Walk On Mountains - Chapter Five

She slept soundly for a day, not hearing the noises of people passing by, not stirring from the same position she had started in.  Grydin had originally intended to lay with her until she fell asleep, but his arms still encircled her as the last few weeks also seemed to catch up with him.1

Marienda’s dreams were some of the sweetest ones she had ever had, and they caused her to smile more than a few times. Suddenly, something nibbled on the fringes of her dream, causing her to make her way back to consciousness. She opened her eyes and looked at the curtain covering the door. It flew open and Dorran looked in. “Grydin!”2

Grydin’s eyes opened and he rolled over. “What?” he asked calmly.3

“Three men from the other end are here,” he told him. “They want to talk to you.”4

Grydin muttered something that sounded suspiciously like a curse, and sat up. “Where are they?” he asked as he rubbed the sleep out of his features.5

“Outside the main door,” Dorran said. “I wouldn’t have barged in, but things might get bad.”6

“Yeah, okay,” Grydin said, still not fully awake. “I will be there in a few minutes.” He watched as his old friend left, then fell back onto the bed. “I think I slept too long,” he moaned, then got off the bed.7

Marienda quickly got dressed, her natural instincts putting her on guard. “Who is here?” she asked.8

“There is a group that lives on the other side and other end of the mountain. Sometimes they journey here.” He paused. “And it’s usually to steal something, or someone.” He frowned when he noticed she was dressed. “Their leader likes to hurt people…they like to hurt people.”9

“But what…”10

“I will explain it all,” he interrupted. “But at the moment it seems that I have an appointment.”11

She had to nearly run to keep up with the pace he was setting as he strode to the main door. They stopped at a small crowd, and Grydin made his way to the front. He looked at the three men that had come from the other camp.12

One of the men looked at Marienda. “New?”13

“What do you want?” Grydin asked.14

“Pontage would like to talk to you.”15

“No.” Grydin said. 16

“He insists,” the man said. “He would be hurt if you refused.”17

“Still,” Grydin said. “I decline.” His eyes grew darker. “And something tells me that I would be hurt if I accepted. If he wishes to talk with me, he knows where to find me. There is no need for him to send an underling to do his job.”18

Four other men moved to stand by Grydin, making a barrier if needed. The three visitors glared as if ready to cause trouble, which caused Marienda to shift her weight, subconsciously slipping into a defense mode.19

The man smiled slightly, eyed Marienda again and nodded in approval. “Why don’t you just hand over the new one, and we’ll leave. I think Pontage will look upon it as a show of good faith on your part…he’s been looking for a new mate.”20

Grydin put a protective arm around her. “No.” He motioned back to where they had come from. “Get out, and don’t ever cross the boundaries again.”21

The amulet around the other man started to glow. “Fine.” He motioned with his hand, and Marienda stumbled towards him.22

Grydin gasped, reached out quickly and grabbed her hand, pulling her back to him. He stood in front of her and glared at the other men.23

“Be reasonable, Grydin,” he said in a bored voice. “We either get her now, or later. And if it’s later, I guarantee it won’t be pleasant.” 24

“She is mine,” Grydin said in an angry voice. “You are not taking her.” The amulet around his neck started to glow red, causing those with him to take a step back. He walked towards the others; the air around him seemed to crackle with energy. One of the intruders moaned and put their hands to their head. Grydin stopped walking and closed his eyes. The person coughed in agony but straightened. The men glared at Grydin, but walked back to where they had entered, not wanting to push their luck any further.25

“She is mine,” he whispered then turned and brushed past Marienda as he walked away.26

For a moment, she couldn’t move, the events swirling around her mind. She had actually felt herself being pulled towards that man, as clearly as if he had reached out and grabbed her by the arm. She shook her head slightly to clear it then pushed through the people behind her. She caught up with Grydin before he got back to his room, and grabbed him by the arm. “What was that?”27

Grydin pulled out of her grasp and moved the door covering to the side. “Leave me alone,” he said, pain coming through his words. He closed his eyes as she stayed where she was, then he turned and walked into his room, letting the curtain fall between them.28

She turned to leave, but spun back at the sound of him being sick. She pulled open the woven door at the retching sounds and entered. She found him leaning against the wall in his washroom, eyes closed and breathing slowly. He blindly reached out and pushed a lever, sending what used to be his lunch away. His hand came up and he slowly caressed the amulet as he let his body sink to the dirt floor.29

Marienda quietly approached and sat on the ground beside him. “Sorry,” he whispered without looking at her.30

“What happened?” she asked as she hesitantly reached out and took his hand in hers. He squeezed gently, sending a pleasant shock through her.31

“I have told you that our people were divided a long time ago.” He finally looked at her. “The old testaments we found, added to stories passed through the generations tell why.”32

Marienda listened as the man who chose her told her about the heritage they shared. “We all have it in us, an energy that allows us to do…well…magic. It is centered on the amulet some wear. When the time comes for those to discover their energy, they are called by someone else to partake a journey.”33

“You called for me…”34

He smiled slightly. “I…I connected with you on a different level.” He stopped, and squeezed her hand gently. “You do have the energy inside you, but whether you will find it is unknown.” He paused, then whispered, “sorry.”35

“Our people originally came here, and to these mountains because of some…power it has,” he looked at her. “It is hard to explain without sounding like I should have my head checked.”36

“Our people…well, best way to describe it would be to say that they were eventually divided by good and evil. While some relished in the power the mountain seemed to enhance for them, others preferred to channel that energy into staying safe from the elements. That is why these caverns are very comfortable. From the testaments, I understand that they were placed into separated domes, but I do not know by who or which is good and which is evil, or if there are some in each. Without the mountains to enhance energies, personal powers became nonexistent. Most do not know about their inner energy, and most probably never will. The teachings have been sealed since before the testaments, and most do not want to attempt to learn without it.”37

“Most?”38

His face set in sad lines. “There are some who practice without care. Small things can be done with inner energy, but other things take an outer energy to accomplish. For that, the user takes the life force from someone else.” He squeezed her hand again, then turned his hand around in her grasp until their fingered intertwined. “That is why we do not attempt it. It is nearly impossible to know who will lose their life energy to feed yours…” He looked at her intently. “Remember this…if someone’s amulet begins to glow red, try to get behind them, or out of their view. If they can see you, then you are a risk…and if they select you by placing a hand on your chest and concentrating on the flow…” He stopped and closed his eyes briefly. “Just…stay behind me if anything ever happens.”39

“Good, evil, life energy…” Marienda shook her head in confusion. “Will an amulet protect me?”40

He shrugged lightly. “I honestly do not know. It might.” He exhaled slowly. “I wish I could give you mine, but I cannot. Each has to find their own, but some never do.” He paused. “I found mine when I came to the mountain after my mate’s death. I didn’t know I was called for, my…I wasn’t thinking straight then…I stayed in the mountains when the darkness arrived, and was near death when I saw a stone shimmering on the ground. It was at the entrance of a cave, and I took the stone, entered the cave…the others here found me in some state of hibernation…” he shook his head. “I still don’t understand it myself.”41

They fell silent as the words soaked in. It was almost too much for her to understand, and part of her wondered whether she was good or evil. As if reading her mind, he looked at her.42

“The pull is so strong at times, and I feel myself slipping…” He pulled his hand from hers and covered his face with both of his hands. “Like earlier.”43

Marienda slowly got to her feet. “I need to think.”44

Grydin ran his hands up through his hair as he watched her leave. “You do need your head checked,” he whispered to himself. He was disgusted with himself for nearly giving into the anger he had felt in the cavern. He groaned and stood as he felt nauseous again.45

~~~~~~~~~~46

The small pebbles hit the stone and landed with a small tic on the ground. Marienda picked up another handful from the pile beside her and tossed them at the same rock. She started to grab more, but let them filter through her fingers back to the ground.47

After leaving Grydin, she had walked until she found herself at the mouth of the cave, looking out at the valley below. A few tents were still there, their occupants intending to soak up as much outside time that they could before being forced back inside for the dark months. She could understand their desires, but she had had more than enough space when walking across the plains to get here.48

“Magic mountains, special amulets, good, evil,” she snorted. “Yes, Grydin, I’d say you definitely need your head checked.”49

She glanced up as someone blocked out the sun and sighed when she saw it was Yanuia. Grydin’s friend regarded her for a few seconds, then sat down to face her.50

“Something bothering you?” she asked.51

What do you care? You don’t even like me. Marienda ran her fingers through the small pebbles by her leg. “I just found out that I was chosen by a man who thinks this mountain is possessed.”52

“It’s not possessed,” Yanuia told her. “It channels the energy we have.”53

Marienda sighed in annoyance. “Do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds?”54

The older woman ignored the insult. “Grydin told you the truth. I know it’s hard to absorb, so don’t try to think of it all at once. Where you come from, and what you used to do, you were taught to think analytically. If it wasn’t tangible then it wasn’t worth considering.”55

Marienda shrugged as she made a point of studying the pebbles at her side. “Your point?”56

“My point is that there are things no one can understand without taking that first step.”57

“What first step?”58

“You have to believe that it could be possible.”59

Marienda avoided her gaze. “I forgot to pack my blind faith when I left.”60

Yanuia sighed and tried another avenue. “Why did you leave your life behind to come here?” She smiled slightly as Marienda looked at her. “There was no proof that you would find anything when you arrived,” she pointed out. “You came on blind faith that you would find what you were searching for.”61

“That’s different.” Marienda picked up a handful of small stones.62

“Why?”63

“I don’t know!” she yelled and threw the stones hard against the rock. A few bounced back and landed at her feet. She stood quickly and glared down at Yanuia. “I walked away from my life…even the people I worked with didn’t think I was worth looking for. And now I’ve spent the past few days getting dirty looks, and finding out that everything I’ve ever been taught or believed in is wrong!” She turned and quickly walked away from the other woman and the entrance to the caverns. She made it a few steps before it changed into running. She heard her name being called once, but didn’t turn back.64

Top…get to the top she told herself as she ran up the small path that lead to the wide ridge that ran along the top of the mountain. Alone is okay…just…alone. She fell to her knees when she made it, pulled herself back to her feet and took a look around. She could see the very tip top of her dome in the distance, visible only from the sun glinting off the surface. She turned to look behind her and clenched her eyes shut when she saw the same thing, the sun glinting off another dome.65

“He was right,” she whispered as the tears started down her face. She wrapped her arms around her torso and sunk to the ground as she cried. “He was right.”66

~~~~~~~~~~67

“Have you seen Marienda?”68

Yanuia leaned back against a rock and looked out over the valley. “She doesn’t belong here.”69

Grydin stared at his old friend. “What did you say to her.”70

“Nothing.”71

“I’m sorry…I must have put my stupid sign on without noticing,” he replied sarcastically. “You think I haven’t seen the looks you give her? Or hear the tone in your voice when you talk to her? Out of everyone here, I thought you would be the one to understand, and be happy for me…instead all I see is condescending behavior.”72

“Condes…” she stopped and sighed. “Grydin…I saw how you were when she didn’t come last time, the pain you went through…you closed yourself off from everyone for weeks.” 73

“She’s here now, and I’ll handle it if she decides to leave,” he said, the anger starting to show. “Regardless what happens, you have no right to make her feel unwanted.”74

"She is not like us."75

"She looks human to me," Grydin replied evenly.76

“You know what I mean. Her occupation cannot be trusted…ever.” Yanuia tapped his chest. “You have to stop thinking with this, and start thinking up here.” She tapped his head. “And definitely stop thinking with little Grydin.”77

Grydin closed his eyes and rubbed a hand over his mouth. “What do you expect me to do? Tell her ‘Thanks for the amazing sex, but’….” He shrugged. “But Yanuia thinks you don’t belong here, so since she’s never wrong, you best be on your way.” The amulet around his neck glowed a soft white. “Or maybe you expect me to just hand her over to the others, and forget that I know what they would do to her.”78

“Grydin…”79

“You expect me to turn my back on someone I fell in love with?” he demanded. “You are such an unbelievable…”80

“Tone down the energy, Grydin,” she interrupted, “or I’ll give you a shock you won’t forget.”81

Grydin turned and, channeling his energy into his hand, punched at the stone wall behind him. Rock chips flew as his fist shattered a large section. He shook his hand off and turned to face her again. “Now, have you seen Marienda?”82

She smirked at him. “Now you’re thinking logically.”83

“What?!” He stared at her in disbelief, then turned and stormed away.84

“Try the top of the mountain,” Yanuia called after him.