Fan Fiction ❯ Starrlei ❯ Chapter 2: Nightshades? ( Chapter 2 )

Starrlei

Chapter 2: Nightshades?

By Selenity Jade

 

"Excuse me?!" Starrlei exclaimed. Her silver hair was pulled into a loose braid that hung down her back. Her cerulean eyes sparkled with anger as she glared at him.

 

"What?" Dylyan looked at his newfound traveling partner in confusion. What did I say?

 

"I do not act like a boy!"

 

He laughed. "That's what you're upset about? Gods, Starrlei, I didn't mean it as an insult. I just meant you are not like most women."

 

"And exactly what is that suppose to mean?"

 

He sighed in frustration. "Nothing. Just forget it. I was trying to give you a compliment."

 

She looked at him, her blue eyes dark with confusion. His back was to her as he returned to brushing Lyrian. "Compliment me? Why?"

 

"Because I felt like it, woman. Go get ready. We need to leave the forest by nightfall."

 

She glared at his back a few moments before turning away from him to tend to her own horse. She picked up the wire brush and attacked the horse's coat. I can't believe the nerve of that man! Saying I'm not a typical woman. The bastard. What am I? A manly woman? Damn him. She growled under her breath and continued to curse him in her mind.

 

Hearing his laugh was the last straw. She whirled back to him, her eyes flashing with anger. "What in the hell is so damn funny?"

 

He grinned at her in that stupid way of his. Like he was hiding something. She didn't know if he did that on purpose, but he had a smile that gave him a mysterious air. And it melted her defenses. The same as it was doing now. "You are angry."

 

She smirked at him. "You got that right."

 

"Look, I'm sorry," he began before she cut him off.

 

"Don't be sorry. I just want to know why you seem to think I'm not a typical female!"

 

"You fight for one."

 

She stared at him. "So?"

 

He sighed and pulled himself onto Lyrian. "You don't giggle and blush. You don't flirt with the men. You don't stare and ogle anyone! You just... are, you know? Not once did you admire the elves, Starrlei. Even I have to admit they are all beautiful. The males included. Yet you didn't even give them a second glance."

 

She laughed. "Of course not, Dylyan. They are elves. Besides, Zuni do not 'ogle' males."

 

He arched an eyebrow at her.

 

She got on her own horse and turned it towards him. "Zuni are not like humans, Dylyan. The only male I will notice will be my mate. The one I am destined to be with. That man will capture my attention and my desire. Until then, no male will make me glance at him twice. Why do you think the Zuni are nearly extinct now? Our near destruction crippled us. And because we cannot produce children without a mate. And only one mate is right for each Zuni, period."

 

He felt a little disappointed at that, but quickly banished it. "So, found your mate yet?"

 

She grinned at him mysteriously and kicked her horse passed him. She was quickly out of sight before he gathered his wits enough to follow.

 

x

 

"This is creepy, Dylyan," her voice echoed eerily over the canyon.

 

He looked across the giant chasm in awe. This was not here before. No one had mentioned its appearance either. He passed this way only two weeks ago! "Gods," he whispered to himself. He was at a complete loss. What could have happened to create a massive crevice such as this? How can we pass it? Gods.

 

::Lyan,:: Lyrian began. ::I think it would be wise to hurry and cross this. It has the feel of evil. And I'm sure it was put here for a reason.::

 

::I'd love to cross the damn thing. Really I would, Rian. How in the fuck do you purpose to do that?::

 

Silence was all that greeted him.

 

Sighing, Dylyan looked to Starrlei, who appeared just as lost as he felt. "Ideas?"

 

"None."

 

"Looks like we head back to the last village we passed. What was it called?"

 

"No clue."

 

"Not very talkative are we?"

 

"No."

 

"Shocked?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Lost?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Confused?"

 

She turned and glared at him. "Yes! Why do you keep persisting in asking such stupid questions?"

 

He grinned. "It was fun," he stated mischievously, turned Lyrian around, and set his steed at a leisurely pace back towards the village they passed through only a few short hours ago.

 

She glowered at his back before kicking her horse after the arrogant jerk. She wanted nothing more than to beat the hell out of him! How dare he?! Talk to a respected Zuni like a common woman! The nerve of that imbecile. And here I was just beginning to take a bit, a wee bit mind you, of a liking for the man. All that vanished with those three little words he uttered so arrogantly. And infuriating. Gods, couldn't the man at least be civil towards me? I didn't mean to be as shocked as I was! They were so near their goal. Only a few days left until we reach the capital. And this giant canyon stands between it and us.

 

She glared back at the thing before huffing. Damn things! Why did one have to show up here of all places? Hell, how could one show up damn near over night!? She growled and cursed under her breath repeatedly in her native tongue. They had scouted both sides for hours. There was no safe way around it in as short amount of time they were in. "Arg!" she screamed in frustration.

 

"Feel better?" Dylyan's amused voice reached her, igniting her fury even further.

 

"No, you mule! We need to reach the capital! How are we to find our way around that? It reaches as far as we can see! We scouted both sides for miles! And nothing! Not a damn way around it! What are we suppose to do now?!" Starrlei screamed, her voice shrill with anxiety.

 

Dylyan realized she was frightened. Frightened because she didn't know what else to do. Because she didn't know how that chasm appeared there. She was scared because she wasn't in control any more. He sighed softly and pulled Lyrian's reigns. ::I hope I don't fuck this up too.::

 

::I do too, Lyan.::

 

"Starrlei?"

 

She looked up at him, her eyes wide.

 

"Don't worry. I'll make sure we can reach the capital soon. I promise."

 

She glared at him. "I don't need to be reassured!"

 

He flinched. "Fine," he said coldly and nudged Lyrian forward again.

 

They traveled the few hours to the village in tense silence, broken only by the hoof beats of their steeds.

 

Stopping just outside the village, Starrlei looked at Dylyan's muscular back. "I'm sorry," she began softly. "I know that you were trying to make me feel better. I'm sorry I took my frustrations out on you. I had no right. I'm just not used to being so... helpless."

 

"I know," he stated not looking back at her.

 

She winced. "I want us to be friends, Dylyan. I don't want to fight with you. I'm asking you to forgive me."

 

"Forgiven, now hush." He turned back towards her and smiled faintly. She noticed his eyes seemed to be watching every thing around them.

 

"What's wrong?"

 

"We're being followed," he whispered, almost silently.

 

She stiffened.

 

"Let's go into the village. It'll be a little safer there," he said softly before urging Lyrian into a trot towards the small collection of buildings.

 

She quickly followed him, her horse having to run to keep up.

 

::Lyan,:: Lyrian began in his mind. ::It would be wise to spend the night here. Our followers are not entering the village.::

 

::Agreed. Rian, who were they?::

 

::I don't know. I couldn't catch their scent. They know what I am. They tried to hide from me and almost succeeded.::

 

::That is probably not a good thing.::

 

::Definitely not.::

 

x

 

"What!" a very angry voice demanded.

 

"I'm sorry, sir. We only have one room left. With that chasm appearing out of nowhere and so unexpectedly that all of our rooms are usually taken by now. I'm amazed there is one free at all."

 

Dylyan sighed. "Fine, we'll take it."

 

The man before him handed him a small key. "Up the stairs, first room on the left. Room 12."

 

Dylyan took the key and returned outside. He walked the short distance to the inn's stables hurriedly. Swinging open the door, he found Starrlei finishing up with their mounts. "They only have one room. I took it."

 

"One room?"

 

"You can have the bed."

 

"But-"

 

"No buts. Discussion finished."

 

She glared at him, but found herself looking at his back as he walked out the door. Damn him! She grabbed her bag and quickly ran to catch up with him, shutting the door on her way out. She followed him inside and up the dark stairwell. He stopped outside a room, the number 12 faded with age. He opened the door, allowing her to enter first. She quickly scanned the bare room, noticing the semi-large bed. The floor space was almost nonexistent. She sighed. "This is a closet, Dylyan. You can't sleep on the floor."

 

"Then I'll join the beasts."

 

She laughed. "That's such a good idea! You'll freeze."

 

He glared at her. "What do you purpose? Sleeping in the same bed?"

 

She shrugged. "Why not?"

 

"You actually trust me that much?"

 

She looked at him. "I can take care of myself, you know. Even from you!"

 

He grunted. "I prefer the stables..."

 

"That scared of sleeping with a woman? Even just sleeping?"

 

"I am not scared of you, woman."

 

She laughed. "Then stop being idiotic. It's not as if I'm going to be naked."

 

He sighed in defeat. "Fine." He walked over to the bed, setting his bag on the floor. He stripped his clothes off, leaving him in a tight pair of shorts. He looked over at his traveling companion. "What?"

 

"Nothing," she said, blushing a little. She ordered him to turn around before reliving herself of her clothes also. Now clad in only her under garments, she made a mad dash towards the bed and crawled underneath the covers. "Okay, you can look now."

 

Noticing her covering herself under the covers, he rolled his eyes. He motioned her to the other side and settled himself, covering himself also. He reached over and blew out the lantern beside the bed. The room enveloped in darkness. Soon her light snoring alerted him that she was sleeping. He stared into the blackness. What in the hell was he doing? Before he could really think on that, he drifted off as well.

 

x

 

Squinting his eyes, he slowly became aware. His first thought was Where am I? followed shortly after was Huh? He looked down to find himself tangled with Starrlei's lithe form. Her slender arms wrapped around him. His own were wrapped around her, one hand on her hip. Her soft silver hair cascaded around him, her beautiful face pressed against his bare chest. His breath stilled as he gazed at her peaceful face. Her eyes were closed and a small smile graced her full lips.

 

He knew that if she awoke to find him like this, she'd throw a fit. He gently moved away from her, only to find her slender arms tighten around him. Knowing putting more effort into moving himself away from her, it would awaken her. He pondered what to do about the situation, no matter how much he found he enjoyed her proximity.

 

His thoughts stilled as her silvery blue eyes opened sleepily to gaze up at him. She blinked. Twice. She looked down to see their bodies entwined together and looked back up at him confused.

 

"Don't ask me, I just woke up myself."

 

"Oh." She gently removed herself from his embrace and on to her side of the bed. "What time is it?"

 

"Dawn."

 

"Already?"

 

"Yes," he said, stretching. He found he missed her body pressed so intimately against his. But he'd die before he admitted that.

 

"Time to go then," she said, jumping out of the bed. She quickly clothed herself in a fresh leather riding outfit. As she was putting on her black boots, she turned towards him. "Aren't we going?"

 

He sighed and looked away from her piercing gaze. "Remember last night at the tavern?"

 

"Yes, why?"

 

"While you were engaged in conversation with that man," he began, unconsciously putting a jealous note in his voice. "I was watching. These people are scared, Starrlei. Scared of leaving the village. I talked to the bartender. He said they were scared of what followed travelers outside the borders of the village. Something evil. The chasm seemed, to the villagers, to appear over night. They know of no way to go around it. All the men sent to explore it have never returned."

 

She looked at him worried. "Evil that follows travelers?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Hmmm, maybe it's just elves."

 

He arched an eyebrow at her. "Elves following human travelers to this one, very small village?"

 

She sighed. "You're right. It isn't elves. They're probably nightshades. Although, I won't know for sure without more information."

 

"Nightshades? What the hell is a nightshade?"

 

"You don't want to know."

 

"Actually, I'm pretty sure I do."

 

"We'll discuss it when I find out if what was following us are nightshades or not."

 

He grunted. "I'm not a moron nor am I easily scared, woman."

 

She glared at him. "I am aware of that, Dylyan. I just don't want to talk about them. Not unless I have to."

 

"Why?"

 

She growled in frustration. "I'll tell you that too! When I need to. Now shut up!"

 

He gaped at her. "They scare you."

 

"Yes, now please. I don't want to talk about them now."

 

He relented, reluctantly. He didn't want to upset her, but felt he did need to know. He decided to bring it up at a more opportune time. "Fine, Starrlei. How will we find out how to cross the chasm?"

 

"Is there a local wizard here?"

 

"Not that I'm aware of. I know there is a Healer as well as a sage here though."

 

She perked up. "A sage?"

 

"Yes, living near the center of the village. Why?"

 

"No reason! Thanks, Dylyan!" She stood up suddenly and grabbed her bags. She quickly pecked him on the cheek, surprising Dylyan. "I'll be back in a couple hours." Then she was gone.

 

Dylyan lifted his hand up to the spot where her lips had burned against his skin. What was that for? He shook his head. Damn woman! ::Lyrian? Awake, my friend?::

 

::Of course,:: the elven steed returned with amusement.

 

::What do you find so funny?::

 

::She kissed you.::

 

::So?::

 

::You liked it.::

 

He smirked. ::Sure, Lyrian. Whatever you say.::

 

::You did.::

 

::What if I did?::

 

::Kiss her back,:: Lyrian snorted in his mind.

 

Dylyan gaped. ::Why on earth would I do something that stupid?::

 

::Because you want to.::

 

::So what if I do?:: Dylyan ran his fingers through his slightly tangled midnight colored hair. ::I am not going to kiss her. Just drop it.::

 

::If you like her, do it. What harm could it cause?::

 

::For one, she could hate me.::

 

::Doubtful.::

 

Dylyan snorted. ::Yeah, sure. Two, she could slap me.::

 

::Scared?:: His steed's amused laughter filled his mind.

 

::Hardly.::

 

::Then what's the problem?::

 

::She could reject me.::

 

::And you don't want to be hurt. Her rejection would hurt. I see.::

 

Wincing, Dylyan closed his eyes. ::Yes, I would be hurt. Can we change the subject now?::

 

::To what?::

 

::Nightshades.::

 

To his surprise, Lyrian projected fear through their telepathic link. ::I heard. It is possible they are nightshades.::

 

::You fear them also?::

 

::Anyone who does not is a fool.::

 

::What are they?::

 

::They are nothing. Just shades. Shadows of lives lost. Living in eternal damnation on this plane. They drift through their eternity searching for life. They feed off the life force of all living things with a soul. They crave the soul, Dylyan. They are far more dangerous than they appear. And far more intelligent. They are not of this world, but at the same time, they are.::

 

::Creepy. How can we fight them?::

 

::You can't. There is no known way to destroy one. The closest is shadowsbane, which repels them. However, if one is desperate enough, even that will not protect the poor soul who is unfortunate to meet a nightshade.::

 

::Great.::

 

::My thoughts exactly, Lyan.::

 

::Do you know why that woman went to the sage?::

 

::No. But I'm sure we'll find out.::

 

::Probably. I'm starved.:: Dylyan got out of bed, slowly dressing in some clean riding clothes. ::I'll eat breakfast and join you outside. I feel the need to explore, my friend.::

 

Lyrian snorted in his mind. ::Of course.::

 

::Lyrian?::

 

::Yes?::

 

::Do elven steeds know love? Lust? Passion?::

 

He felt his mounts amused laugh in his mind. ::We know love. We mate. We are often like humans. We love our chosen riders, we mate, have children. Our only fault is we cannot have a soul-bond.::

 

::Soul-bond?::

 

::Yes. Every so often, some couples come together to form a soul-bond. A powerful bond that ties the two souls together for an eternity. Every life they are born into, they are destined for their one mate.::

 

::Does everyone have a soul-mate?::

 

::Of course not. Only those who are unfortunate enough do.::

 

::Unfortunate?::

 

::Love and Soul-bonds are different. You may love and not bond. You may bond but sometimes not love. Together, they are powerful. However, it may be easier to just love. Soul-bonds tear on the heart. If one is unhappy, the other is also unhappy. It is sometimes more a curse than a blessing. Because once you meet your soul-bond, you will die without them. Slowly, yes. But you will die, empty. If one dies, the other follows within hours. It is a terrible thing. Yet, sometimes the right soul-bond can be beautiful.::

 

::That is the biggest load of bullshit I have ever heard.::

 

Lyrian snorted again in his mind. ::Aren't you getting breakfast? I need to get out of this stall today, you realize.::

 

Dylyan grinned. ::Fine, impatient beast. I'll eat. Then we go riding.::

 

::Good.::

 

x

 

AN: *sigh* I really dislike this story.

 

Thanks again to Rodel the Bunny-chan! You rule dude! Where on earth could a guy like you come up with such twisted, but at the same time delightful, ideas?

 

Lovies!