Aella (manxman) - ON HOLD - Chapter 28: Chapter 28

The walk was far from comfortable or comforting.
The sun was slowly moving to a sunset. I was so tired and I couldn't go faster, despite really wanting to. And my feet were hurting already, I was certain they wouldn't look good if checked my soles. But I swallowed the pain and kept walking, with Rhonwen stomping and leading the way, and Drita by my side, still holding a grip on my arm and not letting go.
I didn't notice we had fallen behind until I could barely see Rhonwen anymore. The realization of being alone with Drita forced me to discard Rhonwen hurtful words for now, and think about the other hunter.
"You should've told me you were coming."
We walked over a few roots of a large tree, and then she added. "It was smart of you, though. I'm glad you're finally taking the initiative." She stopped and pulled my arm back to look me in the eye, and I met with her smile again, "But you don't have to do this. It's not very safe for you. Our clan is not very stable for the moment. So leave it to me to come visit you, alright?"
I didn't say anything. I went to resume walking, but her grip tightened on my arm and she moved to block my path. "I think about you every day. The last time we met was... It was so special. I am so proud of you, Ceri"
"D-Drita-"
"and I want you to know that I will reward you for being such an obedient boy. I was very worried before, about you drifting away from me. Not anymore, little bird. You are still compliant and well-behaved, you are still devoted to me"
She spoke so gently, like her words carried so much depth. But they didn't bring me the reassurance she thought I was feeling. Instead, there were strings of fear leaping from my heart and sinking to coil in my stomach.
"I......"
"You?" her voice trailed like she was taunting me, with a tenderness that didn't calm me in the least.
She stared at me, waiting for a response. And when the words betrayed me, again, I just pushed her hand away from my arm and moved around her.
"You're alright?"
"I-I need to go home-"
She suddenly yanked my hair back and I yelped. " What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing! I-I-I just really need to go before it's too dark! I-I won't find my way home if it's dark"
"No, I'm talking about your attitude! Here I am praising you, and instead of thanking me, you act like a rebellious child? I will not have that!"
I gulped and held her hand that was hurting my head. That instant, I actually was happy to hear Rhonwen's scary voice. "Move your damn feet, Aello! I will not wait for you-"
"SHUT UP!" Drita yelled at her and I flinched. Rhonwen looked surprised by Drita's sudden animosity.
But even Rhonwen knew not to go against Drita.
To my dismay, she glared at us for a moment, then angrily walked away.
"Apologize." Drita barked at me. It was an order, a very clear one. It was the last thing I wanted to do, but if it meant calming her, then fine
"I-I'm sorry" I breathed out. Her frown became less intense as she looked down her nose at me, searching my face for any signs of a challenge.
Eventually, she relaxed a little. But then she put her other arm around my waist and pulled our bodies against each other. "It's alright. You're distracted because of all the changes that you were forced to endure. But you have to make the effort of behaving, even when we parted for a while. I will not let time separate us, Ceri. I'd miss you too much to let you out of my sight for long. I promise I'll visit you more often. Is that why you're rebelling a little?"
I shook my head, but it felt like she didn't need me to answer with the way she continued. "Like I told you before, endure this until the Agape. I promise I'll have a more permanent solution for us. We'll be together once again, in more ways than we used to. Just like before, I'll be the only one you trust, the only one who cares and protects you. You'll be mine alone, no more people to share you with"
"No"
"What?" She frowned and looked puzzled.
I held her hand again, gently, and pried it off my hair. Then, very slowly and without breaking eye contact with her, I removed her other arm from around my waist and I stepped back, leaving her to stare at me in pure confusion.
'No one can force you to do anything'
Ithel's voice resonated in my head like a tender whisper. His honest words enveloped my heart and provided me with the strength I needed.
"No, Drita" I repeated, calm and clear.
"Careful, boy. You are heading to a very memorable punishment"
"I'm not a boy! I'm an Aello-"
"CERI!"
I took a couple of steps back to be safer and let go of the first thing that came to my mind, "A-and Leader Cailyn told me that I cannot be punished by the Aellas anymore"
No words could describe the confusion in her eyes. I breathed in and out, and then continued with a very calm voice, hoping I wouldn't sound any scared or weak.
"I will always owe you, Drita. You'll always be the proud, fearless hunter that I look up to, the one who helped me and protected me for so long. Every year, at the gathering, I will bow to you in respect, just like I will to Halina, Moina, Leader Sosanbra, and many others. And I will never forget the times you hid pieces of fruit just for me or carried heavy trunks of wood up the mountain so I could carve on them.
But... We will not......... m-mate, if that's what you mean by being together."
Her eyes widened in anger.
No, there was definitely anger in her look, but also so much more. She glared at me in disbelief and pain, like I had just betrayed her in the worst way possible. And for a second, I doubted myself and even felt guilty. She was confused enough to remain still, unlike all the other times she attacked me to teach me a lesson, this time was different, and she knew it.
"Ceri?" she sounded offended. I looked the other way and hoped this conversation would end already. I was never good with confrontations and this was particularly frightening me to the bones.
"You don't know what you're saying. You are being stupid and disrespectful."
"I'm sorry, but-"
"Apologies won't erase what you spat out! Do you have your eye on another Aella? It's that fox Siena, isn't it? You think a girl like that will actually choose you?"
"It's not that-"
"I will burn her hateful red hair. Let's see how many Aellos will compliment her shriveled skull after that"
"No! It's not about Siena, or anyone else. I...... I don't know when have I ever made you think that you and I could-"
"You are confused-"
"No, I'm not! You are!"
Her eyes grew angrier now and she opened her mouth to argue but said nothing. For the first time, I witnessed a Drita who didn't know what to do or say. Maybe I should've felt proud at that moment, but it was oddly terrifying.
'My Ceri, I am on your side'
I forced myself to think of Ithel's voice and his kind, brave face. With the strength I felt like I was getting from him, I continued.
"Coming to the Aellos' territory is very dangerous. Thank you for everything you did for me, Drita. I am an Aello now. I will learn to depend on myself"
It took all the strength and bravery I had left to turn around and 'calmly' walk away. Drita didn't expect this and she was stunned into silence. I was frightened that she might attack me from behind, but if I ran it would most likely provoke her to chase after me. My heart thumped so hard in my chest, it felt like it wanted to jump out and run away even if it meant leaving me behind. I put my hand over my chest, and I noticed that it was shaking.
'You are brave' Ithel's sweet voice whispered once more, and I mumbled, "I am brave. I am brave"
I looked up to see Rhonwen glaring intensely at me. I walked past her and hurried my pace despite my feet that protested in pain. The path seemed even more difficult and I felt clumsier with every passing minute. It didn't help that Drita's angry, disappointed, sour mood was so strong that I could practically feel its weight on my back.
It was just past sunset when I saw the light of a torch ahead of us.
"Finally" someone said. I walked closer and saw two other Aella-hunters. And a few steps past them, there were Ithel, Alev, and two other Aellos that I didn't know, holding two torches. I immediately smiled when Ithel met me with his own warm smile and a quick hug.
"Welcome back"
Two words, so simple and yet so soothing.
Before I could greet my father or the other Aellos who seemed bored, Rhonwen said to Alev with palpable irritation.
"If you truly wish for your son to be safe, keep him off our territory."
Alev stared at her unfazed. Then he turned to me without greeting the Aellas or even answering Rhonwen. "You're alright?"
"Yes, father" I bowed my head, "I'm sorry I kept you waiting"
"You're here now. Let's go home"
I nodded, then I turned and quickly bowed my head to the Aellas, my eyes cast down as I did so because Drita was standing back, glowering at me in deadly silence.
The Aellas retreated to go home, Rhonwen first and then Drita and the other two. I felt like I could breathe better now. But I didn't inhale fully when the two Aellos approached me
"Let's go. The Leader awaits"
Ithel took my hand in his, and stood close to me, almost hiding me behind him. Alev turned to them and said calmly. "It's getting late"
"The Leader wants to hear from him as soon as he's back, Alev."
"And he will. Tomorrow. After he rests for the night. Cailyn can wait"
The two Aellos looked at each other, before turning to Alev again. "Alright then. We'll be back in the morning to take him"
"Tell Cailyn I'll bring him myself tomorrow."
One of the Aellos seemed to welcome the idea of not having to escort me. The other one took a few seconds to think before handing a torch towards us.
"See you at the next meeting in the village? You should come more often"
Alev took the torch and nodded to him. The Aellos left, taking a path different than ours.
Ithel's squeezed mine gently, making me look at him. "How are you? I'm glad you're back. We were a bit worried"
His eyes told me it wasn't just a 'bit'. And I really liked that he was concerned about me. His beautiful eyes looked mesmerizing as they reflected some of the torch's flames. I felt my face get warmer with the way he contemplated my face with his charming smile. He leaned his head slightly forward, our eye contact never breaking. His forehead almost touched mine, when suddenly, the torch was trusted towards him, forcing our hands to part.
"You will carry this" Alev said.
I suddenly realized that maybe I behaved the wrong way in front of my father, but Ithel didn't seem bothered in the least as he grinned and took the torch. "With pleasure", he added.
Alev kneeled before me with his back facing my way. "Let's go"
"I-I'm ok, Aello Alev"
"I saw the way you were walking towards us. You paced almost half the island in one day. You did well. Let me at least help with this"
I hesitated and glanced at Ithel who nodded discretely at me. I approached Alev and didn't know what to do. I felt so silly because I wasn't small like a child, I was so big. But Alev grabbed my thighs and stood up, forcing me to hold onto his shoulders.
It only took a couple of minutes for me to feel how comfortable Alev's back was. My father was so strong, he didn't seem bothered by my weight. It also felt so nice and calming to walk through the dark night, with the sky sneaking through the branches every now and then to display its numerous stars.
Ithel walked right beside me. With his hand on my back, he was grinning at me and I was grinning back. Suddenly, Alev stopped and turned to him.
"You're supposed to light up my path, not my back."
"Huh?" Ithel answered, sincerely confused. Alev didn't explain. He just stared plainly at him until Ithel morphed into a silent 'Oh'. I giggled as a blush hit his cheeks and ears.
Ithel walked before us for the rest of the way. And I sat there in silence, the motions lulling me to sleep. And with my eyes focused on Ithel, only one thought remained in my mind,
what a perfect behind.