Gray Skies

Chapter Thirteen: I Fear For Your Eyesight

Chapter Thirteen: I Fear For Your Eyesight

                Gray Skies looked back at Deniah and knew his eyes would relay the message without his words helping. ‘Stay put’. She nodded, though her gray eyes were wide with fear and uncertainty. He would have liked to have taken time to admire her, though her red hair was limp and lifeless, her skin pale, her freckles stuck out sharply and her clothes were stained and tattered. She was looking much worse for wear but the sight of her still caused an ache in his chest to hold her and protect her from all that would do her harm.

                But first he had to protect her from whoever was wandering around their cave. He had no weapon but that was nothing to be too concerned about. Gray Skies was the weapon. The souls of many dangerous creatures resided within him and merely a thought from him would bring about the transformation.

                Gray Skies moved silently as he stepped to the mouth of the cave and peered out. He was not sure whether to be relieved or alarmed when he saw Eagle Feather standing there with an angry expression on his face and a sack over his shoulder.

                “Why have you come here and how did you find me?” Gray Skies demanded.

                Eagle Feather adjusted the strap of the stack over his tunic and crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Big Sky sent me. He told me where to find you.”

                Gray Skies did not ask how Big Sky had known where to look for him. Big Sky knew many things that no one could explain and everyone had learned long ago to simply accept that. “You did not answer my first question. Why are you here?”

                “Big Sky sent me.” Eagle Feather said again. He made a move to step around Gray Skies, clearly wanting to see inside the cave. Gray Skies moved with him, staying firmly in the way.

                “Why?”

                “To bring you this.” Eagle Feather slid the sack from his shoulder and tossed it to Gray Skies. “It is clothes and food,” Eagle Feather informed him as Gray Skies peeked into the sack. “And I added a knife as well.”

                Gray Skies looked at his friend in surprise. Before he could reply he heard a shuffling behind him and turned to see Deniah stepping out of the cave. She had the blanket wrapped around her shoulders and was leaning against the cave wall for support. He could see from here just how badly her body was shaking.

                He was angry that she had not stayed inside the cave but knew nothing could be done about that now. Instead he went to her and wrapped his arm tight around her waist, holding her up as she leaned against him.

                “Is this her then?” Eagle Feather asked, looking Deniah up and down.                   

                Gray Skies felt a jolt of jealousy that surprised him and nodded. “Yes, this is Deniah. Deniah this is Eagle Feather.”