Whispers from the Dark

8. Trust?

I closed the door from the tunnels and left the temple behind. After drying my tears, taking a deep breath I stepped outside.

Outside I could feel the fresh air brush away all the fear. I closed my eyes and just breathed. Feeling all the grieve, sadness and anxiety disappear. Not knowing someone was watching me from out of the shadows. I more felt than heard Artemis' warning growl towards the shadows. I opened my eyes and look defiantly in that direction, my hand close to my sword. As a response, someone stepped out of the shadows. A young man, probably somewhere in his twenties. His light brown curly hair contrasted with his light green-blue eyes that seemed to brighten up by the moonlight. He had a small face with sharp cheekbones and he was wearing the black robes with red runes of the necromancers. His tall slim figure walked graciously towards me. Enchanted by his sweet laugh I stood frozen, watching him approach me. Artemis showed his teeth and put a step closer towards the stranger. The young man didn't seem to see it as a threat, but still he stopped just a few steps away from me. Now he was closer and I could see his high cheekbones and strong jawline. He had a small face and his eyes were enchanting, small wrinkles next to his eyes indicated that he laughed a lot. He was wearing black gloves and his robes looked more like the clothes of an assassin than the magical robes mages used to wear in times past. "What is a beautiful young lady like you doing here in the middle of the night all by herself?" he asked. His voice was soft and warm. I felt a strange urge to put my sword back in its sheath. Consciously, but with no idea why, I put my sword back in its sheath. Artemis stopped growling and we just stared at him. Lost for words. "Are you okay?" he asked, looking worried. I wanted to spill out all my sadness, telling him I'm not okay. I'm not okay at all. But all I could say was. "Yeah, I'm fine."

He didn't seem satisfied with that answer but made no gesture to push me to spill my story. "Are you lost?" he asked me again. I didn't know what to answer. Yes, I was lost, mentally. But I knew where I was supposed to go. I guess. Then I remembered my map. I searched for it in my backpack, but couldn't find it. Shit, Buddy, I think I lost our map.

Okay no stress, we will find our way, Artemis answered. I looked back at the young man. Without a thought I said: "Yes, I'm lost. I lost my map and I don't know where I am." Stupid woman!  I heard Artemis complain in my head. The young man nodded and smiled. "Don't worry, dear. I'll help you find your way back to the light. My name is Ash," he grinned and held up his hand. I thought he wanted to shake my hand as a form of greeting. What most humans do. But when I gave my hand he graciously turned it and kissed the top of my hand. A weird warm feeling spread through my body. I tried not to show and kept my face as steady as I could. But he must have seen my eyes light up in the moonlight by his touch, for his smile widened and he stepped closer. Not too close, but close enough that he could pull me towards him. It was a little threatening, but strangely I wasn't threatened. I suddenly remembered what Spook said and wondered if he had seen this man. "We're at the temple of Herdus." Ash nodded and looked up towards the temple. Gleaming white in the starlight. "Do you believe in Herdus?" he asked me.

"Not really, I think I believe more in Elyon and Veras," I answered awkwardly pulling my hand out of his hand.

"Do you know the story of Herdus?" He let my hand softly slip through his hand.

"I know a little," I answered. I had heard of Herdus being the creator of human beings' millennia's ago. But that was all I knew of him. Even though it was a summer evening, the wind from sea was cold, colder as usual. And I started to shake a little. I was tired, hungry and cold. "I need to rest," I whispered, more to myself than to anyone. But Ash heard me and he got that sweet worried look on his face. "Come, I know a place where you can rest."

I'm not sure if it is wise to follow him, Wen, I heard Artemis in my head.

Don't you worry. You didn't trust Spook in the beginning either, and in the end, he wasn't so bad. Same goes for him. Besides what else can we do? We don't have a map, no shelter, no idea where to go. And something tells me we should keep him as a friend instead of an enemy.