The House Of Blood and Dust, Book One: Darkness Rising

Tuqburni

We’ve been walking for what seems like a year, perhaps. No that’s just my mind it’s probably only been a month, stopping at pubs and hotels to rest and eat. Circe shows no fear; she only shows love even though I’ve ruined her life. Apparently even that doesn’t stop true love.

          “Avenji, how long until we reach this blasted place of yours?”

          “It is not a place of mine; my mother lived there as did my uncle I was raised there until ten years of age.”

          “Very well… how long until we reach that blasted place?” I laugh and look at her, dirt covers his skin and blood, we’ve encountered more enemies this time around than the last. Can’t stop in the same place now, they’re getting nearer to us blades focusing in ready to strike us down.

          “I’d say another few days or so… depending if we stop to sleep.” She stops and grabs hold of me,

          “I’d much like it if we did stop to sleep, I need to clean myself and my feet hurt… I want to be held in your arms and not be naked to the elements.” I hold her and kiss her head, stroking her arms. She sneezes an overly loud sneeze and then laughs, “I’d much prefer to be naked to you.”

          “Aye, I’m sure we’d both prefer that, my love.” We release and I stare into the sky as a passenger plane flies over; the sky is dark with grey clouds, the green of the leaves changing into a brown colour, falling to the ground as we proceed through the forest of Iliuu.” I came here as a child, with my mother and my uncle… perhaps one of the only places I haven’t nearly died or been attacked and it’s as peaceful as I remember.” I hold her from behind as we walk, strolling as the leaves cascade down around us, like ashes from torn apart buildings.

          “How are you holding up, darling?”

          “I have you, I am good… I’ll always be good with you in my arms.” I can smell her, that scent she always has so sweet; even through all the shit and blood, I can smell her… I can see her heart as well as her beautiful face, her podgy face with her beautiful smile, which make her cheeks light up. “I think I’ll get a lot of tattoos after this.” Circe laughs and kisses my arm,

          “That of course is alright with me… now let us get out of this forest to head to a hotel or something.” The red headed beauty, escapes from me and then turns to me smiling, “You look like shit… let’s get you cleaned up and shaved.”

          “That’s what you always want, me shaven.”

          “Of course, it’s kind of like kissing a toilet brush when you haven’t for so long.” I laugh and as does she. I grab her by the cheeks and pull her to me to kiss, a passionate kiss filled with love, lust and the souls of two united in hatred.

It doesn’t take too long to reach a bed and breakfast. I stare at the building and all others close by and far, the sky has cleared up and clouds have disappeared the light blue sky is all I see with a weak sun high within it’s kingdom. I turn to Circe and smile; she does the same placing her hand upon the door handle and turns it to open the wooden door to allow us entrance to this temporary home,

          “So darling, I hereby declare you speak to that man over there.” I laugh at her and go to the counter. The red haired beauty follows closely behind and holds my hand as I stop in front of a dwarven man, who climbs on to a stool to see me: the dwarf is bald and has a huge ginger beard, he’s wearing a suit with a mud coloured bow-tie.

          “Hello, what can I do for ya?” I smile at the man and a gnome comes behind him and climbs upon the stool next to him. The gnome is also wearing a suit with a yellow bow-tie, his beard is of same length as the dwarf’s, and is a dark brown as well as his hair which is of short length.