Chapter 8 Continued:

'Hiyaa!' Chi-Chi laughed as his body was suspended in the air. His wide eyes were huge with amazement. 'How do you do it, Darien?'

'Don't you dare tell anyone, Chi-Chi!' A seven year old Darien laughed joyously as he negotiated Chi-Chi and his own body into the air.

'I won't! I promise, blood-brother! Can you spin me around in a circle, too?' Chi-Chi asked, excitedly....

 

 

'Mama!' Screamed a ten year old Darien. 'Mama, Mama, you can't leave me...!' He cried despairingly as he knelt beside her still form on the makeshift bed. Large, fat tears stained his cheeks and his eyes were swollen and red from crying. He could hear the others in the background, crying softly. One of the women of the tribe hushed an infant's soft cry. 'They should have let me in...' he whispered into her shoulder. He could still smell her familiar, soft scent of woods. 'I could have stopped the bleeding...I could have stopped it...Mama....'

 

 

'Darien...Darien!' Chanted Serena into his hot ear. Her heated words were mixed into the heat of the moment as they clung to each other, deep into the night.

'I'm here, baby...I'm here...' He whispered hoarsely. 'Just let it go...!'

'Darrrieeeen....!'

'That's it, baby.....let go!'

'Oooooohh......!'

 

 

 



The present...

 

 

They left the small town Covert, a party of six. Ahead of them, in the far distance, loomed one of the tallest mountain ranges of earth, Mount Everrest. Low clouds surrounded the highest point of the mountain. The very top of the mountain was covered in snow, and the rest of it was still obscured by the clouds. As they rode through the plains, the sun warmed the cool morning.

Serena and Mina rode as the last pair in their party. Ahead of them Malachite and Chorn discussed various subjects of interest. Before them, rode Darien and Lady Beryl. They were in a deep conversation. Serena could not help, but to notice how often Darien's head dipped close to Lady Beryl's. Every once in a while, Lady Beryl would burst out laughing, tipping her face back to show off her long neck.

"You know," Mina began as she whispered, "if she throws her head back any further, she's going to land straight on her back!" Mina laughed.

Serena laughed, softly. "You're not making me feel any better, Mina!"

"Oh, don't worry about her! He's married to you. The way he looks at you is no comparison to the way he looks at her." Mina nodded her head.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Serena asked, exasperated with her friend.

Mina rolled up eyes. She was doing that quite often, lately. Especially where Serena was concerned. "The man is so hot for you, he's sniffing up your arse like you're a bitch in heat!"

"You have such a way with words, Mina." Serena laughed and grumbled, at the same time. Her friend shrugged her shoulders, her eyes bright with laughter. "But, I don't just want lust from him."

"Aahhh, now I get it. You've fallen for him, haven't you?" Mina said quietly, the traces of laughter now gone. "I didn't think it would ever happen to you. You always did turn your nose up to all those men back at home."

Serena could have denied it, but it was pointless to lie to her. Where matters in the heart were concerned, this was Mina's expertise. Although, Serena had guessed that her friend would have a harder time admitting her love for Malachite. She could see it by the way Mina's eyes would steal forward to rest on his form before them. Every once in a while, Malachite would glance back to make sure they were still part of their group. His gaze searching for Mina's first.

"Well, I couldn't lie to you, even if I wanted to. I suspect, though, that the same has happened to you?" Serena's silver brow raised up, curious.

Mina's face flushed and she turned away, looking forward, "You thought wrong, Serena. Granted, I like him very much, but I don't think he would be very interested in me."

"Why do you think that?" Serena asked, incredulous.

"Because....just because, that's why!" Mina abruptly cried out, upset. She wanted to cry, but not out here, not like this. In front of him. "Do we have to talk about HIM?" she asked, her voice almost cracking.

"No, Mina. We don't." Serena replied, looking at her friend with concern. Then changing the subject, she asked, "Have you noticed how hot it's getting?"

Grateful for Serena's tactful change of topics, she replied. "Yes, I have, but then neither am I wearing a full riding habit." Mina giggled, if a bit watery.



 

As the sun continued its climb in the sky, so did the heat. Conversation died among their group as they trudged through the plains. By late afternoon, Serena had discarded her riding jacket and her not-so-perky hat. She had rolled up her sleeves and opened quite a few buttons to her white shirt that was now stained with sweat. She could feel the sweat beads rolling down her back and between her breasts.

With her hair done up in her usual balls, wisps of wet, silver hair escaped her two trailing braids. Her cheeks were flushed pink and her lips were rose red from the heat. Quite a few times, she noticed Chorn's gaze on her. She would catch his deep gaze on her, before he would turn away, smiling slightly. She couldn't read Darien's gaze, whenever he deemed to look at her. Of course, she didn't know it, but the sight of her in breeches and white shirt clinging wet on her was an alluring sight to all the men present.

Likewise, Malachite's eyes would caress the lovely picture Mina made. She looked hot and bothered, but pretty, too. She continued to wear her peasant outfit, preferring the loose shirt that let her full bosom to swing naturally with the gallop of her horse. Her peasant skirt was light, with no underskirt to hamper her legs, yet colorful. All she needed were some large, gold hoop earrings like the natives of his land, and she would have fit right in. Malachite inwardly grinned at his thoughts. Yes, she could fit right into his plans for life. Now, if he could only get her to admit her real feelings for him.

Serena for one, disliked the fact that Lady Beryl still looked unruffled. She still had on her riding jacket, and her hair still looked perfect. She knew that Lady Beryl was probably hot as the rest of them, under her heavy jacket. Yet, her demure remained unaffected. She would watch as Lady Beryl would smile at Darien every so often, making her grit her teeth and want to hit the lady across the face.

Darien for the matter, looked crisp and alert. He wore a white flowing shirt, remnant of a peasant style, yet it had obviously been made by an expensive taylor. His black breeches and tall black boots were just as expensive looking.

They stopped late in the evening, their horses nearly dropping from exhaustion. The evening remained warm as it had been when they were in the town of Covert. They set up camp comfortably, with Darien scouting the area for security.

The night passed quietly and uneventfully. Chorn and Malachite sat around the campfire in deep conversation, sometimes telling amusing stories of their past to the ladies present. Serena noticed again, that Mina continued to ignore Malachite. While he on the other hand, did his best to goad a response out of her. Lady Beryl retired first, and it wasn't long before everyone else did the same.

Again, it wasn't until late into the night did Darien join her in their lean-to, from his scouting. Although, Serena had been in a deep sleep, she awaken when his body shifted into their covers. She became aware of other eyes watching their lean-to. Apparently, Darien had too. His body had stiffen slightly, then cautiously relaxed. Although, she wasn't sure who it was watching their lean-to, she had had a pretty good idea who it was.

She heard his deep sigh as he settled into their makeshift bed, gathering her into his arms. A moment later, Serena felt his body relax and his breathing evened. A few minutes later, her eyes slowly drifted closed, joining him.

 

 

The next couple of days slowly passed by in almost the same matter as their first day out on the plains. Serena longed for a bath as her clothes became dirty from the long wear. Water was precious out on the plains. They had to keep careful watch on their water rationing. Her derriere was sore from the long journey and her thighs felt stiff and tight from clutching her mount. She had long since given up trying to keep her hair from tangles and kept them in braids, preferring to sleep in them as well.

Tempers was short on the plains. Mina was most often quiet around everyone, especially Malachite. And he, did his best to get an argument out of her.

Lady Beryl made it very plain about her past relationship with Darien, and that it was still very alive, when ever Serena came near the lady. Serena wanted nothing more than ever to strangle the lady. She only envisioned the act with relish in her dreams.

Sometimes, Chorn would make an attempt to speak with her. He tried touching her arm or her thigh intimately and coercing her into a corner, when he thought Darien and Lady Beryl were out of sight. It irrated Serena to no ends, as she did her best to dodge his moves and avoid him. There was just something she sensed deep in him that gave her an uncertain feeling that she couldn't quite put a finger on.

Of course, Darien through out the entire journey scouted most of the time. When Malachite took his place, his time was preoccupied with Lady Beryl trailing him where ever he went. Only once, did Serena notice a tick emerging on his cheek as he became irrated with Lady Beryl. Most of the time, Lady Beryl managed to manulipate his time. She didn't know whether to cry from all the inattention she was receiving or to pitch a fit. Even though they shared a lean-to, Darien did nothing further than hold her at night, when he finally returned from scouting.

It wasn't until on their fifth day out on plains, did more trees and vegetation appear as they loomed closer to the mountain range. It was still considerably warm during the day, but the evenings became cooler.

That was when Serena become aware of the necklace around her neck. The Blue crystal had remained hidden and almost forgotten around her neck. She became aware of the necklace when her neck became slightly warm, and it was not from the setting sun.

They were beginning to be surrounded with more trees and shrubs. Darien had left their party to scout ahead. For once, Lady Beryl paid attention to her companion, Chorn. Malachite had managed to get a couple of smiles and laughter out Mina. Serena smiled wearily at her friend. She had been too downcast lately and it had started worrying her.

There was a slight tingling and warmth around her neck that disturbed her. She touched the tiny crystal with her finger and her mouth parted open with excitement. Snapping her mouth shut, she thought: The Silver Millenium Crystal isn't too far away!

She closed her eyes and her telephatic voice cried out to Darien. For a moment, she saw him in her mind's eyes, envisioning what he was seeing and doing. He was on his horse amicably holding a conversion with another man on a mount, in a strange language. She made out a couple of words such as 'Chi-Chi', which of course, made no sense to her. The man looked to be about the same age as Darien and as tall. He had long, flowing black hair and black eyes. His visage was handsome, yet his skin was very brown. Brown from long exposure to the sun.

Serena could see Darien tilt his head slightly, alert to her and then her vision was gone.

'Serena, what is it?' He answered back, anxious.

'The Blue Crystal, Darien!' She telepathed back to him, excited. 'It's warm around my neck and glowing slightly, Darien!'

'Good, just as I thought, it would happen!' He replied, then, 'Serena, keep a lid on it, okay?' He asked, quietly.

'Sure, but may I ask why? And what about Malachite and Mina, they should know.' She asked, opening her eyes again. She gazed forward at their party. She was last in group, so no one could observe the concentrated look on her face.

'Just do as I ask, okay? I'll explain my reasons, as soon as I've confirmed them. Trust me, okay?' He asked, although to her it sounded like a command.

'Okay.' She answered, if somewhat sullenly.

'Good. I'm only a couple minutes from you. I'll be heading back to you, when you see me, come forward ahead of the party, okay?' He asked again.

'Why?'

'I'm bringing a friend, who will lead us to his village for some shelter for the night. It's going to freeze tonight.'

'The man with the long hair?' She asked, curiously.

'You saw him?' He asked, incredulous.

'Yes, I did.' She replied, smugly. Her superior attitude only lasted for a moment.

'It's about time, Serena. I never thought you'd catch up with me.' He laughed telepathically back to her.

'Oooohhh! You-you...!' She stammered, angrily.

'Serena, you better meet me...!' He laughed and threatened at the same time.

'I'll be there!' She telepathically yelled back.

She could hear his deep chuckle, before she effectively cut him off from her.



 

Serena couldn't have known what profound effect her agreement meant to Darien. He didn't understand it much himself. Having Serena approve of his 'other' family bothered him deeply. Having Chi-Chi and the rest of the village approve of her, cut more deeply to the bone than even he wanted admit to himself. So cautiously he ignored the feeling, that was burning a hole in the pit of his stomach and proceeded forward. Yet, it was his heart that lead him galloping back to Serena, with Chi-Chi in tow.

 

 

 

That's it for now. Stay tuned again, for Chapter 9.