Just Another Day In Paradise

Summery: Kalian, prince of his Naga clan, risks himself by saving the life of a creature who is also a member of their sworn enemy. What he did not expect was to fall in love.

A/N: Technically, this is complete. It is the prequel to a series of stories revolving in this world. Please keep that in mind when you get to the end since it somewhat leaves you wanting more but it's intentional.

Warnings: Yaoi, Nagas, violence, gore, death


Just Another Day in Paradise

The birds scattered as he dropped from a tree before the edge of a large crystalline pond. He paid them no mind, seeking only the sun warmed depths of the water. There was no need to hunt, his stomach already rolled as it gradually digested the several hares he caught on his trek to the secluded pond.

He discarded his bow, quiver, and armguards before working his way down to the edge. The sandy bottom of the deep water could be seen, the water was so clear. It was his special place, where he could relax. Here he had no obligations to any other. Here he was not prince to his people but merely Kalian.

His reflection wavered as fish bobbed to the surface to snap at the little bugs disturbing the mirror-like top. He smirked before disappearing into the cool depths. The powerful muscles in his tail propelled him through the water until he surfaced several yards away from his entry point, his dark hair floated around him like ink on the surface.

The calm peacefulness of this small chunk of paradise remained unbroken as he turned to his back, floating. The lower half of his long power body flicked every so often as he slowly worked his way towards shore, in no real hurry. The refreshing pull of this untainted pool was a very hard thing to resist.

As his head bumped against the green reeds growing along the shore, he slithered from the shallows, pausing only to collect his weapons and armor. The scales of his tail made a hissing sound as he weaved his way towards a series of boulders, perfect for basking in the sun.

He ran his fingers through his long inky hair to remove the tangles before stretching out across the largest of boulders. Already he could feel his body soaking up the heat from both the rock and the late summer sun above.

Autumn was a whisper on the warm breeze as it ruffled his hair in an almost mother fondness. He’d always been closer to nature. It wasn’t an actual thing, but more of a gentle presence encompassing every living being. He took from her bounty and in return, would give back upon his death. It was a huge cycle that continued on into infinity.

Under the warmth of the sun, he began to doze. Days such as this would soon be few and far between. The winter months were the worst, forcing all of his clan to stay inside the series of underground dens. The cold prevented them from leaving their homes. They survived by eating stored food until the snows melted and life returned to the forests. That too was a cycle that ruled their world.

As his mind wandered through thoughts that had no meaning or relevance, he heard a heavy splash in the waters below. His golden eyes popped open to stare into the bubbling waters. The sight of blood staining the once clear water caught the attention of his sharp eyes. A figure was barely visible in the churned up silt and blood shadowed beneath the surface.

Against his better judgment, Kalian slid from his perch above the water and into the cooling depths. He felt his breath catch in his lungs as his sun warmed body touched the slightly chilled water. He pushed his discomfort aside, using his powerful muscles to propel him towards the seemingly large creature.

His eyes widened in shock as he approached the dark form. This was unexpected. Making yet another, probably rash decision, he linked his hands beneath limp arms and pushed towards the surface.

Gasping as he breached the top, his tail swayed back and forth to push both bodies to the shore. Once in the damp grass, he could finally see what he couldn’t believe. Laying unconscious was an angel. Well, to be honest, he wasn’t truly a divine being as the stupid humans believed. He was of the Avian clan. Winged creatures living in the colonies atop the highest mountains. In the rare instances they decided to venture close to the earth, humans mistook them for the creatures of divinity.

Though the war was supposedly at a dead lock, the Avians and the Nagas were sworn enemies. The fragile peace of late was doomed to end if this one was found injured in a Naga forest. It would give fuel to the currently stagnated war, a war none could remember the cause of.

Kalian flicked his tongue, tasting the air. Nothing seemed amiss. The metallic scent of blood hung thick in the air but otherwise the forest seemed quiet. For a moment he considered killing the creature and burying him where none would know he’d even crashed here. He was much too large to devour whole. If he chopped his limbs, he might be able to make several meals from him. That thought held only a slightly greater appeal.

While he considered his options, the soaked feathers adorning the massive wings began to shift before pale eyes the color of sky opened. Blond strings of wet hair clung to the Avian’s face, framing the perfect features. Pale, arms shook as he lifted his body in a futile attempt to stand, only crash once more to ground.

“Where…?” he croaked out, before collapsing once more on the damp grass.

“You crashed in my pond.” Kalian answered before asking a question of his own. “Why were you flying so close to the forest of the Nagas? If you were shot down, they will be coming soon.”

Blue eyes got impossibly wide before finally taking in the complete body of his savior. “You’re…”

“Yes.” Kalian said, bringing his lower body in a coil around him in a slightly defensive stance, allowing for quick movements should the need arise. His enemy might be injured but that in no way made him less dangerous. An injured animal was the most dangerous kind, especially in enemy territory.

“I…was…injured from…a battle…with my…brother.”

“I see.” Kalian’s citrine colored eyes narrowed, flicking over the crumpled form. If his wings were broken in the fall, it was hard to determine at first glance. There were various cuts and scraps dotting his body. The worst of his injuries appeared to be a large gash though his side, which continued to ooze blood.

“I should kill you. You can barely move and I’m deadly from a distance with my bow. Your presence risks adding fuel to the war amongst our kind. I should kill you but I’m really not hungry and I don’t feel like hiding your body. This pond is secluded enough. You should rest here until you can fly. You should leave as soon as possible.” Kalian uncoiled himself, slithering through the grass to where his bow and quiver lay propped against the boulders he’d vacated earlier.

He sifted through a small pouch in his quiver, extracting a bit of bandage and cream. Every Naga carried a basic bit of first aid on their person. One never knew when it would come in useful. He cautiously approached the wounded Avian.

The other watched him carefully as he began spreading the cream over several of the shallow cuts before touching the larger slice in his side. His claw tipped fingers were surprisingly gentle as they coated the cuts in the herbal remedy. He immediately began wrapping the wound in the soft bandage, making sure to make it tight so to stem any remaining bleeding.

“Thank you.”

“I don’t know why the war has lasted seven generations. I don’t know why I am taught to be a warrior to fight a foe who has done nothing to my person or my immediate family. I’m helping you because you have given me no reason to hurt you. Perhaps I am weak. I should kill you but my instincts tell me not to. I trust my instincts.” Kalian tied off the bandage before inching away.

A pale hand shot out to latch onto his sun kissed arm. “Will you…come again?”

“Yes. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

The entire journey home, Kalian thought of the Avian. He’d settled him in the entrance of a small cave near the pond for protection from the elements. He’d left shortly after securing the location. He wondered if he would be warm enough. The nights were still warm but in a few short weeks, they would begin to chill. He wasn’t familiar with what the Avians ate but he would pilfer some bread and perhaps snag a hare or two on his return trip. The other would no doubt be required to cook it but at least it would be some meat to help him build back his strength.

He wasn’t sure why he’d helped him. His mind told him to kill the creature, to devour him. His instincts told him to help him. When one’s mind was not in accord with one’s instincts, bad things happened. Kalian hoped the other would heal quickly so that the balance in his mind and soul would once again return.

His body moved smoothly over fallen trees and brush as he neared the series of stone caves that housed nearly his entire race. There were other smaller pods of families dotting the smaller woods and forests of this world, but they were becoming fewer and fewer. The humans with their need to conquer every aspect of this world in their pursuit of progress had driven his race nearly to extinction, forcing them from their homes in the forests and jungles. The enchantments on this forest were the strongest their kind could create. The humans would be hard pressed to destroy this forest.

“Kalian!” A feminine voice called to him as he entered the main series of tunnels in the den. She sided up beside him pressing close. The smell of her heat was heavy in the air, calling him to sample what she was obviously offering. She was in season and making her desires known. He was the son of their king. Having royal children would cement her position in the hierarchy. He was tempted. It had been nearly a year since he had shared his bed with another.

Something held him back. It wasn’t lack of lust so much as lack of interest in her. He knew it was her scent inflaming his lust, not her personality. He had grown tired of the females who showered him in their affections. Even the few males he’d bedded did not appeal to him any longer. Physical release could just as easily be taken care of with one’s hand. Dealing with another person wasn’t something he was keen on at this moment.

“Not today, Shala.” he moved away from her, entering his private series of rooms. He heard the sound of anger before the female moved away.

“Father.”

Kalian turned to see his son in the doorway. He placed his weapons and bags in their appropriate places before curling his body near the enchanted stones, absorbing the heat they produced, before acknowledging his son.

“Yes, Kanta?”

“Father, I want you to honor me by making me your heir.” Kanta stood proud before his father. His body was lithely muscled. While physically he resembled his father, his coloring was that of his mother; a rich crimson, marked by large black diamonds. He also possessed his mother’s arrogance as well as her tendency for petulance. He’d been young, barely out of his first molt into adulthood when the female, fifteen years his senior, came into heat. His youth prevented him from refusing her and as a result, Kanta was born.

He’d allowed her to raise the boy, finding the thought of playing a father too bothersome in his youth. As a result, Kanta possessed many of the female’s qualities, including her lust for power. Even his own father, King Boran, spoke to Kalian of the dishonor his son brought to his name. In retrospect, he wondered would it have been better had he played more of an active roll in his upbringing.

“I will not name an heir until I am ready.”

“I am your only son!”

“And it is my decision. I’m still young for our kind. I may still sire many more sons and daughters. It is not my right to choose you simply because you are who I have now. There may be future offspring who are better suited to be my heir.” Perhaps it was a bit cruel, but his son needed to be removed from his arrogance. He needed to earn the right to be named his heir, not demand it for simply being his son.

Yellow eyes slitted before he turned and weaved his way from the room, most likely to go cry on his bitch of a mother’s shoulder. Kalian sighed as he rubbed his eyes. It wasn’t Kanta’s fault. He was in a foul mood. His father had been urging him for the last few years to search for a mate. He also sure that his son realized that should he chose a life mate, Kanta would be excluded from being his heir. His son was not stupid and neither was his mother.

He uncoiled himself from the rocks, moving towards the bed. The hiss of his scales across the stone floor was a familiar sound. It comforted him. Exhaustion pulled at him, digging in its viscous claws.

As he settled on the bed of soft pillows, sleep clawed at him. Today had been eventful. Tomorrow looked to be the same if not more so. When he could fight it no longer, he succumbed to the pool, dreaming of creamy pale skin and crystalline blue eyes.

~*~

Kalian slithered low to the ground. The slits of his pupils widened in the darkened forest. The thick canopy of trees blocked out the sun nearly completely in certain areas. Only his predatory senses allowed him the advantage. He smirked as he inched closer to a hare, his dark coloring giving him the perfect camouflage. The thick whiskers on its face twitched, sensing danger but unable to spot it.

A second passed slowly. Then, another. His hand shot out grabbing the animal and deftly breaking its neck. The body jerked spasmodically in his hands for several moments before going limp. He secured the hare to his waist, along with the three others. He supposed that would be enough for him and the Avian.

It was shortly after noon when he glided from canopy and into the warm sun. He instantly had the desire to sun himself upon the boulders surrounding the pond. Perhaps later he would soak up the warmth before going home.

He was surprised to see the Avian kneeling at the edge of the water. He would have thought he would still be in pain from his fall. His eyes narrowed at how one pristine wing was arched behind him while the other hung slightly limp to the side. He’d hoped his wings were not injured. It appeared such wasn’t the case.

“I thought you would be too weak to move about.” he stated, stopping several feet away.

“I was thirsty.”

“Hmph. I brought you food.” Kalian tossed one of the hares and the bag containing the bread towards the other, keeping the other hares for himself.

“Why are you doing this?”

Kalian settled in his coils, swallowing down on hare whole before answering. “I was curious.”

“About me?”

“Yes.”

“Then as thanks, I will satisfy your curiosity.”

“Hmph.” Kalian grunted, swallowing another hair as he felt the first pass through his first stomach. “Your name?”

“Ah, forgive me. I am called Tomas. Might I have the pleasure of yours?” he answered before picking up the hare and proceeding to clean and gut it.

“Kalian. Your wing is injured?” Kalian settled deeper in his coils, watching the other prepare his food.

“The muscles are deeply bruised but thankfully it‘s not broken. I won’t be able to fly for several days, though.”

“Does it hurt?”

“A little.”

“I didn’t believe your kind lived near here. There are few high mountains in this region.”

Tomas smiled, spitting the cleaned corpse before moving to a slightly rockier bit of ground to build his fire. A few whispered words and a mystical fire appeared. It would burn without fuel until the conjuror dismissed it. “My brother wished to prove himself by bringing back the hide of a Naga. I followed to stop him. We battled. Both were injured. My blood loss caused me to crash. Luckily I landed in the water. I don‘t think I would have survived the crash otherwise.”

Kalian grunted, devouring the final hare. A silence fell over the two as the meat crackled on the spit. It was peaceful. He found it amusing that two mortal enemies could sit and talk without killing each other.

“How does it taste?” asked Kalian, breaking the silence. His arms rested on the black scales of his tale, his fingers stroking the clenching muscles beneath.

“It’s good. A bit bland but it will serve its purpose.”

Kalian grunted, relaxing under the warm touch of the sun. “There are more bandages and salve in the bag.”

Tomas finished his meal before disposing of the remains. “Thank you. I would have likely drowned if not for you. You have my gratitude.”

“I don’t want your gratitude.”

“Well, you have it, none the less.” Tomas chuckled.

The sound of the other’s laughter intrigued him. Kalian had never met one such as Tomas. Most, even his own kind, annoyed him with their ceaseless banter, however; this winged man’s rich voice curled around his senses. He could practically taste the sounds of his voice on his tongue, a rich sound like that of sweetened milk.

“May I ask you something?” asked Tomas, his fingers sifting through the thick feathers lining his wings. Kalian inclined his head in acknowledgement.

“May I touch you?”

Kalian blinked a few times, unsure if he’d heard him correctly. “Say again?”

“Your tail, may I touch it?”

He considered the question for a moment. It wasn’t that he cared, but it was strange for someone to ask. Amongst his people, everyone had the scaly lower body of a serpent. The only thing that differed amongst them was the color of their markings. He flicked his tongue nervously before bobbing his head in agreement. “If you allow me to touch your wings.”

Tomas smiled. “Agreed.”

Kalian shifted a bit before moving through the grass until he was beside the other. His muscles jumped as a pale hand reached down to stroke the smooth scales. The rolling of muscles was almost unconscious as the fingers continued stroke down the length of his tail.

“It’s smooth.”

“Did you think it wouldn’t be?”

“I don’t know, I never really thought that an enemy of my people would feel nice, that their appearance would be a deadly beautiful to behold.” Tomas continued to stroke, causing Kalian’s eyes to become hooded with the pleasing feel of it.

“Deadly beautiful?”

“Yes.”

Kalian was startled as a white wing presented itself before his face. He jerked back, a small hissing growl escaping from his lips.

“Ah, forgive me. You wanted to touch them, didn’t you?” Tomas apologized.

Kalian nodded, reaching a hand to stroke the feathers. They were softer than anything he’d ever touched. The down towards the base was fluffy feathers, while the massive primary feathers were stiff. He remembered how Tomas had run his fingers through the feathers along the bones. Doing the same, he was shocked by the moan coming from the other. He jerked his fingers back quickly, afraid he’d hurt him.

“I’m sorry.”

“No…It felt good. The feathers itch horribly during this time of year. Usually our family or mates scratches our wings. Alone, I can only reach certain areas. Would you mind doing that again? I liked it.” Tomas stretched his wings out for Kalian to have better access.

He nodded slowly before running his fingers through the soft feathers to the skin below. Tomas began moaning, his fingers clenching in the warm skin of his tail. Kalian couldn’t stop the thrill of pleasure working through him. Each sound from the other’s mouth sent mirrored tremors working through him from his head to the tip of his tail. The deeper he worked his fingers, the louder the other’s moans became. Even his injured wing was arched back, seeking the touch.

Tomas’s head arched back in pleasure, drawing Kalian’s eyes to his throat. He watched the throbbing beat of his pulse thrumming in the long slender neck. It drew his eyes, and his lust.

Unable to resist the siren’s call to that warm expanse of skin, he leaned close to lap a quick taste. The other jerked in response but shuddered once more as Kalian’s fingers pressed deeper, messaging the muscles.

“What are you doing?” groaned Tomas, shivers running through his entire body.

“I don’t know.” Kalian whispered, stroking his tongue up the neck, tasting the slightly salty flavor before nibbling upward across the hair less skin of his jaw. “You taste good.”

“I…”

Kalian shuddered, his trembling matching Tomas’s. He curled his tail around them both in a protective motion, drawing the other closer. He could hear the hitches in the other’s breath as he rubbed his lips against Tomas’s damp ones. His tongue flicked out teasingly, taunting Tomas before dipping inside.

His mind screamed at him, demanding to know why he was kissing the enemy. He couldn’t answer the demands as his own physical needs far out weighed that of his common sense. His body moved with no thought other than the insatiable need to touch and taste the pale skin before him.

“You…shouldn’t. We…shouldn’t.” sighed Tomas.

Kalian nodded, pulling away reluctantly. He felt both relieved and distraught at the same time. It was a new feeling. This desire to touch the enemy was eating him alive. He knew it was wrong. He knew he should return to his home and not come again to the clearing until the other left. He knew all this and yet, he was pulled by some unnamable force to be with him, to protect him as he recovered.

His hands reached for his discarded weapons, staring at the carved wood of the bow. He should leave and not come back. He should…for both their sakes. He turned, his powerful tail taking him towards the woods and his home.

“Will you come tomorrow?” The question gave him cause to pause. The unspoken need in the words tore at his insides. He could do no other than answer. He nodded slowly, the fading sunlight sparkling in his golden eyes.

~*~

“Father, take me hunting with you.” Kanta’s whining voice grated his nerves as he secured his quiver and bow.

“Not today.” Kalian answered abruptly.

“You mean never. You treat me as if I’m not even here. Every day you go off alone into the forest, returning after sundown. You refuse to allow me to accompany you. I am your son. Start acting like a father.”

“I sired you, but I am not your father. You are the product of a power hungry female and an inexperienced male. You should find your own way in this world without seeking to walk in another’s shadow, allowing them to do the work and you reap the benefits.” he snapped, pushing past the boy.

In retrospect, it was probably a foolish thing to say. He knew the nature of his son…no, he was not his son. A more appropriate term would be offspring.

He knew, and yet he foolishly assumed the boy would remain close to court and his mother. His thoughts were so encompassed in thoughts of Tomas; he didn’t sense the presence tailing him through the forest. Today was their last time together. He wanted to arrive early, before Tomas left.

He knew it was foolish to grow attached to one such as him. They could never be together. The Avians needed the sky while the Naga’s needed the ground. A snake loving a bird. It would be a topic of jest if word ever got out.

He cleared the forest to find Tomas standing at the edge of the pool, almost in the exact spot as he had a week earlier. Both wings arched behind him, completely healed. Kalian watched as he beat the air with them a few times, sending ripples across the pool.

“You are leaving today.” The words were not a question, but a statement because he already knew the answer.

For the past week, he’d survived on stolen kisses, always knowing they would have the next day together. He wanted the other, not for a quick joining of bodies but for his mate. He wanted, but could not have. They would both be killed, at the very least Tomas would be killed and he would be exiled to survive the coming winter out in the elements. Tomas leaving was for the best.

His hands clenched at the burning pain coursing through him. He wanted it all. He knew he couldn’t have everything but wasn’t stopped from wanting it.

“I dare not stay any longer. My people will come searching if I tarry. Kalian…” Tomas reached a hand to stroke down the tanned cheek.

“Don’t say it.” Kalian ordered, averting his eyes to the pain filled orbs before him.

“Alright.”

“May I ask one thing?”

“Of course.”

Kalian lifted his averted eyes to the other’s. “Why is our kind at war?”

Tomas’s eyes widened before it was his turn to lower his gaze. “I don’t know. May I ask you something?”

“Yes.”

“Will you kiss me?” He purposefully left off the words, one last time. He didn’t want it to be the last time. He held hope of seeing Kalian again. He needed that hope to carry back with him to the kingdom amidst the clouds. He needed it to sustain him for what was to come.

Kalian moved closer, his fingers rose to lift golden hair to his face. His tongue flicked over the strands, taking in both the scent and flavor. He wanted to memorize the taste and texture of it.

“Will you?” Tomas asked again.

“Yes.” Kalian hissed, lifting his body with his large tail so that they were at equal height. He released the hair in favor of running his fingers over Tomas’s chiseled lips before replacing his fingers with his jealous lips.

The other sucked in a breath as he felt the harsh press of desperation. It felt as if they would expire from the need. Tongues danced along each other, knowing this would be the last time. Kalian was careful to avoid cutting Tomas with his fangs as their lips parted only to slam into each other again. It was need, longing, and desperation all rolled into one kiss.

Tomas’s hands drifted to stroke the area where skin flowed into scales. His fingers stroked the cool scales, feeling the muscles bunch and shift beneath his fingers. He wanted to be devoured by the creature that held a part of his soul wrapped within his coils.

Neither heard the shocked gasp. They did not hear the angry hiss or the thoughts of grandeur that sparkled through the young Naga’s mind. It was only the notching of an arrow that reached Kalian’s ears. He only had moments to spare as he shoved Tomas to the ground as the arrow was let fly.

He screamed out as it plunged deep into his shoulder. Tomas was on his feet, spotting the red and black Naga at the tree line. He reached to assist Kalian, only to barely miss being impaled as a second arrow flew by.

“You have betrayed us. I will kill you both and bring honor to my mother.” screamed Kanta, drawing another arrow from his quiver.

Kalian was faster, grasping his own bow and drawing an arrow from the quiver, he ignored the pain as he drew back the string and let it fly. He closed his eyes at the gurgling sound of blood rising in his son’s throat. The arrow had struck true.

Kanta fell into the clearing. His body writhed around as his fingers clawed at his throat from where an arrow protruded. Citrine colored eyes, much like his own glared up at him in both fear and anger. “You…have…betrayed…us.”

Kalian pulled his son into his arms as the body shuddered, spasms rocking the frame. Bubbles of blood pooled around the shaft of the arrow before the body went still, eyes dull in death. Kalian wept silent tears. He was right. He had betrayed them. He had killed his son to save the enemy. His own feelings didn’t matter. He had betrayed his son.

“Kalian…”

“Leave.”

“Kalian, I can’t leave you like this.”

“I said leave. I must return my son’s body to the clan and face my own judgment.”

“Your son…No! Come with me. I will protect you.”

Kalian felt tears run afresh down his cheeks. “No. I will face my judgment. I will not disgrace my father any more.”

“Please I lo…”

“Don’t say it! When next we meet, we may be enemies. I am a warrior. I can not allow emotions to rule me. Leave.”

Tomas bowed his head, realizing there was no stopping his decision. “I won’t forget you, or what I feel. It was a moment in paradise.”

The beats of powerful wings stirred the dirt and grass as he lifted from the ground. Kalian refused to watch him disappear in the distance, continuing to hold his son. It would be easier if he didn’t watch.

Lifting Kanta into his arms, he began the slow trek back to the den. Several Naga were sunning themselves on the rocks as he approached. The calls of welcome turned to the screams of anguish as Kanta’s mother, Sinari rushed to take her son from his arms.

“Kanta!” she repeated his name over and over, her tail flailing around in her anguish.

“What happened?” asked a clan member, his eyes staring at the scene in horror.

“I killed him.” answered Kalian.

“You!” Sinari hissed, placing her son on the ground before charging Kalian, her fangs bared for the kill.

A few of the clansmen took her to the ground before she could reach him. Her body flailed wildly as she screamed out in grief stricken madness. Her hands clawed at those who held her prostrate.

“I will face my father’s judgment.” stated Kalian emotionless, his own tears having already been spent.

“I will see you executed for this.” she screamed, a few of the others looking on in shock and dismay. They were unsure what to believe.

An emergency session of the council was called. If King Boran was distraught about the subject at hand, he displayed not indication of it, calling to order the session with his normal booming voice. All present were silent in his presence, including Sinari.

“Kalian, son of Boran, you claim to have killed your only offspring, Kanta. What say you?” boomed King Boran, his eyes cold and calculating like the serpent he was.

“I killed him. The arrow from his throat bears my mark. I am fully prepared to face my judgment.” Kalian answered, his eyes meeting his father’s.

Boran’s eyes narrowed as he gazed upon his only son, the heir of his throne. “Elders, what say you?”

“Murdering of one’s own deserves the harshest punishment, death.” answered Co, the oldest of the elders.

“Death is too easy. I say banishment. He deserves to suffer the coming winter in the elements. It would surely kill him.” The Elder Lin replied.

Boran sighed, the first sigh of him being unwilling to punish his son. “Very well. Kalian you are stricken from the records. Your status of my son is revoked and you are hereby banished to the wastelands for your deeds against not only your species, but your son. From this day forward, your name will be forgotten. May the Gods have pity on you, granting you a merciful death.”

Kalian bowed his head as the judgment was pronounced. He’d hoped for death but it was not to be. The wastelands were a harsh area at the northern border of the forest. There was little food and even less water. He would be hard pressed to survive to see winter. It was a fitting punishment.

A group of royal guards escorted him to the border. One of them pressed a pouch and his bow and quiver in his hand. “A gift from your father.” was all he said. Inside the pouch was a week’s ration of food and water. He was unsure whether it was more punishment or a hope from his father that he survives the winter.

As the sun began setting in the west, he stared at the darkened forest. Pain continued to thrum through him with each beat of his heart. The memories of his days in paradise continued to play through his mind. They offered comfort in the face of his suffering. He supposed if he had a dying wish, it would be to see Tomas again. He longed to be enveloped in the white wings.

Turning from the forest, he began making his way across the cooling ground. The rocks and dead tree limbs felt harsh on his underbelly compared to the soft ground beneath the canopy of the forest. The bleak world before him was alight by only the moon. His world was dead, leaving him alone. It was only fitting punishment for his sins against his son and his people. It was fitting punishment because he held no regrets where Tomas was concerned. He would carry those warm summer days in his heart until breath left his body and his soul returned to the earth.