The Light Divides

Kazarrie stood on the top of a nearby outcropping, eyes roving over the darkened hills. His green and brown hunting outfit clung to his slender body, accenting the slight musculature beneath. His blonde hair blew wildly about his face in the wind, nearly obscuring his gracefully pointed ears.

I watched him out of the corner of my eye. He was my favorite, no use denying it. I knew he knew I was watching him. The rest of our hunting camp had long since fallen asleep. It was just the two of us. He turned his head slightly and our eyes connected, my gray-green and his sky blue. He beckoned with one finger, telling me to come to him.

I pretended not to see his invitation, and continued to explore the forest with my eyes, keeping watch for the camp. I could sense his disappointment even from as far away as I was, but still I did not acknowledge him. I knew he would be infuriated, but the kid had to learn he couldn’t always have his way.

About ten minutes later, I casually rose from the rock I was sitting on and began to saunter in his direction, taking my sweet time about it. I plucked a wildflower from the dirt as I approached him.

His hands were planted on his hips, his eyes chips of ice. He opened his mouth to scold me, but I was to fast for him. Sliding my arms around his waist, I drew him close and pressed my lips to his. He gave in easily, forgetting his frustration. When we broke apart, I entwined the wildflower in his golden hair. “Kazzie.” I said softly, stroking his hair from his face. “You’re so beautiful.”

He looked pure in the moonlight, somehow more innocent than he really was. He wriggled happily in my arms, making it clear what he wanted. “I have to keep watch.” I protested. “Not tonight, Kazzie.”

He whimpered, crossing his arms over his chest. He was a mute, and therefore could not speak, but his meaning was clear enough. He was asking me what could possibly happen out here, there was nothing. Before I could protest again, he grabbed my arm and dragged me into the forest.

It was explosive. It always was, but the forbidden feeling possibly made it even better. When we were finished, we dressed each other and began the long trek back to camp, hoping dearly we had not been missed. It would not do for the rest of the party to find the captain of the hunters missing, especially when he was the one who had to keep watch.

As we got closer to camp, we heard sounds. Footsteps, and people talking in gruff voices. It sounded as though the entire camp had woken up, but I recognized none of the voices, and from the look on Kazarrie’s face, neither did he. We peeked out of the bushes, and were devastated by what we saw.

Our friends were dead. The camp had been razed to the ground by a group of goblins. They had been slaughtered in their sleep, no one to warn them awake and give them a chance to fight.

Kazarrie turned his face into my shoulder, and wept.