Changeling

Chapter 8

A rhythmic cawing sound woke me from my sleep. I opened my eyes expecting to see Ariton beside me, instead there sat a large ebony raven eyeing me. She held her wings out and hopped towards me. I sat up screaming and flailed my arms to scare her away. She flapped at me in retribution then flew out of the cave landing on a rock just a few feet from the opening. Her call turned shrill, scolding me.

"What? You can't just do that you know," I said to the raven. She tucked her wings in and sat much more politely on the rock. Hmm... who would have thought?

I ignored the bird and peered around my craggy surroundings, curious as to where Ariton had gone. Wedges of sunlight shone down casting geometric shapes of light onto the cave floor and lit an entire section I didn't know existed last night. I felt fortunate this space wasn't occupied by an animal that could have eaten us in our sleep. Swallowing down the dryness in my throat, I hoped Ariton was out seeking water. As I scooted from the cave and rose to my feet, parts of me ached, yet I expected worse after dragging Ariton to this place last night. I stretched and rotated my joints as I looked around. I had plenty of healing left to do but I was markedly better than I was yesterday.

The morning light stung my eyes as it filtered through the lush trees that towered overhead. I squinted to take in my surroundings hoping to see Ariton somewhere close by. Admittedly, I had not fully appreciated the beauty of this place yesterday.

The forest was a mixture of conifers that formed the canopy and ferns and shrubs growing in the shaded understory. Moss and lichens carpeted the tree trunks and rocks. Colorful orchids grew from the sides of trees and a variety of mushrooms and fungi flourished at their bases and dotted the forest floor in circular patterns. The raven hopped along the boulders and tree limbs following me as I explored.

A pleasant fragrance was stirred as air percolated through the treetops. Some of the trees bore small, scaled cones, while others grew green and blue berries. I came upon a young one loaded with berries. I reached up and picked a blue one then rolled it in my fingers, curious if it was edible. My stomach gurgled with hunger. The raven flew up from a rock behind me and landed in the young tree. She plucked a berry and cawed at me as she held it in her beak then in a singular motion, tilted her head back at let the berry slide down her throat.

"It is edible," I said to my friend. I gathered a few more of the blue berries, thinking the green ones were not yet ripe, and held them in my palm as I continued. I wasn't quite ready to give them a try just yet.

Ariton would be back soon I told myself, so I kept the cave in sight not wanting to stray too far from where he would return. I tried to push back the unwanted thoughts that he abandoned me here. Especially after last night. Something changed between us in the dark... or maybe the darkness just shed light on something that was already there. He wouldn't have worked so hard to get me here, only to leave me, would he?

I continued to weave through the forest taking in the sights and smells when I heard muffled voices coming from over a small hill. I crouched down in the brush and moved in closer to the sound, wishing to stay out of sight myself, but hoping to see who it was. I kneeled behind a dense shrub when I caught sight of Ariton speaking to someone who was unmistakably one of the Others. The sight of the dark hair and pale skin sent a shiver down my spine. They were too far for me to decipher any of their words, but they were shockingly friendly with each other, standing at ease and even laughing once. The Other pulled a small leather satchel from his waist band and handed it to Ariton who abruptly pocketed it. What the hell? What was in that satchel? Money maybe? Perhaps Ariton was taking payment for something. Payment for abducting me.

I was struck by the thought that Ariton could be working with Goldin and the Others and that everything he did was merely a show to gain my trust and my permission. He couldn't bring me here unless I allowed him to, that's what he said time and time again. I wasn't sure why my permission made a difference but that's what he said. Oh God, that was his plan all along. I need you, I will protect you, you don't deserve this sort of treatment, I promise to keep you safe...all just a false narrative to gain my confidence. I can't believe I trusted him. I knew better than that. I can't believe I walked right into his trap. I dragged his ass all the way to the cave despite my injuries. I let him hold me last night. I kissed him! Not on the lips, but still. It was a moment of weakness I will never forgive myself for.