Chapter 3:1 -Dreams
Soi’s dreams that night was filled with monsters and blood and Nibbles trying to kiss him. On the whole, it was a nightmare. Then suddenly his dreams changed. It was hard to breath. His eyes flared open and he met a pair of green eyes sparkling with anger. Around Soi’s neck were a pair of hands holding tightly, squeezing more and more. Soi struggled to get loose and in his mind a thought swiftly went by- why wasn’t Ana helping him? She would have noticed that he was being attacked by now. It looked like he was about to choke to death when there was an opening and he could grip the hands of the choker and push him away. The attacker rose from the floor and in his hands a dagger was glimmering. With a mad scream he attacked Soi…
Who sat up in his bed, panting and sweating. It was still dark outside.
-It was only a dream, he whispered to himself. –But it was so real.
-What was a dream?
Ana stood by the window.
-I was dreaming that this man with green eyes was trying to choke me.
-Green eyes, that’s very specific, Ana said sarcastic but her eyes had narrowed by his description.
-Yes well, he didn’t succeed, I pushed him off me, but then he draw a dagger, it was silver, I think, and he came at me and then I woke up.
That caught Ana’s attention.
-A silver dagger? Are you sure? She walked up to Soi and sat down beside him on the bed. She met his eye intensively. –Did you see anything else, did you see his hands?
-Yes, I did. I could feel them too. He couldn’t get a good grip on my neck with his left hand and when I shoved him away I saw that he only had three fingers in the middle left, the thumb and the little finger were missing.
Ana’s eyes went wide open but she didn’t say anything. Suddenly she rose and limped back to the window standing with her back to him.
-He always was good with dreams, she said, lost in thoughts.
The silence was held for minutes and Soi could feel his eyes falling. Through tiny slits Soi saw Ana turning around and just before shutting his eyes she closed the distance between the window and the bed with a few steps. She grabbed his shoulders and rocked him roughly. When their eyes met she held his gaze with a serious face.
-We’re leaving, she said.
He rubbed his eyes.
-But it’s still dark outside, he yawned.
-It’ll be dawn soon. Start packing, I must go and make sure of something. Wait here and don’t fall asleep!
-I’ll try not to.
Ana limped out of the room and still yawning, Soi begun packing. Not that there was much to pack. So when he was done he started making the bed instead in a very slow pace. When he was done the sun was glimmering on the horizon. Soi sat down on the bed and he felt his head tilt forward again and again, his eyes grow heavy and the idea of just lying down for a moment formed in his sluggish mind. He lay down on his side, slowly closing his eyes.
The man with the green eyes sat by the fire in an armchair. His eyes was momentarily closed and Soi thought it looked like he was sleeping. The man gripped the dagger with right hand. Soi must have moved unconsciously because the man opened his eyes and looked straight at him. Anger filled his eyes and he abruptly stood up, pointing the dagger at Soi.
-You stay away from her! He yelled and was marching toward Soi when suddenly a hit over his head brought Soi back to reality. Ana’s grey eyes looked right into his. She was not happy.
-I told you specifically not to fall asleep! She shrieked at him and marched in the opposite direction.
-You hit me, Soi was astonished and rubbed his head.
-You deserved it, Ana muttered. –I told you not to fall asleep, yet you lay down on a bed! A very bright idea, Soi!
-Then what should I have done?
-Well, have you ever tried sleeping on your feet, not very likely to happen, am I right? You could have stood up, you could even have sat down in a chair but not lied down on a bloody bed! You haven’t even finished packing!
Soi’s eyes were flickering and he felt himself swaying backwards from where he sat on the bed.
-Don’t you dare fall asleep again! Ana hissed and got back to him and helped him stand up before she smacked his cheek. Soi tumbled a few steps by the strength of her hit. He put his hand on his now sore cheek and tried to glower at Ana. She took his other free hand and put something in it. He recognised the cold weight of metal.
-Hold this for me, she said and then went back to packing.
Soi watched the item that had been handed to him. It was a simple metal ring made out of zinc or iron, it had no pattern or engravings.
Ana was soon done with the packing and they made their way downstairs where they met a fairly relaxed mr Silver. He was seated in one of the bar chairs with his legs resting on the edge of the table. He was the only one up other than them.
-Nibbles, Ana acknowledged. –We’re leaving.
-In a hurry, yes I can see that, he smiled.
-As you have already packed, you might as well come with us.
-I accept your invitation, Nibbles answered and gracefully stood and took his small bag with him.
They made their way out of the tavern and to the village stables.
-Oh, so you have a horse with you? Nibbles said genuinely surprised.
-I suspect you have one as well.
-Yes, of course.
-Good.
Soi and Nibbles prepared their horses. Soi felt less and less sleepy with each breath of fresh air. He still had Ana’s ring in his pocket and wondered when she wanted it back. But he decided not to ask. Not yet at least.
When they were done the horses were led out on the yard where Nibbles mounted his roan stallion.
-Soi, help me up, Ana ordered.
Soi quickly mounted his own brown mare and from the back heaved Ana up behind him. Nebelius watched the act with glimmering eyes.
-Now there’s a sight you don’t see everyday, Nibbles said surprised. –When did you decide that horses are a helpful transportation?
-I don’t have much choice, do I? Ana answered sourly.
-But you can’t ride.
-And I still can’t, I’m off balance. But it helps when I just have to concentrate on holding on to something rather than make the horse forward and backwards and wherever.
-I salute you, Soi, to mould the will of this stone hard rock. Nibbles bowed from his position in the saddled. –Well then, let’s ride.
To be continued...
By J.L.Frick
No comments:
Post a Comment