251 Vines (1/2)
Shrubs, twigs and grasses brushed against Layfare's legs, some inflicting cuts she cared nothing for now. The tall trees remained silent as she darted in a direction she chose on a whim. There were no paths. There were no trails either. All she could see are the thick ragged trunks scattered in random.
Shadow was behind her, a mere dozen paces separated them. His hand was reaching forward like how darkness crept after sunset. He said nothing. Not a word, not a shout. Somehow that was more terrifying. What would he do to her if she got caught? Layfare doesn't know. She doesn't want to know either.
She was short of breath now. Her every breathing was turning squeaky, emitting a long pitched sound akin to that of a dying old man. Her chest felt heavy as if a heavy object was pressing on it, sapping her strength and numbing her senses. The faint sunlight through the gaps of the trees above seemed distant- fading like a dream of long ago.
She was weak, cold. Her arms were numb. Her legs were squishy. She fell and rolled until her head hit something hard. Everything danced in circles. Soon everything became dark.
And then a dream, no, a memory. A sweet one on par with aged wine. She was on the vineyard of the palace. Vines were in straight pots, grapes ready for harvest hung under green leaves. The gaps between pots were carpeted with trimmed grass soft to the feet. The sweet smell was strong that day. She could almost taste the wind.
Her feet were bare. Her toes wiggled in the grass. She was smiling that time, indulging in emotions now gone.
Arms wrapped around from the back, hands intertwined on her belly. The grip was tight but not restricting. Something damp touched her neck, the sensation brought ecstasy. And then on her cheek. The last was on her lips.
The severing of their lips allowed her a look on his face. His eyes were brown with a mix of dark, a common trait of Hadean nobles. His beard was clean, where she shaved him last night. He liked to keep it clean to show his perfect jaws, he often said. Layfare knew it as a lie. His jaw wasn't perfect. It had a good shape but the side was too sharp to incur perfection.
His clothes were a simple white tunic with loose sleeves and a dark trouser narrowing in the ankle. Comfort before style, he always told Layfare. A strange thing for a noble to say. But then again Neil was strange. He was unique. Special.
And then another memory flashed. This one was a little hazy as if she was underwater. She could hear muffled sounds that grew by intensity and clarity.
”I'll be back in a few weeks”
She heard Neil's voice. She couldn't mistake it. It was Neil. The haze cleared and she was in a room. The orange glow of the setting sun through the open windows bit a feeling of longing in her.
Neil was standing by the window, leaning against the brick wall. In front of him was a woman sitting on the bed. She had an unnatural paleness in her. A silver tiara sat on her unkempt her, topping the curls, barely holding. The white of her eyes were red, swollen around. She was her.
”They say that I'll have veterans to lead” Neil flashed a smile though it appeared insincere. ”And we will be led by General Horis. Great man. Good command of soldiers. They say General Horis...”
”Don't go” The woman glanced up a bit and resumed her stare at the floor.
Neil sat beside, kissing her head and wrapping one arm around her waist. ”I must go. For your father. For Hadea. For my family. And for you.”
”You don't really mean that. You attempt a lie yet I know you more that you know yourself. You don't want to go.”
”I don't” Neil rubbed his face with both hands. A long sigh followed. ”I am afraid. They are Castonians, Omniscient's will be dammed. I want to stay here with you. But what choice do I have? My family will be stripped of its noble status if I stay here while representatives of other families are out there fighting. I don't want my family to suffer because of my cowardice”
”You lie again. You know I can plea with my father to give an exemption to you”
A long silence breezed as Neil stared at the setting sun. ”If you do that then your family will be the one to suffer. Nobles will murmur about how you gave favoritism.”
”I don't care”
”But I do” Neil's voice was soft. ”I do. I treasure you. I don't want to be the cause of your downfall.”
The woman had bit her lips as a single tear fell. She rose, wiping the wetness of her eyes.
”Fine then. Do what you want. I don't care about all of this anymore”
No! Layfare wanted to scream at the woman. Don't say that you idiot! You don't mean that. Embrace him. Kiss him. Don't let him go. Please I beg you! This will be the last time you will see each other again.