Luke and Ilum's clothing dried off a few minutes later. They waited a bit after changing back into their chlothes for the girls to finish. Ilum finally got tired of waiting and said, "What's taking them so long?"
Luke was sharpening his short sword with a whetstone. "Be patient, Ilum."
Ilum got to his feet. "Something might have happened to them. I think I should check on them."
"That is not a wise decission," Luke said.
"I'm going anyway." Ilum walked off to find the others, leaving Luke alone to watch him crash and burn.
(You didn't think I'd let everyone get naked without somebody walking in on them, did you? Before Ilum walks in on them I'd like to hear Raven talk about Luke.)
Chicken <-- Egg <-- Rocket Powered Fist Take that, science!
"I don't want to lose him... I really don't!" Tears had appeared in Karana's eyes and Raven hurried to her side, rubbing her back gently.
"Hush, hush, you won't lose him, dear."
"Thank you." Karana smiled and rubbed her eyes and Raven had the sudden urge to embrace her and laugh and she would have done too if they had not both been naked. Instead, she contented herself with a smile in return and sat back, leaning against the trunk of a tree.
"I'm glad we had a chance to meet," Raven said. "All of us." She smiled at Izuki who was curled up by the fire, eyes closed, drifting towards sleep.
"And I bet you're glad we met Luke too," Karana said with a mischevious grin. Raven did not blush this time but merely smiled absently, lost in thoughts of Luke.
"He's so strong and so kind, so noble. Every time I see him, I want to move closer, I want to hear his every word. Luke can make me laugh so easily but sometimes... sometimes, when I realise how close he keeps getting to danger, I wonder if I should remind him that this isn't his fight, that the king bestowed this task on us and not him. But I understand that he has to be a part of it." Raven stopped speaking, her thoughts filling in what words never could: Maybe he'll be able to sleep and be at peace when this is done.
"We couldn't do this without him," Karana agreed.
"Or anyone else," Raven added.
"We're managing fine without Warren," Izuki said suddenly, sitting up to look across at them.
"We'll see him again," Raven said and then the conversation was interrupted by the loud snap of a twig and they all turned to see Ilum approaching through the trees.
Karana, Raven and Izuki all screamed when they saw Ilum. "I-I'm sorry!" Ilum tried to say, "I thought-"
Izuki picked up a stone and threw it at him. "Get out of here, you pervert!" The rock hit Ilum in the head. It was too small to seriously hurt him, but it did sting.
Karana and Raven followed by example and started throwing stones, too. Ilum turned and ran through the bushes, tripping and getting himself caught in the branches. He pulled himself free and got back to his feet. Another stone hit him in the back of the head. "Leave, now!" Raven screamed.
Ilum made it back to where Luke was sitting, waiting for him. Ilum was out of breath and hurting in the places where the stones had hit him. Luke cocked an eyebrow at him and asked, "So, how are they doing?"
"Shut up..." Ilum said as he plopped down beside the fire. He started rubbing his head where one of the large stones hit him.
"I told you it wasn't a wise decision."
"I said shut up..."
Chicken <-- Egg <-- Rocket Powered Fist Take that, science!
Karana was annoyed at first, but, as she and the other girls began to relax, she began to laugh. Ilum's expression had been priceless; his shock and embarrassment was something she would never forget or let him live up to.
But...he had seen her. He had seen her for what she was, who she was, how she was.
Her laughter faded as she moved to check on her clothes. Dry. Perfect.
She quickly put them on and wiped the wrinkles away, pulling her hair up.
"Where are you going?" Raven asked, checking her clothes as well.
"To talk to Ilum."
"What? After what just happened?"
"Yes. He's probably embarrassed, upset, and who knows what else. I'll be back soon."
With that, she walked off into the woods.
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." Timothy 4:14 KJV
Luke noticed Karana coming out from behind the bushes and heading toward them. She obviously wanted to talk to Ilum. Luke decided to give them some privacy and got to his feet.
Before he left Ilum asked, "Where are you going?"
"For a walk." He left without saying another word.
Ilum let out a ragged sigh, the embarrassment of walking in on Karana had only started to wear off.
"Ilum."
Ilum turned to see Karana standing behind him. His face went red at the sight of her. "Karana..."
(All I've got.)
Chicken <-- Egg <-- Rocket Powered Fist Take that, science!
I smiled, hoping the action would lessen the blush and stiffness in Ilum; it did the exact opposite. He turned his back to me, stiffer than when I had first walked up.
"Are you okay?" I asked as I moved closer.
He nodded.
"You sure? You're not acting like it."
"I'm fine; I just..." He sighed. "Karana, I walked in on you!"
"By accident!" I sat beside him, taking one of his hands in my own. "You had no way of knowing if we were...dressed or not!"
He blushed again as his gaze flowed along my body. I knew that he was thinking about me, picturing me, probably. He finally just closed his eyes as I put my other hand against his cheek.
"Ilum...I love you, and I know you feel something for me, too," I spoke softly, carefully. "And I promise you, I'm not mad. A little embarassed, yes, but it's okay. I forgive you."
He sighed again. "Karana...it's not just that. It's something more..."
I waited for him to continue.
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." Timothy 4:14 KJV
Ilum sighed. Karana waited patiently, listening to him breathe.
"Karana..." he began slowly. He cleared his throat tentatively before continuing. "It's getting harder everyday. It's more dangerous than I thought it would be, and it scares me."
She took his hand. "Ilum, don't worry - "
"Let me finish. Please."
She fell silent.
"Karana, we may not make it out alive. That's obvious. There's that chance every day of this journey, especially now that all of this is happening!"
She nodded. "But we're stronger than we used to be, Ilum. We can pull through! You know we can! We've already been through so much...we can't lose faith now!"
"It's not faith I'm afraid I'll lose..."
"What do you mean?"
He breathed slowly, carefully. "If we make it out alive...after all of this is over with...will you take me as a husband?"
Karana's eyes widened. He wanted to marry her? He was that in love with her?
She smiled as tears came to her eyes. "Yes. Yes, I will."
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." Timothy 4:14 KJV
"Do you think we were maybe a little harsh on Ilum?" Raven wondered as she dressed and then used her magic to sap the moisture from the air and douse the flames of their fire.
"Maybe," Izuki admitted, "but did you see his face?" She grinned and giggled gleefully and Raven smiled back, recalling the flush of his cheeks and rapidly averted eyes.
"Yes, I suppose it was funny but I do think we should apologise to him," Raven decided. The younger girl pouted and then nodded thoughtfully, her lips still pursed into that sour expression.
"Yes mother," Izuki said with feigned reluctance, "if you think so." Raven not only smiled this time but laughed as well and ruffled the other girl's hair gently. Without another word, they set off, winding a path through the trees towards the sound of voices.
(Sorry, I've got nothing to post at the moment. If I tried I could probably think of something but I only have 10 minutes left before I have to get off the school's computer.)
Chicken <-- Egg <-- Rocket Powered Fist Take that, science!
As they walked through the winding path of trees something caught Raven's attention. She looked to see Luke standing by the lake. In the moonlight she could see the harsh lines in his face that he usually got when he was thinking.
"Izuki," Raven said, "You go on ahead. I'll be along shortly."
"Okay." The girl left, following the sound of voices.
Raven approached Luke from behind. Without even looking Luke said, "Good evening, Raven."
"How did you know it was me?" she asked.
"I can tell by the rhythm of your footsteps." He turned to face her. He gave her a smile and said, "You look beautiful tonight."
Raven smiled back. She wrapped her arms around his and gave him a kiss. "What are you doing out here?" she asked.
Luke nodded toward the lake and said, "Thinking about that." The lake was only half full from when they had first arrived to claim the Aqualith. It had begun to dry up since then.
"You think it's because we took the Aqualith?" Raven asked.
"There's no doubt that's the case," Luke said. "If we take the Pyrolith and the Aerolith from their resting places it might have similar effects." He shook his head. "But let's not worry about that right now. Are you feeling well?"
She nodded. "I'm fine. I'm more worried about you, though."
Luke gave her a light kiss and said, "I have a few bruises, but they will heal. I'm just glad it wasn't you who was frozen in my place."
Chicken <-- Egg <-- Rocket Powered Fist Take that, science!
