Soul Catcher (22 page)

Orgoom Forest

27

Accacia trailed behind Father Giloth as he strode across the snow like a man in his youth. Father Giloth’s hair was as white as the ice crystals, with a beard that matched the color of winter. The skin of his hands and face sagged in wrinkles, but the agility of his body belied his age. Accacia forced herself to maintain his pace.

They were headed to the center of the forest to praise and worship the source of magic of the woods. The Loriuen Tree fueled the power of the forest. Accacia could see the top of the tree even from the other side of the forest, so majestic was its size. She felt the presence of the tree hum within her soul, calling to her as she stepped closer to it. Father Giloth felt the song of the tree as well and he began to hum in accordance with the natural vibrations emitted from the soul of the tree. Accacia smiled as she listened to his hum and added her voice to his. They used to do this often when she lived within the forest as a Naturalist, and the familiar activity made her smile.

Accacia and Father Giloth stepped past the last line of trees before a wide meadow opened to the foot of the Loriuen Tree, which was vacant except for the growth of wild grass. The massive roots covered the ground before they dug deep into the earth, extracting enough water to feed the massive stump of the tree. Accacia stared at the Loriuen Tree in awe; it was a sight she would never grow tired of.

“It is a heavenly sight, isn’t it?” Father Giloth asked.

“Yes.”

“You have all your supplies, dear?”

“Yes, Father.”

“Good,” he said. “Let’s pamper this mighty oak.”

Accacia shoveled the snow away from the stump of the tree, clearing the area of the freezing ice that covered the roots and the forest floor. She examined the abrasions of the bark and tended to the cuts with plant oil, sealing the cracks from invasion of parasitic insects. She sang to the tree as she tended to its needs, and heard Father Giloth join her voice with his own song.

She was uncovering a patch of snow, pushing against the bark, when she saw something unusual—a patch a newly upturned soiled, which had been repacked into the earth. It appeared that someone had buried something under the tree or had stolen an item. “Father Giloth!” she yelled around the curve of the tree. The stump was massive and she couldn’t see Father Giloth on the other side. The lack of response made her realize he probably hadn’t heard her. She continued to walk around the tree until she spotted two other piles, which looked identical to the original soil she found.
Digging near the Loriuen Tree was forbidden by law; the act was treacherous. She couldn’t understand why anyone who voluntarily lived in these woods, and therefore respected this tree, would perform such a heinous act. “Father!”

Father Giloth finally rounded the tree with a look of concern. “Are you alright, Accacia?”

“Yes,” she said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. Look at this,” she said as she pointed to the patch of upturned soil. “There are four others just like it.”

Father Giloth stared at the piles of soil but said nothing. He bent down and examined each patch with his hand. “The tree is in no pain,” he said. Father Giloth felt the hum of the tree in his ears and knew it was safe. He communicated directly with the tree, the Nature God, and it informed him of the wisdom he was renowned for. The Naturalists assumed Father Giloth drew his powers from the oak staff he carried, but in fact, it was derived from the tree itself. The Nature Priest was the guardian of the tree, and it was his responsibility to protect it against any harm. The tree was magical in ways even Father Giloth could not explain. He knew the death of the tree would be the death of them all. “The tree is safe,” he assured her.

“This is still unacceptable,” she said as she ran her hands through the dirt. “It’s a desecration of holy ground. Why would someone do this?”

Father Giloth grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. He smiled at her. “The tree is content and unharmed, that’s all that matters.”

“Guards should be posted to protect the tree,” she insisted. “I couldn’t live on if something had tarnished the purity of the Loriuen Tree.”

“I couldn’t either, dear,” he said. “I will have the Naturalists patrol the tree in turns.”

“Thank you, Father.”

He nodded.

“What are the thoughts of the tree today?” she asked as she ran her hands over the smooth bark. She felt the heartbeat of the tree through her palms, and her body shivered at the contact. She was touching the afterlife.

“It does not communicate the way you and I do, or any human for that matter, because it does not speak in words, or even images—but feelings.”

“How do you understand the tree’s meaning?”

“I’m not certain. I believe the gift of understanding comes with the office. This allows only the true Nature Priest to communicate with the Loriuen Tree. Only he can hear its secrets.”

“What secrets does it tell you?” she asked as she walked around the tree and stared into the canopy, forty feet in the air.

“Many secrets,” he said. “Some are significant, such as an approaching earthquake, and others of less importance, such as the birth of a beetle.”

“That’s amazing,” she whispered. “Does it tell you how to use your powers?”

“Yes,” he said. “She has taught me everything I know.”

“It’s a she?” she asked with interest.

“Well, the Nature God has no human gender role, since it is manifested in the form of a tree, but when she speaks to me, her voice has a female aspect—her feelings seem motherly.”

Accacia nodded.

“Is there anything else you need to do before we leave?” he asked. “Do you have your supplies?”

“Yes, I have everything,” she said. “But I need to do something before we leave.” Accacia fell to her knees and faced the tree. “I need to pray.”

Father Giloth stepped back and let her worship the tree in silence. The song of her voice carried to the canopy of leaves and danced in the wind to her song. She sang loudly, praising the tree and its gifts, thanking the Nature God for the life she was given. She brought the music to an end.

“That was very beautiful, Accacia,” he said. “The tree enjoyed it immensely.”

“I’m glad,” she said. “I hope my voice is worthy.”

They left the clearing and returned to Asylinth House. Father Giloth could hear the agony of the tree with every step they took away from its grounds. The sound of Accacia’s voice pleased the tree and it was upset to feel her leave its presence. It wanted her to stay for always; singing love abodes to its leaves forever. The tree had questioned the Nature Priest every day about Accacia when she was stolen from the forest. It demanded to know when she would return. The knowledge that she may never reappear angered the Nature God. As soon as Accacia stepped into the borders of the Orgoom Forest, it knew she reappeared to its ground, and continually ordered Father Giloth to bring Accacia to its roots. Father Giloth never mentioned its attachment to Accacia because he feared it would frighten her—it was enough to frighten him.

Asylinth Cottage

28

At midday, Accacia trekked to Asylinth Cottage, a humble shack even smaller than Father Giloth’s petite home. She was dressed in appropriate attire supplied by Father Giloth to withstand the freezing temperature. She entered the small field of grass behind it, which was covered with a thin layer of white snow, making it slippery but not difficult to maneuver in. She looked at the branches of the trees and the piles of snow that caked the leaves, and spotted the winter flowers protrude past the heavy cover, defiant. Accacia hated the winter months, considering it the season of death.

Aleco exited the cottage, carrying his weapons over his shoulder, shirtless. He dropped the gear into the snow and retrieved his
signature blackened blade from the ground, easy to spot with its contrasting color. He hadn’t looked at Accacia yet.

She approached him with her sword sheathed in the belt around her waist. The snow swished beneath her feet, making her gait more unsteady than usual. “You’re going to freeze, Aleco,” she said.

Aleco ignored her and kept his head down as he sharpened his blade, focusing his sight on his sword and not on Accacia. “You’re sure you still want to do this?” he asked.

“Yes,” she replied.

“So be it,” he said as he stood up.

Accacia noticed the sculpted muscles of his chest and perfectly shaped arms, the carved lines of strength etched across his torso. He watched her with a stern expression, his eyes locked onto her wandering gaze as she appraised his powerful physique. His fair skin was flawless, unlike what she assumed it would be, covered in scars, cuts, and bruises. She was amazed how quickly he’d healed and wondered what he used to promote its speed. His blue eyes reflected the white patches of snow covering the trees in the distance, and his blond hair
complemented his complexion perfectly. He resembled his twin exactly, but to Accacia, he looked completely different in comparison. For the first time, she didn’t see Drake, just Aleco.

“Are you ready?” he interrupted Accacia’s thoughts.

Abashed, she looked away from his powerful frame. “Yes, I am,” she said.

He walked into the middle of the field, which was completely caked with snow, and took a defensive stance a few feet from her. The crystals of precipitation reached to their ankles, which would be an additional barrier for Accacia in her movements. The snowy landscape and the chilly air empowered Aleco. He loved the coldness and the quiet scenery. The sky was a perfect mirror of the forest floor, completely bleached. “Do I have your word, Accacia?”

Accacia knew what he was referring to. “I already gave it to you,” she replied.

Aleco stared at her. He had his sword unsheathed, hanging at his side, as he clenched the handle of the weapon. He unleashed his powerful stroke and aimed at her arm with a flash of speed. She barely had time to block the blow, which she did carelessly, and lost her grip on the sword. It dropped to the snow.

Aleco didn’t stop his advance. He tossed his own blade to the ground and attacked her. He tripped her legs from under her feet, and pushed her down to the pile of powder. She screamed as she crashed onto the freezing earth. Aleco climbed on top of her and held her wrists at her side, pinning her down to the ground, exactly the way Drake had. Accacia felt frightened—she had been in this position too many times.

Aleco’s menacing eyes bore into hers as he held her to the ground. “What are you going to do, Accacia?” She tried to kick him off but his heavy mass was too much for her to move. She twisted her arms away from his grasp but his tight grip was too strong to escape. “WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?”

Accacia continued to squirm under his hold and flexed her hips trying to buck him off, but it was useless. She was too compromised, and he was too heavy. Water formed in her eyes and she fought back the tears. She tried to hold back her fear, but the moment was too intense, too emotional, and the unwelcome sobs emerged.

“Don’t you dare give up!
”

“Aleco, get off of me,” she cried.

“No.”

Accacia screamed in frustration. She tasted the salt from her tears as they dripped into her mouth. Her anger was fueled by her weakness, her inability to protect herself.

“I have all day,” he said.

She lifted her right leg from the ground, over his shoulder, and forced it against his throat. Aleco released one wrist to restrain her ankle, and with her now free hand, Accacia slugged him hard in the face. She hit him again in the nose and watched blood ooze from his nostrils. Pride surged through her body at his compromised state. Utilizing both her leg and her arm, she pulled him off her body and got to her feet. She spotted her sword and grabbed it, pointing it at Aleco who stood a few feet away with blood trickling down his face.

“Good,” he said, as he wiped the blood away with his hand. “It’s a start.” Aleco walked to his pack and wiped his face with a cloth. He returned to her. “Are you alright?”

“Yes,” she said as she continued to aim the sword at him. The adrenaline coursed through her body as if she was still in battle. Reliving that nightmare invigorated her with strength, and she realized that it was possible. She could do this.

“Let’s try it again. This time, don’t drop your sword.”

She nodded and their sparring continued. Aleco gave her a few bruises along her ribs and nailed her with the hilt of the sword on the arm, but he continued his advance since Accacia never told him otherwise. He was surprised when she pushed on even after he had injured her and pushed her beyond her limitations. He wondered if she was keeping her promise. “That’s enough for today,” he said.

He repacked his gear and was about to walk into the house when Accacia stopped him.

“How am I doing?

“Horrible,” he said. “But you’ll get it eventually.”

Aleco walked away. Accacia hated his indifference. “Aleco?” she said.

“Hmm?” he said without turning around.

“Why are you staying out here?” she asked. “It isn’t necessary.”

Aleco marched to her and stared at her with his crystal blue eyes. “I
want
to stay out here, Accacia. You got what you wanted,” he said. “So leave me alone.”

He strode to the cottage and opened the door.

“Aleco,” she called.

The only answer she received was the slamming of his front door.

Their training continued for the following weeks as they deepened into the winter season. The days became shorter, the air became colder, and the snow piled higher on the ground, but they continued sparring every day. Father Giloth was prepared to discuss something with the pair of them, but pushed it back, hoping they could work out their differences beforehand. He had no knowledge of what caused their tense dispute. Aleco still had not come to the house and stayed far away from Accacia as often as he could.

Accacia had encouraged Aleco to return to Asylinth House often but he refused any offer she made. It was clear he wanted nothing to do with her. Accacia’s skills had improved significantly during their lessons, and Aleco had increased her instruction to last most of the day because he knew she needed the additional help. She could deflect his blows and assaults quicker and return with ferocious strikes of her own. She wasn’t as skilled as Aleco, but she could inflict serious damage in any fight.

“We are done here,” Aleco said, ending the lesson.

Accacia’s chest was heaving, her arms were covered in bruises, and she was too sore to simply lift her sword. Their training had pushed her body to heightened limits, and he could see it in her form. Her arms were toned with strong muscles, her small shoulders were rounded, and her abdominal muscles were tight.

Aleco left the clearing and wordlessly entered his cottage as he did every day, ignoring her existence whenever they weren’t sparring. He poured himself a brandy and sat in the cramped living room, slowly enjoying his reprieve for the afternoon.

He heard a knock on the door and growled at the intrusion. Rising from his seat, he opened the door to Accacia. “What?” he snapped. Aleco swallowed the contents of his glass while he stared at her.

Her neutral face fell to a frown at his hostility, and even in sadness, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He shook his head and forced the thought from his mind.

“Will you have dinner with me tonight?”

Thankfully, Aleco had already swallowed the liquor; otherwise he would have spit it out. “
What?
Why would I want to do
that
?”

“Please?”

“No, thanks,” he said. “I have no desire to be with either of you at the moment.”

“It would just be me.”

“Even worse,” he said.

Accacia rolled her eyes. “I’ll be back in an hour.”

Aleco’s eyes narrowed in confusion. “So, you invite yourself to dinner at my place, where you expect me to cook, and when I say no, you decide to come anyway?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything.”

“That doesn’t change my answer,” he said.

“I’ll see you soon.” She smiled and walked away.

Accacia returned within an hour, and conquered the kitchen.  She boiled a pot on the fire stove, chopped potatoes and carrots at the counter, and made a delicious smelling cider tea.

Aleco sat in the living room that was opened to the
kitchen and drank his brandy before the fireplace. Accacia walked over, snatched the throat burning beverage from his hand, and replaced it with the scented tea. “I’m cutting you off.” She smiled when Aleco sniffed the tea then sipped it. It wasn’t bad. The brandy was the clear winner though.

She set the table and they began their meal. Aleco waited to hear the reason for this unexpected social event. The last time he checked, he was an untrusting perverse man that had some alternative motive for her safety, and she wanted no companionship from him. Was she just lonely? Secretly, Aleco hoped she had finally forgiven him.

Accacia had reflected on their relationship for the past few weeks. She thought she would be happy back in Orgoom Forest but all she thought about was Aleco. Their relationship needed to be mended. Father Giloth’s words had caused her to change her perspective on Aleco. The Nature Priest loved him like a son even when he didn’t have to. There must be a reason. Aleco had given her the ability to become a warrior, and it was the greatest gift she had ever received. Her conflicted emotions confused her.

The stew she prepared was delicious, despite its lack of meat. Aleco finished his plate and even ate a second serving. Accacia wore her typical traveling attire of tight leggings, dirty boots, and a long-sleeved black shirt. Her brown hair fell on her shoulders in lustrous curls, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she understood just how beautiful she was. Even when she adorned herself to look ordinary, she still looked extraordinary. Aleco changed the subject in his mind. “Why are you here?”

Accacia finished swallowing her food before she spoke. She didn’t know how this conversation was going to unfold. She knew how angry Aleco was, and he had every right to be, but she feared he would throw her out. “I realized I made a mistake,” she said. “What you did to me was completely wrong, but—I should have forgiven you weeks ago. Now it’s my turn to seek forgiveness.”

Aleco watched her in silence, unable to verbalize how
much that meant to him, and how much he missed her over those agonizing weeks, as he mended his own broken heart in solitude.

“You have protected me at the cost of your own life, more than once, and I’ve been so focused on what happened that I became blindsided to all of that. Now, you’ve helped me in the greatest way, by giving me the ability to protect myself, and—I’m sorry, Aleco. You were right. I shouldn’t hold it against you in light of everything you’ve done for me. I should have let it go sooner.”

Aleco smiled at her and she smiled back. He rose from his chair and walked to her side of the table, picked her up from the chair, and hugged her tightly. “You are forgiven, Accacia.” Accacia laughed as he held her above the ground and swung her from side to side. She had never seen him so happy. “Accacia, I didn’t think you were ever going to forgive me. I’m so grateful that you have,” he said. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too, Aleco,” she said. The intensity of his embrace made her heart flutter. She didn’t want Aleco to assume that their romantic relationship would continue as well; she wasn’t certain how she felt about that. Her feelings for Aleco were intense and confusing. “This doesn’t mean—”

“I know,” he interrupted her. “Your friendship and trust is enough.” He hugged her harder.

“Aleco, there is something I want to give you, as a thank you for everything you’ve done for me,” she said. Accacia felt her hands sweat as she spoke. She wasn’t sure why she was doing this but she knew she wanted to. It was an inexplicable need that she couldn’t fathom. “I know it’s something—you want.”

He released his embrace and stared her. He had no idea what she referring to. “What is it?” he asked with interest.

“Me,” she said. She watched the confused expression on his face, oblivious to her implication. She didn’t want to explain further.