The Fates
Chapter 6

Rhale and Celia were ready to leave but the dryad from last night insisted that they needed to wait. They had apparently called upon any dryad that could come and together they would secure their way through the forest.

Celia didn’t mind waiting, the sun shone on them in the clearing and she was in no hurry to enter the thicker parts. Here there also seemed to be life again, she was listening to a bird sing from one of the tree tops. It was a strange melody, unlike anything she had ever heard before, it sounded foreboding, like a warning of things to come. She could see its colorful feathers as it moved from branch to branch.

Rhale seemed to be more restless, pacing back and forth while awaiting their departure. The dryads that were already here eyed him warily and whispered among themselves.

Soon the dryad from last night told them to come and Celia stood up from the comfortable moss and went to stand next to Rhale. She could see that more dryads were arriving.

“Celia, come forth” one of them said and she looked to Rhale, his back turned stiff as a board but gave her a nod of encouragement.

She swallowed loudly but made her way to stand in front of them.

The dryad from last night came forward, carrying a bow and arrows.

“We heard that you were in need of a weapon”

“A gift from the Dryads” Another one said “Made off an offering from our most ancient tree, feathers gifted from our most sacred bird, obsidian taken from the most fearful volcano, blessed by the four elements. We hope it will serve you well.”

The dryad from last night stepped forward and held out the most beautifully carved bow Celia had ever seen, the details were astounding, so much so that she was afraid to touch it. The arrows were equally astonishing, the black smooth surface of the head were glistening in the rays of light but it was the fletching that really caught her attention, on all of the arrows different colored feathers adorned the ends.

Celia looked up to the tree where the bird had sung, it was still there, looking at her with pride. Knowing that the feathers had come from it she silently thanked the bird and got a soft chirp in reply.

Celia didn’t know what she had done to deserve such a gift but she did not dare to refuse it, she took it carefully and felt the bow, it was perfectly balanced in her hand and was surprisingly light. How was she going to thank them?

“Remember us in times to come” one of them said to her as if he could tell what she had been thinking.

“I will, it will be an honor to use it. Thank you.” Her reply was apparently good enough for all of the dryads left to take their positions in the forest and Celia went to fasten her new weapon on the saddle bag.

“We have cleared a path for you, nothing will come past us, ride fast and true.” The dryad from last night told Rhale.

“How can I thank you?” Rhale asked her earnestly.

“Remember your promise to us” The dryad glanced at Celia “Guard her Rhale, son of Atrox. Prove to us that the word of a God can be trusted.”

“You have my word, Dryad.” Rhale bent his head slightly and put his hand over his heart when he spoke.

Celia found the ride out of the dark forest terrifying, somehow the dryads had made a small path, just big enough for Taurus to fit on and he galloped as fast as he could. Nothing stopped them as they rode but it was the sounds around them that she found so frightening, it was clear that the dryads were fighting whatever was trying to get past them and Celia sat in suspense, awaiting something to get through.

Her back was stiff as a board and she could feel behind her that Rhale was just as rigid. At times it was quiet before they would pass another path where chilling sounds could be heard from behind the cover of the trees.

It was evening once they finally made it out of the dark forest and there was no farewell made with the dryads. As soon as they were out in the open the dryads disappeared and Rhale urged Taurus to continue on without showing down.

“There is a small village nearby, it is best that we make it there before nightfall.” Rhale told her as they rode. The sun was almost setting when Celia could spot a village up ahead and Taurus slowed down as they came nearer. There was no sign of anyone as they rode past the first houses.

“It’s too quiet” Rhale slowed Taurus further as they entered the eerily silent village.

“Maybe they are all inside for the night?” Celia asked worriedly, after the dark forest she highly disliked quietness.

Rhale said nothing as they continued on, coming to a stop in front of the local tavern.

“Stay on Taurus, I’ll be back in a few seconds” Celia sat and watched the surroundings as Rhale went inside, nothing seemed to be of place but there should still be people walking about and sounds coming from the houses.

Rhale came back quickly and hurriedly got up behind her again, he turned Taurus around to trot away from the village.

“Was there no one there?” Celia kept looking around, hoping to see signs of life.

“They were there alright but they were all dead.” Rhale’s voice was grimm and she shuddered at his words.

“Everyone in the tavern?” How could that be? Celia could feel her pulse quicken and her hard hold on the saddle turned her knuckles white.

“I have a feeling everyone in the village is dead. Let me check one of the houses.” He stopped Taurus in front of one of the last houses on the outskirts of the village.

“Stay here.” Rhale jumped down and went straight inside the home without knocking, only a few seconds later he came back looking grimm. “They are all dead too”

“What could have killed them in their own homes?" She gasped out the words.

“I don’t know but we are not staying to replace out.”

Night fell but they rode on, Celia kept nodding off and eventually she stopped trying to fight it and leaned herself back on Rhale to let herself fall rest. Rhale's arm came around her midriff and she turned her head so that her cheek was reacting on his chest, unable to keep her eyes open she fell asleep, lulled by Taurus' gentle movements.

“Celia, it's time to wake up” Celia blinked her eyes open and saw that the sun was rising, she could not believe that she had slept leaning on him the entire night, he must be exhausted. Her face burned with shame.

“I’m sorry.” She mumbled.

“This will be our last stop before Dianthus mountain, let’s eat something” Rhale did not seem bothered by having her sleep on him the entire night. Celia looked around, they had stopped next to a spring, a few trees and bushes were scattered around and the ground was covered in green grass.

She wiped away sweat from her face and marveled at how much warmer the air was here. They dismounted and unsaddled Taurus and the horse immediately started to graze on the grass. Celia removed her thick coat and went to wash her face in the water. She looked longingly at the spring that was too warm for the season and wished that she could bathe in it. She could feel the sweet and dirt that has stuck on her skin after these past few days.

“It will get warmer the closer we get to Dianthus mountain” Rhale told her and removed his shirt before walking into the water “It’s warm and I have extra clothing you can use, come and wash, I will not look.”

He turned his back to her and she looked around, there was no one here. Perhaps she could keep her chemise on, unable to resist the temptation she hurriedly removed her heavy dress and quickly submerged herself in the cool water.

Celia stole glances at Rhale as he washed himself, his broad back was pure muscle and she marveled at the sight. She could feel herself blush deeply and she hurriedly turned her back to him, trying to focus on washing herself.

It was heaven to be able to rinse her hair and she took her time removing any dirt or twigs that had accumulated in it. Her chemise stuck to her body and she silently wished that she could remove it but she was not brave enough for that. At least not when Rhale could turn around and see her at any moment so she tried to wash herself best she could around the fabric.

When she was finished she turned to see if Rhale was done too and she let out a small shriek when she realized that he was standing right behind her, looking at her with a strange expression that she did not recognise. Her lower belly filled with butterflies and her breathing became impossibly heavy.

“You are incredibly beautiful” Rhale said with a heavy tone as he moved even closer to her and her own body moved towards his of its own accord, it was like she was being pulled by an invisible force. Rhale's bulging arms went around her and he lifted her to him. Celia heard herself let out a small moan as she felt her covered breasts touch his naked chest.

“Tell me not to touch you” Rhale’s voice sounded strained as he spoke and she timidly put her arms around his neck and shook her head, she wanted him to touch her, by the Fates did she want him to.

“But I want you to touch me” Celia's voice came out as a whisper and her whole body was shaking with a need that she did not understand.

His big hands slowly moved across her body until they reached her ass, then he lifted her up and her legs circled around his imposing form.

“Tell me not to kiss you” His deep blue eyes with that one brown fleck were pleading with her. Celia shook her head again, kissing she understood and she had never wanted anything so much as to feel his lips against hers.

“But I want you to kiss me.”

His mouth pressed down on hers and she felt her lips tingle at the sensation. She moved her lips tentatively against his, mimicking his movements and she closed her eyes. Celia let herself get swept away by the feel of him.

She felt his tongue lick her lips and she gasped in response, as soon as she did his tongue entered her mouth, shocked she marveled at the feel of his tongue caressing her mouth. The kiss soon became more demanding, his tongue let no part of her mouth go unsearched and Rhale pressed her impossible close to him.

She felt something press between her legs and her hips rocked on their own against it. Rhale’s hand grabbed a hold of her hip but this time he helped her with her movements instead of stopping her.

Celia could feel incredible pleasure between her legs at the friction they were creating and she whimpered at the new strange feelings inside of her. Her body was doing everything on instinct, she had been told very little about what could happen between a man and a woman but she did know that you needed to be naked for it to occur. They were not naked, he wore his pants but she could still feel him and it was now becoming clear to her that he had parts that she knew nothing about.

Too soon Rhale pulled away from the kiss.

“We should stop” he said and she made a moan of protest at the loss of his lips on hers, his hand on her hip stopped her movements and her body shook from wanting more.

“Sweet Celia” his other hand stroked her face tenderly. “We still have a few hours of riding before we reach Dianthus and I still want you to eat something before we leave.” Rhale gently put her down in the water again and she nodded mutely. She couldn’t believe the position they had just been in and she scolded herself for not wanting it to stop.

Rhale walked out of the water and she followed, he took out new clothes from the saddle bag and turned around to give her some of his clothes, when his gaze landed on her he froze in place. His eyes were roaming over her body and her eyes became wide when she looked down on herself.

Her Chemise was soaked and had become completely transparent by the water, it clung to her like a glove, leaving very little to the imagination. Celia blushed profoundly and she covered herself with her hands, mortified that he had seen her in such a state.

“Here” Rhale handed her the clothes he was holding “they’ll be too big on you but since it will be warmer here it’s better than the dress you were wearing.”

Celia took the clothes and waited for him to turn around, when he did she quickly got dressed. The pants were way too long but she rolled them up and tied them to her waist, the shirt was almost as long as a dress on her and she folded up the sleeves. They might have been too big but they were clean and more comfortable than the dress had been.

When she was finished she turned around and saw that Rhale was dressed as well, he was already taking out food for them to eat.

They said very little to each other as they ate and soon they were riding again. Taurus galloped tirelessly and in what felt like no time at all she could see Dianthus mountain before them. It was an amazing sight, multiple hills stood connected and in the middle stood one enormous sky-piercing mountain, the peak hidden among thick, gray mist and every surface she could she was covered in green. It looked to be taken straight out of a fairy tale.

“There it is, Dianthus mountain.” Rhale whispered in her ear.

“It’s beautiful”

“I have been here but never tried to reach the top. There is a small trail that will take us all the way up there but it is too narrow and steep for Taurus so we will have to go on foot.”

They rode fast to the foot of the mountain and once they were there Rhale removed everything from Taurus and stroked him gently “Do what you please but I would appreciate it if you were here when we got back”

Taurus whined in agreement and then he walked off to a nearby stream.

Celia looked up on the steep trail that they were going to be walking on and she was grateful that she no longer wore her dress, it would have been highly impractical.

Rhale had been right when it came to the weather, the sun shone harshly on them and Celia could feel sweet dripping down from her neck.

“How long will it take us to reach the top?”

“I don’t really know. The Fates know that we are here, if they take kindly to us coming we should be able to reach the top by tomorrow.”

“And if they don’t take kindly to us?”

“There are many stories, everything from storms to deadly creatures being sent by them.” Celia did not like the sound of that and she started to wonder if she had perhaps made a mistake in coming here.

Rhale took the saddle bag and hoisted it to his shoulder and then they started walking, Celia abruptly stopped and ran back to get her bow and arrow.

“I doubt you will stop anything they throw at us with that,” Rhale said amused.

“No, I do not want to leave it in case someone else replaces them.” She would not lose such a wonderful gift, she was still angry that she had left her old ones in the cave.

They started to walk again with Rhale leading them forward. Celia said a quiet prayer to whoever was listening that they would not encounter any hardship on their way up. But then again, if the Fates did take kindly to them being here then that could mean that she actually was an angel.

She was secretly terrified at the thought.