Send it to my email. I prefer that anyways.

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CHAPTER SIX (Slayer is such a fun character to write)

Bluez tossed the sheets, pillows, and excess clothing into a linen bag and dragged it outside. Slayer waited patiently, outside of the entrance, leaning on the wall, legs crossed at the ankles, arms crossed, and head down.

“On the road again… I say, we’re on the road again”, Alaina sang from inside the little shack as she slipped off her clothing and pulled on her body suit. Bluez chuckled. Slayer twitched in a smile.
“She always seems to be positive and bring light to every situation.” Slayer mumbled, raising his head to give a defiant stare to Bluez.
“If you hurt her again, I’ll kill you.” Bluez smiled.
“Don’t worry. I won’t.” He whispered in a harsh voice. Pushing himself off with his back, he walked a distance and stood in shadows—Bluez guessed he preferred the shadows by now--- with arms crossed, head down.

Alaina slipped outside. Slayer raised his head—keeping his arms crossed the whole time while still in the shadows—and glanced at her from over his shoulder. He chuckled audibly, turning his head away before he could comment.

She smirked and reached behind her, zipping up the back of her suit, from her lower back all the way up the back to the high neck. Bluez’s head turned; so did Slayer’s for that matter. He arched an eyebrow at her and starred.

“Are we going, or are you both going to stare at me like five year olds opening a present?” Slayer closed his mouth with a snap and turned his head quickly, Bluez shuffled his feet and acted like he was gazing at a tree in the distance all along.

“I know this area.” Slayer said.
“Good. Know of a good camping spot?”
“One and a half... maybe two miles ahead.” He shrugged casually.
“Let’s start walking. It’s going to be light soon.”

Bluez picked up the bag and swung it over his shoulder, starting at a brisk walk. Alaina smiled, looking at the short swords on both hips. Absent mindedly, she ran to catch up with them. Slayer stalked ahead of Bluez, keeping to himself mainly.

“Slayer.” Alaina whispered, stepping up beside him. His head swivled around and noticed her standing next to him.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
Her voice was soft. Almost barely audible, “I didn’t realize…”
“No. Don’t worry about it.” He said gently, looking at her and smiling.
Alaina fell back a bit and stepped slightly behind him. With a gentle motion, she reached and grabbed his hand. He gave her a small glance and smiled. She smiled back at him—eyes calm: so serene.


They walked into the night—layers of leaves started to fade, the moon started to fall. Silence except for occasional scuffing of feet interrupted the night.
“Alaina…” Slayer started, “I never meant to hurt you.” He paused and sighed, “All those years ago.
“It was never your fault.”
“Yeah, it was.”

Silence fell again. Scuffing of feet… Slayer groaned as Alaina suddenly touched his cheek, with obvious worry.

“Why’d I not see this before?” She demanded of herself.
“What? Oh, that.”
“You usual heal. What’s up?”
“It’s just... cursed. Black metal.”
“You idiot.”
“Yes?”

She suddenly wove spells of healing, the open bit of the slash on Slayer’s cheek glowed to Alaina’s eyes. He twitched as Alaina worked the magic, making delicate flows of thread like power, knitting it together and extracting the black magic.

“What are you two doing now?” Bluez questioned from behind them.
“Oh, just… talking.”
“So that’s why her hand is on your cheek and you’re staring at her like she’s God.”
Slayer shrugged again.
“Not in the mood to talk.” He muttered, dropping his head.

Alaina’s fingers fell from his cheek and Slayer brushed it with a hand.

“Smooth.” He muttered.
“I’ve had much practice with healing over the past five years.”
“Now I’m your victim”, he chuckled lightly. She smiled at him.
“This is it. Just ahead.” Slayer said, raising his voice for Bluez to hear him.
“Good. I need some sleep.” Bluez replied grumpily.
“I feel just fine.” Alaina remarked.
“Of course you do. I’m over one hundred years old. I’m ancient.”
“Yeah, yeah.”

They reached the little cove. It looked like a cove. The land was sparse with trees outside of Carrotus. A small little circle of dirt was in the center of a huge group of trees.

Bluez got to work laying out sticks and twigs and lighting the place with small candles. Alaina set up a tent she had brought with her. It was a large tent, made for four people.

Alaina was the first to strip down into her night gown. She layered blankets and pillows out in the large tent. Setting her things in the center of the blankets, she pushed aside the tent flap with her hand and peeked out.

Slayer was keeping to himself, sitting around the fire for brief warmth. Bluez was sitting across from him. Silence. Alaina shook her head—men. She’d never understand them.

“Bed’s ready.” She shrugged, “If you don’t want to sleep outside tonight.” Thunder cracked and lightning streaked the sky.

Slayer shrugged and ducked inside the tent, settling himself on the left. Bluez followed and settled down on the right, leaving Alaina the middle of the tent. Slayer kicked off his boots and removed his weapons, shoving them in his boots.

Bluez slept in what he had on. Slayer crawled under the covers, back against everyone, facing the side of the tent. Alaina laid on her back, hands on her stomach and fingers laced. Bluez crawled under the covers eventually, shoving his head under a pillow and sleeping on his stomach. Five minutes later he was in a deep sleep, breathing heavily.

Raindrops started to pound the top of the tent. Alaina opened her eyes and watched them roll down the top, outlines casted by the now dim moon overhead.

She signed softly and closed her eyes. The night would be over soon.

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`Wildie