Dark Travelers Ch. 04

12.

"Stop," Kirik said.

The women paused, glancing at one another. Anya turned to look, expression inquiring, and saw Kirik cocking his head to the side, appearing to be listening for something. Anya did as well, but could not hear anything. He said something to Kael and the young male also tilted his head. After a moment, he nodded at Kirik and pointed over to a niche in the mountain side.

Kirik jogged over and peered in, Kael followed suit and did the same. After a moment Kirik turned and beckoned to the two women. They went, a bit hesitantly, and also looked inside.

What Anya had first passed off as a shallow indentation was actually a deep alcove that sloped sharply downward. The incline was littered with large rocks and assorted rubble. After a moment, a warm, humid breeze wafted up from below, causing a few strands of hair to blow back from her face.

"We make camp now. Down in there," Kirik said, pointing.

Anya examined the descent with apprehension, all that rubble looked unstable. The slant was much to extreme for her and Andi to be able to climb down safely. "We can't-"

Kirik rolled his eyes tiredly and waved off her arguments. He turned and offered her his back, arms held out slightly, "I can make it down. Climb on."

Anya felt her cheeks heat up as she realized what he meant. Not wanting to refuse him and risk his wrath, she hesitantly reached up, grasped his shoulders, and attempted to hoist herself up. She felt his hands clutch the bottoms of her thighs and hitch her up the rest of the way. He repositioned his hands a few times, ensuring he had a solid hold.

"Best hold tight," he said, remotely.

He launched himself off the side, without warning, and she automatically locked her legs around him tightly and rearranged her arms around his neck. He half slid, half ran down the embankment, using the loose gravel to slide most of the way.

Anya was certain that he would stumble and they would fall to their deaths at any moment. She buried her face in the crook between his neck and shoulder, unable to watch. She found that he smelled pleasantly of trees and earth, and she couldn't help but inhale deeply.

After what seemed ages, she felt a final impact and sensed that they were on stable ground once again. He released her thighs and she let herself drop from his back. He turned back to the hill and called up to his brother.

"Oh no. No way," Andi said, backing away.

Kael had also turned to offer her a ride down, after hearing Kirik's shout. Frustrated at her refusal and in no mood for an argument, he straightened up and advanced on her again, snatching her up and tossing her over his shoulder. She began to squirm and kick, beating on his back with her fists.

"Put me down! Don't you TOUCH me!" She screamed, flailing.

He hissed in a breath as one of her kicking feet came dangerously close to his crotch, and he snarled slightly. He gave her back end a couple of brisk smacks and her struggles ceased abruptly. Latching an arm around the backs of her knees, he also hopped lightly down the hillside, perhaps jarring her a little more than necessary.

Andi had clasped onto the strap of one of his scabbards and was holding on for dear life, shrill little squeaks issuing from her the entire way down. Kael leapt down last couple of feet, landing gracefully and shrugging Andi off his shoulder in one fluid movement. He made a show of vigorously rubbing his armour clean afterward.

She landed on her side and lost most of her breath, rolling onto her back. She clenched her jaw and shot him a resentful glare. He ignored her and glanced around curiously, searching for his brother.

Anya watched Andi get up again and dust herself off. The younger girl spotted her and quickly rushed to join her. The two huddled together and watched as the brothers inched their way through a narrow passage.

Kirik saw that they were not following and beckoned to them again, impatiently. They reluctantly squeezed through the small tunnel and were surprised when it opened up into a large subterranean cavern.

There was no light for a moment, but an eerie green glow soon began. Anya saw that Kael had created another one of those odd balls of light, and she watched as it slowly drifted up out of his palm to hover at the ceiling of the cave.

The air was warm and moist. Anya could hear the sound of percolating water close by. Andi was still rubbing her arm, but was glancing around with interest. She watched as Kael made his way cautiously over to a group of large rock slabs and peered over them. He turned, smiling, and said something to his brother.

Kirik grinned as well, pleased by whatever he'd been told. He nodded at Anya, "seems we'll be rather comfortable this evening."

Her expression was puzzled so he lifted his chin over in Kael's direction, "go see for yourself."

Anya managed to climb over one of the stones, finding that it was very warm to the touch, and saw that they surrounded a vast, deep-looking rock pool. At the far end, the water bubbled vigorously and steam billowed from it, rising lazily into the air.

Geothermal groundwater had risen to the surface, creating a natural hot spring. She leaned over to test the water with her fingers. It was hot on this end, but not scalding - she imagined it would feel wonderful to soak for a bit.

She turned to Andi with a wan smile, "come look."

The younger girl had an easier time hopping to the top of the boulder and she emitted small, happy sound. Anya was encouraged by her sister's good cheer and managed to chuckle softly. She unrolled Andi's wet sweater from her knapsack and laid it flat. The heat from the rocks would dry it quickly.

Kirik watched the woman smiling and felt pleased for some reason. Kael had found a flat rock that was also rather heated and had sprawled out over it, already beginning to doze.

Apparently, Kirik would have the first watch this evening. The corners of his mouth twitched as he watched his brother yawn hugely and throw an arm over his eyes. Kael worked so diligently to prove he was a fully mature male, yet he was still given to adolescent tendencies. Kirik found these traits rather endearing, however, and took care to never call attention to them.

Andi watched Kael closely. He seemed to be deeply asleep, his breathing deep and even. Perhaps now was the time to take a soak.

"I'm going in, Anya. Can you make sure that...uhm..." she trailed off and cast her eyes downward in Kael's direction.

Anya understood and she nodded, "I'll keep an eye out. Go on and wash up."

Andi dropped down onto the other side of the circle of rocks and undressed quickly. She folded her clothing into a neat pile and dipped a toe in the water. She slipped in and felt around for the bottom.

There it was.

She could just barely keep her head above water by standing on her tiptoes. She ducked her head under, wetting her hair, and resurfaced sighing. The heated water felt glorious and it went a long way in easing her bumps and bruises. Anya cleared her throat, getting Andi's attention, and she threw down the bar of soap that she'd packed.

Andi caught it, almost dropped it, and then recovered. She made short work of lathering up and scrubbing her skin. She did the same to her hair and submerged again to rinse. She placed the soap on the edge of the hot spring and began to tread water, taking a small amount of pleasure in having a heated swim.

Anya kept a close watch on Kael, but he hadn't moved. Kirik seemed intent on skinning and gutting the hare he'd killed earlier.

She observed, curious, as he took out a grey-colored sphere from another storage compartment in his armour. He whispered a phrase and tightened his hand around it. There was a bright flash and a small whooshing noise. He opened his hand and the sphere now glowed bluish-purple. He placed it on the ground in front of him and it burst into a large fire, shifting from a bluish flame to purple and then back to blue.

He glanced up, saw her watching and tipped her a wink. She blinked and turned away, feeling embarrassed, and checked on her sister. Andi was still in the pool, clinging to the side and resting her head on her arms. She looked more content than she had since they'd begun this trek.

"This feels nice, Anya," she mumbled drowsily, "I'll give you your turn in just a few more minutes."

Anya nodded and halfheartedly munched a few crackers that she'd brought along with them. She didn't much feel like eating, and was only doing so to give herself some energy and quiet her belly. She watched as Andi climbed out and attempted to blot herself dry the best she could with her winter coat. She redressed hurriedly, looking around nervously.

Anya gave Kael another glance, but he was still asleep and had not moved. Kirik had spitted the hare on his sword and was slowly turning it over the magic fire. He seemed to be completely uninterested in them at the moment.

That suited her just fine, and she swallowed the last bits of dry cracker with some difficulty. She reached for her water jug to wash them down and watched as Andi hoisted herself back up. The younger girl helped herself to a handful and chewed thoughtfully, staring down at the sleeping Kael.

Anya knew that look, "don't you dare."

Andi widened her eyes innocently, "what?"

"You know very well what. You leave him be. He's dangerous," she hissed back fiercely, glaring at her younger sister.

Andi frowned, "but he-"

"He saved your life. You're even," Anya interrupted.

Andi grumbled and stuffed another cracker into her mouth to save having to respond. Instead, she gestured to the hot spring.

"Go soak, you'll feel so much better," she said around a mouthful.

Anya cast a doubtful look towards Kirik, who still seemed to be indifferent.

Andi smiled and shook her head. "Don't worry, if he comes near you, I'll kill him," she said confidently.

Anya arched a brow in doubt, "if he comes near me you will stay out of his way."

Andi scoffed, "I can-"

Kirik interrupted, "don't flatter yourself, woman. I've no interest in you. Take your bath."

The women glanced down and saw Kirik giving them both a patronizing stare. Anya reddened again and slid down to the water's edge. She slipped out of her clothing and eased into the pool with a faint sigh of pleasure. Andi had been right, this did feel marvelous. Being a bit shorter than her sister she was unable to stand comfortably, but managed to find an area where a rock jutted out just enough for her to have a seat. She reached for the soap and worked some suds over her aching skin. She could feel her muscles beginning to relax and loosen. She sat back, resting against the side, massaging the scented lather through her hair with a faint smile of content. She could almost imagine being in her own tub back home.

Andi took her guard duty very seriously, keeping a steely eye on the two brothers. She had laid her damp jacket next to her sweater and was now working the hairbrush through her tangled hair. Kirik had finished cooking the hare and was busily slicing it into large hunks.

Kael, roused by the scent of food, sat up and sniffed the air, looking for the source. He saw Andi perched on the boulder above him, combing her hair and watching him intently. He feigned indifference and turned his attention to his brother. Kirik tossed him a chunk of roasted meat and he caught it one-handed, ripping into it with his teeth and chewing with obvious relish.

The elder brother grasped a couple of smaller slices and boosted himself onto the rock next to Andi just as Anya was climbing out of the pool. She jerked her head up, attention caught by the sudden movement, and saw Kirik looming above her, watching.

She gasped, crossed both arms over her breasts and quickly slid back down, trying to conceal herself. Her cheeks turned bright red and she bit her bottom lip, visibly upset by his gawking.

"Hey! Don't you stare at her like that! Go away!" Andi shouted, leaping to her feet and moving to stand in front of him.

Kirik gazed for a moment longer, then gave his head a slight shake. Instead he focused on the girl in front of him and pushed her back a step or two, annoyed. "I've told you already, she has nothing that interests me. Eat," he replied, shoving the meat into Andi's hands.

He turned away and jumped back down to take his own portion, proceeding to gnaw at it, apparently unaffected. Andi's narrowed her eyes at him for a second more before turning to Anya and nodding.

She climbed out of the water and threw her clothing back on hastily, not bothering to dry off. Face still beet-red, she hoisted herself back up and took a seat next to Andi. She waved away the girl's offer of food.

"Not hungry," she muttered, beginning to finger comb her hair.

Andi's mouth turned down, "you have to eat something, Anya."

She shook her head and inclined her chin towards the box of crackers, "I did."

Kirik heard the whispered conversation and interjected, "eat more, woman. Those were not enough."

Anya crossed her arms stubbornly and jutted her chin out. "I don't eat when I'm not hungry," she replied mulishly.

He drew an arm across his mouth and still refused to look her way, concentrating on his meal. "I did not ask if you were hungry. I told you to eat. Those biscuits are not enough to sustain you. Do not make me force-feed you. It's messy and I'd much rather not."

Anya's brows knit together suddenly and Andi widened her eyes. Anya had that, 'I'm about to lose it,' look. It was an expression that Andi was very familiar with, and she scooted back a bit. Anya rarely lost her temper, but when she did it was always memorable.

Instead of arguing, however, Anya merely snatched her share of the meal from Andi and bit into it ruthlessly. She forced herself to swallow it and took another large bite, chewing angrily.

"That's a good girl," Kirik said.

Kael watched the exchange, eyes shifting to each as they spoke. He tossed the now cleaned bones over his shoulder and stood, wiping his hands on his thighs. He turned his attention to the rock circle and boosted himself up. Both woman inched back, giving him a wide berth. He ignored this, eyeing the hot spring with obvious anticipation, and promptly began to undress.

"Geez! Don't do that here," Andi cried, covering her eyes.

Kael tossed her a bemused look and rolled his eyes. He jumped down, continuing to unbuckle the straps of his armour.

Anya quickly turned, facing away, still eating resentfully. Andi, however, couldn't help but peek. Kael, working on unbuttoning his trousers now, paused, feeling eyes on him. He glanced up, saw the bitch was watching him and grinned, deliberately dropping his pants. Andi gasped and looked away, covering her eyes again.

Amused, he watched her for a moment before crouching and testing the water with a hand. Pleased, he hopped in and dunked his head under much as the women had. He resurfaced and shook his head, running a hand back through his mussed hair. He untied the length of cord that bound it and quickly smoothed it back into a secure ponytail. He found the makeshift rock bench and sat back, hands clasped behind his head, eyes closed.

Andi turned to watch again. The muscles of his arms bulged where they bent at the elbows and from what she could see, his chest seemed to be chiseled out of stone. Unbidden, her tongue crept out to caress her bottom lip. He cracked an eye open and caught her gaze. It flared yellow briefly, and a corner of his lip curled up into a snarl, flashing his fangs.

She pursed her mouth and turned away in an arrogant manner. "It's not like you're much to look at, anyhow," she said grumpily, feeling her ears heat up.

A bit peeved, she also began to eat.

Kael's eyes dimmed to their original color as he stared up at her thoughtfully. After a moment, he shut his eyes once more and went back to enjoying his bath.