Aella (manxman) - ON HOLD - Chapter 48: Chapter 48

I dove deeper and deeper as fast as I could manage. Short spears went through the water beside us. Their aim was luckily imperfect. I had told my Aella to close his eyes, but I knew he didn't because he tensed and thrashed when the short spear passed beside us.
I didn't stop though. I dove right beneath the ship and headed deeper to the other side of it in order to avoid all spears. We were taking a great risk, but if we resurfaced now, they'd kill us for sure. A sick thought went through my head; I preferred him drowned than caught by those people. My stomach churned so tightly at the thought, it hurt. So I kept diving deeper and taking advantage of the darkness of the sea. Once we were completely blinded, Ceri hugged me tightly, obviously scared out of his mind. I changed my course and started swimming laterally, getting as far away from the ship as possible.
I was starting to feel the serious need for air when Ceri thrashed desperately in my hold. He wasn't used to holding his breath for so long. I had to stop and hold him to keep him from drifting away from me which would be disastrous in the dark.
He couldn't take it anymore. So I started climbing quickly, hoping we've made it far enough from the ship. When we saw the light again, I noticed Ceri opening his mouth and releasing all the air that he was holding in. He gripped at his own throat, still thrashing aimlessly. I pushed him upwards and swam with him in my arms.
As soon as we broke the surface, we both coughed violently. I had to make sure he didn't sink again as he tried to pull as much air as possible, while still coughing and panicking
"We're drowning; we're dying... i-i-in the sea! We're in the sea!!"
"I've got you. Just breathe. That's it, calm down and breathe. We're floating. We'll be alright"
I looked around us and saw the ship, still not far enough from us. But everyone was focused on the other side, probably waiting for us to resurface from there.
"Shshsh, we're ok. We need to swim more, Ceri. Come on-"
"We jumped! The bottomless sea is .... is sucking us in! Why did we jump?? Ithel..."
He looked awfully scared, so I tried to calm him down. "It's alright", I pulled him close and held his face to make him look at me. "I'm not letting you go! I'm here, we'll be alright. We're close to land"
"L-land... yes, the land!"
A small wave hit his face and he starting thrashing and coughing again.
"Just kick your legs and you'll be fine. Come on, you can do it"
"I can't! I-I-Ithel the sea is bottomless! We don't have a boat!!"
"Just focus and try to move your legs. Like I showed you back home"
His beautiful terrified eyes stared at me in desperation, and then he did exactly as told. I kept holding his hands to make sure he didn't sink in again, that would be unpleasant to him especially now that he was still scared and confused.
This all happened too fast for him. Ceri always needed to go his own pace. He most probably wasn't able to keep up with what was happening, but I had to do it, I told myself. I had to save us from those people. Who knew what they had planned for us, especially with whatever they were hiding in the belly of that ship...
"The island...... it's way too far..."
I looked at the ghosts of the mountains, still far away from us. I hadn't really thought about this. All I wanted, was to leave that ship. But... now what?
"Ithel?"
I didn't know what to answer him. If we swam towards the island, will we get caught by those men again? Could we even reach the island?? I was the only one who could swim and I wasn't sure I could make it. It didn't help that I've been having very little food and water for over a month...
"We can do it", I turned to him to see him staring at me, fear and determination in his eyes. "R-right?", he added. I nodded and held his arm to help keep him from sinking.
"Yes. We will move slowly, together, alright?"
He nodded frantically, still coughing from time to time.
"Come on" I barely started swimming, when he called my name me and was covered by water. I pulled him up and watched him hold onto me tightly. He heaved while repeating "Don't leave me behind!". He was scared and he had all the right to. I was afraid and doubtful of everything that was going on, but to him, this must feel a hundred times worse. He wasn't used to the sea and he definitely wasn't used to this amount of danger.
So I let him cling to me and take his time to calm down. I didn't rush him because at the same time it was good to see the ship slowly take those evil men a bit away from us. A moment later, I started moving. It was so difficult to swim while hugging him close to me. But he believed this sea was bottomless and I couldn't prove him otherwise. So I didn't dare push him away.
I guess he felt how much I was struggling to make some progress, so he released me, with his hands still holding a grip on my arm.
I looked at him. His hair dripping and stuck to his face. His light green eyes staring back at me, scared, weak, but hopeful. Still hopeful that we can make it alive.
"I-I can help... J-just please don't l-leave me behind?"
"I won't. I'll be right here beside you. We can make it to the shore."
"I... I can't swim that far!", he almost choked.
"Remember when you first learned how to swim? You brought Alev and you showed him. Remember how proud he was?"
He didn't answer, but his eyes spoke of his feelings to those memories.
"Imagine that we're back home. You're happy and you're playing"
He closed his eyes as if in pain; we both wished those days back. Then he started moving his arms and legs, advancing very slowly towards the island. I followed beside him, slightly behind so I wouldn't lose sight of him.
"That's it! You're being so strong and brave, keep going Ceri!"
It was probably two hours later when he was completely worn out. I could see the fatigue consume him and he couldn't even speak coherently anymore. Eventually, his efforts could no longer keep him above water and I rushed to pull him out. He barely managed to cough and heave. I looked towards the island and saw the mountains, now closer, as they stood high and rough. No green, only rocks with sharp looking edges, seeming almost unwelcoming.
"Ceri... Ceri, we're almost there. We're close. Just a bit longer, my little pearl... Just a bit longer"
His eyes opened and shut from exhaustion. He moaned an answer that I couldn't understand. He already crossed such a long distance, and I will make sure he reaches that shore.
I made sure he was breathing properly and I put my arm around his chest and pulled him with me as I swam. I could swear I had no energy left at all. But the thought of abandoning and letting him go... the thought of him sinking unconsciously into the darkness of the sea... It made me move despite being deadly tired.
......
And the sun had set when we finally made it to the island. It was an unapproachable wall of rocks, save for a tiny beach that I aimed for with a lot of difficulty. With arms, legs and back feeling like liquid, I dragged us out of the beach. I laid Ceri on his back, completely unconscious and lost to the world. Then I dropped on the sand beside him, trying but failing to check for his wellbeing before I was also consumed by darkness.
~~~~~~
I woke up feeling like I was beaten with the trunk of a tree. I couldn't find enough energy to move and I could barely open my eyes. But as soon as I did, I was assaulted by the sharp rays of the sun and I squinted my eyes close.
It took me a few seconds to be able to open my eyes again. I was happy to see Ceri, lying beside me on the soft sand. The sight of him made me prop myself on my arms and crawl until I could hold his face in my hand.
"My little Aella...... Ceri, open your eyes, my love?"
His unresponsiveness scared me. I leaned down and put a hand on his heart. I felt his small breaths on my ear and his heart thumped under my palm, making me sigh in relief. I tried to wake him up, but he remained unconscious.
I looked around us to find us still on the tiny beach that was surrounded by walls of rough stone. So maybe the walls helped keep us hidden from the eyes of the predators on this island.
The first thing I did was to remove my Ceri from the center of the beach. Carrying him was much harder than I expected, and I ended up dragging him to the side, where I laid him in the shadow. I stared down at him and my breath hitched, as if my feelings and fears were too strong for my chest to contain. He looked so miserable. Clothes torn and barely protecting him, his body much thinner than he used to be. The white sand was stuck to his legs like a second skin, and yet the scar beneath his foot was still visibly deformed. Most of the physical injuries had healed properly, but a few still held a purple-green color ...... He laid there, limp and unmoving. His hair no longer curly. I've awfully missed his dancing curls. Now, his hair looked tamed... surrendered.
I pushed his hair back to watch his face closer and caress him. He looked terribly pale and completely surrendered. It was horrible of me to think this, but he was still the most beautiful Aella I've ever seen.
And my sweet Aella was lost to the world. Betrayed, tormented, and tortured. It broke my heart to see him so weak. He deserved none of these horrible events. Things were happening uncontrollably and we both could do nothing but resist the best we could against what seemed like one storm after the other. The burden of the last month and a half was too much for me to handle, let alone for my sweet boy.
But right this second, what I feared most was if Ceri had reached his limit. He didn't know this, but he was the only reason I still have enough will to fight, to survive. And I wanted him to never lose that will as well. I needed him to remain hopeful, or I might easily break.
I looked up to see the sun centering the sky. It was already mid-day, which suggested that we were unconscious for more than half a day. I checked his breathing again. I kissed him on the cheek and whispered encouraging words to him. Then I told him that I was coming back soon, and I headed to the wall of stone that surrounded us.
My Aella needed food and water to survive, to be well and to feel hope once more. I'd be lying if I said that the thought of that made me forget the ails of my own body. On the contrary, my bones ached, especially my arms and shoulders. However, neither of us could go on without food and water, and that was my priority to provide for.
I climbed the small cliff and found a light forest beyond it. The forest seemed to extend endlessly, becoming thicker as one would go deeper into this island.
I took a moment to stare at Ceri. From up here, he was mostly hidden. I waited a little, maybe he'd wake up and I could be reassured that he was doing fine. He remained still, though. So I sighed and went to look around the area. First, I followed the shore towards the direction that the ship took. I advanced carefully, doing my best to remain aware of my surroundings. It wasn't only the horrible men that I needed to watch out for, the land itself could hold many dangers.
The thought made me pause. I've left my Ceri alone. I couldn't wait for him to wake up and become thirstier than he certainly was.
Should I return? Or was it more important to secure the area?
After hesitation, I decided to first quickly make sure our surroundings were safe, and then find water. It only took a short walk to see the damned ship. I laid low, approaching carefully until I saw them. They were on a larger beach, moving their boxes and barrels. I recognized a few, especially their Leader who always stank of that dreadful liquid. He was drinking from a jar and yelling at the others.
If these awful men ever found us, they'd certainly kill us or imprison us. Even if we hid well around here, we'd only be in danger. I needed to move my Ceri and hide as far from them as possible.
I retreated, careful not to let them see me, nor be ambushed by another. I hurried into the forest as fast as my body could take. I returned to the area closer to my Aella and I started searching for water and food.
While the forest didn't lack trees, it wasn't generous with the food. I found no fruits or plants that I recognized and knew were edible. I continued to search relentlessly, but I was getting exhausted fast. And I only recognized how drained I was, when I fell face first on the ground, unable to move a muscle.
It seemed like I had fainted. Probably not for long though because my head still hurt from the fall. I pushed myself up and looked at the sky. It's been probably a couple hours since I left the beach.
Ceri...
I needed to go back to my Aella.
.................Empty handed
I rubbed my forehead where a small bump seemed to have formed there. I regained my balance with the help of the tree and went to go back, only to notice something on my knees.
Mud. My legs were muddy up to my knees. Not just my legs, but my hands and forearms as well. I squatted and grabbed a handful of the earth. There must be a source of water close to here, very close!
I followed where the earth looked muddier and found what I've been looking for on the other side of the tree. A small spring was oozing from between the large roots as if these latter were trying to containing it in and keep it only for themselves.
I leaned down quickly, smelling the transparent liquid before I tilted my head to lay it on the root and let the water slip inside my mouth. And it was so delicious.
I felt instantly revived. The sweet water was flowing, freely and without cost nor guardian. My little pearl will love to drink from this. I drank for another minute before I went to look for something to carry the water and bring it back to my Ceri. I started looking above my head, trying to find a leaf large enough to hold water. I thought I found what I was looking for, and I even found what seemed like small red fruits that I didn't recognize. But that was when I heard something strange.
Alarmed, I turned and listened carefully while scanning the trees and bushes around me. it wouldn't be the first time a wolf had tried to make me its meal.
I sensed nothing moving around me. And everything was silent for a long moment before I heard the sound again.
This time I could tell it was coming from far away. It wasn't an imminent danger. More like... someone ......... calling?
I took off running as fast as my legs could as soon as the realization hit me. Despite my ragged breaths, I could now hear him clearly
'Itheeeeeel!!'
He sounded desperate, alarmed, scared. And he was calling for me without a care about all of those who could hear him and get to him.
By all the spirits, I shouldn't have left him... I should've taken him with me! Ceri, please stop yelling, please be safe, I'm begging!
I pumped my legs and kicked the ground until I reached the shore. When I did, I followed the frantic voice until I found our small beach. I stopped at the edge to find him facing the sea. I called him, but he didn't seem to hear me. I climbed down the rough and sharp rocks, scratching my body in the process. But I didn't care. My love was screaming my name to the sea, probably thinking I hadn't made it to the island.
As soon as my feet dropped on the sand, I called for him again. This time he stopped to look back.
Standing in the water, waves continuously hitting his knees, he gave me most puzzled and saddest look I've yet seen on him.
I hurried towards him and reached for him. The gesture seemed to get him out of his daze as he started running out of the water. He flew into my arms and I received him. We both dropped on the sand. I expected him to yell at me or cry, but all he did was hold me close and breathe frantically.
He was trembling in my arms. I cradled the back of his head to try and calm him down.
"It's alright, I made it. We both did"
"Y-you were gone... I th-thought-"
He couldn't even speak properly, but I knew what he meant. From the desperate way he was clinging to me and the way he was calling my name to the sea, he definitely thought I was dead.
I gave him some time to calm down, but I knew we had to move away from here quickly. Anyone could've heard him and they could be heading towards us already.
He began to relax in my arms. The way his body slouched in my arms indicated that his fatigue was taking the best of him yet again.
"We need to get away from here."
He gave me a confused look, his eyes barely remaining open.
"Anyone could've heard you calling for me. We need to go somewhere that is safer. Come on"
I stood and went to help him do the same when he stared up at me. It was far from the way Ceri used to look at me. His gaze used to hold so much enthusiasm, so much hope and amazement. Now, it was different.
"Ithel............", and I dreaded what he was about to say before he said it. Simply because I could read it in his eyes.
"This... will never stop", he whispered, "...... no longer. I... I can't-"
As his desperation hiked the fear inside, I couldn't let him finish. I instantly knelt and kissed him. And my kiss probably revealed my anxiousness, but I didn't think about how it would seem to him. All I needed right now, was for him not to give up.
I broke the kiss to find him still breathing quite heavily. My actions may not have cheered him up, but they were enough to make him focus on me and ready to listen.
"Do you trust me?"
He nodded, cutely and almost absentmindedly.
"We've made it here safely. We got what we wished for, we're finally on a land, away from the trouble we escaped. There's a beautiful and interesting forest that we need to cross. And a spring of good water is waiting for you"
"water..."
"Yes, I promise. All we need to do is walk a little."
He started nodding, then I guess the charm of the kiss faded a little and he gave me a begging look
"I can't move"
I wanted to hug him and try to make him feel better, but I was afraid we might be in imminent danger. So I kissed his forehead and encouraged him, "I know. And I promise to let us both rest as soon as we're both safe and fed. But for now, I need you to help me a little. Can you do that?"
He nodded, a bit reluctantly. He wasn't acting spoiled or childish. He was just too tired to move. I felt the same, only I drank water before coming back for him.
I helped him stand. We made it to the wall one step at a time. When we reached it, he was moving better. However, I could read the look in his eyes when he lifted his head and saw the chore before him.
"It's easier than it looks, believe me"
I didn't wait for him to think about it or respond. I urged him to get a good footing on one of the stones and to pull himself up. One tiny achievement after the other, I was right there beside him as we both made our way up the wall.
We both sat on the edge, catching our breaths and gathering our strength. I watched him, his head swayed a little, indicating some dizziness. So I crouched before him and pulled him on my back. I shifted him until he hugged me close, and I pushed myself off the ground and stood while carrying him.
He was too tired and dizzy so didn't resist or speak.
"Remember the first time I carried you like this?"
The memory was beautiful enough to make me smile. I admit I wasn't expecting him to answer me. I just hoped he'd listen and stay conscious. However, his arms tightened around my neck and he kissed my temple. Then he buried his face in my neck.
My heart sank with how sweet and adorable he was.
I followed my own footprints as I carried him. I had to keep him awake until we reached the spring of water, so I spoke my mind.
"It was the first time we met. You fell and hurt your ankle while heading to the gathering of the Agape, which was on the opposite side of the island. I didn't go to the Agape that day despite Leader Cailyn's insistence. Every time he told me to hunt and prepare my den to receive the month of love, I found no will to do so. So I ended up not going to the gathering all together, just like the years before.
Yet unlike before, this time, the forest presented me with a prize. A little Aella had lost his way in the forest."
"...... I'm not little", he mumbled.
His voice was weak, but for a moment, even a brief one, he forgot the difficulties of the present and thought about a happier past. His comment made me chuckle, "Alright. A fierce, brave Aella crossed my way. He was the most heartwarming gift at first sight. He didn't know back then, but he had already found his way into my heart. You were a vision"
"I was dirty"
I laughed. Raised among Aellas his whole life, Ceri believed it was important to always be clean, presentable, to wear jewelry, to have long beautiful hair, and to bear children. It made him feel less of an Aella since he didn't have most of that. I, however, never thought a necklace or an ornament could make him look more beautiful than he already was.
"You were covered in mud almost everywhere, and you wouldn't talk no matter how much I tried to lure you. But I didn't need words to know how precious you were, your eyes told me everything. That look of innocence and awe that you gave me... it enchanted my soul. Of course, my biggest reward was when you came back to my den. You cleaned yourself and it astonished me how attractive you looked. My sweet Aella, have I ever thanked you for making my den feel like a warm home?"
He gave me the best answer by kissing my neck. I grinned, making sure to keep my footing stable and not fall from exhaustion. A moment later, his forearms that were encircling my neck fell limply over my chest.
"Ceri... Ceri?"
I shook him, but he didn't answer. When I called for him again, he only moaned.
"Don't sleep. We'll be arriving any second now. We're so close". I kept talking to him while focusing on following my trail.
We finally arrived at the tree. I moved my Ceri and put his face against the root so the water would reach him. As soon as it hit his face, his hooded eyes fluttered. He looked startled at first, then he opened his mouth and started drinking.
He drank desperately, and I had to pull him back so he could breathe. But as soon as he did, he pushed my arms and drank more.
After we were both sated, repeatedly, I removed my traces from around the place so no one would be able to track us. Then I helped him climb the tree and settle on one of the thick branches.
I tasted one of the red fruits and it was a bit sweet. I broke a few small branches and sat with Ceri who had his back to the tree. I removed a few pieces of the fruit and reached my hand into his mouth so he could eat it. From the first bite, he hummed in satisfaction and his stomach groaned for more.
"Here, have more. It's not meat but will keep us alive. Tomorrow, I'll get you a better meal, I promise"
We both needed rest. I debated leaving him there and looking for a prey to hunt, but I feared for him. I was also very tired, so I sat behind him, making sure to hug him close to my chest and keep him from falling. I rubbed his arms, knowing that they must be hurting just like mine from the long swim.
"How do you feel?"
"......... I'm good", He was still weak, but his voice sounded a bit better after getting the water he needed.
I kissed his head and rocked him a little, "You've been so brave. No Aello has gone through what you endured, and yet here you are. Strong and fearless."
He didn't answer, probably not convinced by my words.
"Ithel..."
"Yes?"
"We have to run away tomorrow, don't we?"
His question took me a little by surprise. I frankly thought I had to convince him and explain to him why I won't let him rest and recover before pushing him further. My Aella was, however, very smart.
"Yes. It's for our own protection. We'll rest and settle for a while as soon as I find a place I can trust"
"It's ok, as long as we get away from her"
Her??
"Drita is no longer after you, Ceri. She's back home-"
"She's on the ship, I saw her. And the ship was heading here..."
"The ship remains in the sea. I've seen it earlier"
"You saw it??"
"Yes. Those men landed on a beach". I didn't want to scare him, so I added, "a beach far from here."
"W-what if they brought her here??"
"Drita did NOT follow you here, of that I am certain. She's back on our island and Cailyn probably killed her if Alev hadn't already"
"Probably, but... it's like you said before. The Leader will have to pay dearly for anything he takes from the Aellas. And he wants to make the other clan trust them. It would be difficult to do so after killing a hunter, even an evil one..."
I sighed. It was hard to fight against his logic.
"You are such a smart pearl." I kissed his shoulder and continued, "Let's not think too much. Right now, the important thing is that we're alive. We're on land and we found food and water. I'll protect you from those men and I'll find you somewhere safe to stay"
"Thank you. I'm sorry I was confused when we dove into the water, I was just a little bit scared"
"No need to apologize, Ceri. You acted marvelously."
He turned to look at me. "I just wanted you to know that I'm very grateful to you, Ithel. I wouldn't have made it anywhere if not for you"
His lips briefly kissed my chin making me chuckle.
"You can sleep now. When you wake up, we'll drink and eat more"
"...... This tree is very generous"
I smiled at that,
Get some sleep, my Aella. Tomorrow we have a long day ahead of us. But no matter what this island holds, I'll be there beside you every second, protecting and caring for you