POOL
1289 Words
Axe was cautiously trekking among the tall vegetation when he heard a characteristic growl resonate for the thousandth time that day.
-Skhanaaa – The youngster mumbled with a hint of annoyance, rubbing the bridge of his nose as he slowly turned around to find his sister inches away from the enormous cat – Really?
-H-He was limping – The girl hurried herself to say, raising her hands in the air – I just wanted to help!
-And what were you planning to do? – The Xoltunian princess scoffed at her – Carry him all the way? He must be thrice your weight!
-Axe, would you just tell him that I won’t harm him, please? – Skhana begged, ignoring Phomeryka´s remark and staring intently at him instead – Tell him that I am his friend!
- Sis, he is a wild creature – Axe tiredly explained – He has no concept of friendship… And you keep making him feel threatened by constantly invading his space!
-Did he say that? – Skhana offendedly gasped, placing a hand on her chest – That’s not what I meant… I just want him to feel better!
-Oh, he doesn’t need to – Their masked companion intervened with a bored tone – You are evidently smothering the poor thing, girl! I’ve told you before… Don’t get attached to it, that’s not a goddamn pet!
-I know he isn’t, Akoh – The young girl puffed out, sharply rolling her eyes at him and crossing her arms over her chest – But he has been following us of his own volition all this time, hasn’t he? That must mean something, doesn’t it?
-Yeah, it means that he is still too weak and hungry to leave – Axe casually responded – You already fed him once, so he is hoping to get some more food from us. He will go on his way once he’s recovered enough.
-Has he told you so, uh? – Skhana stubbornly insisted – Maybe he just likes to be around us!
-What is she talking about, Axe? – Phomeryka asked with a curious voice – Why does she keep saying that? Can you really talk to the giant cat?
-No – The blue-haired man sighed – Well, at least not with words anyway… We communicate on a different level, a deeper one.
-How? – The archer asked, raising an inquisitive eyebrow at him – Can you read the goddamn beast’s mind or what?
-Hmmm… Kind of – Axe agreed, nodding appreciatively at her – I can’t really explain how it works, but it’s like we share this bond, and I can sense what he’s seen, where he’s been, what he’s done…
-May I give him a name, Axe? – Skhana loudly interjected with renewed cheerfulness – I think I’ve found the perfect one!
-And why would you want to do that, girl? – The Yahurian mockingly sneered – He is a wild animal, he doesn’t need one!
-So that you can all stop referring to him as the giant cat or the goddamn beast – Skhana proclaimed, glancing at Phomeryka with contempt.
-Sure! Why not? By all means, go ahead! – The masked man sarcastically commented, starting to stomp away, and leaving them all behind – Because that’s clearly our biggest concern right now!
The sun was just beginning to set behind the hills that surrounded Phenjal when Axe walked back to the spot where they had left the black jaguar when they’d arrived and found Skhana crouched behind a bush, patiently throwing large chunks of meat at the feline while she whispered repeatedly at him.
-You know he is not Kohu, right? – He gravely stated, standing next to her, and watching as the animal devoured the fresh steaks that she had just bought – Nothing will ever bring him back.
-I know – She resignedly replied. Keeping her eyes fixated on the enormous critter – That is why I just gave him an entirely different name.
-Rhoan – He nodded with a knowing smirk, seeing how the feline’s ears perked up a bit – The ancient word for obsidian... Very fitting, I think he likes it.
-Really? – Skhana exclaimed with poorly contained excitement - Does he understand what it means?
-No. But he enjoys the way it sounds – Axe said, playfully patting her shoulder – And he loves it even more when that sound is followed by a load of food.
-You mentioned earlier that he doesn’t know what friendship is – She sadly murmured – Does that mean that Kohu never considered us his friends?
-That’s right, he didn’t – Axe chuckled lightheartedly, throwing an arm around her and pecking her forehead – He considered us his family, you silly! Now come, let’s go back to town, because Rhoan is not the only one here who needs to have a good meal.
The steamy vapor rose towards the tall ceiling of the deserted room, describing intricate patterns as Axe leisurely floated on his back, letting the warmth of the soothing water appease the turmoil of his racing thoughts.
Feeling restless and utterly dirty, the youngster had sneaked out of the lodge right after dinner and left his travel companions preparing for bed.
He’d made his way to the baths and found them pleasantly empty at those late hours of the night. So, he had unhurriedly undressed himself and placed his garments aside, then he had taken the cap covering his head off and finally allowed his loose hair to fall freely down his bare shoulders.
The blue, wet strands swayed behind his thrown-back head as he remained happily suspended in the crystalline liquid with his arms and legs open and his eyelids shut.
The dripping brush of the water droplets rhythmically crashing against his earlobes muffled completely every other present noise. So, that is why he had been so startled when he opened his eyes and found her standing at the edge of the pool.
Taken aback by the unexpected image of the Xoltunian´s figure, he had gracelessly trashed around and swallowed a good chug of water before he finally managed to stand upright.
-P-Phomeryka – He huffed between coughs as he slowly recovered from his surprise and briefly noticed the naughty smile on her face – What are you doing here? I thought you said you'd already taken a bath.
-Oh, yeah… I did earlier – She purred, running a hand down the skin of her neck and deviously winking at him – I’m already squeaky clean!
Axe stood there, incapable of uttering another word and feeling his tongue turn suddenly as dry as sandpaper when he saw her finger daintily sliding from her collarbone to her waist and untie the lace that held her robe around it.
-But I´m hot... Oh, so hot! – She announced, solemnly opening the diaphanous kaftan and revealing her completely naked body as the cloth silently fell to the floor – And I thought it was about time I fulfilled the promise I made you before.
She took a few steps along the edge, making sure to give him a good view, unhurriedly parading her attributes and proudly twirling around before finally diving into the hot water and elegantly swimming a few laps back and forth before Axe’s astonished eyes.
Once she seemed satisfied, she finally halted and briefly approached him, placing an ephemeral peck on the tip of his lips. Then she climbed back up and swiftly put her robe back on.
-Good night – She simply said, waving her hand. And she left just as quickly as she had appeared. Leaving him there, soaked and dumbfounded, standing in the middle of the pool.
- Writer
