"Relax, I am not going to harm you", the stranger emphasized. Conor, who took a fighting stance, dagger in one hand, stood protectively in front of me. I peeked over his shoulder to the other man. He was in total harmony with his surroundings, as if he belonged here. I could trace no fear, only amusement and leniency.
He rubbed his hands, his eyes searching the cave. "We have to light a fire, otherwise we'll freeze to death." He nodded in my direction. "The girl has already blue lips, look at her." Conor stiffened at his words. His head bent slightly around to watch me.
His eyes went wide. "Theos, Callida." He rushed to his backpack, searching something in it, than pulled a pullover out. "Here, take it, you'll get a pneumonia", he rushed me to dress the clothing. Grateful I took the dry pullover and went to a dark corner. The stranger was right. We had to light a fire. The cave was dry but freezing cold.
When I walked back, the big Dhaoine and Conor had collected sticks and woods from the inside of the cave and build a round fireplace. The stranger grabbed inside of his backpack and brought out ... brushwood! I was amazed. I mean... who even has brushwood in his packback, although it was very useful...now?
He must have seen the question mark in my eyes because he chuckled. "Well, if you want to survive outside of the big cities, you have to be prepared." He bowed slightly in front of me. "My name is Ronan, by the way."
I moved my hand to indicate to a very silent Conor who observed the other man with narrowed eyes.
"This is Conor and I am Callida. As you can see, we are humans."
The man - Ronan - threw me a short glance, holding the brushwood and two stones. Than he knelt down and started to clap the stones on another. We observed, how little sparks of fire flew in the air. Again he clapped the stones on the fine brushwood. Than...suddenly ...it begann to burn. He quickly placed the burning bundle in the middle of the fireplace, where the sticks instantly began to burn.
One by one Ronan put more sticks and little branches into the gleaming fire.
Satisfied with his work he stood up again. He raised his index finger. "First lesson: Always be able to light a fire ... or you'll freeze to death." He waved with brushwood. "This is a life saver."
"Second: Be sure to keep sharp weapons with you, to defend yourself against wild animals on four legs...and the ones on two legs", he wiggled his eyebrows pulling a long bowie knife out of its sheath. I gulped seeing his body and big arms. The knife in his hands looked life threatening. I wouldn't want him to ever get angry with me.
"And third", he tapped his head, "use your brain. Being smart is better than being brave. False courage might kill you. Sometimes it's better to simply run away. Pride doesn't keep you alive...it kills you."
I watched him like a deer watches an approaching wolf, full of fear but unable to move. Sure I've seen Dhaoine in Gordan on a daily basis, but I never spoke to one. At first sight they were physically more intimidating than the Creachadair because of their massiveness. But the Dhaoine didn't have fangs and claws or other "natural" weappons.
Everything about them was just "over-sized". Arms, legs, torso neck...a body made to be a wall, so nobody would get through it. A wall of flesh and bones. This was the reason why the Dhaoine were highly appreciated in the Lord's forces. It wasn't easy to get past them.
One thought didn't leave my mind. "Did the Lord send you to find me?", I watched his reaction closely. His eyes moved to mine, analyzing my expression. Conor stiffened next to me. I felt his uneasiness.
"No, he didn't."
I snorted. "So you mean to say, that we met here in THIS cave by coincidance AT THE SAME TIME?" Ronan watched me curiously over the blazing fire, throwing stick after stick into it.
"You think, your destined sent me after you?" He bent his neck in curiosity. "What did you do?"
I huffed annoyed. "How do you know that I am his destined?"
Ronan shrugged carelessly. "I live in Gordan. Word got around. Also...I saw him with you." I analyzed his features but saw nothing than self-assurance.
Connor took my hand, leading me to the fire. "Come, sit, I brought food with me." Hesitantly I followed, making a mental mark to keep my eyes on the Dhaoine.
I sat down, enjoying the warmth. Slowly I began to relax. I remembered the picture of the people at the beach, I saw. Those people felt the rays of the sun on their skin, swam in warm water, enjoyed life! We were used to live in a permanent form of winter, to fight for life. Fresh vegetables and fruits were rare. We ate meat and fish and varieties of cabbage, carrots, mushrooms and nuts.
The high families received fruits from the outskirts of Desa, were they had temperate climate zones. You could cultivate more vegetables and different fruits there. The Laidir lived in such a region. I longed to eat a red apple or a sweet apricot again.
I had hardly thought about the fruits...when Ronan fished an apple out of his large bag. A red apple. Did fate laugh at me in mischief to mock my dauntless decisions? Hahahaha....little girl! YOU want to go on a quest? Be serious...go home. Tomorrow you'll be dead.
I closed my eyes in annoyance. Biting my lips, I observed, how Ronan cut the apple in four slices.
He send me a short glance over the fire. "Here, catch", than he threw a slice my way. By instinct my hand grabbed it. He smiled knowingly. His eyes turned to Conor, his hand in a throwing motion. Conor declined the offer.
" I don't like fruits very much, I am more of a meat and fish type." Ronan nodded in understanding. "Yes, must be the Cuan in you." Conor and I were speechless. Ronan's eyes wandered from Conor to me, eyebrows raised.
"What? Has no one noticed that you smell like a hybrid?" Conor woke up from his stupor. "You can .. SMELL me?", he asked incredulous.
Ronan nodded. "I smell human, Cuan and Creachadair, yes. And you are a strong creature." Conor lowered his head to the ground, avoiding to respond.
Ronan cleared his throat, his body language suddenly changing. He stood up, clearly in alarm. I began to get nervous. Conor walked up to Ronan questioningly with raised eybrows.
"I have to know what you are capable of, boy", the Dhaoine wanted to know, listening to something in concentration.
Conor seemed lost. "Why ....I", and than he stood still, also listening. Both men watched each other.
Connor's head snapped towards me, his face warry. "Callida, go to the back of the cave, as deep as you can. Something dangerous is coming."