UnSeelie XXVI

He moved through them with ease, ignoring the bodies which trembled and bones which fell to the ground.    As he stepped to the other side, he noticed four rune stones in the distance.  Wild flowers blossomed although the sky was dark and the runes shone with an amber glow. 

You can rest within the runes. 

He wanted to relax but who knew what horrors still lay ahead of him.  Continuing on down the valley, he picked out the yarrow and chamomile which sprang up.    A sense of healing and peace flooded the area and still he could not let his guard down. 

After a while the hairs on the back of his neck started to prickle.  He tensed, his heart pounding in his chest but did not change his pace.   

“I know you’re out there.”    He kept his eyes dead set on the runes.    “Come on, if you want a piece of me.”  He shifted his grip on the dagger.   

Yet nothing happened, no monsters came from the dark.  He reached the runes safely and leaned against their warmth.  He was extremely exhausted.    Tears poured down his face and he broke down. 

“I-I can’t.”  He gasped out as he sat down heavily.  “I can’t do this anymore.  I know you’re out there, you son of a bitch!”  He screamed until he was hoarse.     

The parasite moved within him and the voice encouraged him to sleep.    Eventually, he had no choice.    She was there, her soft heady musk filled his senses, and he relaxed into a deep slumber.    Her long silky locks caressed his face as his head lay on her lap.    She kissed his gently and held him tight. 

“I love you.  Remember that much, Tarran.” 

He tried to tell her that he loved her, missed her.  He could not form the words to speak so he silently cried tears of joy to be near her again.    She began to fade as he became aware.   
“No.  Stay with me.”  He reached out to grab her; try anything to not let her go.  He slowly awoke to the faint scent of Egyptian musk clinging to the air.  He lay still, not wanting to move so that he could hold onto the vague memory. 

His stomach growled with hunger as he sat up.  He felt weak and despondent. 

How can I eat when I have no food to eat?  He banged his head back against the stone.  I have nothing, I am nothing, he thought bitterly.   

The bag carries all you need, hunter. 

“I can’t eat coins, you shit.”  He growled at the voice.   

The bag carries all you need.  It repeated firmly.  All you have to do is reach inside.

He opened up the bag, looked inside and saw nothing but coins.  “You lying, mother fucker.”  He threw the bag to the ground. 

Reach inside.    The parasite squirmed causing his cheek to twitch.    Or I will make you.  Reluctantly he picked up the bag, reached inside, and pulled out a piece of bread.  Quickly he laid the morsel down and reached inside again to pull out a flask. 

“Yes.” 

Then he reached back inside and found nothing but coins. 

“What the hell?”  He demanded.

It gives only what you need. 

He grumbled as he took slow bites from the bread.  He had to make this last, who knew when he would eat again.  The flask was filled with mead; the honey liqueur flowed smoothly down his parched throat. 

A mild breeze brushed against him, yet something out there made him look up to see two yellow eyes watching him from afar.