Chapter V
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Aeronwen hid in the shadows, shrouded in her black cloak she was easily concealed in the darkness of the forest. The flame from the torch that the old man carried could be seen easily in the dark and she could hear him approach, as loud as a bear to her ears. All she needed was a few more seconds then she would have been on Caius, slitting his throat, then taking his heart. Cursing, Aeronwen melted back into the trees, just far enough so that she could watch the two men, but they could not see her. The hex she had cast over Caius had worked, but the old man’s influence, even from that distance had lessened the effect of the curse. Aeronwen had been in the settlement for days and had waited for the right moment to kill Caius. It would have been too risky for her to expose herself in the village, so she embedded herself slowly into the settlement , with a little help from a combination of herbs that, when thrown onto a fire, would subtly dull the senses of the villagers as they inhaled the smoke spreading through the air.

Aeronwen’s rage burnt inside as she watched the torchlight fade. The blade in her hand had been denied blood, so she ran the ragged but sharp edge over her palm. Not seeming to mind the pain she drank her own blood, then closed her hand into a tight fist to stem the flow. The coppery taste of blood in her mouth awakened the need for more, a sacrifice had to be made, warm flesh must be consumed to quell the wrath of her Goddess, who demanded offerings this night. The fading light from the torch acted as a beacon, guiding the way for Aeronwen back to the village. Keeping her distance, she waited until Caius and the old man were out of view then went to the house of an older man whom she had been using for pleasure. His wife had gone missing a few days ago, one of her acolytes had seen to that,  and Aeronwen had then seduced him using her dark powers. He hadn’t mentioned his wife since and was oblivious to her whereabouts, he was nothing more than a slave to satiate Aeronwen’s desires now.

He was asleep by the fire which still roared away as she crept across the floor towards him. He stirred and sat up as he saw her approach him. She rested on her knees as she slipped off her cloak to reveal her nakedness, her intentions to him obvious. Now familiar with these proceedings he threw off the wolfskins covering his body. He wasn’t an old man, ten years were between them and he was strong and in good health, which, unfortunately for him, was why he was chosen.

She crawled over on her knees, her breath shallow but heart beating fast as the moment of conclusion for her was near. The two bodies touched, and they kissed as he grabbed her breasts roughly then took one in his mouth, suckling on it. She gasped out in delight and took hold of his hair with one hand, forcing his face down further. He struggled to breath but was under her spell now and could not stop. Then, pulling his head back, she pushed him down, and climbed on top of him, taking him inside of her, groaning in pleasure as he filled her void. It didn’t take long for her to bring him to his zenith, she could feel the pulsating inside of her and at the moment of orgasm she placed both hands around his neck and strangled him, using all her strength to choke the life out of him. He bucked and tried to get her off but could not, despite his strength. Aeronwen took her pleasure from him again and again as he tried in vain to stop her, and at the moment he breathed his last breath she had to stop herself from squealing in pleasure, her orgasm was that intense.

 

 

Still astride him, she let go of his neck and his head fell back with a dull thud. The fire was still going strong and a sheen of sweat covered her body, shining in the fire light. The dead man was still hard inside her, and she made use of it while it still stood. After she had her fill, she reached over and took a blade from inside her cloak, and made a cut into his chest, pressing hard and running the knife down towards his belly. Then, reaching into his chest she took his heart and cut it out. Warm and slippery, it was still full of blood and Aeronwen poured it over her breasts and tipping her head back drank some of the warm slick fluid. Afterwards licking her fingers so she didn’t waste any. She climbed off the corpse and threw her cloak over her shoulders, wrapping the heart in one of the wolf skins. It was still dark outside as she left, and the fires were almost burnt out now as no one was awake to keep them alight. Slipping past the embers she faded away undiscovered, becoming another shadow in the trees.

***

 

The body was discovered next morning, a trail of blood had been spotted and tracked back to the hovel by a young woman out collecting firewood. Her screams woke up the whole village. Caius was the first there and saw the mutilated body, followed by Torolf.

‘What’s happened?’

Caius tried to stop Torolf but he barged past him and looked inside. His face was pale when he came back out and Caius thought he was going to puke, but to Torolf’s credit he managed not to. Tulia came running towards Caius and as he turned to her, Caius couldn’t help but notice a visible look of relief on her face as she saw him.

‘I feared it might have been you….’ Concern was in her voice, but then Tulia quickly hid her emotions.

‘Don’t go in there…’ Torolf warned, shaking his head slowly, still pale.

Caius instinctively put his arm around Tulia’s waist to prevent her from going in. Tulia let him hold her for a second, then gently pushed his arm away.

‘I’m ok, I need to see.’ Then turning to the chief. ‘Was it the woodsman who lived here?’

He nodded, and she looked in, shocked by what she saw she quickly looked away and gagged, covering her mouth.

‘Why would…who could do this?’ she asked, as tears began to run down her face. Torolf answered.

‘I will gather our elders and get answers.’ He turned away and as he walked off Caius put his arm around Tulia to comfort her, this time she did not resist.

***

The fire in the ancient hall still burnt, as it would all through winter. Torolf, Bedwyr and the two sisters, Echrad and Elbrig, along with a couple of other shrivelled looking old men , sat around the fire talking between themselves and drinking steaming broth from wooden cups. Caius had taken it upon himself to attend the meeting, even though he hadn’t been invited. He called on Tulia and escorted her to the hall, feeling genuine concern about her safety, admitting to himself he was beginning to have feelings for her.

They were both ignored as they entered the hall, so they helped themselves to the broth which hung above the fire in a bulging black iron cauldron,  and sat to one side, patiently waiting for the elders to finish. The summit of elders continued for some time and darkness  encroached on the village before the meeting came to an end and Torolf addressed Tulia.  

‘When Bedwyr asked me to give you safe harbour, I was wary of your intentions, but over time I have seen that you are trustworthy.’ 

Tulia nodded at him in acknowledgment, wondering where this was leading.

‘You selflessly took it upon yourself to warn us of the dangers present to our people - our way of life-  when you could have been living a life far different to ours that I, as Chief of this village, could not comprehend.’

The collective elders murmured in agreement.

‘But…’ Torolf looked down, not wanting to say the words he knew he had to, then finally looked Tulia in the eye.  ‘We can no longer keep you safe here. You must leave..’

Tulia was stunned, suddenly fighting back tears she demanded an answer. ‘Why?, where am I meant to go? Returning to Rome is impossible, I’m a spy and traitor in the senate’s eyes. I’ll be crucified!’

 

‘Tulia, my sweet child, please understand,’ Echrad tried to reassure her. ‘It’s not that we don’t want to,  but we cannot ensure your safety any longer.’

‘It’s true.’ Elbrig continued. ‘Last night’s horrific killing has shown us that no one is safe.’ Bedwyr touched Elbrig’s arm, interrupting her, and spoke with solemnity.

‘It’s time I told you the truth, Tulia.’  

‘What do you mean, The truth?’ Tulia was confused.

Bedwyr sighed and continued, dreading this moment but knew that Tulia had to know.

‘You…have a destiny, Tulia. One which will shape the future of these lands. Echrad and Elbrig have seen this.’

He nodded towards them in deference. ‘There are…there is something -someone- who wants to kill you, in order that they have these lands to do as they wish. This would not be a good outcome, unspeakable darkness would fall over us all if this…evil was allowed to do as it wished.’

‘Destiny?’ Tulia almost laughed as she spoke. ‘What is this, Bedwyr? This is first I’ve heard of any destiny…’

‘You must trust me, Tulia.’ Bedwyr spoke with the all the compassion he felt in his heart.

‘I do trust you, Bedwyr, you have been like a father to me…’

Bedwyr didn’t reply but couldn’t help but look into Tulia’s eyes, trying to convey all he felt at that moment. Tulia’s mouth opened but before she could utter a word Caius spoke.

‘I sense there is something you are not telling us, as a soldier I’ve learnt to read between the lines..’

Impatiently, Bedwyr was about to reply but Elbrig stopped him as she  touched his knee.

‘let me explain..’ she croaked. ‘We worship different Gods than you, we are a peaceful people, but we make mistakes sometimes, through lack of understanding..’

Echrad finished her sisters sentence. ‘Which is why we tried to kill you.’  ‘And sanctioned the killing of all the others, including your friends, regretfully.’

‘You mean Aurelius and Aetius are Both Dead?’ Caius asked.

Torolf answered. ‘If they aren’t dead already they will be soon enough. An ally of mine from another village sent your friends on a fool’s errand from which there would be no return, but, unfortunately, we have since learnt that there are greater foes out there, and the Roman legions will be the least of our worries’.

Bedwyr placed a hand on Torolf’s broad shoulder for balance as he raised himself up.

‘A struggle is ahead of us, of which will determine the lives of all who dwell on these lands.’ Tulia beat Caius to the question.

‘What struggle?, Can’t we help?’.

‘No’ Bedwyr replied. ‘ Echrad and Elbrig have seen darkness approaching, the likes of which this land has not seen for millennia. Last night was just an instance of the depravity of our foes. They worship different Gods who pretend to be one and the same as ours and kill in their name. And they will not stop until they kill you.’

‘What about my friends?’ Caius asked, ‘Are they dead?’

Torolf’s expression softened. ‘I do not know.’

Caius angrily turned to Tulia, ‘Did you know of this?’, She looked at him, making no attempt to hide her shame. ‘Forgive me, I only knew they were to be killed, I knew nothing of the arrangements made’.

Caius stood to leave, but Torolf spoke up, stopping him. ‘If you leave, you will only get yourself killed. Besides…’ he continued,’ You are to accompany Tulia and guard her with your life, until you get to safety.’

Caius Glared at him, ‘Why should I do that?’

Torolf’s jaw hardened. ‘You swore allegiance, remember? And we need to know she will be safe.’ Then, in a gentler tone, he continued. ‘ I trust you Caius, as a warrior you have honour, and I have seen the way you look at each other.’

Caius and Tulia glanced at each other while Torolf took a breath., ‘You may not know it yet’ he said, the corners of his old eyes wrinkling. ‘But you will.’

A few uncomfortable seconds passed as Caius took in what Torolf had said. ‘Where are we to go?’

Bedwyr had the answer. He arced his hands in the air, as if encompassing the whole world. ‘This land is old and hides many secrets. Once, it was covered in a sea of ice that came from the north, and it has been told that our ancestors were swept down on this sea of ice onto this land, before it then left us here and disappeared slowly, moving back further than any of us dare to follow.’

He paused to take a drink, then carried on. ‘Great beasts were said to have come with us, with giant teeth as big as a man, some could bite you in half easily. I have not seen these…creatures, but I have seen bones that could have been of the beasts.’

‘You are beginning to sound crazy old man.’ Caius interrupted. ‘Just tell me where we will be safe.’

Bedwyr coughed and Torolf bellowed with laughter. ‘You’re the first man brave or foolish enough to call bedwyr crazy!’

Caius grimaced as Bedwyr spoke. ‘I will lead  the way, there is only one place safe enough…’

His face reddened as his anger rose. ‘Our first meeting did not end that will, if you remember!’ he reminded Bedwyr. ‘And now I’m supposed to trust you to guide us to a safe place?’

Bedwyr just nodded, which infuriated Caius even more. ‘You could not walk more than a few miles, if that, old man!’ He jabbed his finger at him. ‘And how far away is this place?  I’m not being dragged down by an old relic like you! I move faster alone.’

Tulia broke her silence and touched his hand.

‘Caius,’ he looked at her and she smiled at him, a smile that she was beginning to know he could not resist.

‘I trust bedwyr, and I have heard talk of this place of ice. They say there are mountains of ice that sweep into the sea, with beasts under the waves that can swallow you whole. The tribes are man eaters and fierce warriors who hate strangers, and no one is said to have ever come back alive from this place.’

‘Sounds familiar.’ Caius said, and Tulia looked him in the eye, silently pleading with him to concede. He sighed, accepting the fact that he would have to go along with whatever Bedwyr said, for now.

‘So, Bedwyr, you’ve been to this place of ferocious beasts and even more ferocious men?’ Bedwyr answered.

‘I’ve been there, travelled down the elemental path, as have you.’ Caius remembered his dream from the night before.

‘My dream? How do you know?’

‘What dream?’ Tulia looked quizzically at Caius.

Bedwyr, however, did not seem surprised.

‘You had the dream also, Tulia. I know.’ Looking at Caius now, ‘I saw your dream, you travelled the elemental path, as I did before, as many have gone before. As Tulia did.’

‘When did you first hear of the Mountains of ice?’ Bedwyr asked Tulia.

Tulia thought for a minute then answered, ‘I don’t really know, it feels like it’s something I always knew. But I remember dreaming of it last night, although it didn’t feel like my dream.’

‘It wasn’t your dream, Tulia.’ Bedwyr answered. ‘You were in Caius’ dream.’

 ‘What?’ Caius and Tulia asked simultaneously.

 Bedwyr raised a finger in the air and took a deep breath before he impatiently explained. ‘There is room on the path for more than one person. Do not forget that.’ Then abruptly he ended the conversation. ‘No more questions, I’m tired!’

***

 

Birge fed more wood into the fire and turned the rabbit carcass that was threaded through a spit. He kept himself to himself and lived far from the settlement, away from people. No one would ever visit him, but tonight was different. He heard a voice outside calling him, softly, but he recognised it. Faeryn. Her voice was like a siren call as she sang his name out enticingly.

‘Go away!’ He demanded but her voice haunted him and no matter how many times he said it she would not leave.

‘Birge, let me in, or come out, I have to speak to you.’

‘Go away!’ He covered his ears but her voice penetrated deep into his mind.

‘Please Birge, I’m cold, and hungry…..can I smell rabbit? I haven’t eaten in days...’

Fighting with his inner self he didn’t know whether he could trust her but then the voice stopped Had she gone? His curiosity got the better of him and he swept back the animal hide door, peeking out into the darkness.

He could just make her out under a tree, holding her cloak tight around herself to stay warm.  Birge stood up and walked over to her, not knowing if she was asleep. He nervously approached her, like one would approach a trapped wolf. He remembered the last time he saw her and couldn’t get the image of her naked body out of his mind, but he was scared. He knew Faeryn was becoming dangerous, the elder sisters had warned him. But he had known her all his life, why would she harm him?

He crept in close enough to touch her, and, reaching out he tapped her shoulder gently. Faeryn looked up and pulled the hood from her head.

‘I knew you wouldn’t leave me out here, Birge.’

She smiled at him, and something in her eyes mesmerised him. He didn’t say anything, just standing there for what seemed like an eternity.

‘Aren’t you going to invite me in?’ She asked, ‘We’ll both freeze to death out here.’

Birge looked back towards his hovel then to Faeryn, considering his next move. He knew now that he had no choice. He held his hand out to her and she grabbed it, pulling herself up from the floor.

He added more wood to the fire and pulled the rabbit carcass away. It had burnt on one side, but he shredded the meat and offered some to Faeryn, keeping the burnt meat for himself. Faeryn took it and ate hungrily, tearing into it like she hadn’t eaten in days.

‘You really are hungry aren’t you.’ he said as he chewed the charred rabbit.

She nodded, ‘I’m so grateful Birge, it’s not safe out there, not after that horrible killing last night.’

He looked at her inquisitively, he had not heard about the murder.

‘A man died, in his own bed. Had his heart cut out.’ She said this and smiled slightly from the corner of her mouth.

‘Don’t worry, your safe with me.’

They sat and ate in silence, like old friends. Faeryn broke the silence.

‘Remember that night at the pool?’

He was still chewing and tried to swallow a mouthful of burnt meat.

‘Why didn’t you come to me?’ She asked.

‘I…I…’

Unable to answer he started to get nervous, beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

‘It is hot…’ She smiled again. ‘,,, you’re good at making fires.’ Faeryn Finished eating and wiped her mouth with the sleeve of her cloak. ‘I’m too hot now.’ she said, removing her cloak, revealing her naked body.

Birge could not help but stare, unable to take his eyes off of Faeryn’s breasts, except to glance down between her legs, and the mound of dark hair that hid the secret which he had heard about many times but never touched. His heart pounded and his breath became shallow. He felt weak yet had never felt stronger. Moving towards him on her knees, Faeryn grabbed his hands and placed them on her breasts.

‘I want you, Birge, I always have. Will you keep me safe?’

He looked into her eyes as his hands cupped her breasts. ‘I’ll protect you’.

He was completely overwhelmed by her. He could not explain it but at this moment in time he would do anything for her, he was completely under her spell.

‘Have you been with a woman before, Birge?’

He shook his head, embarrassed to admit it to her. She laughed, making his embarrassment more acute.

‘Don’t worry’, she said teasingly,’ I know just what to do.’

His shame was soon forgotten as Faeryn worked her hand down and pulled free his swollen manhood.

***

The seduction was complete, and Birge felt different as Faeryn lay on his bare chest. Not just the act of lovemaking for the first time but holding a woman in his arms, also a first, made him feel strong. He stroked her hair back from her head, naturally caressing her as she slept. He wondered why the elder sisters had warned him about her, clearly she meant him no harm. Did he dare to think that she loved him? He felt right now that he loved her. Their bodies had joined and to him it was a powerful physical and spiritual bonding, how could she not feel the same?

 Faeryn wasn’t asleep, she could sense what he was thinking, and smiled at herself, like a child that gets its own way.

‘Do you love me Birge?’ she asked, knowing the answer she would receive.

‘I’ve always loved you.’

A wicked look flashed in her eye and she dug a nail into his muscled stomach and drew it down slowly, almost drawing blood she pressed down that hard. She stopped when she reached his groin.

‘You love this don’t you.’ She said, playing with him and awakening his lust again. He grunted and moaned with pleasure as she moved her head down and took him in her mouth, slowly massaging with her lips until the moment he could take no more. She swallowed his seed and drank until he begged her to stop.

He held her close to him as she slept through what remained of the night. He lay thinking of what had happened between them, he thought at this moment in time he would do anything for her, yes, he had always loved her but was always ashamed of his body. Why had she accepted him now? It did not matter, he felt happiness now more than any other time in his miserable life and was not going to let anything spoil it. The fire had burnt out, so, moving Faeryn’s slender feminine body to one side he got up and added more wood and blew the ashes until a flame took hold. Satisfied that the fire was burning again, he went out to fetch a rabbit that he had previously killed from his wooden store he had built to hang game from in the winter months, where it would keep in the cold. Returning to his hovel, he skinned and gutted the rabbit, then roasted it over the fire.

They sat and ate together in silence, Birge did not know what to say to Faeryn, he never did but now especially, after last night… Faeryn broke the silence.

‘You really know how to cook rabbit, this is delicious’.

Coyly he smiled and acknowledged the compliment. After they finished eating, Faeryn seduced him again. When they had finished, he held her close to him and she sighed.

‘You know how to look after me.’

‘Do I?’ he asked ‘How?’

‘Well, isn’t it obvious?’

Moving her hand down she playfully grasped his manhood. Instantly she got the reaction she desired and carried on.

‘We must not see each other after today.’ She said as she continued her play.

 ‘Why?’, he sat up and turned to her. ‘I love you!’

She cupped his cheek in her hand. ‘I know, and I you, but if anyone finds out , especially Echrad and Elbrig, they will do everything in their power to stop us.’

Birge’s mood changed, sullen now. He had forgot about the warnings. Surely they must be wrong?

‘They told me to stay away from you, that you were dangerous.’

Faeryn laughed. ‘They are wrong, they don’t want you to be happy. Do I seem dangerous to you?’ He shook his head and looked down, avoiding her gaze.

Sensing his vulnerability, she pulled him closer. ‘I don’t want to lose you, Birge. You won’t let anything happen to us will you?’

He put his arm around her and reassured her. ‘No one will come between us Faeryn.’

‘You have to promise, if they find out, they’ll kill me!’

She began to cry, and he wiped away the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs. He had not experienced this tenderness before, and he knew in his heart he would kill for her.

‘I promise, my love, I will stop anyone who tries to tear us apart.’

She embraced him tightly and  smiled to herself, knowing that he was now under her control, and he would do anything for her.

 

 

 

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