to the technicians manning the station. The rest of the squad waited outside, lounging in snow and soaking up the sun. They joked with each other and after a comment about Tunsy's mother a snow ball fight broke out. The men backed away from each other, hurling snow balls back and forth. Alfonzo, a southerner who the men made fun of for always slicking back his black hair, nailed Finn in the crotch. Illineth managed to get a snowball in-between Sev's helmet and his mask as he bent over to scoop up snow. A technician, a balding man with a temper, came out to shout at the men. He was sent scurrying back into the protection of the vox bunker after receiving a snowball to the face.
A minute later the Sergeant came out, yelling back over his shoulder at the unfortunate technician to take his court martial and shove it up his ass.
"Alright boys, the supplies are around back. Let's get the gear and get out of here. Whatever you did you sure pissed off that techy" the Sergeant laughed. The men headed to the back of the bunker. After sorting through crates and cupboards in a lean too they had gotten everything they needed and five minutes later they were back on the road.
It had started to snow again and a few more snow balls were thrown around to even out any grudges. The sun was still visible but dark clouds were closing in. The men threw worried looks towards the sky. Half an hour later and snow was coming down in torrents. They had passed a large abandoned house on the way up and the Sergeant decided that they would try and make it there so they could shelter for the night. Wandering around the mountain in the dark when it was snowing would almost inevitably prove fatal.
The men were relieved when after another ten minutes of marching they saw the outline of a house through the driving snow. It was now a full on blizzard and the men were covered in snow as they came upon the building. A sign swung above the door. It read The Owlbears Claw Inn. The men got to the door step and stomped their boots. They shook the snow off their over coats and gave the door a push, entering the tavern.
The room was dark and cold. Cob-webs clung to the corners of the ceiling and white dust covers had been draped over the furniture. The chairs were stacked upside down on the tables and the bar. The Sergeant took a few nervous steps in, sweeping his las gun back and forth, flashlight on. The men followed timidly behind. Marn called out but it was obvious that no one was around. After giving the inn a thorough check and flicking on lights this was confirmed. The men pulled the dust covers off the furniture and Tonna, the vox operator and only girl in the squad aside from Illineth, found a wood pile behind the building. After bringing in a few armfulls of wood the men got a fire going in the huge hearth.
A tabby cat came silently slinking down the hard wood stairs and curled up in front of the fire. Illineth sat cross legged next to it and coaxed it into her lap. Holly and Alfonzo went to the kitchen to get dinner going. The inn looked as if it had been abandoned for some time, but after some basic house keeping the drop-troopers were able to make it hospitable.
The bar was made from big varnished pine logs and the wooden tables had red and white checkered table cloths. The men hung their great coats, helmets and masks on coat racks near the door and as the inn heated up their jackets joined them. Illineth kept her helmet and toque on but decided to take her respirator off. Alfonzo and Holly came out of the kitchen bearing a cast iron cauldron of soup. They set it down on the table and the men cheered. The squad tucked into the soup ferociously. They were all famished from the days exhausting march.
After dinner the Sergeant was able to vox the Lieutenant. After a brief discussion the Sergeant informed the soldiers that the Lieutenant had told them to hang tight until the blizzard had passed. There was another cheer from the men. They held great preference for the warm inn over their cramped and cold dugouts. After they were done eating they cracked open beers from behind the bar and relaxed on the couches and around the tables. Sev dropped heavily down on the couch in front of the fire next to Illineth. She had managed to convince the cat to come up on her lap again and it sat purring. She leaned up against him and scratched the cat behind its ear. Ryn handed Sev a beer, who cracked it open on the edge of the table.
Tunsy made his way over to the couch and sat down. He brandished a half full bottle of amasec that he had rummaged from behind the counter and a couple dusty shot glasses that he blew off before opening the stylized glass bottle. He tipped the bottle towards Sev but he shook his head. He already had the beer and he didn't want to have a hangover if they were marching tomorrow. Tunsy had started to pour the amber liquid into his glass when Illineth slid one of the glasses towards him. He gave her a surprised look before tipping the bottle and filling up her glass. He carefully set the bottle back down on the table before knocking back the shot. Illineth watched with curiosity before mirroring his movement.
Sev laughed as her face contorted with disgust. It was as if all her facial features were pulled towards her nose. She shook her head and snorted. But when Tunsy started pouring himself another shot of the liquor she pushed her glass towards him again. To Sev's horror and amazement she continued shot for shot with the giant man. Each time she enjoyed it less than the last but she kept going until her ninth, which ended up getting sprayed across the table, much to the cats distaste. It leapt off her lap and headed up the stairs, throwing a glance over its shoulder to see if anyone was missing its presence. Much to its distaste everyone seemed too drunk to care and it slunk off up the stairs and out of sight.
Illineth rolled onto Sev's chest and buried her face in his neck. She groaned and Sev felt a little guilt and pity, but more amusement than anything else. He had continued drinking and had already downed a few bottles. It was a dark porter and was easy to drink so and before he knew it he was drunk. He wrapped his arm around Illineth and rubbed his hand up and down her side. She was obviously in discomfort from the alcohol and he guessed that she had never been drunk before. Perhaps there was a drinking age where she came from too, and perhaps it was actually enforced. Tunsy gave her a pat on the back and stood up to join a conversation with Marn and Tonna.
Sev reclined on the coach and Illineth lay back with him. She still had her helmet on and it was digging into his chest but he didn't mind too much. He tilted it a little with his finger so the rim wasn't pushing into his collar bone. Illineth struggled with a strand of hair that had got in her eyes, and Sev realised how drunk she was. The fire had burned down and his face felt hot. He wasn't sure if it was because of the prolonged exposure to the heat or from the beer.
He was exhausted from the long day of marching and was excited to sleep in an actual bed, something he hadn't done in months, at least months before sleeping in the house behind the factory. He was a little drunk and it was only making him more tired. He rolled Illineth off and after rubbing his face with his hand to try and clear the sleep from his eyes he got to his feet. Illineth waved an arm lazily at him and he grabbed her hand, pulling her up. She stumbled a little and Sev caught her shoulder. She swayed and grabbed a hold of his hand. They walked side by side up the stairs. There were a few jeers from behind them as assumptions were made but in their drunken states both Illineth and Sev failed to notice.
The stairs creaked under them, giving testament to the age of the building. The hallway at the top of the stairs was dimly lit by a small chandelier in the middle of the ceiling that someone must have turned on earlier in the evening when they had first entered. There was a soft, thick carpet on the floor and their bootless feet made no sound as they came to the first door. Inside the bedroom it was dark and Sev could see snowflakes blowing past the window and into the night in torrents. He closed the door and pulled the dust cover off the bed. He flopped down and the old springs of the mattress creaked, but the covers were thick and practically anything was better than sleeping in a hole dug in the snow.
Illineth walked around the bed and lay down. She took off her helmet and hat and put them on the bed-side table. Her ears poked out through her hair and Sev was glad that she hadn't taken her helmet off on a drunken whim. She slid over and wrapped her arms around him. Sev had held no intent other than to sleep when he had gone upstairs, contrary to what his comrades thought. He had pushed any sexual thoughts of Illineth away, as difficult as it was. But in that moment, with the drinks and being alone with her, his barriers fell. Her light dusting of freckles seemed to glow in what little light came through the window, and her blue eyes shone. He put his arm around behind her back and pulled her into a kiss.
She gave a squawk of surprise and indignation. Her body went rigid and she opened her mouth to protest. He pressed himself against her, not hard but forcefully. She made a move to push him away but changed her mind. Sev felt her relax and she put her leg over his. She tasted of alcohol and smelled like leather, metal and sweat but Sev didn't mind. She clearly had never done this before and was apparently still a bit confused about what was happening but any resistance that had remained was gone.
Unfortunately it didn't last long. An hour later Illineth was up, clutching her stomach. Sev had sobered up enough to realize what was about to happen and helped her to the washroom. He directed her to the toilet and she doubled over onto her knees vomiting. Sev spent the next hour sitting next to her, rubbing her back as she emptied her stomach. When she was done he helped her wash herself, and found a glass so she could have a little water. Her face was shiny and red from tears and she was shaky on her feet. They went back to bed and she curled up in Sev's arm, falling asleep soon afterwards.
At around three in the morning the last of the squad went to bed. A small group composed of Finn, Ryn and Alfonzo had sat around the fire and talked away the wee hours. But they were all tired and as the logs burned low they decided to retire. Alfonzo and Finn headed up the stairs but Ryn remained. He was deep in thought and stared into the glowing embers.
Sev, his best friend since child hood, had not been himself. It was plain to see that there was something going on between the mysterious drop-trooper and his friend but exactly what it was he wasn't sure. He didn't know how far Sev had gone with her or how serious he was about the girl but he was different. He didn't talk as much and he didn't seem to be himself. She had changed him. Ryn didn't have anything against the girl; he just wanted his friend back.
After getting a drink of water from the kitchen he headed up the stairs. The chandelier was off and the only light came from the red glow of the dying fire downstairs. He passed by the first room and after a brief pause of thought opened the door a crack, trying his best to not alert the occupants of the room.
Inside he could see the silhouette of his friend. The girl was in front of him and his arm was around her, hand resting on her waist. They were both asleep and their chests moved up and down rythmically. They had their clothes on which, in Ryns opinion, was a good thing. It was too dark to really see anything and he was just checking in to make sure they were okay. The girl had drunk a lot and Ryn almost chuckled at the thought of her going shot for shot with Tunsy who was renowned for how much he could down.
Something nagged at him as he headed down the carpeted hallway to his room. He stopped momentarily at the window to look out at the swirling snowflakes. He wasn't sure what it had been about the image of the pair lying on the bed, but something seemed odd. The feeling almost made Ryn feel queasy. He was disappointed with Sev's lack of friendliness. He had had girlfriends in the past but there had never been a gap like there was now. As Ryn crawled into bed he hoped that whatever it was that had come between them would pass soon enough.
Illineth let out a groan as she woke up. She had a splitting head-ache and her gut felt like it was doing flips. Sev opened his eyes slowly and propped himself up on and elbow, a look of concern on his face. He said something to her and this time she was able to pick up a couple words that she had learned the morning before.
"...You feeling...?" She was able to understand. She assumed he was questioning her health and she let out another groan, burying her face in the pillow. He rubbed her back and she smiled at the show of affection. Suddenly the night before came back to her, his lips on hers and, the oddest part, his tongue in her mouth. She wasn't sure what it had been that they had done but she had enjoyed it. She turned her head from its nest in the pillow to face him and smiled up at him. His expression changed to that of relief when he saw that she wasn't in such a bad way that she was unable to smile. He ran a hand through her hair, pushing a loose strand behind her ear. At that moment someone banged on the door.
Someone shouted something that she couldn't understand. It sounded like Finns voice. Sev yelled something back at whoever it was and yawned. He sat up onto both his elbows. Illineth had a sudden blast of emotions. She pushed her-self up and clung on to Sev wrapping her arms around him as if he was going to disappear. He laughed and tried to pry her small arms from his chest. She could feel his muscles moving under her. He was lean, especially compared to the other Mon Keigh like Ryn and Tunsy. But compared to the Eldar, at least those few she had seen without shirts, he was muscular.
Sev finally succeeded in breaking free from Illineths grip and she crossed her arms and pouted. He got to his feet and went to the washroom and filled her glass from the night before with water before returning it to her. She was grateful and quickly drank it down. Back home there had always been remedies for even the smallest ailments but the simple Mon Keigh methods would have to do for the moment. If water was all that was at hand then water would have to do. She nodded as a sign of her thanks when she was done and held out her hand so that Sev could pull her to her feet. She pulled on her hat and helmet and they retrieved any gear that had been left in the room.
As they prepared to leave the room, Illineth had a sudden flash back to something that she had seen back home. She stopped Sev and stood in front of him. Putting a hand on each shoulder she stood up on her tip toes and planted a kiss on his cheek. He looked surprised and hesitated for a second. Illineth was terrified that she had been too audacious. Perhaps it had just been because he was intoxicated that last night had happened. Perhaps he would leave her or tell his comrades who she was. She was terrified of what she had done, not because of death but because Sev would leave her.
But Sev didn't leave her. He leaned down towards her and lifting her chin up with his index finger and thumb he kissed her. She tilted her helmet back with one hand and the other she ran down Sev's back. She breathed in through her nose and enjoyed the moment. She still thought what was happening was strange, but she enjoyed the intimacy. All too soon it ended. She smiled up at him and he looked equally happy. They left the room and headed downstairs for breakfast.