Despite the late hour, there were still active members of the nomadic tribe scattered about the strewn tents and campfires. Barking orders as she was wont to do, Sharay demanded tents of their own as well as a lady healer to make herself known before the Goddess. The ‘villagers’ were a simple people who relocated when it suited them, and were not used to seeing strangers, especially one such as Sharay. After being kept waiting for what she deemed far too long, a woman finally appeared, sleepy eyed and yawning as she drew her head scarf over her sun-bleached brown hair, eying Sharay with a good mixture of hostility to the demanding newcomer. A young girl of perhaps ten, obviously having been so rudely awoken as her mother was, rubbed at large dark almond shaped eyes and regarded Sharay curiously. The Goddess glanced from the child to the mother before speaking. “You are a healer?” She questioned with a dubious arch of her brows.
Sharay gave the woman credit though, she did not bow or cower before the Goddess as she spoke tartly in a heavily accented voice. “I am. You, however, do not appear injured in the slightest.” Sharay snorted and gestured for the healer to follow her into Wish’s tent where the fae lay upon her bedroll in fetal position, her olive eyes closed. The Goddess watched as the desert healer frowned before crouching next to Wish to inspect the damage done. As she did so, Sharay curled a finger toward the child, beckoning her closer much to the dismay of her mother who pressed her lips together but said nothing.
“My destination is Eiler. Joi preferably. Find for me a ship and a crew to operate it. I wish to set sail at dawn.” When the child blinked at Sharay and her request, the Goddess grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around, giving her a shove out of the tent. “Now,” she commanded before turning her attention back to the desert woman.
“I do not expect you to be able to finish tending to my...friend...before it is time to depart. Therefore I have decided you will accompany us on our voyage to Joi.” When the healer stood, her mouth opened to protest, spluttering her reasons as to -why- this could not be possible due to the obligations to her family, her people. Sharay’s eyes narrowed into mean slits. “Possible? Oh you assumed I was -asking- you. No desert witch, I am telling you. I vowed to bring this one,” she jerked a thumb toward Wish, “back to her Goddess that she serves."
Sharay smiled then, that sugary sweet smile that meant nothing but malicious intent. “Besides, would you have me inform Aurora, Goddess of Spring, that her own Paladin was near death and YOU refused to aid her?” Sharay tsk’d and shook her head sadly as the woman’s child poked her head back in the tent. “I shudder to think of how Aurora would react,” Sharay slyly slid her gaze toward the young girl, lingering upon the child before she returned her cold gaze toward her mother. “Actually, your refusal would make ME look bad. Let me assure you I would not be as kind as Aurora when it comes to vengeance.” Sharay’s smile was in place again as the horror stricken mother glanced furtively to her daughter, her tanned skin displaying an unhealthy pallor.
“Oh I am sorry. How rude of me. I interrupted you when you were so blatantly informing me how not possible it was to heal one of Aurora’ own because it is inconvenient for you.” Sharay’s mocking tone was accompanied by a feral smile. “Pray...continue. I shall relish relaying each word to Aurora.”
The tribeswoman muttered apologies while carefully removing Wish’s shirt so that she might inspect her wounds before determining treatment, and though highly reluctant, agreed to the Goddess’ demands. As she did so, Sharay turned to the child, her arms folded across her chest. “Well? Tell me you have some sense of intelligence girl? My ship? Will it be ready as I ordered?”
The girl bobbed her head, not truly understanding the situation at hand, but was a sweet child by nature and was happy to please. “Yes m’lady. My cousin’s father, he is a captain of a very fine cargo ship. He relays this message to you and your friend here, that you should make your way toward the eastern shores just before sunrise. He will sail you to Joi.” The girl did not add that the only reason the captain agreed to such, was simply to be rid of these two interlopers in their village as soon as possible. Sharay patted the girl on the head. “Obedient. I like that. And prompt too.” When the girl smiled at the praise, Sharay waved her hand to the child. “Now go. Prepare a few essential items for your mother. She will be travelling with us.” The child turned fearful eyes toward her mother who wiped bloodstained hands upon Wish’s ruined shirt and hugged her daughter, assuring her she would return in less than a week, safe and sound, then sent the girl off to do as Sharay bid.
***
Sharay heard the healer’s faint steps as she took the wooden stairs two at a time as she came upon deck. They had been sailing three days now and the healer who was still deeply unhappy for being so far from home, had made good on her word to treat Wish. Every so often throughout their days, she would find Sharay leaning against the railing, staring absently out at the ocean. The woman whose name was J’hari, though Sharay had not given thought to ask, would quietly approach the Goddess and inform her of Wish’s prognosis. Even though she spoke, J’hari was never quite sure if Sharay heard her, for not once in their entire journey did the Goddess open her mouth to utter a word. Not once did she go below to the Captain’s cabin where Wish lay abed to check on her, and it appeared to the desert healer that not once did Sharay budge from her spot where she stood.
“Milady, the fae sat up today and has eaten. She is doing remarkably well since we left Heruin.” J’hari once more regarded Sharay who was still as a statue, her onyx orbs fastened upon the waves. There was no expression on her face, but the healer could see the tense lines around her eyes and mouth, how one hand curled around the wood of the rail while the other clutched a leather bound book tightly in her grasp. “If there is nothing else...,” she prompted when several prolonged moments of silence passed, but the Goddess once more said nothing and this brought a sigh from J’hari.
Garbed in the traditional silken garb of her nomadic people, she dipped her head in acknowledgement to the coldly beautiful dark haired woman who stared absently out at the waters below, and set off below deck. Having spent all of her life upon the sands, the rocking and swaying of the ship was utterly unsettling. Despite the cerulean beauty of the ocean waters, the various fish and dolphins that played in the azure watery world, the desert healer took no pleasure in viewing them as her desire was only to return to her home, to her family. “Milady,” she began tentatively, “if there is something wrong...with you, that is, I would be of-,”
“Leave me.”
The healer took a step backward, startled not so much at the fact that Sharay spoke, but the tone in which the words were spoken. She had expected curtness, perhaps even cruelty from the dark haired woman, but the words uttered were tinged with what J’hari considered to be sorrow....anguish. The healer dipped her head and quietly left the Goddess to her thoughts. She would return only once more to lead Wish onto the deck as the disembarked the ship later that evening.
***
Sharay parted ways with Wish in Joi. The Goddess knew that the fae was in stable condition for travel, and did not require a ‘babysitter’ to accompany her to wherever she was going, which was presumably to her home. Besides, Sharay had business to attend to and she meant for nothing to stand in her way. The Goddess took hold of Wish’s chin and regarded her for a moment before she spoke. “Should you grow tired of serving a useless goddess,” Sharay smirked then and jerked Wish’s face toward hers, her cool lips pressed against Wish’s warm ones for the briefest of moments before she released the fae with a saucy wink. “Notice that I am still standing.” Sharay laughed as she walked off. “I’ll be seeing you soon fae, I am sure.”
***
Sharay strode in Aurora’s temple as if she owned the place and had every right to be there, which in her mind she did. She found the Spring Mother Goddess murmuring softly to a falcon, gently stroking the bird of prey’s feathers before releasing the deadly huntress to acknowledge Sharay’s presence in her temple. The bird screamed as it flew past the Goddess into the night sky and Sharay admired the fierce beauty's strength and prowess. Aurora's temple smelled of freshly turned earth and fresh cut grass. Candles in several shades of green burned in their brass holders throughout the temple. All was quiet until the cyclone known as Sharay arrived.
Verdant orbs glanced to the Chaos Goddess and she nodded once to Sharay, not particularly happy to see her. “So, you’ve returned. My Paladin has returned as well, though she did not accompany you to see me.” Aurora brushed a bit of dirt from the forest green gown she wore. “I imagine though that Wish will make an appearance soon enough.” Was all Aurora said in regard to her Paladin. Sharay shrugged, not particularly caring if Wish paid her homage to Aurora or not. “You know why I am here, Aurora. The least you could do is offer me a refreshment after my long travels. Wine. Preferably red and dry. That would be lovely,” Sharay drawled.
The Spring Goddess stared at her for the longest of moments, her lips pressed in a thin line before she gestured with a nod of her head toward a side table made of mahogany. “Help yourself.” With a heavy sigh, Sharay drifted over to the table where a jug made of stone had appeared, the heady scent of the fine vintage caught in Sharay’s nostrils and she poured herself a goblet full. “So difficult to find good help these days. Such poor service in the House of Aurora.” The Goddess sipped her wine as she took a seat near Aurora’s altar of oak. “Shall we begin then? I am a busy woman, you know,” Sharay stated with a hint of a smile, relishing this moment.
Aurora squared her jaw and busied herself by tending to her saplings. “Indeed, but you failed to bring back Madrin Kir. In fact, I do believe you left him to die on Heruin.” Anger flashed in Aurora’s eyes then as she glared at Sharay. “You failed to keep your end of our bargain, Sharay. Tell me why I should not throw you out of my temple as we speak? Why I should not call upon my siblings to banish you for good this time? “ Aurora slammed her palms flat upon the table she was working on. “You think for one minute I was not aware of the near cataclysmic destruction you almost caused with that little stunt you pulled? How dare you draw upon your power in such a careless manner when you obviously had no control over it!” Aurora’s fury was showing as the ground beneath the women’s feet began to shake, the air in her earthen mound growing colder.
Sharay was not impressed. In fact she was downright pissed off at Aurora’s failed attempt to show her authority toward the Goddess of Chaos and Death, but she did not raise her voice, did not even rise from her seat. Instead she set her goblet aside and pierced Aurora with a withering glare. “Spare me your flair for the dramatics. Let me tell you something little forest frolicker. First, my -job- was strictly to guard Wish. To keep YOUR Paladin safe. It was Wish with whom you charged fetching your little ‘do boy’, so curb your tongue bitch when you think to chastise me for something that was not my responsibility before I cut that offending organ out.” Sharay’s voice was deceptively calm and controlled, but there was nothing calm about the indigo flames that burned fiercely within the darkness in her eyes and they met the incredulous, enraged ones of Aurora.
“I failed at nothing. Wish is safe and unharmed. Madrin Kir, last I checked, was still breathing and alive. What became of him after we left, I do not know and frankly, I do not care. He is not my problem. He is YOUR problem, but because you fail at your job completely, you not only made it your Paladin’s problem, but mine as well. And as for my little error in judgement? It was handled, and NOT by your or your pathetic siblings I might add. I don’t recall any of you showing up for our little beach party, so kindly fuck off with your holier than thou attitude.” Sharay paused then and brought her goblet to her lips to drank deeply. “Now...about our agreement...”
Aurora crossed her arms over her ample bosom and glowered as the ground began to settle again. “Just tell me what it is you want, Sharay and then get your offending self out of my sight. If you had a shred of decency in that body of yours, you would leave Aleris altogether. You are not wanted here anyway, or did you forget?”
Sharay smiled sweetly as she stood and stretched. ”Not at all, but dear Aurora....I like it here. I have no intention of leaving, not yet at least. As for my payment?” Sharay sashayed toward the entrance of Aurora’s temple. “I haven’t decided yet. If I were you, Aurora, I’d remove that rather large branch you have wedged between your cheeks and put a big fucking smile on your face because you will be seeing me soon dear, and I expect a much warmer reception from you.” Sharay’s throaty laughter carried throughout Aurora’s temple as she left the Spring Goddess, speechless and fuming.
Whistling a jaunty tune and with book in hand, Sharay stepped out into the night air and breathed deeply. So many places to go, so many people to torment. Where to go next? Sharay glanced down at the book that seemed perpetually attached to her hand. A return trip to Heruin seemed like an excellent start.
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 9:28 pm
