Abyss

Chapter 7: Apart



A storm broke loose when Pheus’ father got wind of the fact that Ayve had disappeared. It was as Pheus had always feared. He had always known that if his father discovered the actual dimensions of Ayve’s talents, he would drop Pheus like a hot potato. Now he blamed Pheus for Ayve’s disappearance as if he knew something about why Ayve had left.



It took ages until he calmed down and reclaimed his old attitude towards Pheus. In the meantime, Pheus’ brothers, especially Ayve’s ‘father’, let him feel their malice. Physical violence was no means to carry out conflicts amongst their kind, but their tongues and social sanctions were all the sharper. Luckily, Pheus was tough enough to counter their barbs.



All the sweeter was the redress when his father started to train Pheus again.



Nonetheless, that did not change his people’s general situation. Their ‘victory’ was short-lived. Soon the human settlements around them grew again and threatened them more and more. Voices grew louder that they should move - seek another, more secluded lair. For a long time, Pheus’ father dismissed this suggestion.



Yet, in the end they had to yield to the given circumstances. They moved further east. The new accommodations were less roomy, and the hundreds of people had to put up with a less luxurious life.



The defeat seemed to hurt Pheus’ father more than he was letting on to. His demeanour worsened, and Pheus witnessed moments of physical weakness in the old man he had never seen before. The seasons passed by, they arranged themselves with the new living arrangements, but Pheus’ father never really recovered.







Ayve travelled slowly. The continent was much denser populated than during their outward journey, and he was alone. Furthermore, he only had a rough direction to gear towards. He did not even know what was going to happen when he arrived ‘at home’. Ayve had decided to go back because he knew no other place he could turn to and because he missed his foster father. Admittedly, Ayve had had enough time to step back and reassess his position amongst the nymphs. That might make things easier, yet it was no guarantee that things were going to change.



To distract himself from the thoughts about Pheus, Ayve often crept up to human settlements to watch those people who caused so much trouble. In many respects, they were similar to his people, and yet he was alienated by their lifestyle, especially by their violent ways of dealing with each other at times. Ayve was unable to understand why anyone would hurt his own brother or sister, no matter what kind of problems there were.



Soon, Ayve detected that the best way of moving over the continent was to take advantage of his newly discovered powers – only this time he found a way not to hurt them but to walk amongst humans unnoticed. That also eased his loneliness. Ayve could pass through a human settlement in daylight unseen. Children romped around him, women crossed his way, but he was left alone. Once or twice he even tried their food. Living in plain country, they used much corn for soups, porridge or something they called ‘bread’.



Finally arrived at the coast, Ayve stepped onto a Roman ship that brought him safely to the other side of the British Channel.



When eventually Ayve reached the area in which his people lived, he found the one settlement of the four that was farthest south deserted. He moved on. His heart beat faster as he drew closer to the settlement in which his father lived. Looking down at himself, he realised that his appearance would leave a negative impression on the nymphs. He was not dressed traditionally but in the leather garments of Pheus’ people. Ayve decided to go back to his old cave to prepare himself properly.



Observing himself thoroughly, he noticed that not only his clothing had changed but also his physique, the manner in which he moved and the way he expressed himself. His time away had freed him of the chains of nymph conventions that had restrained him in the past. Now, he had to enchain himself again in order not to alienate anyone more than he was already bound to.



One morning, he took the deciding step and sought out his father. When he laid eyes upon Ayve, his face showed surprise. Then the surprise was replaced by a growing smile. “I have always known you would come back,” he said, stepping up to his son. The two men gazed at each other.



Ayve was a head taller than his father, and still in the past he had always felt much smaller - not because of his father’s behaviour but because of the respect people paid him and not Ayve. Now, however, Ayve felt equal. He understood why the nymphs acted towards him like they did, and he knew it was not his fault. This distance to the circumstances gave him the strength to calculate his steps, now, in order to finally reach some state of acceptance in his tribe.



Ayve’s father initiated a welcoming ceremony. Of course, the people still stared at Ayve – he stuck out. Yet, the happiness of having his son back his father plainly displayed and the determination with which he announced that he was going to familiarise Ayve with the last details so he could take up his place as leader made clear that any objections were pointless.







After some time, his father proposed Ayve to take a bond-mate. “The young lady that you had befriended is still alone. Normally, I would have bonded her to someone already, of course, but no one approached me on her behalf…”



“They still associate her with me, do they not?” Ayve concluded.



The way his father said nothing was the only answer Ayve needed.



“Fine. I would like to speak with her first, though,” Ayve agreed.



Since he was back, his longing for Pheus had lessened. Ayve had a distant notion that this was somehow connected with the tea that was traditionally consumed by the nymphs. After he had drunken it the first time in ages, he had felt so strange, so numb. Perhaps it was better this way; it definitely made things easier. Nothing in the world could make Ayve forget Pheus, but he needed a clear mind.







All eyes were on him when he went up to Yole. She was washing clothes on the lake shore. Yole was one of the few nymphs with light blonde hair. By all standards that Ayve was familiar with, she was an exceptionally beautiful woman. Only nymphs did not think in categories like ‘beauty’.



When she became aware of him, she let go of the clothes and straightened up, smiling shyly.



“Shall we take a few steps along the shore, away from them?” Ayve asked.



She followed him.



“Hada suggested you as my bond-mate. I wanted to ask you what you think about that?” he asked outright but with a soft, gentle voice.



“Why do you ask me that?” she enquired meekly.



“Because we are not children who are being bonded for a faraway future but grown up people who are able to make our own decisions,” Ayve stated.



Yole’s cheekbones stood out as she smiled sweetly. “That is a strange thought.”



“People often make these decisions themselves where I have been,” Ayve explained. It was risky to direct the conversation on that theme. He would not have done that with anyone else, but it was a good test – Ayve would not feel comfortable with having a bond-mate who had problems with certain aspects of his personality. Of course, a nymph bond was restricted. It was solely a promise to have mutual children. It did not comprise living together, spending leisure time together or anything like that. Still, Ayve needed to be able to trust the woman who was supposed to carry his child.



Yole looked mildly interested. That was a very good sign. Nymphs were discreet; they would never show that they were curious – perhaps they did not even know that enhancement of interest. “Where have you been?” she asked.



“Far away, beyond the sea, in a foreign tribe.”



“During my peregrination, I did not meet anyone. I only passed by several human settlements and was so scared that I soon turned back home…”, Yole admitted. Young nymphs left their tribe for a period of time to walk about and get to know the world.



“Yes, their behaviour and the speed with which they spread around the country can be intimidating. It was better that you avoided any confrontation,” Ayve replied understandingly. They walked for a moment in silence. “So, what do you think?”



Yole looked at him puzzled.



“I mean concerning my strange question,” Ayve explained, smiling.



Yole gazed out onto the lake, obviously embarrassed.



“Do you need time to consider it?” Ayve asked perceptively.



She turned back around and locked eyes with him. She was young, still, innocent, but she exhibited a timeless grace and kindness. “No. I will gladly become your bond-mate.”



Ayve smiled. “Then let us go back, before people get strange ideas.”







Ayve sat together with his father in front of a camp fire. His father travelled constantly between the (now three) nymph settlements to tend to the sick, conduct ceremonies of bonding and birth, and give good advice. Ayve had always enjoyed the nights out in the wild, when he could be alone and unobserved with his father.



“I’ve been told that our tribes once were friendly. Do you know anything about those times?” Ayve asked. He had spoken with his father about Pheus’ people before, leaving out certain aspects of his life with them, naturally.



“Indeed. Our lives were different then. Our settlements were larger then, our houses more spacious and artistically woven into nature. My grandmother, who still led the tribe when I was a child, told me about it. The blossom-shaped ring that I wear now and once was worn by her is a gift of the other tribe.”



They sat gazing into the crackling flames for a while.



“I would like you to meet your sister tomorrow,” Ayve’s father said finally.



“As you wish,” Ayve said neutrally. After a while, he raised his voice again. “I have request, hada.”



His father directed his attention at his son.



“I know it will take another while until she is ready, but when we come to the day when Yole and I share a tent together, do you have to be present, then?”



His father eyed him, realisation dawning on him. “You are not innocent anymore, are you? You know what will happen in that night…”



Ayve made a high clicking noise.



His father looked aside. “Fine,” he said eventually, sounding slightly defeated. “I will leave you after I have familiarised Yole with the details.”



“Thank you.”







Several winters later, the men sat together in a house, drinking tea and talking about their situation. Ayve’s father was not amongst them.



“I still don’t think we should have abandoned the southern houses,” Seya, a nymph who was only a little older than Ayve, said. “I think our leader exaggerated the threat.”



“Do not judge lightly, young one,” one of the older nymphs, who already smoked, warned him. “This was not the first time that we moved because of humans drawing in on us. We know what we are doing.”



“Sometimes it is good to reconsider matters,” Seya countered. “Perhaps we should have talked to them. I’m sure we would have found a solution.”



“A solution? The last time I have seen humans ‘solve’ anything, it was through violence,” Ayve chipped in. Usually he avoided being part of any discussions, but he could not listen to this nonsense. If this opinion spread, it would become dangerous.



“Who knows in which ways you have provoked them…”



This comment would usually have sufficed to make Ayve leave. However, he had grown tougher. He suppressed a smirk. He had always disliked this guy. Nonetheless, he remained calm. “What would I have to do in order to make you try and kill me?” he asked interestedly.



Seya looked baffled. “I’m not the killing type.” He hesitated. “The only thing I could think of would be to attack me and my beloveds.”



“And you think I am the type of person who does that – hurting someone without any reason?”



Seya looked sheepishly to the floor.



“In fact,” Ayve went on as if Seya had not interrupted him, “I think it might be wise to have someone stand guard at night, when everyone is asleep – just in case.”



Seya intervened again. “I don’t think that is necessary. We have never had problems with intruders.”



“Well, then we can only hope that things will never change…”







Yole had been dressed up by her mother. She wore cream-coloured, flowing garments and wooden pearls in her hair. Ayve’s father had prepared a tent in the woods near a stream, as was the custom. It was not far away from the settlement, but their private sphere would be assured.



Ayve smelled his bond-mate already from afar. Both of them had been given different tea in the last days; tea that did not numb their sexual drive as the usual tea did. Yole was ready; that was plain. He had had to wait for ages. Nymph ladies only became fertile for a limited period in a long time span. Her scent befuddled Ayve. He needed to concentrate to remain calm, and calm he needed to stay or else his father would not leave them alone. He was astounded that a woman had such an impact on him.



They sat strictly separated, his father preparing tea for them once more. Subsequently, Ayve’s father explained what would happen that night – in other words, what was necessary to sire a child. Yole blushed as she noticed Ayve’s eyes resting on her. Finally, Ayve’s father left.



Ayve moved closer to his bond-mate and brushed with his finger over her cheek. Even that simple touch ignited her. He bent forwards and kissed her lightly on the lips. Pheus’ face, his scent, the touch of his skin flashed in Ayve’s mind. He inhaled deeply, drawing in Yole’s fragrance to forget Pheus, and deepened the kiss.







Ayve was woken by a stunning, burning pain in his throat. It only grew worse when he tried to catch breath. Everything was dark around him, but he heard shouts and footsteps. The stench of blood lay in the air. Ayve fought to keep conscious and struggled to control his panic to be able to breathe at all.



The entrance to his tent was open. Yole was not beside him. He crawled out, his arms shaking and hardly able to support him. Screams resounded beyond the trees.



Not far away lay a motionless person. Dread creeping into every particle of his body, Ayve somehow managed to move towards it. The long, artfully styled red hair of his father caught Ayve’s gaze. He heard rattling breath. His attempt to whisper his father’s name failed. As he reached him, the ground beneath Ayve grew wet. Reluctantly he lifted his hand and sniffed at it, as good as he managed. Despite his shortened breath, he immediately recognised what it was covered with – blood.



Ayve touched his father’s hand. Unexpectedly, his grip was returned.



Take the ring, he heard a powerless voice in his mind. You need to lead the tribe in my stead; you need to help our people…



Ayve wanted to refuse, disbelievingly, but his father urged him to listen.



The others need you, now. Please; there is no time for hesitation. You need to be strong. If you with your worldly experience do not know what to do, no one will… His father pushed the ring of his forefathers into Ayve’s hand. Ayve wanted to protest, but he was too weak. All he could do was to sit by his father’s dying body.



He heard someone get closer with hurried steps. Sensing what was going to come, Ayve tried to get up, to gather himself in order to defend himself. He could not. Helplessly he had to watch the shadow of a man approach him…







Ley hurried through the crowded, narrow tunnels. Her father had long stopped controlling her moves and so she had befriended Pheus – as well as a girl could be friends with a solitary man like him. He never sought her out; it was more that he tolerated her presence. Yet Ley sensed that he was lonely. Her uncle was plainly missing Ayve. At this moment, however, she looked for him by order of her grandfather. It was the first time that she saw a person wither like this.



Finally she found Pheus in one of the few corners in which a person could be undisturbed these days. Grimly he looked over to her. Ley knew there was no need to voice the purpose of her disturbance – he was reading it in her mind. The annoyance did not leave his face as the tall man rose and walked calmly towards his father’s quarters.



“Rekr,” Pheus greeted his father curtly.



The old man was not alone. A great host of men and women had gathered around him. They all seemed to wait for Pheus. His father motioned for him to come closer.



“I want you to travel north again,” he said.



“North?” Pheus questioned. “Has my dear brother bestowed his semen upon more women?”



Some people sniggered.



His father ignored the snide remark. “I want you to bring Ayve back. I have decided that he is to become my successor.”



A low murmur broke loose. No one had anticipated that decision.



Pheus was surprised how little these news agitated him. He should be outraged that after all the time he had spent on pleasing his father he was not the chosen one, but it left him indifferent. “I don’t think I’m the right person for that,” he said. Of course, in the ears of everyone else this reply must seem like an act of defiance, but in truth Pheus was sure Ayve would not want to see him.



His father’s eyes narrowed. He turned towards the other people in the room. “Leave us alone.”



Pheus straightened up, expecting to be reprimanded for his disobedience, but instead his father assigned a place to him. With reluctance Pheus took it.



“I am dying. Everybody knows it; everybody anticipates it. I know that is partly my doing, my mistake,” he disclosed. “I have laid too much stress on finding a strong successor and have sparked a rivalry amongst you that has poisoned your hearts. I have dreaded the threat from the outside so much that I almost tore us apart from the inside. Ayve is the only one who has not been affected by the power struggle amongst my kin. He acts considerate, with more subtlety than any of you would. Perhaps he manages to hold you together, mend the wounds I have torn. I am sure you will help him in this.”



“Rekr, I repeat, I am not the right man for this,” Pheus insisted.



The aging man smirked knowingly. “Do you truly think you have me fooled? I know what connects the two of you. I have long been watching you, been trying to put a stop to it. In the end I have stopped caring. Now it might even work in our favour – go to him, apologise for whatever you have done that has driven him away, and bring him back. I will turn a blind eye on your sexual deviation as long as you serve your people.”







A cold rage was agglomerating in Pheus’ stomach. Upset, he stuffed his things into a bundle. ‘Do this’, ‘do that’, always for his people and never a good word for himself. Now he was to beg for forgiveness for obeying his father – by order of his father. Great!



Over the next weeks and months on the ‘road’, however, his mood changed. The closer he got to the nymphs, the more he looked forward to seeing Ayve again. Pheus almost felt childish for dwelling on the mere sight of his former this longingly since he knew Ayve’ life had probably moved on. It had been so long – the half-nymph could even be father by now – not that Pheus could picture that.



The strange thing was that he could not sense Ayve. He had always felt Ayve’s presence in the past when they had still been lovers, but now, when he was already close to the mountains in whose valleys Ayve’s people dwelt, he could not connect to him. Pheus would have preferred to know what he was facing, but none of the thoughts he caught from afar were connected to the nymph.







Disbelief was taking hold of Pheus. He stood in the centre of where once had been a small village. There were still signs of a settlement. At the brim of the clearing, there was still a rotten stack of wood and in some places the grass was sparse. Still, the wooden huts had disappeared and with them their inhabitants. It was already the second valley he had found like this. Had the nymphs abandoned their territory and moved on? Was that Ayve’s doing?



Pheus felt watched all of a sudden. Reaching out with his mind, he quickly located a male nymph. Instead of displaying his awareness of the nymph’s presence, Pheus let him walk away and followed him.



The way led up into the mountains, further north, away from the human settlements that had spread in the area. A few minutes after the nymph had stopped moving, Pheus approached him. There were two young females with him. The male jumped immediately up, half scared, half trying to protect his companions.



“I am looking for Ayve,” Pheus explained in nymph tongue, trying to sound polite.



The nymph looked at him vigilantly, with a pale face and grieved, somehow.



“Where is he?” Pheus pressed on. “Where is the rest of your tribe?”



The women seemed confused. What was going on here?



“We’re the only ones left,” the male said quietly.



“What do you mean by that?”



“We were attacked,” one of the women whispered.



Pheus’ face darkened. “When?”



“Three winters ago.”



“…And Ayve?” Now Pheus whispered, too.



The male spoke again. “I saw how he was dragged away by a man. I have not seen him since. But he was badly wounded.”







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