Ep.31 - The Year Of The Bear
(Start at the beginning)
“Carmel,” the soothing sound of Dolev’s voice cut through the tension as she pawed gently at his arm, “The answer must be with Yob. If this word of truth was carved into Yob’s palm then perhaps the answer is wherever he rests”
“The wise words of a seer, ever seeing, ever guiding. Such a pity to see one of clarity trade away their sight for the sake of others. Nevertheless, I have told you all that I know, a deal was struck, it is time to relinquish your gift.”
Carmel looked from the Serpent to Dolev, “The Serpent speaks as though you’ve paid a high price. To high I fear, one that’d leave me in a debt I’ll forever owe.”
Dolev shook her head, “I made the choice, it cannot be undone.”
“Depends on the thing I’d say.”
The Serpent, listening to the exchange, hissed and narrowed it’s eyes and Carmel gave it a defiant sideways glare.
Dolev put a stabilizing hand on Carmel’s forearm and looked up deeply into his eyes. “Do not let this trouble you. This sight is a curse, I turned from the path my gift laid for me a long time ago. I’d sooner be without it to see this journey through and the northern country safe.” They remained like that, staring as if to see who might blink first, measuring the other’s intent, figuring who might impress their will more firmly upon the other. Before any more words could be spoken, before Carmel could summon another gesture, or make a decisive act, Dolev broke away, turning toward the Serpent and approaching it with a few detaching steps. “I am ready. You are a knowledgeable and ancient being, fluent in the old ways that underpin our world, so I will spare you any formalities. I relinquish my rights to you, come and claim them.” She held her hands out wide, closed her eyes, and stood bare before the Serpent.
Julia watched with distant fascination. The sense that something fantastical and otherworldly was about to play out before her eyes caused a titillation of her senses. She felt a wave of gooseflesh prickle over her skin so electrifying it caused her to wonder, was it the excitement at seeing this strange transaction take place that caused her sudden rush of sensation, or some unseen energy stirring through the air? The Serpent drew closer, eager but apprehensive at the same time. Julia found it strange trying to read the internal workings of such a otherworldly creature but the thought that something was wrong seemed readily apparent. It half circled Dolev, weaving this way and that, drawing back it’s lips to bare its teeth and seethe, something it had done every time it had expressed displeasure.
Despite the display it raised one of it’s huge claws, lifted a single digit, and stretched it into a fine point. It bore weightily toward Dolev, slowing to hover a mere foot from the diminutive humans head. “You fooled me, Shamen,” The Serpent spat, “This is not the deal I wanted, I wished for you to suffer!” Dolev’s eyes sprung open as the tip of the Serpents claw drifted into her temple. The impact was little more than a tap, a pin prick from the tip of the nail in the space between brows. An audible gasp filled the heights of the cavern which seemed to Julia to echo before she realised she had been the one to mimic the surprise. Dolev stumbled and fell, the Serpent withdrew, and sensing something amiss due to the Serpents words, Carmel rushed to the fore. Beyond the veil of darkness the Serpent moved heavily, scraping and crashing over the rough terrain like it hadn't before. Carmel gave chase, roaring benign threats in its wake from within his minute pool of light.
“Carmel!” Dolev’s voice came shrill and wanting, her frame now consumed as it sat alone in darkness. Carmel turned and seeing nothing, began to make his way back. He found her crawling on hands and knees through the dry earth and slid to his knees before her. He took her by the shoulder to straighten her back, took her head in his hand and held up the torch to take stock of her wounds. His chest deflated, a heavy sigh of relief to find nothing more than a red trick of blood which he wiped away with a gentle stroke of his broad thumb. Dolev clutched at his forearm, her arms moving frantically, her hands seeking an anchor for purchase. Kodiak came running from behind her, sword drawn, Julia padding along swiftly behind him.
“What happened?!” The big Bear growled.
“I don’t know,” Carmel answered, looking to Dolev for explanation but finding her distant, her eyes wandering.
“It’s dark,” Dolev answered. “Where is the torch?”
“It’s right here,” Carmel lofted it, “I’m holding it.” After a moment he waved it above her eyes, the sound of the flame tearing through the air filling the empty silence that followed.
“I can’t see it!” She cried. “I can’t see!” The cry turned quickly into a wail prompting Carmel to pull her tightly to his chest. Kodiak, Julia, and Carmel looked on sadly their solemn silence, a mix of emotion exchanged between the looks in their eyes. That of anger, and of confusion, and more than anything, of loss.
(Continue to Ep.32)
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