The Carrier - Episode Seven
The Carrier – Episode Seven
Willan Ellis
Copyright 2015 Willan Ellis
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Original Cover Art: Jane Stradwick
Layout and Formatting: Chris Clark
The Aakash Mountains - Then
'This place is quite beautiful. I have never seen so much green!' Teanne nodded and turned to look at Lin who was standing looking down at the lush forest below,
'Do you know where we are exactly?' Lin continued turning to look at Teanne.
'We are almost at the peak of the Aakash Mountains. The border into Aelia is about two days walk from here.' Teanne moved to join Lin at the edge of the mountainside and marvelled at the sight. She looked up toward another peak and felt a yearning for the far off mountain. The familiarity of the mountain in the distance with the dark cloud covering it had been with her from the moment she first laid eyes on it. Lin had noticed it too, but unlike Teanne, she had wanted to stay as far away as possible.
'How are you feeling, by the way?' Lin asked drawing Teanne’s attention,
'How do you mean?'
'We are nearly in Aelia, are you nervous about seeing Jacob?' Teanne smiled and moved back to their small camp-site and calling the power of the Estrus threw a small flame that ignited the wood sitting inside the circle of stones. She warmed her hands and sat down looking deep into the growing flames.
'A little yes.' Lin joined Teanne, 'I'm not sure exactly how long I have been gone, it could be a few days, weeks or even months. I wish we could just be there.'
'I still don't know why you don't just phase us there?'
'I have never been to Aelia, we could end up in Mesi or mother forbid Kale.' Lin smirked and laid down on her side looking at the fire. She wondered if that was the real reason for Teanne taking the longest route or if she was biding her time returning to Jacob.
'What are we going to do about our little friend?' Lin asked and Teanne looked at her and shrugged, 'should we let her get closer or just keep pretending that we haven't seen her?'
For the past few weeks, a small figure had been following them since they had crossed the border out of Luia. At first they thought that maybe she was just a wanderer, but every time they deviated their course, she adjusted hers. It was becoming increasingly obvious that the girl was following them. She would slow in response to Lin and Teanne testing her and always kept the same distance between them.
'I doubt she will allow herself to catch up, she seems quite determined to stay at a safe distance and not be seen.' Teanne finally responded,
'I guess so, but she is making me nervous, especially with how close we are to the Aelia border' Lin said matter of factly;
Teanne nodded her head in agreement, 'tomorrow morning, I think we should get to know our friend better, yes?' Lin chuckled and nodded and stretching her body long settled herself closing her eyes.
Teanne looked deep into the flames and thought about Jacob. Each step they took was taking her closer to the man she loved. She missed him terribly, but could not shake the feeling that everything was going to be different. She was a completely different person to the girl Jacob left on the sand dunes. Looking down at her wrist she lovingly stroked the Estrus, and smiled when it pulsed a soft light. Looking over to Lin who had fallen asleep, Teanne rose and walked to the edge of the mountain looking up at the peak with the low long cloud, and exhaled.
A breeze lifted her hair as she opened her eyes. All around her was the floating cloud. Teanne took a step, but couldn't feel anything beneath. Looking behind, she saw the small pin prick that was the fire at the camp-site. This place was much further away than she had expected. Another gust of wind moved passed her and she turned. A part of the cloud that was covering the peak started to swirl around her, and in a breath began to illuminate. Teanne was captivated. She watched intently as the cloud rose higher and higher, swirling faster around her until it was at shoulder height.
It felt so warm, so comforting. It felt like home.