It was a crisp, clear winter morning. Though she was immune to its effects, she could feel the cold permeating the air. A thin blanket of frost covered the landscape, the sun’s weak rays reflecting off the tiny ice crystals, creating an ethereal beauty seldom seen where she came from.
Honking softly, a flight of geese banked and landed gently on the water.
She sensed that people didn’t come here very often during the cold months. It was too dangerous. They lost their way in the marshes, and succumbed to the elements. Yet, even in winter, the wetlands teemed with life, innumerable birds migrating away from the inhospitable northern wastes.
These things she knew, but she couldn’t yet remember how. She sensed that this was her home, though it had not always been so. It was just where she was meant to be right now. She needed to play her part, whatever it was.
All would become clear soon, she was sure. It always did.
People didn’t come here, yet the sound of horns and shouting suddenly shattered the tranquillity; people yelling in the distance, and dogs baying in excitement.
Someone was being hunted. Hunted amongst the reed beds, through the treacherous waterways, and along the secret trails. Out there, in the cold light of a new day, someone was trying to escape; desperately tired, hungry, and perhaps hurt. Possibly they had been on the run all night. They would be looking for sanctuary amongst these secluded islands. Somewhere dry, and warm.
She could provide that. Was, perhaps, meant to provide that. Her home was warm and dry. More importantly, it was hidden.
Closing her eyes, she raised her head to the sky. Reaching out with her mind, seeking with her senses, she became aware of him; could feel him.
Yes, she thought. It was a him. And she was right. He needed her.
She set off, moving silently and effortlessly across the landscape.
It was the first time she had been this way, yet she knew exactly where she was going. She didn’t know how she knew. Only that she did. And this much was clear; she needed to find the quarry first. That was important, though she did not yet remember why.
The memories always took a while to return.
As she neared, she slowed, reaching out once more with her mind. She could feel the cold more intensely now, though there was still no discomfort. But with her sharpened awareness, she was conscious of everything as she glided through the undergrowth. Searching, her keen eyes and ears missed nothing, so attuned were her senses to every sound, both natural and unnatural.
She heard a commotion close by; someone in distress, crashing blindly through the rushes. Someone being pursued.
She came upon him suddenly. Up to his thighs in the water, he was harried and looked exhausted. Their eyes met, and she saw the wild look of the hunted. Pain too was etched on his face. Startled, he reacted instinctively, reaching for his sword.
She moved quickly to his side, holding his hand in place on the grip, reassuring him.
“Do not worry. I am not here to harm you. Come with me, and I will make you safe from your pursuers,” she said calmly.
The man hesitated, undecided. She could see he was near the end of his strength, but there was determination in him—an unwillingness to give up. And wariness too; he didn’t know her—didn’t know if she was friend, or foe.
His eyes were such a vivid, startling blue. They were captivating, and had a quality that made her catch her breath.
Now wasn’t the time...
She looked directly into those enchanting eyes, and spoke to his mind.
You can trust me. I am here to help.
He looked confused now, a puzzled frown on his face.
“What…?”
The shouts were getting closer. She made a decision; it would be easier. Reaching up, she cupped his face in her hands and kissed him. Energy coursed, seeming to flow from her lips and, in a moment, he sighed and lost consciousness.
She lifted him out of the water, bearing his weight easily. She was inordinately strong; a trait of her lineage. Carrying him would be no more taxing than lifting a feather.
Before continuing, she scattered a handful of powder around them, murmuring an incantation as she did so. Manoeuvring him into a comfortable position, she silently sped off.
Behind her, she heard confusion, as the pursuers reached the point where she had discovered him.
She quickly reached her home. Almost invisible to the eye, on a low-lying island covered in dense woodland, the dwelling appeared to merge into the hillside. It was covered in a tangle of sod and creeper, giving it a look of casual neglect.
The marshes were constantly changing. Pathways came and went; islands grew and shrank with the seasons. Many things were hidden here, some not intended to be found by man. This was one such place.
It was home, but not home; familiar, yet unfamiliar. Having never been here before, but with the knowledge and certainty of her kind, she entered through its hidden entrance.
Inside, it was one, spacious room. In the centre was a large table. A well-established fire heated the interior, making it cosy, and warm. Light was provided by simple lantern’s; candles inside metal frames.
She got her first really good look at the man. She noted the strong features on his face; high cheekbones, long nose, and wide mouth. His beard was the colour of straw. She guessed he was perhaps thirty years old.
Setting him down on the table, she carefully stripped and examined him. As she did so, she noted his fit, lithe frame. She smiled to herself when she saw his manhood. It lay flaccid, on one side, but was full of promise. Lifting it, she felt the warmth as it responded naturally to her touch.
Later, perhaps...
He had been seriously wounded, and had lost a lot of blood from the deep cuts he had sustained. He had two broken ribs, possibly more. She could also smell infection. She thought he would most likely have died within a few hours without her help. She would need to use her healing magic.
The magic of the Naiads.
Now she knew why she was here. At least in part.
He was also suffering from exposure to the cold. He must have been out all night. She cleaned his wounds and washed him carefully, preparing him for her magic.
The potion she prepared was strong. It would knit the bones together, and excise the infection. The accompanying spell would speed the healing, and aid his physical recovery. It would also, with time, give him increased strength.
But most important, was her laying on of hands. With this, she would engage his spirit, and could imbue him with a new energy and resilience. It would also help open his mind.
When she was ready, and had helped him to drink her potion, she clasped her hands together, and invoked the power of the Naiads.
“Artemis, hear me, help me heal this man, give him the love and power from my heart that will make him whole again. Let him open himself to me, and allow me to mend his conflicted soul.”
Then, in an ancient language, she recited the powerful words of her spell and felt her magic gathering. As she laid her hands on his chest, the energy starting to build and flow through her body. The power in her began to saturate her patient with a new life-force; something that would stay forever within him, and aid him in his struggles.
She felt the heat in the room rising as her hands did their work. A glow started to emanate from her, shimmering, creeping from her heart, down through her hands, and into the man’s chest. She kept the energy coursing through her for several minutes, before she started to weaken. When she finally released him, she was drained.
He would sleep now, while the magic completed its work on his damaged body. His mind, however, was another matter.
-----
“Am I in heaven?”
She turned. He was awake at last; his eyes were open, and their clear blue seemed to sparkle in the firelight. Seeing him look at her with those eyes, she felt a surprising churn in her stomach.
He appeared alert, though a little befuddled, which was only to be expected, given what he had experienced during the last few days.
“Who are you?” Perplexed, he stared, seeing her unusual features, and her strange clothes for the first time. His frown deepened.
“Wh- what are you?” he stuttered. “Are you an angel?”
Was she so very different? She knew her appearance often unsettled people—men in particular. Her intense green eyes, and vibrant, chestnut hair accompanied an alabaster, hour-glass body. She was barefoot, and wore a sleeveless silk gown, belted at the waist. Not needed for warmth, it served little purpose other than to provide a little modesty.
She was silent whilst she contemplated what to tell him.
“You are not in Heaven. It is not yet your time. And what I am is not important. Only that I saved you, and brought you here to my home for safety, and to recover.”
“Save me? I was wounded?”
“Yes. Your wounds were quite serious.” She hesitated, feeling her way with him.
“Serious enough that I needed to use magic to heal you.”
His expression turned guarded.
“Magic… Magic is not something I can condone. It is ungodly.”
Inwardly, she sighed. Men were such stubborn fools, sometimes.
“Yet your God has allowed you to be saved by me. I wonder why that is?”
He frowned.
“I am grateful for you saving me, but if you are a witch, I must leave you at once.”
“Must you? What is your name, strange man who does not want to be healed?”
Now he looked almost ashamed.
“I – I’m sorry. I cannot tell you that.”
“Well, I will tell you this, man with no name. I carried you here, and I have healed your wounds. You are still weak, but your strength will return in time. If you take the medicines I prepare for you, you will be stronger than before.” She paused.
“But you must put your preconceptions to one side, and trust me. If you do that, you will leave here the better for it. Can you do that? Can you trust me?”
“How can I trust someone who uses magic? Witches and sorcerers are the devil’s work.”
“How can you not? Without me, you would already be dead.”
She sighed again.
“I am neither witch, nor sorcerer. I am… something else.
What more could she say? It would mean nothing to him. Much was misunderstood about her, and her kind.
“You were guided here, to me, and I am the one who can help you. It is important that you stay with me, to rest, and to recover your strength. There are things you must learn.”
“What things?”
She was remembering more now. She was part of the sisterhood. They had a crucial part to play. Things were becoming clearer.
Two things. There were two tasks for her here, she realized.
The first was to save him. To heal his body. She had begun that process. But there was something else. Something more vital than just healing. She looked inside herself to see what it was.
Yes. She could see it now.
Clearly, this man was intelligent; educated. He had insight, and an ability to make decisions. Yet he lacked a valuable ingredient; he needed something else in order to be able to fulfil his future.
She needed to teach him to love. This he had not yet learned. This was why she had been chosen, rather than one of her sisters. She had to put him on the right track; teach him to love, and to accept people for who they were. Only then would he truly be ready.
“What is your purpose?” she asked.
His habitual frown reappeared.
“I – I am to lead my people. I wish to unite the kingdoms into one. That is, I believe, my destiny.” He hesitated. “But things are not going well.”
“I can help you. Your life has taught you much. But you have other things to learn. Important things.”
“What do you mean?”
She could not tell him that. Not yet. He must be shown.
“You are at a crossroads, and must learn the right path to tread. Only then, can you truly unite your people. I can show you these things, but first, you must trust me,” she said firmly.
“Now. You must be hungry. Why not refresh yourself whilst I prepare supper, and then we can eat?”
Once he’d cleaned up, she served him a simple stew of fish and vegetables with hunks of bread, washed down with ale. He looked better for the food; more amenable. Now he was more relaxed, she beckoned him towards the sleeping area.
“Come and lie here, with me. There is something I want to show you.”
“You have been most kind, however…”
She could feel his hesitancy. Was he afraid…? Once more, she took the initiative, and kissed him softly on his lips.
And if there was just a little bit of magic in her kiss, who was she to tell?
Stunned, his eyes opened wide, his breath catching in his throat.
“Now, will you let me show you?” she whispered.
Slowly, he nodded.
She untied the drawstring of his trousers and slid her hand inside. He gasped as she found what she wanted with her fingers, and began to fondle him.
He quickly began to stiffen, the last vestiges of resistance evaporating at her delicate touch. He groaned as she stroked him.
Encouraged, she tugged down his trousers and knelt between his legs. As she continued to manipulate him, she started to tease his balls with her lips and tongue. Smiling to herself, she slipped his cock between her lips. His manhood was impressive, but she was used to such things, and relished his length and girth.
Carefully, she slid his full length into her mouth until the hairs on his stomach tickled her nose. She slowly began to move her head up and down, at the same time cupping his sensitive balls; a wandering finger slipped along his perineum, startling him.
His excitement was building, and she could feel him ready to explode.
Not yet...
Stopping, she stood and kissed him, sliding her tongue between his lips, gently exploring his mouth. He responded, and his passion for her started to grow more ardent.
