Ashera: Chapter 3

TW Death, blood, kidnapping
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​CHAPTER 3
Ashera ran back towards the clearing, yelling, “Saria! Saria!” There was only one person in this group that was capable of screaming like that.
Two whistles sounded behind her and just as Ashera was beginning to get out of breath, Kaleedki and Aloria charged towards the group. Ashera jumped onto Kaleedki, stumbling a bit as she did so, and she struggled to pull herself up onto the animal's back. She felt a hand on her lower back push her up onto the Drupriki as Bear mounted behind her. Kaleedki sprinted forward back towards the clearing.
The group arrived in time to see two wolves-black as a clouded-over night sky. One was standing over Wind-its teeth in his throat. The other was backing Darion into a corner. Saria was nowhere to be seen-nor was Niksti.
Ashera didn’t think, she charged into the fray, tackling the wolf that was on Wind. The wolf turned on her-that’s when Ashera noticed its eyes-scarlet as the blood dripping from its snout.
It took a snap at Ashera and she braced herself for the impact, but it never came. She saw the wolf reel back as he was blasted with some terrible pain. It glanced at Ashera and then ran off into the woods. The other wolf turned from Darion and followed.
“Wind!” Ashera heard Fox’s voice, thick with pain as she slid towards Wind. Ashera backed away, looking at Bear. His face was contorted in horror. “Wind!” Fox said. “Wind! It’s okay, it’s going to be okay!”
Wind gagged out something that Ashera couldn’t understand, but Fox said, “No, don’t say that! I love you! You can’t leave me!” Wind gripped Fox’s hand and went limp. Fox looked stunned for a moment, then she promptly broke down in tears.
Darion was walking forward, his whole body shaking. “They-They were so fast. They just-just came and took her…”
Ashera didn’t want to ask, but she said, “Took who?”
Darion murmured, “Saria.”

“It was terrible,” Darion said.
“And they took Saria?” The Elder asked. They nodded. “And killed Daylor?”
Ashera nodded. Fox sniffled, trying to hold back tears. After someone died, the tribe called them by their proper name-not their title. Ashera, however, would always think of him as Runs Like Wind. And now he was gone…. “How could this be?”
“Those creatures seem like the embodiment of pure evil,” Ashera said. “I don’t know what they are, but I’m going after Saria.”
“No you’re not,” the Elder said. “Only elves with a title can go on quests.”
“And it’s my fault that I don’t have a title?!” Darion gave Ashera a look. No one-no matter how valued or high up they were-talked this disrespectfully to the Elder.
“Of course not,” the Elder said calmly. “But rules are rules.”
“She’s my sister!”
“And we will send search parties after her, but for now, there’s nothing you can do,” the Elder said. Ashera’s spirits fell. “I’m sorry.”
Ashera didn’t reply. She turned around and walked out of the room.

An hour later, Ashera was angrily throwing things into her bag, getting ready to leave. She heard someone behind her say, “You’re not leaving, are you?”
“Dad!” she exclaimed. “You startled me.”
“I’m sorry,” Eye of Hawk said. His eyes were puffy and red. “I didn’t mean to.”
Ashera glanced at him. “I’m guessing you heard…”
“I did,” he said, sitting on her bed. 
“And you’re not mad?”
“Why would I be mad?”
“Well, I should’ve protected her better,” Ashera said. “I’m going to make up for it, though. I’m going to leave and find her.”
“Don’t.”
“What?”
“Don’t leave,” he said. “The Elder is going to send out search parties. You don’t need to worry about it.”
“Oh but I do,” Ashera said. “She’s my sister.”
“And she’s my daughter,” Eye of Hawk said. “You don’t see me going after her.”
“That’s different.”
“How?” Eye of Hawk said. “You are a foolish child and you still do not understand grief. I lost your mother when Saria was only a small child-barely able to walk. I mourned for her from sunrise to sunrise everyday. I still mourn her. I have now lost my daughter. I cannot lose you too.”
Ashera sighed. “You say they’re sending out search parties?” she asked.
“Yes,” Eye of Hawk said. “It was volunteer only.”
“Who volunteered?” Eye of Hawk was silent for a long while. Eventually, Ashera had to repeat herself. “Who volunteered?”

“You can’t go,” Ashera said, pacing back and forth.
“Ash-”
“You can’t go, Bear,” Ashera said. “You can’t leave me. I already don’t know what I’ll do without Saria, what will I do without you?”
“Keep living. If too much time passes then come find us. You’ll figure it out.”
“No I won’t!” Ashera said. “Bear, you’re my best friend. If you’re gone I’d-I’ll-”
Her terrible stumbling was cut off as Bear leaned forward, placing a gentle kiss on her lips. It was the first time Ashera had been kissed and it was, in truth, a bit weirder than she pictured it, but it was so much more romantic than she could’ve dreamed it would be.
“It’s going to be okay,” Bear said. And in that moment it was hard to not believe him. He held out his arms to her and she went to them without hesitation, leaning into his lean form. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“If someone does evil things to get to a goal that’s a good thing, does that make them evil or good?”
“What do you mean?”
“Like if someone killed a person to save another, does that make them evil?”
“I don’t know," Ashera said, slightly confused.
She could feel Bear nod in assessment, his long hair brushing against her face. 
“Your hair has always bugged me,” Ashera laughed. She could either laugh or cry, and laughing was a lot less painful right now.
“Maybe I’ll cut it while I’m gone.”
“That’d be a nice change.”
They stood there for a long time, just holding onto each other until one would have to depart. Soon, the sun started to set. Ashera knew Bear would have to leave any minute now, but she didn’t want to let go. Eventually, he said, “I need you to promise me something, okay Ash?”
“What is it?” 
“Whatever you hear or whatever you see, I need you to always remember that everything I do in my life is for you.”
“Of course Bear,” Ashera said. “I could never think otherwise.”
Bear smiled sadly. “I’m just making sure. Right now, I am leaving for you. If I am in pain, I’m in pain for you. If I die, I have died for you. Every breath I take, every word I speak, and everything I do is for you and you alone, Ashera.”
Ashera felt like she was going to cry, but she forced a smile. “That was very poetic of you.”
Bear smiled back. “I have my moments.”
A low, loud horn blew in the distance-a sad, sweet sound that sounded like parting and sorrow. Bear looked down at Ashera. “I have to go.”
Ashera nodded. “Bring Saria home.”
“I will.”
“You promise?”
“I promise,” Bear said. He looked back towards where the horn blew and let out a whistle. Within seconds, Kaleedki was standing beside him, ready to go. She whined loudly, shaking her head.
“Aw, I’ll miss you two Kaleedki,” Ashera said, her voice shaking. “I don’t want to cry.”
“I won’t make you,” Bear said. “I’ll be thinking of you. Everyday. When you’re lonely just remember that I’ll always be there for you.”
“I will,” Ashera said. “Goodbye, Strength of Bear.”
“I'll see you later, Ashera,” he said, hopping onto Kaleedki. Ashera watched as he rode away. He was almost out of view-the sunset behind him making his form a dark shadow-when he turned and put his hand up in the air, sliding it down to his knee. It was a gesture which meant-roughly-This is not goodbye. Ashera repeated the gesture and watched as he rode the next few steps until he was out of her view.

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