K.C. Warwick
BRIEF ENCOUNTER
(An episode from ‘One Elf Too Many’ from Kevin’s point of view.)
The thing about the Great Forest, Kevin reflected as he led his party along the track, was that you couldn’t relax for a moment. He had been through many times now, and was quite good at recognizing the elves’ booby traps, but you could never be sure that they weren’t going to come up with something different. He glanced behind at his party, three prosperous merchants whom he’d taken through more than once before. They were no trouble, always did as they were told because they were well aware of what might happen if they didn’t.
A flash of light caught his eye and he glanced round quickly, but it was only a shard of glass from a broken bottle. They had had to hide from a party of elves earlier on and Kevin was hoping that this wasn’t a sign that they were going to be active during the night to come. He was tired and could do with a good night’s sleep, though it was unlikely he’d get it. Even if the elves didn’t disturb them, his own thoughts were enough to keep him awake. There was no getting away from it, he felt depressed. He had no home to speak of, except his quarters in the warrior hypermarket in Hummingdell, and certainly no one to go home to. His last relationship had broken up weeks ago and he was beginning to wonder if he’d ever find the right person. A few years ago, it wouldn’t have mattered but he was twenty six now, and he wanted someone to miss him when he was away and give him a proper welcome -- preferably including hot sex -- when he came home.
He’d been with Hailey for three months, but it had never been much of a success. She hadn’t wanted the same things that he did. You spend more time looking at your fellow bodyguards than you do at me. Why don’t you try your luck with one of them? But I suppose they’d resent your overwhelming desire to protect your partner even more than I do. I don’t need you to look after me, Kevin. I can do it myself.
A bird flew overhead, which was unusual enough for him to check it out carefully, but it seemed natural enough, or as natural as anything was in the Great Forest.
What was wrong with wanting to protect people? That was what he was trained to do, and in all modesty, he knew that he did it very well. A woman seemed the obvious answer -- weren’t they supposed to be helpless and glad of a strong arm to fend off danger? He thought of his mother, who was the complete opposite. Well, surely she was in a minority. The trouble was, he had to admit that Hailey was right in one respect -- he did prefer men. But how many men wanted to be protected and looked after? He drew the line at ballet dancers and hairdressers…
The sun was beginning to set and Kevin decided to make for the cave as the safest place to spend the night. He quickened the pace a little, watching carefully to make sure his party could keep up, but they seemed anxious to reach a place of safety and he didn’t blame them. He began to search the undergrowth carefully for the path to the cave entrance. He wouldn’t put it past the elves to have altered things so that travelers missed it.
A slight noise ahead made him halt, listening intently, but there was nothing to be heard and he led the merchants on. One of them asked wearily, “How much further? I can’t walk any more.”
He shot the man an encouraging smile. “We must be right upon it. Ah yes, I thought so.” He spotted the faint path and was about to lead his party forward when there was a sudden piercing whistle from the undergrowth ahead. Kevin wheeled round, knife in hand, his heart beating, and then he recognized the two-note signal. It was no surprise to see Marta emerge from the bushes onto the track, though the company she was leading did provoke a quick glance of amazement. She was followed by a young man, a dwarf and what appeared to be a brass cauldron.
“Hello, Kevin. If we were elves we’d have had you.”
Trust his mother to criticize his reaction time. He sheathed his knife with a sigh of relief. “Hi, Mum. I didn’t know you were working this route today. I take it you’re heading for the cave too?” The young man, scarcely more than a boy, was brown haired and brown eyed, and looked completely bewildered. “Oh well. There’s plenty of room.” He glanced round at the merchants. “Come on. This way.”
The cave was scarcely the epitome of luxury, but at least he’d have his mother to swap gossip with. And that young man was worthy of a second look… “Better not risk a fire, I suppose? Okay folks, let’s get comfortable.” He’d got eyes like a deer’s, soft and long-lashed, and he looked about as wary as deer cornered by hunters.
Making sure that his party were unpacking their bedding and food, Kevin put down his own bedroll, picked up some dried rations and joined his mother at the cave entrance. “So, who’s this?” he asked quietly, with a jerk of his head in the young man’s direction.
Marta looked up from the knife she was polishing and gave him a discerning look. “Name’s Amber. Nice lad but very confused. He escaped from the dungeons of Edric the Invisible --” Kevin whistled softly, “-- but doesn’t seem to know what he’s doing now. Please don’t make him more confused than he is already.”
“I was only looking. He’s quite cute.”
“Hmm.” She studied him thoughtfully, then evidently decided to leave it. “Seen anything of the others?”
He told her as much as he could remember of his siblings doings, and of course she asked about Hailey. He skirted over the painful topic, but thinking about his unsatisfactory love life made him restless. He jumped to his feet and went over to where the young man was sitting. Amber glanced up at him, startled and apprehensive. He had a fine-boned face, of which the eyes were the dominant feature, and he was giving the deer impression again.
“So, Amber, Mum tells me you escaped from Edric the Invisible. That’s quite a feat.” Especially for someone who looked as if he’d have problems getting served in a pub.
“Um -- well, it was more by luck than judgment,” Amber looked slightly ashamed. “I don’t really know how I did it.” Kevin could feel the touch of those brown eyes on his skin. “I wish I knew why I was supposed to ask him for help.”
He’d been told to ask Edric for help? Kevin felt a burst of indignation. Talk about sending lambs to the slaughter. He frowned. “Who told you to do that?” If I meet him, I’ll break his neck.
“I don’t know. I can’t remember who I am, or anything about me. All I know is that I have to rescue someone from somewhere, and that I was to ask Edric the Invisible for help.”
“But you have rescued someone,” Kevin pointed out, his indignation growing. Someone really had it in for the kid. “You rescued the dwarf, though I have to say that I can’t think why.” Because a more obnoxious specimen you couldn’t wish to meet.
“Perhaps that doesn’t count. I mean, he just sort of tagged along with me.” Amber sighed. “It’s all very confusing.”
Another illogical emotion took hold of Kevin, this time to comfort and soothe. He wanted to gather Amber up in his arms and hug him, but it was probably better not to. “I shouldn’t worry about it. I daresay it’ll sort itself out. Are you going to stay long in Hummingdell? I’ll be back there myself in a day or two. We could meet up somewhere perhaps?” This was much faster than he usually worked, but he felt a sense of urgency, as if Amber might get away if he didn’t make sure of him. He wondered rather belatedly whether he would frighten Amber off with his forwardness, so he tried the effect of a smile.
The smile he got in return made him feel light-headed. Surely this couldn’t happen on a few minutes acquaintance? Amber said shyly, “That would be really --”
Then his mother’s voice cut into this idyll. “Kevin, I think you’d better get back over here again. We’ve got some rather unwelcome company.”
If this was just a ploy to distract him from Amber, he was going to have serious words with her. Unfortunately, it was not. The elves were so numerous and so wild, that he thought with irony that he was probably going to be killed, just when he’d found someone who really interested him.
He was pleased to see that Amber had the guts to come to the front of the cave and watch what was going on, even though he seemed understandably apprehensive. He had some very odd ideas about elves too. They survived the first attack and were readying themselves for the follow-up, when the strangest thing happened --stranger even than the inexplicable attraction Kevin felt for Amber. Amber’s cauldron emitted some blue sparks as if it was going to ignite, then the elves just packed up and rode away.
He and Marta followed them a short distance to be sure, then returned to the cave. “Either it’s some new trick they’ve thought up, or else we’ve been incredibly lucky,” Kevin remarked. He’d certainly never seen that happen before, but then it was a day of surprises.
His mother was talking to Amber about the cauldron, and Kevin tried to decide how far he could push it with the sleeping arrangements. He really wanted to have Amber at his side, where Kevin could keep an eye on him, and maybe enjoy a cuddle as well. He didn’t like the thought of Amber all on his own, probably worried sick and frightened to death. “Why don’t you come over here with me, Amber? It’s a lot smoother where I am.”
He might have known his mother wouldn’t let him get away with that. “Kevin, the smoothest thing in this cave is you. Leave Amber to me. I’ll protect him -- it’s what I’m being paid for. Amber, stay where you are, it’s safer.” She gave her son a small smile and a shake of the head, and he had to trust her judgment.
“You’re such a spoilsport, Mum. How can I chat anyone up with you around?” He tried to convey without words the sentiment that if he never saw Amber again, it would be her fault.
“You boys think about nothing but sex. Besides, Amber doesn’t know who he is, so how can he possibly decide whether he wants to go with you or not?” She was probably right, but all the same, he’d have liked to do a bit of protecting.
Amber looked rather disappointed too, but he just gave Kevin another of those smiles and settled down where he was bidden.
Kevin joined Marta at the cave entrance for a last look out. “Seems quiet enough,” she said. “Funny that.” Then she gave him another of those perceptive looks and added in a low voice, “Don’t rush Amber. It strikes me he doesn’t know very much about the world, and at the moment he has quite a few problems. You’ll see him again in Hummingdell -- you’ll be back with another party in a couple of days, won’t you? -- and if he shows signs of leaving there, I’ll make sure I get a forwarding address.” She smiled at her son. “He seems a nice boy. Just what you need.”
“Thanks, Mum.” He patted her on the shoulder. As mothers went, she really wasn’t at all bad.
Then he fetched his sleeping roll and settled down for the night. The dwarf was snoring loudly, but even that couldn’t cloud his optimism.
* * *
Kevin slept well but he thought Amber looked tired as they ate their breakfast at first light. While they were all packing up, he wandered over casually and said, ““Don’t forget I’m coming to Hummingdell before long. I’d really like to see you around.”
Amber gave him a tentative, hopeful smile, like a deer watching the huntsmen pack up for the night and go home. “I’d like that too.” That was all he said, but those brown eyes seemed to tell Kevin a whole lot more.
“Good.” Kevin reached out and squeezed his shoulder gently. There was nothing of him. He really needed someone to take care of him, and Kevin was determined that he was going to fill the position. He made himself let go, and turned away. “See you when you get back, Mum.”
She waved her hand and started to gather her charges together. He got the merchants moving and they set off down the track. He didn’t look back, in case Amber wasn’t watching.
The quicker he delivered his clients to their base, the quicker he could get started on the return journey to Hummingdell. Maybe if his next party were fit enough, he might be able to get through in a day on the return trip… No harm in trying. A call from behind drew his attention.
“Hey, Kevin, slow down, will you? We can’t keep up.”
“Sorry.”
He slowed his pace, humming to himself cheerfully. Suddenly the track through the forest seemed much brighter than it had done yesterday.
(An episode from ‘One Elf Too Many’ from Kevin’s point of view.)
The thing about the Great Forest, Kevin reflected as he led his party along the track, was that you couldn’t relax for a moment. He had been through many times now, and was quite good at recognizing the elves’ booby traps, but you could never be sure that they weren’t going to come up with something different. He glanced behind at his party, three prosperous merchants whom he’d taken through more than once before. They were no trouble, always did as they were told because they were well aware of what might happen if they didn’t.
A flash of light caught his eye and he glanced round quickly, but it was only a shard of glass from a broken bottle. They had had to hide from a party of elves earlier on and Kevin was hoping that this wasn’t a sign that they were going to be active during the night to come. He was tired and could do with a good night’s sleep, though it was unlikely he’d get it. Even if the elves didn’t disturb them, his own thoughts were enough to keep him awake. There was no getting away from it, he felt depressed. He had no home to speak of, except his quarters in the warrior hypermarket in Hummingdell, and certainly no one to go home to. His last relationship had broken up weeks ago and he was beginning to wonder if he’d ever find the right person. A few years ago, it wouldn’t have mattered but he was twenty six now, and he wanted someone to miss him when he was away and give him a proper welcome -- preferably including hot sex -- when he came home.
He’d been with Hailey for three months, but it had never been much of a success. She hadn’t wanted the same things that he did. You spend more time looking at your fellow bodyguards than you do at me. Why don’t you try your luck with one of them? But I suppose they’d resent your overwhelming desire to protect your partner even more than I do. I don’t need you to look after me, Kevin. I can do it myself.
A bird flew overhead, which was unusual enough for him to check it out carefully, but it seemed natural enough, or as natural as anything was in the Great Forest.
What was wrong with wanting to protect people? That was what he was trained to do, and in all modesty, he knew that he did it very well. A woman seemed the obvious answer -- weren’t they supposed to be helpless and glad of a strong arm to fend off danger? He thought of his mother, who was the complete opposite. Well, surely she was in a minority. The trouble was, he had to admit that Hailey was right in one respect -- he did prefer men. But how many men wanted to be protected and looked after? He drew the line at ballet dancers and hairdressers…
The sun was beginning to set and Kevin decided to make for the cave as the safest place to spend the night. He quickened the pace a little, watching carefully to make sure his party could keep up, but they seemed anxious to reach a place of safety and he didn’t blame them. He began to search the undergrowth carefully for the path to the cave entrance. He wouldn’t put it past the elves to have altered things so that travelers missed it.
A slight noise ahead made him halt, listening intently, but there was nothing to be heard and he led the merchants on. One of them asked wearily, “How much further? I can’t walk any more.”
He shot the man an encouraging smile. “We must be right upon it. Ah yes, I thought so.” He spotted the faint path and was about to lead his party forward when there was a sudden piercing whistle from the undergrowth ahead. Kevin wheeled round, knife in hand, his heart beating, and then he recognized the two-note signal. It was no surprise to see Marta emerge from the bushes onto the track, though the company she was leading did provoke a quick glance of amazement. She was followed by a young man, a dwarf and what appeared to be a brass cauldron.
“Hello, Kevin. If we were elves we’d have had you.”
Trust his mother to criticize his reaction time. He sheathed his knife with a sigh of relief. “Hi, Mum. I didn’t know you were working this route today. I take it you’re heading for the cave too?” The young man, scarcely more than a boy, was brown haired and brown eyed, and looked completely bewildered. “Oh well. There’s plenty of room.” He glanced round at the merchants. “Come on. This way.”
The cave was scarcely the epitome of luxury, but at least he’d have his mother to swap gossip with. And that young man was worthy of a second look… “Better not risk a fire, I suppose? Okay folks, let’s get comfortable.” He’d got eyes like a deer’s, soft and long-lashed, and he looked about as wary as deer cornered by hunters.
Making sure that his party were unpacking their bedding and food, Kevin put down his own bedroll, picked up some dried rations and joined his mother at the cave entrance. “So, who’s this?” he asked quietly, with a jerk of his head in the young man’s direction.
Marta looked up from the knife she was polishing and gave him a discerning look. “Name’s Amber. Nice lad but very confused. He escaped from the dungeons of Edric the Invisible --” Kevin whistled softly, “-- but doesn’t seem to know what he’s doing now. Please don’t make him more confused than he is already.”
“I was only looking. He’s quite cute.”
“Hmm.” She studied him thoughtfully, then evidently decided to leave it. “Seen anything of the others?”
He told her as much as he could remember of his siblings doings, and of course she asked about Hailey. He skirted over the painful topic, but thinking about his unsatisfactory love life made him restless. He jumped to his feet and went over to where the young man was sitting. Amber glanced up at him, startled and apprehensive. He had a fine-boned face, of which the eyes were the dominant feature, and he was giving the deer impression again.
“So, Amber, Mum tells me you escaped from Edric the Invisible. That’s quite a feat.” Especially for someone who looked as if he’d have problems getting served in a pub.
“Um -- well, it was more by luck than judgment,” Amber looked slightly ashamed. “I don’t really know how I did it.” Kevin could feel the touch of those brown eyes on his skin. “I wish I knew why I was supposed to ask him for help.”
He’d been told to ask Edric for help? Kevin felt a burst of indignation. Talk about sending lambs to the slaughter. He frowned. “Who told you to do that?” If I meet him, I’ll break his neck.
“I don’t know. I can’t remember who I am, or anything about me. All I know is that I have to rescue someone from somewhere, and that I was to ask Edric the Invisible for help.”
“But you have rescued someone,” Kevin pointed out, his indignation growing. Someone really had it in for the kid. “You rescued the dwarf, though I have to say that I can’t think why.” Because a more obnoxious specimen you couldn’t wish to meet.
“Perhaps that doesn’t count. I mean, he just sort of tagged along with me.” Amber sighed. “It’s all very confusing.”
Another illogical emotion took hold of Kevin, this time to comfort and soothe. He wanted to gather Amber up in his arms and hug him, but it was probably better not to. “I shouldn’t worry about it. I daresay it’ll sort itself out. Are you going to stay long in Hummingdell? I’ll be back there myself in a day or two. We could meet up somewhere perhaps?” This was much faster than he usually worked, but he felt a sense of urgency, as if Amber might get away if he didn’t make sure of him. He wondered rather belatedly whether he would frighten Amber off with his forwardness, so he tried the effect of a smile.
The smile he got in return made him feel light-headed. Surely this couldn’t happen on a few minutes acquaintance? Amber said shyly, “That would be really --”
Then his mother’s voice cut into this idyll. “Kevin, I think you’d better get back over here again. We’ve got some rather unwelcome company.”
If this was just a ploy to distract him from Amber, he was going to have serious words with her. Unfortunately, it was not. The elves were so numerous and so wild, that he thought with irony that he was probably going to be killed, just when he’d found someone who really interested him.
He was pleased to see that Amber had the guts to come to the front of the cave and watch what was going on, even though he seemed understandably apprehensive. He had some very odd ideas about elves too. They survived the first attack and were readying themselves for the follow-up, when the strangest thing happened --stranger even than the inexplicable attraction Kevin felt for Amber. Amber’s cauldron emitted some blue sparks as if it was going to ignite, then the elves just packed up and rode away.
He and Marta followed them a short distance to be sure, then returned to the cave. “Either it’s some new trick they’ve thought up, or else we’ve been incredibly lucky,” Kevin remarked. He’d certainly never seen that happen before, but then it was a day of surprises.
His mother was talking to Amber about the cauldron, and Kevin tried to decide how far he could push it with the sleeping arrangements. He really wanted to have Amber at his side, where Kevin could keep an eye on him, and maybe enjoy a cuddle as well. He didn’t like the thought of Amber all on his own, probably worried sick and frightened to death. “Why don’t you come over here with me, Amber? It’s a lot smoother where I am.”
He might have known his mother wouldn’t let him get away with that. “Kevin, the smoothest thing in this cave is you. Leave Amber to me. I’ll protect him -- it’s what I’m being paid for. Amber, stay where you are, it’s safer.” She gave her son a small smile and a shake of the head, and he had to trust her judgment.
“You’re such a spoilsport, Mum. How can I chat anyone up with you around?” He tried to convey without words the sentiment that if he never saw Amber again, it would be her fault.
“You boys think about nothing but sex. Besides, Amber doesn’t know who he is, so how can he possibly decide whether he wants to go with you or not?” She was probably right, but all the same, he’d have liked to do a bit of protecting.
Amber looked rather disappointed too, but he just gave Kevin another of those smiles and settled down where he was bidden.
Kevin joined Marta at the cave entrance for a last look out. “Seems quiet enough,” she said. “Funny that.” Then she gave him another of those perceptive looks and added in a low voice, “Don’t rush Amber. It strikes me he doesn’t know very much about the world, and at the moment he has quite a few problems. You’ll see him again in Hummingdell -- you’ll be back with another party in a couple of days, won’t you? -- and if he shows signs of leaving there, I’ll make sure I get a forwarding address.” She smiled at her son. “He seems a nice boy. Just what you need.”
“Thanks, Mum.” He patted her on the shoulder. As mothers went, she really wasn’t at all bad.
Then he fetched his sleeping roll and settled down for the night. The dwarf was snoring loudly, but even that couldn’t cloud his optimism.
* * *
Kevin slept well but he thought Amber looked tired as they ate their breakfast at first light. While they were all packing up, he wandered over casually and said, ““Don’t forget I’m coming to Hummingdell before long. I’d really like to see you around.”
Amber gave him a tentative, hopeful smile, like a deer watching the huntsmen pack up for the night and go home. “I’d like that too.” That was all he said, but those brown eyes seemed to tell Kevin a whole lot more.
“Good.” Kevin reached out and squeezed his shoulder gently. There was nothing of him. He really needed someone to take care of him, and Kevin was determined that he was going to fill the position. He made himself let go, and turned away. “See you when you get back, Mum.”
She waved her hand and started to gather her charges together. He got the merchants moving and they set off down the track. He didn’t look back, in case Amber wasn’t watching.
The quicker he delivered his clients to their base, the quicker he could get started on the return journey to Hummingdell. Maybe if his next party were fit enough, he might be able to get through in a day on the return trip… No harm in trying. A call from behind drew his attention.
“Hey, Kevin, slow down, will you? We can’t keep up.”
“Sorry.”
He slowed his pace, humming to himself cheerfully. Suddenly the track through the forest seemed much brighter than it had done yesterday.
