The Abyss

Part 21

I leaned down and kissed her, our lips barely touching. I could feel her take a shuddering breath. Pulling back i looked at her, her eyes still closed. She smiled some, biting her lip, then she opened her eyes. Her cheeks turned red when she realized i was watching her. A small giggle came from her and i kissed her again. Harder this time. I could feel her smile against my lips.

We got out of the water and she pulled me to the grass. The rain poured down on us as we kissed. Her arms were wrapped around my neck as i held her, softly kissing her. She pulled away and looked at me. Her eyes glowing with a golden tint, "dance with me." I laughed and stood then reached out taking her hand. She laughed as i pulled her into my arms. We swayed a little and she started to hum. I spun her and pulled her into my arms, "you are going to be sick" i laughed. She shook her head," you'll take care of me." I smiled down at her and said, "i'll always take care of you."

I held her. The rain was coming down harder,"we need to go back!" i yelled. She laughed and helped me grab my things. We ran into the woods then she stopped," i have an idea!" she said and pulled me toward a hill. I could see the dark hole and then we went inside the cave. The smooth stone under us was soaked from our dripping clothes. "Would this be ok?" she laughed. I nodded.

Lailas view
He built a small fire close to the entrance so nothing would sneak in on us. We kept on the first layer of clothes and laid out the rest to dry. I sat between his legs leaned back against him. Our hands together, fingers playing. "Laila," he whispered. I turned to look at him and he kissed me, hugging me closer to him. He leaned back, pulling me with him. I set over him and leaned down, kissing him again. I grabbed his hands and pinned them to the rock then laughed, "pinned ya!" He looked at me and smiled then quickly flipped us and pressed my hands to the rock," pinned you," he said.

We laid on the ground, facing each other. His hand was wrapped in my hair as he kissed me. I stopped and pulled back some then looked at him. "What?" he asked. I shook my head and smiled. "No, tell me" he said. I leaned down and softly pressed my lips to his, "i think i love you."

Part 22

He hugged me and held me the rest of the night as we slept. In the morning we headed back to town. "I wonder where Silence is," Fendewen said. As we were riding I looked around for the cat but I didnt see him. It was pretty early on the way back, the sun barely up. Light begin to peak over the tops of the homes near the town, I could feel the sun on my skin.

Fendewen tied up our horse and I headed inside the tavern. I sat down by Rocyla at the counter. She smiled over at me, "what now" she asked. I just shook my head and ordered a drink then said, "I dont know what we are gonna do. You heading out soon?" She nodded yes then took a sip of her drink. As the man handed me mine she started talking. "Im going to head back where im from, you two should come. I mean you werent staying her forever, " she laughed. For a while I sat there and thought about that. Fendewen came through telling everyone hey and he went up to the room. I watched him walk away then i followed him up the stairs. He was laying on the bed when I went in the room. I hopped on the bed, making him bounce some. "Hey," i said. He smiled up at me then grabbed my arm and pulled me down beside him. I laid my head on his chest and let him play with my hair.

"Rocyla wants us to go with her."
"Really, do you want to go?"
"what else are we going to do?"
"True. We can go if you want Laila."
"Do you want to?"
"Ive already been, but we can."

We started laughing and he hugged me then climbed off the bed to lay on his pallet on the floor. I got under the cover and looked down at him, "Fendewen, you dont have to sleep on the floor.. you know that right?" i asked. He rolled over and looked at me, "yeah i know," he said. We laid there in silence for a minute then i turned over and pulled the extra pillow to me and went to sleep.

In the morning we headed out on horses, carrying as much supplies as we could for the trip. Rocyla led us, she was really happy about heading back home even though she tried not to be. But I could tell. The trip to Talysbire wasnt bad. It didnt take as long as I thought it would. The city was much better than the town we had been in. A halfling met us at the gate, smiling at Rocyla and welcoming us there. He took our horses and led them away then Rocyla turned to us, "Welcome to my home,'' she grinned. We followed her down the gravel streets, looking at the large stone buildings and water fountains. She led us through town then to the outskirts where she stopped in front of a small black gate. We went through it toward the front steps of a wooden home. The porch quietly creaked under us as she opened the door and we stepped in. My breath was taken away as i looked around.

part 23

I looked around the room we stepped into, "Rocyla this is amazing," I said. I picked up a wooden bird off the shelf jutting from the wall. I could tell by the markings that it was hand carved. As I set it back down I noticed all the wooden creatures spread out through the room. "Whoa, did you make these?" I asked her. She just smiled and walked away, "feel free to explore, I will be back" she said as she went back out the front door.

Vines fell from the ceiling, running down parts of the wall. Its green array of colors were beautiful. The furniture in the room was a dark polished wood, small white cushions were at the ends of the seats. A white woolen rug laid in the middle of the floor. I smiled at Fendewen then knelt down on the floor and spread across the rug. "Oh my god! Come feel this," I said. He came over laughing but laid down with me. We heard the backdoor click and we both sat up. "Rocyla where did you get this rug?" I asked. I heard boots clicking on the floor then a girl came around the corner and looked at us. "Um, who are you?" she asked. I just stared at her. She was a tiefling like Rocyla but she looked a little different, her hair was black and so were her eyes. "We are Rocylas friends," Fendewen said. She smiled a little then came into the room. A small yellow cat was following her. "Awe!" I heard myself squeal. It slowly turned its head and looked at me then stepped between her legs purring and rubbing against her. "Her name is Nala,'' the tiefling said. I got off the floor and walked toward her then stuck out my hand, "Im Laila." She smiled and took it, "you can call me Teralyne."

Teralyne showed us around their home, it was simply beautiful. She was the one that did the wood carvings, it was her gift. "There is a ranch a little father out you two could stay at if you wanted, I mean no offense you just cant stay here" she said. We talked it over and she decided to take us to look at it. After writing a small note to Rocyla we went back outside. We went passed wide open fields and plenty of wooden fence until I could see it. As we went up the dirt road to the house Teralyne pointed out all the buildings. There was a barn for the cows and one was a tool shed. Everyday the cows would be let out into the field, there was an automatic timer on the gate in the barn that opened the doors to let them out. She said they would come back at night, they always did. A small chicken coup was close to the house, there should be six chickens and we could help ourselves to the eggs. Also, there is a stray dog that comes around but she hadnt seen it lately. I was so excited. I watched the cows in the field, grazing, their moo's echoing around me.

Fendewens view
I looked over at Laila, she was in awe. I knew we had to stay here. At least for a little bit. The house needed to be fixed up, but we had time. No one knew where we were, they wouldnt find us. "Laila, do you want to see the inside?" Teralyne asked. We started for the house and I could hear Laila giggling behind us. The porch was nice and big, a small swing hung on the side. The front door was opened and we went inside, it was nice. There wasnt much furniture but I could fix that. She took us from the living room into the kitchen, Laila loved the kitchen. There were many white cabinets and a small table with three seats. She stepped over to the giant windows that overlooked the pond and the cows in the field, opening it, letting the fresh air pour into the home. "So can we have pets in the house?" I asked. Teralyne looked at me then glanced around, "I guess so but i didnt see a pet with you guys," she said. I just smiled, "Oh he'll be here." For a second she looked confused, then she turned and headed back to the living room and up a spiral staircase.
Lailas view

The tub was huge, i was so happy. There were two bedrooms and a bathroom then a small closet. I ran into the room that overlooked the same spot as the kitchen and opened the windows in there, "this is my room!" i yelled. Fendewen came in the door and laughed, "we have to get some furniture." I nodded then laid on the floor, staring up at the blank ceiling. Teralyne came in the room and asked what my deal was with laying on the floor, we all burst into laughter. Fendewen thanked her for the home and she said she was happy to help, but she had to go. I walked her outside and waved as she walked away. Then i went to the barn.

part 24

The ancient barn smelled like a haystack that had been left out in the rain. Stalls lined the walls down the length of the barn. I glanced at the cows standing in each one, their head down and staring at nothing. Crouching in front of the stall I reached my arm in and touched the cows nose, the warmth of it amazed me. As i pulled away i laughed a little, then stood up. Most of the cows were looking at me now when i went by them. I climbed up on the rail of one of the stalls and grabbed onto the clockwork pulling it away, the small wires snapped. "Now I will set you guys free every day," I told them. Glancing up I noticed a loft above the front of the barn, curiosity begin to fill me. I jumped from the rail and headed to the ladder, climbing up and peaking over the edge of the loft flooring. Pale curtains fluttered at each window. The smooth floor boards were covered in dust. I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath, that turned to a gagging cough. I laughed, wrinkling my nose at the barns smell. There was only so much you could do to fix that smell.

I went back inside to see Fendewen at work. He moving the furniture out of the front room into the kitchen. "What the heck are you doing?" i asked him. He came back in the living room and looked at me,"we are going to fix this place." After that, we spent hours cleaning floors and walls. Trying to rid it of the dirt and dust that had build up over the years. I looked up from scrubbing and I could see Fendewen looking out the window, he turned and headed for the door, "Laila stay inside," he said. I crept toward the window and watched him step off the porch and start walking across the yard. Then I saw them, Teralyne and a man coming toward the house. My heart was beating faster as I looked at the man, the rope in his hand. I followed the rope then i saw her. My beautiful Amadi. Tearing from the window I ran outside, I could hear Fendewen scream at me but i couldnt stop. I heard Amadi whinny and she jerked the rope from him and ran toward me. My arms wrapped around her neck and she pressed her head against mine. "Thank you!" i screamed to them. She pulled back and her brown eyes stared into mine. I ran my hand down her nose, i could feel her deep breaths. "I missed you so much girl," I whispered.

Fendewens view
Laila took Amadi into the barn, she didnt want to come inside yet. Teralyne introduced the man as Talos. He was here to help us with anything we needed. I looked him over. Tall with black hair, broad, but something about his almost cat-like eyes bothered me. He seemed dangerous. "I wont be in the way," he said. I just nodded, "we dont really need any help." Teralyne pulled me into kitchen away from Talos. "Fen, let him help" she said quietly. I shook my head no, "I dont know this man, I dont trust him." Pulling away she frowned at me then said, "hes helping, end of story. He will be here in the morning."

Lailas view
I slid the brush over Amadi, making her beautiful white hair glisten. Lifting her head I kissed her between her eyes. Her lips nibbled at my shirt making me giggle. I ran my hand through her mane once more then open the stall door and headed out of the barn. When I closed the barn door i saw Teralyne and the man heading toward me. "Laila this is Talos, hes going to be helping you two fix the house,'' Teralyne said. I looked at him and smiled. Reaching out he took my hand and brought it to his mouth, his lips lightly touching my knuckles then pulling away, "it is an honor to meet you." I nodded then they started to walk away. For a moment I watched them then I looked toward the house. I could see Fendewen standing at the window, his eyes on me. He looked angry.
The next morning..

I woke up to a light tapping sound. Pulling myself from the floor I went downstairs and looked around. The sound was coming from outside. Stepping out on the porch I could see Talos hammering the barn door. "Good morning," I called out. He turned and looked at me, his golden eyes meeting mine. Then he smiled. I jumped when Fendewen spoke, "I dont like him," he said bluntly. Soft steps came closer behind me and I turned to him, "why not?" i asked. He just shook his head and watched Talos, "hes hiding something." Slowly I stepped off the porch and headed to the barn, "its all going to be ok." I said back to him.

Standing there I laughed, after she a few nuzzles at my pockets to make sure all the carrots were gone, Amadi rested her head on my shoulder. The bristles under her muzzle were sparse, tickling my skin. I pulled away and opened the gate letting her out. She headed into the feild while i opened the rest of the gates for the cows. I watched the little calves hop past me, their little tails swinging behind them as they ran to catch up to their mothers. Then i went out of the barn and headed toward the chicken coup, nodding at Talos as i went by him. The chickens were clucking when i stepped inside. A bit of fear came to me the closer to them i got. Slowly I reached out and brushed one of them to the side to get the eggs underneath her. A loud squawk made me jump back, bumping into the other nest. More squawks erupted from them, every where i turned. A small scream came from me and I ran from the coup. Talos was leaned over laughing when I came out. "Whats so funny!" i screamed at him. He just shook his head, smiling, and went back to work.

I went to find Amadi in the field. She ran and turned, baring her back to me. A smile came to my face as i pet her, patting her hide. Placing my hands on her back I lifted myself and got on her. Gripping onto her mane with my fingers i gave a light tap with my heels and she started to run. I put my arms out letting the wind wrap around me as we tore through the field. When she stopped, I slid off her back and she turned to face me. The soft fuzz of her lips nuzzled my cheek. I stood in the middle of the field with her and listened. Only blessed wind ruffled through the tall grass, not the screams of a stranger's pain and suffering.