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Hejira: Sanguine Wave

By Mantrid Brizon

Episode 31: Coming To Terms

“He cannot stay here!” A human woman yells.

“Red Claw is a menace; he’s too dangerous to be trusted!” A Sahvorai man chimes in.

The cacophony of voices hurts Sarvah’s ears as she stands before the villagers, blocking the door to the humble house that Gareth was to inhabit.

“He isn’t a bad person! He did evil things, but he has changed!” Sarvah pleads with them.

“Are you delusional?!” A Sahvorai woman chirps.

“We ought to kill him for what he’s done!” A Sahvorai man adds.

“Could you even succeed?” Sarvah snaps in anger.

The crowd falls silent.

“Gareth might be Red Claw, but he hasn’t hurt anyone here, even the humans. In fact, I recall him saving many lives only a moment ago. He came to Kelly’s aid and prevented that woman from being snatched by the madrogo, the only other person who had the nerve to face the beast outright. The rest of you huddled together and threw rocks and sharp sticks from a distance, but what did Gareth do? ... Give him a chance!”

Her pleas fall on deaf ears; the crowd’s fear and anger is overwhelming and their hearts are hardened. The only reason they haven’t shoved her aside and tried to take Gareth by force is because they know that they can’t.

“If Red Claw stays, we leave!” Emma chirps, a smug grin on her face.

“So will we!” A Sahvorai woman chirps.

The entire group move backward a few paces, as if they were a hive mind. The entire town of Wildwood will act on their own if Sarvah doesn’t comply to their will. Though they say that they’ll leave, she knows that instead they’ll simply seize control from her and force Gareth to leave. If they had the strength, they’d kill him, but that isn’t an option. The door slowly swings open behind Sarvah and the entire village steps back even further. Emerging from the house, a fully dressed Gareth stands with a heavily laden pack, stuffed with food and gear.

On his belt are all of his essential belongings: His BCB Crusader canteen and cook set, his holster with Vetra, knife and spare magazines, etc. On his face he wears a now feared article of clothing, the orange and black keffiyeh that once belonged to Kahlera. Covering his nose and hanging down like a bandit’s mask, Gareth narrows his eyes. Emma draws her knife and several others follow, preparing for a fight.

“Hah!” Gareth laughs. “If you had the strength, you’d have moved already!”

“Perhaps you don’t see how many of us there are?” Emma confidently remarks.

“That doesn’t matter! You’re no match for me and you know it! Kelly, Naomi and even Sarvah combined would find the battle difficult, and they don’t even want to hurt me. Now!” Gareth steps closer, standing beside Sarvah. “If you don’t get out of my fucking way, I’ll burn you all alive, and anyone I miss, I’ll tear your heart from your chest and eat it in front of you!”

Sarvah closes her eyes, her heart breaking. This is the behavior that only makes his predicament worse. However, seeing the crowd, she knows that it’s necessary; Gareth wouldn’t have been able to walk out of Wildwood without killing someone had he not used their fear to his advantage. Even now, as they stand against their own savior, Red Claw, doesn’t want to harm any of them. Emma sheaths her knife and steps even further back. Looking to Sarvah for guidance, the monochrome wolfess turns to her lover.

“You aren’t welcome here anymore...” She says to him, her voice nearly breaking. “Please, go... And... Never come back.”

Dropping his head, Gareth nods. Turning his eyes to her, his face covered in the Arabic scarf, they share a final, loving gaze. His eyes dart toward his door in a subtle hint to her, before he turns and walks away. Feeling the Kahr pistol in her hand, Sarvah suddenly speaks up.

“Wait!”

“Keep it... You might need it.” Gareth replies as he walks, never once looking back.

Naomi cries audibly and clings to Kelly, feeling the pain of yet another loss. Faye abandoned her by choice; it made her healing process swifter, as her sorrow was replaced with resentment. Gareth, however, was forced from her life; she can only resent the very people she calls her clan. The shame of distancing herself earlier makes her stomach churn. Her mind races and Naomi hopes that Gareth knows that she loves him as a brother, and that she isn’t ashamed of him as the others are.

Kelly’s chest stings with anger, fear and sorrow. If they only knew Gareth as he does, they might not have thrown him away, regardless of his crimes. He holds the crying Naomi, stroking her back and petting her head, trying to comfort the teenage girl as best as he can. With tears in her eyes, Sarvah sniffles. Struggling to keep herself from crying like an infant before her people, she turns and walks casually inside of Gareth’s former home. Looking around, she sees his empty bed.

The pain is too much and Sarvah collapses. Weeping loudly, many can hear her outside. Rinahra, her personal assistant, feels a tinge of guilt and shame. She didn’t stand in Gareth’s defense, even after he was so kind to her. Though Sarvah is often rather abusive, she understands how much she loved him, and her heart aches for her boss. Entering the house, she finds Sarvah lying on her side and in the fetal position. Her hands are pulled toward her chest, pressed between her breasts as she sobs.

The wooden floor darkens with her tears and she rocks, calling out his name. Rinahra looks around the room, less out of curiosity and more to prevent herself from seeing the heart wrenchingly pitiful scene. On a table is a candle, resting on its side. Approaching the candle, she finds that it has been carved flat at one edge so that it wouldn’t roll, and the uppermost edge bears a strange symbol, like an exaggerated cross guard of a sword. Looking around the room, she sees the same symbol cut into a doorframe.

Looking around the doorframe, she finds a notch cut into it and inside is a piece of paper, remnants of Faye’s small notebook. With her eyes scanning the paper, Rinahra reads a note that Gareth had intended for Sarvah. She briefly chuckles. Rushing up to her leader, she kneels beside her. The sight of the small pool of tears beneath her head makes her pause. Reaching out, she taps Sarvah’s shoulder. Sitting up slowly, Sarvah suddenly latches onto Rinahra as she weeps. The feline is stunned. The overwhelming emotions cause her own eyes to water.

“You need to read this.” She says to Sarvah.

“Read what?” Sarvah cries.

“Gareth left you something.” Rinahra says softly.

“Really?!” Sarvah sniffles.

Her tone is very innocent and almost childlike. Rinahra has never seen her boss like this before. Reaching out, she doesn’t snatch the note forcefully but waits for Rinahra to hand it over. Sarvah wipes her eyes and sniffles a few more times as she reads the contents of the letter.

“Dear Sarvah,

I hope you came inside and found this letter. You’re very smart and strong, so I’m sure you weren’t surprised that I left it for you. I’m sorry it had to be this way but we both knew this might happen. I might not be in Wildwood anymore, but I’m not going away. You’ve always been there for me, even when I didn’t deserve it, so I’m going to be here for you, even if I can’t live in town. I’ll set up camp by the lake and across from the village. I’ll leave you special clues that only you will know; you can find and visit me, whenever you can. If you don’t ever come to see me, I’ll understand, but I have over 700 years to wait and that’s what I’m going to do. I love you.

With all the love in the world, Gareth.

P.S. In the event that Sarvah never found this letter, then how dare you read someone else’s mail, whoever you are! Get your filthy hands off of it! Or you could deliver it for me, in which case, thank you kind sir or madam!”

Sarvah chuckles as she reads the final sentences, holding the letter against her chest and close to her heart.

“See? You can still see him. I’ll even cover for you.” Rinahra says, patting Sarvah’s shoulder.

“Thank you, Rinahra.” Sarvah says as she takes her assistant into her arms. “I’m sorry I’ve been so mean to you in the past. You’re a true friend, and I promise things will be different.”

Sitting on the ground and holding each other, Rinahra can sense her sincerity. She finds herself slowly but surely forgiving Sarvah for the torment she’s caused her. Stepping into the house, Kelly and Naomi look around, both visibly distraught. Glancing back at them, Sarvah sniffles again and waves them closer. She shares Gareth’s letter with them; they are both elated.

“Oh, Gary... Still joking as he’s being exiled.” Naomi remarks.

“As soon as things settle down, I’m going to visit him.” Sarvah quietly says to them.

“Can I come?” Naomi asks.

“We’ll want ‘alone time’ at first, but the second visit will be fine.” Sarvah answers.

“Oh...” Naomi flushes.

“Not to change the subject, but what’s going to happen to this house? Have any new neighbors in mind?” Kelly asks.

Sarvah pauses for a moment, rubbing an index finger along her chin and bottom lip. She turns her head to Rinahra and grins.

“Would you like a new house?”

“What?” Rinahra blinks in surprise. “Shouldn’t Emma have it instead?” She meekly suggests.

“No.” Sarvah laughs. “She hates me, and probably all Sahvorai. The second she can take over, she will; I don’t want anything to do with her. You’re my assistant. You should have a real house, and it’s perfectly placed beside mine; you’ll never miss a meeting.” She grins.

At a loss for words, Rinahra can only nod her head. Hugging Sarvah, the two women collect themselves. Peeking outside, Kelly watches as most of the crowd disperse. Claire stays behind, leaning against a tree and examining a scrape on her right shin. Leaving the house, Kelly walks up to the woman, who grins and stands tall as he approaches.

“Are you alright?” He asks.

“I’m fine. It’s just a scrape.”

“Scrapes can still become infected. That’s what skin is for, you know. Come with me. Naomi has some disgusting smelling cream that will help with that.” He says.

“Normally I don’t follow strange men into strange homes, even with my talents to protect me; yours are much stronger.” Claire retorts.

“Would you rather I bring it outside to you? Because I will.”

Looking him over with her big brown eyes, her grin grows wider.

“I’ll go with you.” She says softly.

Walking right next door, the pair enter the small home that Kelly shares with Naomi. Looking at a shelf of clay jars, he finds one with a blue colored lid. Knowing that it’s for poison and active infections, he takes another jar with a green lid. For the benefit of both their memories, Naomi adopted color coordinated lids based off of Resident Evil herbs. Turning back to Claire, he finds her sitting atop a nearby bed. Approaching casually, he takes a breath and opens the lid.

“My God, what is that?” Claire asks, her face contorting from the pungent odor.

“I don’t know.” Kelly chokes out. “But it’ll regrow that missing skin in a day or two.”

Working quickly, he applies the ointment and closes lid, taking a rag and frantically wiping away the viscous substance. Returning the jar to its proper place upon Naomi’s shelf, he walks back toward Claire, taking a seat beside her on the bed.

“It’s feels better already. Thank you.” She says softly, glancing over to him.

“It was nothing. I didn’t want to see you in pain.”

After sharing a long, silent stare, Claire suddenly leans in and plants a kiss upon his lips. A stunned Kelly blinks for a few moments.

“I’m sorry. Was that not ap-”

Kelly interrupts Claire with a kiss of his own, resting his hand on the back of her neck. Taking hold of his shirt, she leans back and stretches out over the bed, her wounded leg dangling over the edge. Kissing passionately and with their tongues entwined, she tugs at his clothing. Kelly’s hands feel her body, caressing her athletic form.

“Ahem...”

Stopping, they glance toward the door to see Naomi glaring at them.

“Oh, uh... Hi.” Kelly says as he sits upright. “We were just uhm...”

“He was just treating me. I mean my leg.” Claire says.

“Yeah, I bet he was. I’m tired, so please get off of my bed.” Naomi demands softly but sternly.

“I-I better return to my camp anyway.” Claire remarks, standing to her feet.

“Can I walk you there?” Kelly asks.

“I’d like that.” Claire smiles.

Walking past the teenage girl, Kelly pats Naomi’s head, messing up her hair as he steps outside with Claire. Emerging from the house, they stand for a moment while Claire looks around the camp. Still relatively new, she takes a moment to recall where it is that she even lives. Beginning their walk, they pass by several wickiups and tents, still the most common dwellings as the permanent houses are being built.

“Kelly?” A voice suddenly says. “I’m glad I found you.”

“Can I hel-”

His words catch in his throat as he turns around, speaking to the mysterious voice. His eyes grow wide as he looks down at Vahna, standing between two wickiups and using one for support. Claire’s eyes also grow wide, shifting toward Kelly, whose face flushes before both females. Heavily pregnant, Vahna holds the underside of her belly with one hand, her cloth tube top covering her swollen breasts.

“We should talk.” Vahna murmurs.

Looking back to Claire, her brow raises in surprise.

“Children, huh?” Claire smirks.

“Uh, I can explain.” He replies.

“I would love to hear it sometime. Have a good night, and thanks again for treating my wound.” She says before walking away on her own.

He watches Claire for a moment before glancing back at Vahna. The small, bunny-like Sahvorai looks so frail and helpless as she stands with a hand resting on the side of someone’s house.

“Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in months; this isn’t a big camp.” Kelly asks.

“I’ve been avoiding you.”

“Why?” His brow furls.

“You must admit that it was very awkward between us. I’d never been with a human before, and I wasn’t sure if I’d like it.” She explains.

“I’d never been with a Sahvorai either, or anyone so... Dominating.” He mutters, scratching the back of his head.

“It was fun at the time, but I thought it best to keep distance between us. Then I missed my cycle... Twice. Before you say anything, I hadn’t slept with anyone for a month before you, or for a few months after you, when I had already discovered my condition.” She continues.

“Oh. So, who was the other guy?” He asks.

“That doesn’t matter, but he isn’t the child’s father, and he isn’t staying with me. You don’t have to either, but I thought you should know.”

Looking her over, Kelly can see a sadness in her eyes. Feeling a tinge of guilt in his heart, he reaches out and gently holds her in his arms.

“You could have come to me as soon as you found out.” He says softly.

“I-I was just...”

“It’s okay to be scared. Come on. I’ll take you home. Where do you live?” He asks.

Vahna points toward the far end of the camp, suddenly startled as Kelly scoops her into his arms and sweeps her off of her paw-like feet. She looks up at him as he cradles her like a bride, watching him for a moment. Though neither of them could overcome their own preferences after their one and only night together, her heart warms from his kindness.

“Thank you, Kelly.” She murmurs.

“For what?” He chuckles, glancing down at her.

“For being here.”

“You don’t have to thank me for being responsible.”

“You aren’t responsible for me.” She replies.

“The hell I’m not. You’re carrying my child, and if you want me to be around to help you, I’ll do it.”

Vahna wasn’t sure what to expect when she finally approached him. Though initially afraid of his reaction, she wishes she’d told him sooner. Her hand rests on the back of his neck and her head against his chest. She can’t help but feel at piece as he carries her to her little wickiup; Kelly is a better man than she’s used to.