ETCH, page 8
At the surprisingly tight embrace, granny went “oof” then giggled and cried with her grandgirl. Livy had needed a hug for far longer than Ilva had. When Ilva hugged her, Livy thought she might break all apart inside. Her tears suddenly became more violent, treading in all directions down her wrinkled face. Clear snot beaded at the tip of her round little nose. She then felt that she was at the extent of pouring out her pent-up emotion, and was ultimately embarrassed that she had exposed so much of her vulnerable self.
The old elf wiped her hand on her nose, recoiled a bit, and went to rinse her face and hand off. She came back rosy and bleary eyed, but with the same comforting smile she had on when she invited them in. She asked then, “So ya really lived in the same woods for almost a century and we both didn’t know? Funny eh? We’re just two stubborn peas in a pod!”
Ilva nodded.
Livy seemed to know now that Ilva was digesting her new facts. She took a deep breath and reflected on all they had covered, and looked Ilva’s tired soul up and down. “Tired of talkin’ eh? Stay the night, gals. I can give ya’s eggs in the mornin’.”
Ilva waited to see what Vali said.
When it was clear Vali was not going to speak, Ilva responded, “I am okay with spending the night if Vali is. We were on a quest and now we are, umm, sort of undetermined on our route I suppose?” She was awkward then, and looked to Vali for support or a response.
Vali seemed to sense that Ilva wasn’t sure how to describe their schedule or plans proceeding. After agreeing on staying, she went ahead and explained their quest, and what they found. She could tell Ilva trusted Livy, still she spoke with caution.
Chapter 22
Retelling their adventure took time, Livy was patient, responding with hums and haws. It wasn’t until they mentioned the artifact that Livy’s dark eyes went wide. They were both shocked when Livy shot out, “Don’t get that sylvite wet!”
Vali was suddenly very interested in conversing with Ilva’s granny, “Why? What will happen? Do you know about the magic in it? Please! Tell me anything you can, I need to know more about it!”
Livy slumped a bit, “I’ll tell ya on three conditions lovey. First ya both come with me ta market in the mornin’ and help me carry things home. Second ya promise that whatever information I give ya’s will not be used ta start another war. Third ya take good care of my grandgirl here when we part ways.”
“Deal,” Vali quickly launched out before Livy spoke the last four words of her conditions. It was settled.
They rolled out their furs on the floor that night, after a long day assisting granny around the cottage. She needed help patching a spot on the roof with sap, and milking the goat, and there were other various tasks that had kept them all working. It seemed granny liked to stay busy. They laid down, arms and backs rather sore from the labour, and waited for granny to come tell them the knowledge they had yearned to learn all day. Granny settled in a little wooden chair near the fireplace and passed them cups of heated up milk with honey in it. It was creamy and sweet, the honey that didn’t melt enough stuck to the bottom of the warm mugs. Granny began her lecture on sylvite lore.
“When it’s fully submerged in water the magical properties will die. That’s only the case with sylvite though. Stone and silver are made of much tougher stuff, water takes a lot longer to break us down. Sylvite has always been a rare thing here. Your mother was very proud of hers.”
“I know,” Ilva muttered into the pause.
Livy kept on explaining, “If ya’s really found that hunk of sylvite, ya have what’s called an arcane source material, most just call em artifacts. That thing has different powers than the ones in your ma’s fans. Those ones are just little specks of magic. What ya got is large, forceful magic, the fans pull from that larger source. Only sylvite folk can use it. There were rules about not mixin’ with each others company, so that no one could merge powers and create stronger races. Two elves broke the rule, and then more followed. Only one race stayed pure up until the war. The sylvite elves.”
“Mila wanted to stay segregated? Why?” Ilva was full of intrigue.
Livy seemed to enjoy questions, answering right away, “They were a small group see, and they worried we wanted ta weed em out by breedin’ em out. So, most of em hated the idea of mixing the last of their race. Think it’s why your ma felt so strong bout her traditions, being forced ta create the first-born mix of her race and all. She probly just didn’t want em to die out, bein’ the last. I’m glad you were born girl. I wish it wasn’t done the way it was. I’m still happy you’re here. Ilva you’re the only half-sylvite elf in our world. You’re somthin’ special grandgirl.”
Ilva suddenly felt very exceptional indeed, but burdened as well.
“There’s an ol’ story about them minerals bein’ stronger together. But every time an elf that didn’t have the power touched one of the artifacts that weren’t their own magic, they’d get hurt. Or have all their magic drained. Just be careful where ya bring it, and what you do with it, whatever the quest you’re on. Don’t know how ya even got your hands on it. Could’ve killed ya both! Ah, well. Ain’t my quest, is it? I won’t meddle. Story time's over, time for sleep, big day tomorra’.” With that Livy clapped her hands, rose up, and toddled off to her little bed. Out in seconds, snoring louder than any elf or beast ever could.
Ilva looked at Vali, who also appeared absorbed in all the info they had just learned. They sat in silence by the fire, until it was cinders.
Chapter 23
Ilva woke early to the smell of fresh baking bread. She rolled up out of her spot, realizing she was alone, and that it was her first night in weeks not sleeping with Vali. She looked over at the still sleeping temptress, and thought about when they would be on their own again. In an attempt to keep that part of their relationship private, she got up and followed her nose to the side of the cottage that held the kitchen, tiny sink, and little fire stove, the bread getting nice and toasty on top now. Ilva walked out of the cottage to find granny petting the goat and talking to him. “I see I am not the only one with that habit then?”
Granny looked up and said, “What habit?”
“Talking to animals,” Ilva chuckled.
“Loneliness does weird things ta ya. Let’s get headin’ ta town now that you’re up. Your lady friend up too?”
Ilva was a bit curious at how granny saw the two of them now. “I will go check.” Ilva turned back to the cottage.
Vali was sitting up, and seemed to find delight in the smell of the fresh bread. She prepared her and Ilva’s stuff, and as they were strapping on their packs, granny came in, and bustled the bread out of the fire. She sat it on the counter, threw a bit of sand on the hot coals, and gathered a basket full of cloth, and a small pulling cart. The bread stayed behind cooling on the counter, she gave them each a plate with an egg and a slice of the steaming bread. They ate quickly, then they were on their way to the market.
The walk to the market was fairly short, granny explained how it only came around here once every month, and they pitched up tents and then left. They went to a different location each week. There were fruit and vegetable stalls, meat stalls, ones with special squares and tarts and cakes. Ilva returned to the memory of a fresh strawberry crème tart. Vali was taking in all the wonderful scents. They threatened to overwhelm her sensitive nose. When she smelt a desirable aroma, she found herself walking towards it. Ilva followed her while granny bartered for a good price on some oats from one seller. Ilva stopped at the cart Vali was drooling over with all the pastries and baked treats. She asked what smelled so good, and the proud baker proclaimed, “You must smell my new pear sugar pies! Want a sample before you buy?”
Ilva and Vali both tried their bite-sized samples at the same time. There was a glaze on the pie, and the crust was flaky and thin. When Vali sampled it, her face swelled with surprise and then delight. It was exquisite! Sugary and sweet, the pear was soft and the crust combined with it made it a perfect texture. Vali whipped out her gold as fast as should could and bought them each a full one, thanking the baker they went back to granny. She had also bought one of the small pies for granny who was very happy to accept the charity. It seemed as if Livy thought it was the most kindness anyone had ever paid her with the pouty way she thanked Vali.
They walked back to the cottage, the wagon creaking under the weight of spice jars, baskets of rice and oats and flours. There were big baskets of veggies and fruits, a pile of seeds and nuts, and other various pantry items. Ilva was hauling a sack of potatoes while Vali carried a small barrel of wine.
Livy cheerfully chatted away, “Lucky the wine seller was there today! Last month he wasn’t and I went without! Give ya’s a nip of it before ya’s have ta go, and maybe fill one of my old skins with a few glugs for the road too.”
“Thanks granny!” Vali chimed with great glee.
She must really like wine, Ilva smiled to herself. She loved seeing the way Vali was with granny. They were a fun pair together.
“I could drink you down, you watch it!” Livy threatened.
Vali snorted a laugh just as granny was about to lose her own composure. The two laughed a good moment and Vali mused, “Oh yeah granny? If we had enough wine, I would totally show you my mettle! I've got quite a resilient liver I tell ya!”
Did Vali just use granny’s backwoods slang? Maybe granny is a bad influence on her. Ilva grinned, partially to her thoughts, and to the mockery and foolery happening before her. Vali was mimicking a chicken, after first challenging granny to a real drinking contest next time they visited, she even offered to buy the wine. Which granny peaked interest at, then shrugged.
Vali was trying so hard, “Alright then Livy, what's your bargain?”
“I get ta rope ya’s into another market trip next time ya’s visit. Next time, stay a bit longer too. You’s are no burden ta me. Not a worry that you’re sweethearts either. You’s do you’s,” Livy offered.
Then she winked at Ilva, and smiled a sly but still sweet smile. It was a perfect hint at the playful elfling that she once used to be. Ilva wondered again if Livy had heard them in the woods, her face filled with colour. She also wondered if Livy herself ever considered women the way Ilva and Vali did. It was possible. Her smile was knowing. Perhaps she just knew what it meant to love in any form. She shook the awkward moment off, and appreciated the blessing for what it was.
When they got back to the cottage, the goat still stood in a patch of grass grazing away. The chickens in the coop were all resting on their assigned nests. It was such a comforting place to walk into now. Not as daunting as the first time they had approached it. It was nice here. She would enjoy returning one day soon. For now, she wanted to head on her next adventure with Vali, intrigued to know where they might end up next. They had already been on the journey of Ilva’s life. She would never live a normal life again, not after dragon fire and magic, not after the love Vali had made to her, not after meeting her granny, and learning how big and wide this world was. She was destined to go wherever her heart would take her. For now, her heart was going with Vali.
They thanked granny, and hugged her with equal fierceness. “We will visit again.” Ilva called comfortingly to granny, as they walked towards the path.
Vali shouted back, “We will stay longer too. I gotta drink you down to size, little Livy!”
Livy, looking a bit harassed, but smiled deviously and bellowed in her old craggy voice, “Oh I’ll see ya then girlie, and you’ll be drinking them words ya hear! You watch it!”
Once the banter and love had been shared, Livy walked back into her cottage home to toil about. Vali and Ilva turned to head a new direction than the way they had come. Towards Vali’s home Ilva expected. She didn’t care. I wonder what Vali’s home is like?
Chapter 24
They had been travelling for a few days. Taking their time. Sitting cozy beside Vali with a hot sweet potato in her hand, Ilva soaked the moment in. It was another perfect moment she wanted to focus all her energy on. For the first time in her life she felt a strong sense of belonging where she was. She wondered how Vali felt about everything, and if her heart was as full. She appeared very much as content, and she had become much easier to speak with the more they did.
Ilva’s mind was running over thoughts by the thousand. The water wheel in her mind was rushing faster and faster. She found herself becoming afraid as the thoughts turned frightening. What if she lost everything? What if she had to go live in a hole all alone again? What was going to happen to her, and them, and that magic, and the world, and her family? Oh no. Thoughts of her mother’s harsh demanding nature, her father’s stoic rigidity, and the weight of their heavy expectation began crushing in on her. The panic she felt at grannies earlier was nothing compared to what was happening to Ilva right now. What is happening? she thought, panicked.
Vali, felt the stirring in Ilva. Felt her body tighten beside her, slowly at first, then she became fully rigid. Her breathing had changed, and her heart rate was up. Vali studied the change in her partner’s body, focusing intently on the reacting nerves and organs. She listened with all her might, and felt everything as meticulously as she could.
She wanted to know how to respond, and these cues would give her hints. Then she recognized the pattern of behaviour. She was no stranger to anxiety attacks. She had many when she first lost her vision. It was so hard to focus when she had them.
Lucky for Ilva, Vali knew what might help. “Ilva.” Vali reached around and gently laid a hand upon her shoulder. “Hey.” She tried, to see if Ilva was present and responsive.
“Ya,” Ilva shakily responded.
“Do you want to talk about what is on your mind? I’m right here,” Vali reassured.
Ilva felt the strong hand squeeze her shoulder lightly, and she felt that small part of her body release a fraction of the tension. Vali noticed the reaction. She asked Ilva, “Would you like me to rub your shoulders?”
Ilva nodded nervously. It would be nice, her shoulders did ache, and the attack she was in the middle of was making the straining far worse. Ilva was even starting to ache in her stomach, her short breath stopping in her chest. She was going to throw up. Or cry? Or both? She was so overwhelmed.
Vali crawled behind her, splitting her legs aside the left and right of Ilva’s hips. She gently pushed her hands under the back of Ilva’s shirt and ran her hands up to her shoulders, lifting a little of the shirt when she did. This motion stopped Ilva’s short breathing, holding for a beat, and then releasing an enormous exhale. Ilva shuddered at the shock of the cold air on her back, it felt soothing somehow. Ilva had no idea this was Vali’s hope, that these factors would give her something different to think about.
Vali worked her hands over Ilva’s shoulders and pressed the blades gently with her palms, a relieved sigh escaped Ilva, and Vali focused on the areas of tension, rolling her thumbs and knuckles over each one. She was finding spots that needed the pressure, and left each area feeling far looser with every application of her strength. Ilva’s body melted into a hunch without noticing. Vali pulled Ilva back onto her chest, she stroked her hands down the front of the shoulders, and the top part of the chest. Ilva had never imagined such pressure could build up there. The sensation of Vali’s hands working out knots, and leaving in its wake fully relaxed muscles, was heavenly.
Ilva fell asleep on Vali’s lap that night, after Vali had rubbed her arms and her neck as well. She even massaged her hands and fingers, which Ilva found the most relaxing of all. She was running her hand through Ilva’s hair now as her body let out exhausted sleepy snores. Vali was so entranced by the effect her being there had on Ilva. She loved that someone needed her for the same thing she longed for help with; her anxiety, loneliness, desire. It seemed neither of them had connections like this. No one else knew them so deeply and subjectively.
Vali let her mind wander. Ilva’s granny is far nicer than mine. Vali really liked Livy. She wondered about what must have happened to Ilva in her life, during the years she was alone, and when she was still at her home in Falil. About what Ilva meant when she said she was no one’s slave. She wanted to find a way to comfort Ilva in hopes that she might share more about herself, which just felt like a silly selfish wish to cure her curiosity. Vali could understand Ilva being reserved about her past. She understood because it was hard for her to be confident talking about what happened to herself. She wondered what she could do to support Ilva in finding her own confidence, just as Ilva was helping her to believe more strongly in her own.
Ilva woke the next day, Vali was holding her atop her torso with one arm, her other arm lay straight out beside her. She was still breathing deep, mouth open. Ilva felt perfectly well rested. This was the second time now that she awoke before Vali. She did not know how something as simple as a massage could heal so much pain. Emotional and physical. It made her feel as though that loving touch were the most amazing magic she had known. She wanted to show Vali her gratitude, so she rolled over, and crawled up Vali’s torso. As she straddled her hips Vali awoke with a smile, without opening her eyes her grin grew, “This is a nice way to wake up.”
Ilva leaned in to kiss Vali’s smartly curled lips. She still tasted like the wine they had drank last night, and her face was warm. Vali swept her lips against Ilva’s softly, and Ilva kissed deeper and deeper in response, thinking all the while she could not thank Vali enough. She kissed and grabbed at Vali with desperate and craving hands. Rolling in the furs, lustful intent imminent, they giggled and kissed each other until they were contented to get on with the day.
It was a few more lazy days before they reached the town. Ilva was tired. She wondered how Vali felt walking up the dirt path toward the city. Slowly, the trees were thinning, the path opened up, and the forest was fading away behind her. She felt less entranced by the city than she did the mountains when she first left her forest. Now, a feeling of impending doom surrounded her conscience.
