Midnights: The Valley of Ogressia

Chapter 19

I awoke again, after what felt like days, to the undeniable scent of horse rear. I had woken up several times over the course of this journey, only to find that if I made the slightest sound, Leehalm would pour the potion down my gullet. I can not imagine that he has many vials of the elixir left, so I am just trying to stay still, biding my time, trying to wait for my body to regain control.

I have not learned anything more about my traveling companions intentions, as he has not spoken since our departure, the only thing I have learned is that he is a terrible singer. Leehalm has been singing loudly to himself for a long while now, and I have found that if I begin to stir he stops, gets a vial of elixir, and things become quiet once more. I have thought of moving, just a little, to see if he will give me the elixir, just to end the torture.

Although I know this potion is to keep my body in a dead state, I keep trying to reach Cameron. I know she will come looking for me, because she is aware of the Haressian's plans to return to Leehold, I just fear for her safety. She is very head strong, and if she comes across one of the soldiers claiming I am no more, I am afraid of what she will do. I know she will not believe that I am truly dead, and I know that she will stop at nothing to find me.

I continue trying to reach out to her, even now, but I am not sure if she can honestly feel my pressence. The potion wears off quickly, as I am stronger then Arguson intended, and I have a feeling in my gut that Cameron can feel me, as I feel her. She is my mate, my love, and I will do whatever it takes to get back to her.

The horse is slowing down now, and I hear Leehalm yawn, and I hear the distinct sound of nails scratching flesh. It must be night fall, and Leehalm is planning to rest for the night. I feel the weight on the horse shift, and I hear the sound of his boots making contact with the dirt. He begins whistling to himself as he starts rummaging through the saddlebags looking for something. I assume he finds what he wants, as he takes his leave of the horse and I hear his boots walking away.

He begins mumbling to himself, and I hear the sound of twigs being gathered, and after a few minutes I hear him sit next to what I assume is a pile of twigs. My eyes are starting to regain their picture, and although the scene is blurry, I can make out the figure of Leehalm in front of me. He was sitting on the ground, rubbing two sticks together, trying to make a fire. He was cursing under his breath, the twigs were not cooperating, and as he was about to give up, I saw flames erupt from the pile of twigs.

He reached a hand into his nap sack and brought out some meat, and began roasting it on the spit. I could smell the meat roasting, and my mouth began to water. I wished I was able to move, or just speak, I was not beneath begging, and I had not eaten since I had dined with my beautiful wife. I once again let my thoughts run back to Cameron. Her smile, her green eyes, her amazing form. I had been so busy with strategies and talks of war, that she and I had not even had time to consummate our marriage bed. I prayed to the guardians that I would still have the opportunity to do so.

Leehalm finished his dinner, and made his way back to me, I had regained almost all my senses, but remained motionless, for fear that if I moved he would force the potion down my throat. He picked me up, and slumped me over his shoulder, carrying me to the spot where he had just come from. He laid me down on the ground next to the tree, and made his way back to the horse.

A lesser man would have attacked him right there on the spot, but something about him told me he was not as evil as he wanted others to think. I have overheard him telling his warriors that Bragden would soon be defeated, and that Leehold would reign again, and it made me curious as to whose side the Harressians were really on. This man before me was a friend to Simon, and I needed to know more before I made him my enemy.

Leehalm was coming back to where I was laying, I had my eyes closed to appear asleep, but I heard every step he took as he made his way to me. I grew warmer, as I can only assume, Leehalm had covered me in a blanket. I found this odd, but as he laid next to me he started to speak, and I knew my suspicions were correct.