The Girl Under the Mountain

Chapter 4 (Brambles)

"There, we can pick some of these berries and store them in the coconut bowls for winter". Rowan nudged the bowl under the branch of raspberries with her nose and shook the branch carefully in her mouth so they fell while I hand-picked the ones inside the bush. I was the only one who picked berries. Dragons mostly ate fish and meat but I don't like eating fish every day and besides fish didn't even taste that good so I think I'd rather starve. Rowan and the others don't mind berries but they prefer fish, sheep, and mostly meat. Pushing bowls to the side and counting how many I had picked to ensure I had enough for at least a week. We'd been out picking for at least two hours so it was getting time to head home. The familiar voice of Ajax talking to Gooseberry came from behind racing through the bush and my heart skipped a beat. What if he saw Rowan?
She knew about Ajax and that she needed to be hidden thank the gods so we found a thick tree top and she climbed up nestling deep into its now brown leaves. I tried to make it look like I was alone, there was a patch of flattened grass where Rowan had been sleeping and claw marks in trees. I tried not to catch my foot on any vines that were trailing through the grass in every direction, but I ended up tripping over a vine anyway, landing straight into the long bushes of brambles.
"Ouch! Ow! Son of a she-devil!" I cried out trying not to move but that was kinda hard when you are being stabbed by hundreds of thorns at once. Gooseberry erupted through the dead branches galloping like a wild kirin with Ajax atop his back skidding to a stop in front of me.
"Oh shit I'm so sorry, we'll get you out!" He ran to the bush and Gooseberry knocked over the bowls of raspberries I just finished collecting.
"Watch where you step dummy! And I don't need your help!" Snapping at Ajax I went to push him away but the thorns raked through my skin. It felt like a torch was being dragged inside my veins. Everytime I moved the thorns would inch deeper and deeper.
"Ouch!" I yelped
"Are you sure? It looks like you're bleeding a lot" He replied ignoring my tone, trying to move a vine out of the way.
"I'm not bleeding... it's the raspberry juice" I lied. I was one hundred percent bleeding and it hurt a lot. Every time I where to move the thorns would rake deeper and deeper into my skin, some even pulling on my hair and ripping my braid out of its tight hold.
"Okay well, guess me and Gooseberry are off then". He shrugged, smirking and walked off. I hated his dumb smug remarks and the way he had something sarcastic ready to be said and he knew exactly how to pull my strings. He walked away towards his dragon. They looked so similar even though they were two different species. The way both of their hair was slightly curly, with the same shade of brown how every Gooseberry had more tabby pattern with darker brown.
"Fine," I called out, my voice strained. "I may need some help because some douchebag got me stuck in here." I shot a glare in Ajax's direction.
"That's not very nice of you to say," Ajax laughed, extending his hand toward me after walking back. Meanwhile, Gooseberry sniffed the air, suspicious of Rowan's scent. I hoped he couldn't track her back to the tree. Reluctantly, I took Ajax's hand, and together we worked to untangle the brambles and sharp thorns. He gently pulled me out, and I landed against his chest, his arms bracing to keep us both steady. Pushing myself back, I winced as I assessed the damage to my once beautiful skin. Wounds littered every inch of my skin, blood staining my hands and clothes. My hair still held remnants of the brambles tangled within it. Ajax reached out to me, but I pulled away.
"You need bandages and herbs. Come with me, and we'll get you fixed up," he said, walking towards Gooseberry as if I were going to follow him. But I remained rooted to the spot. I was fighting to hold back tears, the pain from the thorns searing through me, each breath drawn through gritted teeth.
"Aren't you coming with me?" Ajax called back again.
"Your sister kidnapped me and forced me to stay in your village. Why would I go back?" I huffed at him. I turned my back looking at the tree my friend was still hiding in ready to head home but Ajax spoke again with a comforting purr from Gooseberry.
"I'll get bandages and whatever you might need. Will you stay here?" His voice softened, offering comfort as I struggled to catch my breath.
"I'll stay, but no one else is coming back with you," I insisted firmly. He nodded, understanding my request, and departed as swiftly as he had arrived. Rowan climbed down from the tree, landing beside me with graceful agility. I remained standing, hesitant to move as even the slightest breeze sent waves of pain rippling across my skin, every motion igniting a fiery sensation that traveled up and down my spine.
"Every time I'm around that boy, something bad happens, and I end up getting hurt," I grumbled to Rowan, frustration evident in my voice. She emitted a low murmur of amusement as if she found the situation amusing.
"What? What's your deal?" I asked, feeling unamused by her reaction. It seemed everyone, including my mother and the Elder, kept pushing me to interact with Ajax every time he ventured into the forest. This was the second time I had encountered him, and he was still just as annoying as ever.
"I don't know why Elder Firelily told me the reason I seek the village is because of him. I don't even like him!" I vented, feeling exasperated by the whole situation.
"It's all so confusing!" I exclaimed, frustration bubbling up inside me.
"I keep wanting to see him, but at the same time, he annoys me out of my mind! Ugh!" Minutes passed agonizingly slow, each one feeling like an hour, until Ajax finally returned with the medical supplies. Just before he arrived, Rowan scurried back up her tree to watch from a safe distance, hidden from view.
"Here, sit on Gooseberry's back, and I'll wrap you up," Ajax said, his tone tender and reassuring. The gentle giant laid down slowly for me to sit, with Ajax beside me. I extended my arms as he worked, trying not to brush my skin too much. I winced with each wrap of the bandages, the sensation causing me to whimper in pain. Finally, the bandages were in place, providing a barrier against any wind grazing my sensitive skin. He had brought a brush back as well which he gently brushed through my straight tangled hair. I closed my eyes letting him continue brushing until the first was gone. "Thank you," the words slipped out as I turned back to look at him. "You didn't have to do that."
"I know, but it was my fault you were in that bush," Ajax replied earnestly.
"True, and you owe me for knocking over all my berries, that took me two hours" I said, gesturing towards the squished berries and red-stained grass. Gooseberry's ears lowered apologetically.
"We'll help you gather twice as much!" Ajax exclaimed, his face lighting up with enthusiasm. Gooseberry nodded quickly.
"But there are hardly any bushes left, winter is about to set in, and I've got no food. And no, I don't want you to bring me food every day," I insisted firmly.
"You'll starve! Are you crazy?!" Ajax protested.
"Don't call me crazy! And I'll find a way to survive, I've managed this long, haven't I?" I retorted, feeling defensive.
"At least let us help you gather food since you can't," Ajax suggested, his tone softer now. The thought lingered in my mind. I didn't like feeling dependent on others, but every time I moved my arms, the stinging reminded me of my limitations. And gathering food at night was risky with other predators also on the hunt. I agreed, and together we cleaned the bowls, gathering what we could salvage and emptying the bushes of the remaining berries. It was only enough to fill two of the nine bowls I had brought, which would likely only last us a couple of days, but I had to make the most of it.
"I've seen these berries somewhere else before," Ajax remarked, catching my attention. "Where?" I asked, intrigued by the possibility of finding more food. "Somewhere south on the island, near a cave. We have time before it gets too dark to gather more. If you can put up with my presence for a little longer?" he said with a smile, accompanied by a small wink. Gooseberry picked up the bowls in his paws before lifting off, carrying us both. I tried to wrap my hands around Ajax to prevent myself from falling off, but my arms were stiff from the pain.
"Oh, here, maybe this will be easier," Ajax suggested, switching places with me so that I was in front, holding onto Gooseberry's reins while he held onto the saddle. His consideration of my well-being touched me deeply, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth towards him. Maybe Rowan and my mother were right. Maybe I should give them a chance. The sky retained its tranquil blue hue, with clouds casting shadows in certain areas. Riding on Rowan's back had become routine for me, so the view wasn't particularly new, but riding with someone else was a new experience altogether. It felt strange yet comforting to have company up in the sky. The ride was mostly quiet, punctuated only by the rhythmic beating of Gooseberry's wings and the whistle of the wind. Suddenly, my eyes caught sight of a massive patch of red berries below, and hope flooded my expression.
Perhaps I wouldn't have to rely solely on fish for sustenance throughout the winter. Gooseberry descended with a gentle, somewhat awkward, motion. Perched upon Gooseberry's broad back, I watched as Ajax diligently gathered berries, his fingers deftly plucking the ripe fruit from their tangled vines. Leaning against the saddle, I let out a contented sigh, my gaze drifting upwards to the boundless expanse of the sky above. The clouds drifted lazily by, their shapes ever-shifting in the gentle breeze, casting fleeting shadows upon the forest below. As the day wore on, fatigue began to settle upon me like a heavy cloak. Ajax and Gooseberry, however, seemed unfazed by the passage of time, their efforts as they worked to fill my bowls with the bounty of the forest. It was a scene both charming and comforting, between the bond they shared similar to mine and Rowan's.
Hours slipped away unnoticed as the two tirelessly collected berries for me. Ajax had kept his promise, ensuring that the haul would double what I had gathered alone. With only two of us and one dragon to transport the berries, the task of bringing them all back to where the rest of the bowls were proved to be slightly harder than I thought. Gooseberry carefully carried a bowl in each of his four paws, while I could manage only two. Ajax, showing off a tad, balanced three bowls, the remaining berries carefully stowed away in his saddle bags. Together, we soared through the sky, retracing our path as the sun dipped lower on the horizon, not quite casting its golden glow over the forest. The sky had yet to blush with the rosy hues of twilight, but the fading light hinted at the approaching dusk. As we glided through the treetops, a puzzled snort from Gooseberry drew my attention downward. Peering beneath us, I spotted Rowan pacing anxiously in the clearing below, unaware of her exposed position.
With a sense of urgency, I leaned on Gooseberry's wing, adding extra weight to prompt a stumble in mid-air. The sudden motion sent all attention to not falling off his back. It was a reckless move, but at that moment, preserving Rowan's secret took presence over our safety. I caught a glimpse of Rowan retreating to the safety of her hiding spot in the trees. As we focused on regaining control and stabilizing Gooseberry's flight, a sense of calm gradually settled over us. With gentle adjustments, we hovered steadily above the ground once more.
Ajax was the first to dismount, carefully setting down his bowls before taking the ones from Gooseberry's paws. The dragon descended with a slight thud, his landing with controlled strength. I moved to slide off Gooseberry's back, but before I could fully dismount, the dragon made an unexpected leap, sending me tumbling into Ajax's waiting arms once again. It was the second time today that I found myself enveloped in his embrace, and I couldn't deny the comforting warmth and security it provided.
"Gooseberry, that was rude!" Ajax scolded, setting me back on my feet before turning to reprimand his friend. I couldn't figure out what had prompted Gooseberry's behavior, but I appreciated Ajax's protective efforts to ensure my safety and balance. I could see Gooseberry's grinning teeth and laughter as Ajax looked slightly embarrassed of his dragon friend. As the playful scuffle between the two unfolded, I couldn't help but giggle at them. Gooseberry, mistaking Ajax's actions for a game, tackled him to the ground with all the enthusiasm of a mischievous pup.
The two of them wrestled and tussled, with the Mainecoon victorious. But as the scuffle reached its end, Ajax eventually gave up with a resigned sigh. Gooseberry responded with a smoky exhale, a peculiar sight that immediately set my mind racing. Mainecoons were renowned for their fiery breath, capable of unleashing flames of varying intensity depending on their emotions or level of control. As I studied Gooseberry's throat, I noticed something missing. There was no glow emitting from within, no flickering sparks to signal of ignition. At that moment, it became clear to me that something was off. Mainecoons were adept at manipulating their fire, capable of producing three distinct levels of intensity. Blue fire, the most powerful and formidable, was reserved for moments of extreme emotion or when their control was at its peak. Yellow fire, though less powerful, still possessed heat and was often used in everyday situations. And then there was the rare and coveted white fire, a manifestation of unparalleled mastery and control. But as I observed Gooseberry, it became apparent that none of these levels of fire were present.
Instead, there was only smoke a puzzling anomaly that left me with more questions than answers. Something was different about Gooseberry's breath. As I sat beside Ajax beneath the night sky, the weight of uncertainty bore down upon me like a heavy shroud. Over the years, I couldn't shake the nagging suspicion that Gooseberry and the other Mainecoons had somehow lost touch with what made them true Mainecoons. Gooseberry had finally laid down, and the two of us sat down next to him. We talked for hours into the night, our conversations ranging from the mysteries of the forest to the legends of Mainecoon's past. There was a comfort in his presence, a sense of kinship that transcended the boundaries of our respective worlds. As the hours slipped by unnoticed, we found ourselves lost in the quiet beauty of the night, mesmerized by the twinkling stars overhead. With each passing moment, the distance between us seemed to fade, replaced by a shared sense of understanding. Lost in our conversation and the peaceful serenity of the forest, we eventually fell into exhaustion, drifting into a peaceful slumber beneath the watchful gaze of the stars. In that moment, nestled against Gooseberry's side. Protected by a Mainecoon without fire, nursing my injured arms, and accompanied by a boy who had never before set foot in the forest?
What could go wrong now? Despite the uncertainties, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope stirring within me. In the darkness of the night, amidst the whispers of the trees and the gentle rustle of leaves, I sensed that our journey had only just begun. And as we slept beneath the open sky, I knew that whatever challenges awaited us, we would face them together, united by a bond forged in the heart of the forest.