‘Because he is a man?’ I finished. ‘You need to snap out of it, Fae. Not all men are monsters. Surely, you know a few that are kind.’
Fae shrugged. ‘R?ven’s father was a good man.’
‘Was?’ I repeated.
Fae shrugged. ‘He became distant after he got his memory back and realised R?ven had run away. That is why I am here. I promised to find her, for him.’
‘You’ll see her,’ I promised. ‘Soon.’
Dagon returned, depositing the firewood in front of me, looking proud of himself.
‘Thanks, Dagon,’ I said, hopping to my feet.
‘Let’s get this fire going,’ chimed in Fae. ‘I’ve got the chills.’
‘Good thing I brought some blankets and a sleepin’ bag. We can all snuggle up for the night-’
‘Shut your mouth, Paddy,’ snapped Fae. ‘There will be no snuggling.’
‘It was a figure of speech,’ he retorted.
‘Quiet, both of you,’ I said, rubbing my hands together and producing sparks. It was always a little more difficult to produce fire when Fae was around, except, of course, if I was particularly emotional.
Once the firewood had been ignited, the three of us sat around it in silence, watching the sparks floating and vanishing into the night. An hour later, the Vulmessian’s returned and lay with us. I rested my head on Hawthorne’s belly; his soft fur tickling my nose.
I think I was the first one to fall asleep. I had tried to stay awake as long as I could so Dagon would not be left at Fae’s mercy, but I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer. I was too comfortable on a bed of grass, with a furry pillow. Hawthorne’s breathing soothed my soul and sent me into a deep sleep. Every now and then, I’d wake up for a few seconds because of a crackling log or shifting body, but I simply rolled over, using Hawthorne’s long tail as a blanket.
Long after the fire had died, and all that remained was the glowing embers, I heard movement in the camp. I took no notice of it, as the footfalls did not sound threatening. It was probably Dagon getting up to go to the toilet in the nearby bushes.
I succumbed to sleep once more, only to wake up minutes later with a body curled around me, huddling for warmth. I lay perfectly still, pretending to be asleep. I assumed it was Dagon, trying to get close again.
I rolled over, coming face to face with my night-time cuddler. It was Fae.
‘I was cold,’ she whispered. ‘You’re so warm.’
‘It’s all right,’ I yawned, grateful that it wasn’t Dagon.
‘Can I stay by you?’ she asked.
‘Mmhm, ‘kay,’ I murmured, already on the brink of sleep.
Fae leaned forward, kissing me on the cheek. ‘Thank you,’ she breathed.
~
When I awoke, I found that Fae had curled herself around me during the night. I dislodged myself from her limbs and went about my morning as usual; going to the bathroom and cleaning myself in the water we had brought with us. Hawthorne watched me as I went about my business. While I was brushing my teeth, Dagon stirred. He staggered around the camp, disorientated by his surroundings. Once he’d gotten his bearings, he grunted ‘Mornin’’ to me.
‘Morning,’ I replied. ‘Hungry?’
‘Starvin’. What’s on the menu?’
‘Whatever you can catch,’ I said.
‘I’m a fisherman, Lass. Do yeh see an ocean here?’
I shrugged. ‘Well, you’d better learn quick.’
‘I can help the useless boy catch his breakfast,’ came Fae’s voice. She joined us with her bow and arrow in hand. ‘Or perhaps he is a girl with all the fainting he’s been doing.’
‘Yeh’d like me better if I was a girl, wouldn’t yeh?’ he snapped.
‘Dagon!’ I scolded, outraged at his implication. ‘Both of you! Stop it! We’re meant to be a team. How are we going to accomplish anything if we can’t get along? Fae, this isn’t about your prejudice, it’s about getting R?ven back, remember? Stop baiting Dagon, and treat him like a human being.’
‘Aw, c’mon Lass! I’m tryin’, it’s just hard with her teasin’ me all the time.’
Fae crossed her arms, but looked ashamed, avoiding eye contact with either me or Dagon.
‘If you two can’t get along, I’m leaving you both behind and continuing on my own. I can’t afford any more stress-’
They both began to protest at the same time, talking loudly over one another.
‘He is slowing us down!’
‘She hates me, and I haven’t done anythin’!’
‘He’s nothing but a burden-’
‘She dampens the Power of others, including us. She makes us weak.’
‘I use my bow and arrow!’ Fae retorted. ‘Holding your breath underwater isn’t exactly useful on a battleground!’
‘I’m strong,’ snapped Dagon. ‘I could lift yeh over my head with one arm-’
‘Try it,’ Fae dared.
‘Shut it!’ I yelled, but they didn’t listen.
‘Yeh hair’s as fiery as yer personality. Yer unstable!’