Ash and Coal

Chapter 6

Tw: Suggestion of sexual violence

Present

"So-So, you say that the shaking is an indicator that it's time for the mountain's end? Is this why it shakes so often now?" Ira asked as the earth continued to tremble beneath her feet. She snatched her hands away and curled further into the wall of her humble abode as every fibre of her being shook with an unnatural force.

"Most certainly," Leiv said, trying to be louder then the rumbling of the earth, "You must hurry and pack everything you require. We must leave immediately."

Ira just stared at the man as if she could not comprehend his words. Everything was happening too fast. His bright green eyes showed no sign of mirth or untruths.

"What of everyone else? The villagers, the the-" Ira's hands reached for a bundle of clothes but decided there was nothing she wished to keep in there. Everything fell down from her trembling hands.

"Everyone is in the tower. The miners, the villagers, everyone. I am not like your former king who would leave his kinsmen to mercy of the mountain," Leiv explained with earnest eyes. He looked certain that Ira would not believe him.

"You only left them for a little while," Ira sniffed with a bitterness that startled her. She had truly changed after all this time.

"Come, please," Leiv strong hand outstretched towards her and Ira felt her anxiety hasten her heartbeat. She had trusted him once but now she could not imagine letting him lead her anywhere. Her knees trembled in a way that had nothing to do with the dying mountain.

"Do I have to?" Ira swallowed, her dry throat ached from the ash. She had often wished for her suffering to be over and perhaps the mountain was meant to swallow her whole. It felt like a safer prospect then letting Leiv take her hand, "I'm so tired. I walked for miles..."

The King stared at her incredulously, "You are a survivor, Ira. I don't believe for a second you wish to perish here."

"That girl died a long time ago," Ira whispered as the earth roared. Crumbling pebbles hit her head and instead of taking a step towards freedom the tan girl took a step backwards, hitting the wall of her hovel.

"Is it because you're angry with me? You could live without ever seeing me again," The green eyed man promised, urgently.

Ira did not have the heart to tell him she still saw him when she closed her eyes. It was only now that she could no longer say she would anymore with confidence. He had changed too much to be the same boy she saw when she closed her eyes.

"I have no wish to live in an ivory tower like that princess of yours," Ira stared at her feet with her fists clenched. She bit her lip in hopes she did not say anymore. She did not want to advertise her sad, broken self to the one man who knew her before it all. She wished to die with some semblance of dignity.

A brief glance upwards showed that Leiv just watched her trembling form. His jaw was clenched as if he too was holding back his thoughts.

"You can live however you want," He finally exhaled, "Wherever you want. I will not compel you to live according to my wishes. You will never be anyone else's to command."

Tears fell down Ira's face making her feel even more insignificant. She just wished the world would collapse so she could stop feeling.

"Please, just for me, walk, I want you to live," Leiv's green eyes widened as if Ira's tears terrified him. She had never been overt in expressing her emotions and here she was falling apart in front of him, "If you do not wish to go then I will stay here with you."