Shelter of Ice

Chapter 4. Ayaana: 'Amarok'

It is so close that I can feel the heat of the breath. I fear to look up. If it will be the last sight in my life I rather it to be the green of the moss and not the jaws. But... I am afraid to give up too. I can not let it kill me without a fight. If there even will be any fight because stupid me dropped the majority of my weapons! FUCK indeed. Only knives that are hidden in my boots are left. That will do for a start. With the energy that still remains in my body I grab my knives and jump backwards simultaneously, and lean on a tree for it to cover my back. And look at my "opponent".

Amarok. Before me stands Amarok and his two giant dogs that look like a bear and wolf hybrid. But the man is so big himself that next to him they look as normal sized wolves. He is just a bit less of a threat than freaks. If look away from his body build, you can still be terrified of him. I've seen him fight. He is ... ruthless. The man easily slayed seven of the freaks by himself. Seven. That is beyond of what anything I saw in my life. Still, he and his father are someone I do not want to be near alone. So, I still hold my knives near my chest in a fight-ready position. What would he want from me?

His dogs do not move away and do not get closer to me. And Amarok just stares. Is this a surprise in his face I see? Maybe just for a moment. Or maybe my vision is not back from running.

"Freak is near" I whisper and point with my pinky to the direction that I came from. He slowly looks the same direction, checking every part of the forest on the way with his eyes. He nods now looking at me again. Not a big talker. Amarok signs one of the beardogs to go that direction. To check, I guess?...

"You're hurt" he whispers. Was that a question? Confused I try to look down at myself. Huh, I do have some scratches. The leg that freak yanked ant the strain is bloody and pants seem to be ripped. But I do not feel anything. Yet. When the rush will be over, I will definitely feel it. Looking back up I put down my knives.

We linger for few minutes. In silence. Honestly, I appreciate that he does not speak and I have time to rest. Until his dog comes back. Wiggling its tail. Does it mean the perimeter is clear? Amarok just pets its head and that's it.

"Come" he says in deep voice which is expected for his physique.

"My stuff is back there" I say and Amarok simply stares at me. No facial expressions. Only direct stare with those button dark eyes. Yeah, I know what he's thinking – "are you stupid enough to go back there?" And I give-in in seconds and step after him. Of course I'm not going back...now at least...

So now I'm following Amarok deeper into this forest. Upfront I see pines and his massive back. Besides us trot two of his beardogs. Guarding. To my surprise the walk was short. And... He led me to his sledge. Or something that looked similar. I've only saw it in a distance. The sledge was for a "standing" ride. Forepart of it was a deck for baggage. I see that here he put mostly his weaponry and basic supplies. Right after that there is stanchion to stand on. And while I'm staring at his thing, he saddles his giant dogs. I need this kind of stuff too.

"Here" Amarok hands me some plaid. "It will get windy" he smirks. That ... was the most human expression I saw on him! He gets on the sledge and hands me his hand to help me get on behind him. I wonder if there will be enough space? But somehow, I manage. Now tightly wrapping my arms abound his torso to hang on to my dear life. Crap, my arms barely reach...

"Hang on firmly" he says and I feel that he's scoffing at me. I give up trying to reach my hands around his torso, because with the grip that I manage I do not feel that safe. So I just cling onto his coat as tightly as I can. "Are you ready yet?" he asks. I can not see his face but somehow can still feel that the man is laughing at this situation. What an ass...

"Yes."

And we move. Oh my... This is amazing. We are moving so fast. So easily. I see trees passing by. I feel like laughing. Of joy! Who could have thought? And the wind... Oh it feels like a blessing. Strong wind passes us as if it was playing with us. But I feel no cold, mostly because Amarok is blocking a vast amount of the breeze. And I giggle! Oh for fuck sake, woman, control yourself!... I hope he did not hear it... The rest of the path I suppress this feeling. And stay quiet. But shortly we have reached our hideout. At least I will not have time to embarrass myself... Nor I have time with the meeting that was waiting ahead.

It's a scene one of a kind. All were outside (well, except for Vidak, for obvious reasons). The first who saw us was mother. Father was busy shaking Cupun. And Mirain...she was crying but did not intervein. Which was strange. As soon as I step of a sledge mother greets me in hug. The kind of hug that brings you back to your childhood and makes you forget any harm in the world... I let myself drown in it only for a second. I want to have a look past my mother and see what is happening, but at that moment father and Mirain are already near us. Cupun stepped our side but father just swung his hand almost hitting the boy. As a warning to stay away. Why does it seems so funny?

"Ayaana!" in a loud whisper he said. "Are you ok!?" he looks at me and without waiting for and answer proceeds: "What happened?"

"We encountered a freak..." I said.

"Yes, and Cupun left you!" interrupted Hedva. Should I feel bad for liking that mother is protecting me as one of her own again? My eye catches how fathers' jaws clench in anger, so I follow up:

"It was close so we should not be out in the open now" gesturing at our hideout. Mirain, who said nothing, turned to go inside, so did Cupun. Mother placed hand on my shoulder and as I felt a sting there I realize that maybe not only my leg might be scratched. This is so not good... If it infected me... The fear twisted my insides into a knot. No.

"Amarok, thank you" father turned to him as he was already stepping back to his dogs. "Thank you for saving Ayaana"

"I didn't" he seemed a bit surprised by Ivays' words. "She was already safe when I encountered her" Amarok said now looking me in the eyes. Father also looked at me, but with a specter of emotions – confusion, pride, fear... Then turned back at Amarok who continued to exit.

"Please, stay" approached Ivay. "Your father is already here"

Now we both are looking at my father with surprise. The doctor is inside our hideout? Can this day just end already?...