Shadow of the Wolf

Chapter Eight

Saleene sensed a volatile situation that arose in the night air. She turned toward the disturbance to search out the cause of tension. All she could see was Dartian standing in the forest, looking like a lone warrior back from battle, tired and worn. Her heart cried out to comfort him. A smile of compassion was all she could send him across the span of distance; but she knew he felt it by the look of surprise that crossed his face. Whatever had troubled him was put at bay, chained from being released into the night. She watched as he bowed to her in an old worldly style, a look of sadness still etched on his handsome face.

“I’ll go clean up the rest of the mess.” Saleene moved to head back to the camp and the fire to warm her chilled body.

As she entered the glen, she looked around, grief filling her once more. How could they have missed the taint of evil in the area? Was she so out of tune with herself that she missed the signs? Frustrated with herself, Saleene wondered if she could have prevented Jeremiiah’s passing. If she had been prepared would he still be alive?

So deep in thought, Saleene barely heard Dartian enter the glen. She knew he was watching her, but she couldn’t face him. Not when she still felt at fault for the death. There was nothing he could say to change that, although in some ways she knew he felt just as much to blame. What he didn’t understand is that she could sense the evil, at least normally.

“Saleene, please stop pacing. You need to relax. You’ve spent quite a bit of energy this evening.”

“I’m fine, just tired is all.”

“We will leave this place of death and find refuge elsewhere for the night. I found Raku and have put him in a safe spot for this night. He will recover from his wounds. ” He moved like a big forest cat, fluid and agile, to her side. She was shocked by how fast he got to her side.

He reached down, picking her up as if she weighed no more than a child, and pulled her close to his chest. She felt so weak and sluggish, but she wanted to protest.

“I should check on Raku to make sure he will recover.” It was all she had the energy to say.

“No, you’ve done so much tonight already. I thank you for all that you were able to provide for Jeremiiah in his travels to the afterlife.” He meant for the words as they came out to soothe and comfort her, and in some ways, they did.

*****

Saleene did not speak a word, which worried him. As he sped through the woods in search of another place for them to rest, he felt Saleene move farther within herself, disconnecting herself from the world. He wished he could take the hurt and sadness from her, but knew he could not. She simply needed time to allow the wounds to heal and he would do what he could to aide her with the battle as she faced her demons. She continued to remain silent and Dartian felt the fatigue overtake her as she wrapped her arms around his thick neck and nuzzled closer to his chest.

Running through the forest, he allowed the animals to speak to him, to let him know of a safe place they could sleep. Her lack of movement concerned him so much that he nearly missed the opening to the overgrown cave. Placing Saleene on the soft ground, he moved inside to investigate the interior. He found that it was clear of any animals. Satisfied that the shelter would suffice for their needs tonight, he moved back outside to gather her and bring her inside.

Once outside Dartian’s breath caught in his throat as he saw Saleene standing in a small pond near the entrance to the cave. Her hair drifted wildly in the wind as her face was upturned towards the sky. Tears streamed unchecked down her golden skin and Dartian’s heart melted at the sight. She reminded him of a goddess paying homage to nature, emotions overflowing like raindrops falling from the sky. He took a few steps closer to her, his hand outreached in her direction, hoping she would allow him to anchor her back into the here and now.