Clouds

Part 2-21 Terrible Feeling

Chapter 20

            I feel changed after meeting the bear.  It’s like I am Misty: experiencing what has always been obvious for the first time.

            I had crawled back into the tent a few minutes before, but am still unable to sleep.  I sigh and roll to the side, not even trying to wake Jason this time.

            It’s strange how such a heavy sleeper would be called to be a guard.  I guess the Queen has her reasons, though.

            A chill sweeps through my bones at the mention of her name.  I never liked her, and never will.

            Finally, after hours of drifting in and out of sleep, Jason stirs and I leap up, excited to get the day started.  His weary eyes look around and finally lock on mine.

            “Morning, Emedee,” He says, yawning.

            “Morning!” I reply, darting out of the tent.  He follows, though much more slowly.  He raises an eyebrow at the sight of my awaken spirits.

            “Aren’t you awfully perky?” He says, reaching up to grab ahold of our food sack.  Remembering my promise, I tell him to leave a large piece behind.  He raises an eyebrow again but does.

            After we enjoy another silent breakfast again Jason puts out the fire and goes into his tent, returning with his bow and arrows.

            “We had better hunt together today,” he says, laughter in his eyes.

            That’s right.  I fell down a waterfall the first time I went hunting on this journey.  Well, I learned my lesson, Jason.  It was my first time having to hunt in a long time, while you have been hunting forever as a guard.

            “Fine.”  It’s not a comeback, but close enough.  I’m too tired to think of a smart response.

            “Oh, and Emedee?”  Jason asks, looking at me.

            “What?” I ask, hopeful.  For what, I honestly don’t know.

            “Try not to fall off anything today.”

            I roll my eyes and follow him into the wood, already having my bow on me.

            We walk in silence until Jason stops.  I see a buck a few yards away, his back to us, his teeth munching on grass.

            I prepare to shoot but Jason stops me.  He gives me a look that tells me that he needs to shoot: I’m not good enough.  I grit my teeth but obey, watching him aim.

            Jason releases the arrow, and I watch it fly, barely grazing the deer.  Alarmed, the buck darts away, but not far enough.  My arrow has already caught its side, and it staggers on its way while Jason and I race after it.  The buck collapses, exhausted.  I slowly walk over to it and crouch down.

            “Hey,” I say.  It’s frightened eyes look at me and it tries to run.  “No, no,” I say calmly.  “You’ve done a wonderful thing, Mr. Deer.”  It looks at me, blinking.  I wink back.

            “Emedee…” Jason starts.  I glare at him, petting the deer.  I ignore the arrow in its side.

            “You’ve sacrificed yourself so that we can live,” I tell it.  The deer winks again.  “It’s a great thing, what you’ve done, Mr. Deer.  Thank you so much.”  I let my eyes tell the rest as I continue to pet it, it’s heartbeat steady, until it finally comes to a stop.  Jason hurries over and together we lift the deer a bit off the ground, though not much, and barely make it back to camp.