10: Brazen
1263 Words
Ragar immediately straightened and wore the shirt he had on his shoulder. He waited at the end of the stairs, the same time Sierra stood up from her seat and slowly walked her way down. He was about to reach for her to give her support but she avoided his hand and even shook her head.
“I’m fine.”
He shrugged and just went on but slowly since he does not want Sierra to exert too much effort on her strides and risk opening her wounds.
“You’re stronger than I thought you would be. I was expecting you would still be bedridden until now.”
“Srugor thinks otherwise,” Sierra replied. “He expects I would heal in three days’ time and here I am—able to walk, fit to leave this place.”
A typical trait of Srugor—always rushing for people to leave them and this place. He values his privacy more than anything else and if the matter solely depends on him, he wouldn’t have taken anyone else. But Srugor still has faith in the gods and he always keeps in mind that everything happens at their will, therefore, they are meant to meet those people they helped, the same thing with Sierra.
“Well, if he says it then it must be true,” he replied.
“Because he is the Seer?” Sierra asked.
“Not just that. He rarely sees things now so his gifts are not that crucial. I just believe whatever he says and do to be true.”
“That’s a dangerous thing,” she said which had him frowning.
He glanced at her. “Whatever do you mean?”
“You must have always followed him, blinded to the point that you do not have your own opinion and are not able to make your own decisions.”
He chuckled. “How about you then? You follow your own Master in the civil war which makes your opinion matters less and is blinded to follow your Master's whim."
She was silenced at that and it was apparent that she did not like what he just said—which only made him think for it to be true. He did not add more, not wanting to put her in a foul mood when they just got on the same page.
They stopped by the pavilion and he leaned his elbows by the rail as he watches the falls closer than when at home. Sierra stood beside him and closed her eyes, only appreciating the loud sound of the crashing of water, mayhap calming herself after their conversation. Because of that, he could freely look at her face—her long lashes, narrow nose, and pale lips. She is very pale and thin and he is certain this is not just because of her wound but because she has been like this even before.
War is a cruel thing and merely the perpetrators get to have the most gain, not the ones fighting for it.
“No one else lives here but the two of you?” she asked, still has her eyes closed.
“Yes.”
“It doesn’t get…lonely?”
He raised a brow, thinking of what she might mean but his thoughts only lead to one thing and he does not speak of it to avoid complications between them, therefore, he opts for a safer reply. “Srugor has been my companion—”
Sierra opened her eyes and looked at him, her eyes were alarmingly alluring, different from her usual coldness. “I don’t mean that.”
His stare lingered even more at her—on her face now turned on him, on her dark tresses, her skin that is obviously kissed by the sun, and down to the contours of her body that is apparent from the thin layer of clothing she is in. She is beautiful and she knows it—that is why he has to be careful. It is obvious that she uses her beauty as a weapon to get what she wants.
Sierra returned his stares with the same intensity and it only made the tension between them thicken. “You’re a grown man,” she continued. “You know what I am talking about.”
He moved to lean on his side so he could face her. The woman did not even waver from his undivided attention—looking more determined to taunt him. He does not understand where this newfound attitude is coming from.
“I don’t think that is something to be talked about between us,” he said. "My needs are nothing for you to be concerned with."
Her eyes fluttered down to his body. “I am merely curious.”
He shook his head and stood up straight, avoiding what this conversation may end up to. “Let’s get on.” He did not wait for her and just started walking, getting as far from her as possible.
Sierra silently followed him as he made his way out of the pavilion and into the field where he just harvested his plants. The woman was looking left and right, her eyes rapidly scanning everything there is to see when there really is none but an open land.
“I am intrigued as to how the Seer managed to get to this place and lived here all his life undetected,” she said, finally speaking what is on her mind.
“I used to think Alhalla is always meant for my father, that the gods have blessed him this place when the men had turned their backs on him," he answered. "It would be best to ask him about this place if you want to know more.”
“But it is you whom I want to ask.”
He looked down at her. "I have no more to tell."
Further down the field lies the pristine river connected to the falls, the water was peaceful at that part and it would be nice to have a dip if it weren’t for the woman with him and her surprisingly sinful tongue. He could have indulged himself and just let Sierra do her own thing but then, he does not want to keep an eye out on an injured woman and also give her the satisfaction of seeing him naked.
“You could swim if you want,” the woman suddenly said. “I’ll wait here, bask in the sun.” She sat down on a rock while he crouched on the riverside and scooped some water to wash his face.
“I’ll do that later,” he said.
“Why not now?”
He shook his head as he takes on another scoop to wash his neck. “Because it is not appropriate,” he merely stated.
“It’s not like I haven’t seen your body a while ago.”
He smirked and looked at her. “When I swim, I remove all my clothes, not just the upper one. I am certain you wouldn’t want to see me all bare.”
He was about to stand up when she suddenly spoke which had him stiffening. “Who said I wouldn’t want to see? You have already seen mine, it's only fair that I get to see yours.”
His mouth parted as he turned his face to look at her—who was already watching him closely and dangerously. “What did you just say?”
“Undress yourself and swim, Ragar,” she plainly said, unblinking.
- Writer
