"Ary. Chapter Two." by Aletheia vaune preston

The line of smoke rose above the desert, like a dark rain cloud. Ary shifted her position on her stomach and propped herself up on her elbows for a better look. She polished the end of the spyglass and pressed it to her eye.

“What are they doing now?” asked Pandora eagerly.

“They made a campfire. It looks like two people, but we’re not close enough to get a good look at their faces. I’m just worried they might be the Sand Dwellers.”

“Sand Dwellers? Out in the middle of the day?” Pandora scoffed.

Sand Dwellers were night people. If they could even be called people, for they were more animal than human. They were blue-skinned and had black tattoos covering their whole bodies, and they had extremely sharp teeth and cannibalistic tendencies.

“They might have developed their vision so they can see better in the light.” Ary guessed. “I just don’t know! Who would be out in the middle of the desert when a Sandy could come around any second? Who would be foolish enou-“

Ary stopped and aimed the spyglass at the campfire again.

“Pandora!” she cried, “they’re gone!”

“What?” Pandora hissed, “lemme see that.”

Ary held up the large spyglass to Pandora’s eye. He looked into it for a full minute.

“You’re right.” He whispered, eyes wide. All of his fur was standing on end.

“How could they just… disappear? Into thin air?”

Ary and Pandora lay there, staring at the camp a few minutes more. The two beings did not show themselves.

Pandora crept out from behind the hill and started to crawl towards the camp.

“Pandora!” Ary hissed furiously.

“Just a little look.” He replied. He dropped on his stomach into a hunter’s crouch and continued towards the camp. Ary waited for something to attack him as he reached the perimeter of the camp. Nothing did. She shrugged and got up to join him, stuffing the spyglass in her belt. She walked over to where he was sniffing the open campfire. Meat was roasting on a spit.

“Why would they just up and leave in the middle of a meal?” Pandora pondered. “The coals are still warm too.”

Ary looked at the two furry hides that were lying on the ground. She picked up the edge of one and ran her fingers over the fur. It was like nothing she had ever seen before. The fur was sleek and midnight black, and the underside of the blanket was of a fine felt texture. She suddenly got a feeling that someone was watching her, and she looked around the camp. But nobody was there.

“Looks like a mountain bear hide.” Pandora said, sniffing the hides.

Ary looked at Pandora curiously. There were still many things she did not know about him. She had found him in the middle of the desert one day, almost starved to death, and taken him in to her shack and fed him. When he had recovered, he hadn’t said anything for two weeks. She had remembered when he had first spoken. She had been washing a pan in the sink with some water she had collected from the oasis. Pandora had asked if she had any food, because he was hungry. Ary had almost replied, but then had realized that the cat had just spoken. She had nearly dropped the pan, and turned around to stare at Pandora.

“Did you just say something?” she had asked, astounded and a little frightened that she was going crazy.

“Yes,” Pandora replied impatiently, “I asked if you had anything to eat. I’m starving!”

She had shakily gotten some of the leftover meat she had buried underneath the shed, and attempted to strike up conversation with Pandora. He didn’t reply. In fact, he hadn’t said anything till another four days later. Ary had started to wonder if she had imagined all of it. Four days later he had again asked for some more food. He had started to talk more and more often as the weeks progressed, but rarely had he spoken about anything to do with his past.

Ary glanced at him now, out of the corner of her eye. He was lightly batting at a rock with his paw. She glanced around the camp. It was indeed deserted, but for the two mountain bear furs and the sizzling spit of meat.

“If they just left like that, they could be back any moment now.” Ary motioned with her hand to Pandora.

They both trotted away from the campsite and back to the small, sand-colored tent they had set up. It was camouflaged perfectly with the ground. The two had sighted the smoke two days earlier and had been tracking the two beings since. Ary was nervous being so far from the shack or the oasis when a Sandy could come in any moment, but this was the first life she had seen in almost a year since the incident. She was just longing to get in touch with civilization again. She stretched out her tan legs and sighed. Pandora curled up at her feet.

“Nice and shady in here.” He muttered sleepily.

“Yuh huh.” Ary replied, and stared at a small fly that was crawling on the ceiling of the tent.

“By the way, Pandora…” Ary trailed off. Pandora started to clean his ears.

“What was your life before…? All this?” she asked uncertainly.

Pandora froze and then turned to glare at her.

“Well. I would tell you, but you wouldn’t believe me.” He said, smiling and showing his razor-sharp teeth.

“Do tell.” Ary demanded, curious.

“I used to be a shape shifter, but then a wizard got angry at me and cast a spell on me so I was stuck in this form.”

Ary gaped. “Really?” she looked at him critically. He glanced away from her searching gaze.

“Yup.” Replied Pandora.

“I don’t believe you.”

“Told you so!” he exclaimed.

“Its not that the story is unbelievable, it’s just the way you said it. You’re lying.” She said. Or he’s not telling the whole truth. She thought.

He was pretending to be busy washing himself again, so she gave up and stared at the fly that was meandering along the ceiling again. Pandora’s impatient voice interrupted her thoughts.

“You don’t even tell me anything about yourself and you expect me to tell you about my past?”

Ary pondered whether to tell him.

“I’ll tell you,” she said, making up her mind.

She sat up and looked him in the eyes.

“So this is the story of how I ended up here...” Her eyes clouded with memories. “My father was named Dune. Father schooled me in math and other things at home. He always kept telling me what a smart child I was, how he had hope for me to become someone. I loved him very much.”

Ary drew her knees up to her chest.

“I loved my father, Pandora. Don’t you understand?”

“Of course!” Pandora replied, taken aback.

“No, I don’t think you do.” Ary looked at him with deep anguish in her eyes.

“Dune…” she began, “I hate to say it, but my father was a brutal man. It wasn’t always this way. Before the war with the Dragons and the Giants, he was gentle and compassionate. I remember he used to take me up and swing me around in his arms, and everything else would be a blur except for his laughing face. But then the Giants and the Dragons started to pillage and burn villages all around. My father was one of the King’s old friends. They had gone to school together. My father was a big man, and very skilled with the sword. He had accomplished many feats when he was younger. The King sent for his aid, and he left my mother and I to command the King’s troops. He was gone for three years, and when he came back, he came with many things: trophies, medals, gold and fame. We had to move from our nice countryside house, for fear of the Giants and Dragons hearing of his fame and seeking us out, for the war was still not over, but the King had let father return to us early. We moved to a remote house in the desert and lived here, all alone. My parents and me. Our house was huge; we had a metal wall around it. Out in front, flowers and grass grew because they were shielded from the sand with the giant wall. But the hardships of war had affected Dune deeply. He was older in spirit as well as soul. His lighthearted demeanor was gone. His eyes always had a worried look about them, darting around the house as if there was something hiding around every corner. His face was marred with lines, and his hair had the beginning of streaks of grey in them, even at the age of twenty-six. He was somber and quiet most of the time, and often when he got mad he struck my mother or me in his anger. We learned to fear him. My mother was Arielle, for I was named after her, and she was going to leave him. But when she told him her plans, he grew so angry he threatened to hurt me if she contradicted him. My mother, usually a strong and compassionate spirit, diminished before my very eyes. I loved her so much, and I longed to help her. The only reason she was still with him was because of me. So I left. I ran away from the house, taking food and water. I ran until I could run no more, and then I collapsed. Soon I found myself within the shrouding cloud of a particularly vicious Sandy. I got up, still fighting to live. I had no wish to die, Pandora, but that night I believed that I was going to. I was stumbling along the rolling dunes when my toe hit something metal. I brushed off the sand and encountered the ribbed roof of our shack. I was so desperate to live that I dug until my hands bled. Finally I reached the entrance to the shed and on the last reserves of my strength, stumbled in and fell asleep right there on the doorstep. I lived here for a while, hunting, eating, sleeping, and wallowing in my misery. I missed my mother ever so. One day I went back to visit my mother, determined to finally get her away from my father. I arrived and…” Pandora looked somberly on as tears coursed down Ary’s face. “I found my house gone! Burnt to ashes by pillagers, or by those wretched Sand Dwellers.” She wiped a tear from her cheek and turned an angry look to Pandora. “It does not matter who it was. My parents are gone.”

“Were they…” Pandora gulped, “Were they killed?”

“I don’t know.” Ary answered, “I looked and looked for some sign that they had been killed, or died in the fire, but I found no remains. I believe they were either captured, or they managed to escape. I know they’re still alive out there, somewhere. Nevertheless, I had to live, so I scavenged for things that had survived in the fire. I found many things, and one of them was a chest.” Pandora’s ears pricked.

“I believe my father was a wizard, Pandora. In this chest there were ten different spell books, and the chest itself was wooden, so I think it was enchanted so it wouldn’t be consumed by the fire. It was lucky they didn’t take the chest when they robbed our house. I just wonder why he would not have told us he was a wizard.”

“Ary, what kind of spell books were they?” asked Pandora quietly.

“They were all different. I can show you when we get back if you want.”

“Ary, from this information you have told me, I believe I have a guess as to why your father was so much changed after the war.” Pandora said somberly.

“You do?” Ary asked, excitedly, “How?”

“I cannot make sure until I see all of the spell books you collected.”

Ary got up and looked outside the tent to the camp that they were watching. It sat still in the growing darkness, the fire still burning bright. She looked at the fire, puzzled.

“Pandora, the fire’s still burning as lively as ever!” she exclaimed.

Pandora’s eyes widened. “But it would have gone out by now.”

“Exactly…” her voice trailed off. “I cannot make heads or tails of it, Pandora. It’s as if… it’s as if they want us to think they’re gone.”

“Why would they want that?”

“I do not know.” She admitted. “It’s just a feeling.”

Pandora twitched his tail uneasily and glanced around. They sat in silence for a while, but Ary grew more and more nervous as the darkness progressed. She kept tapping her knee, and glancing around the tent.

“Ary, do you have that feeling of being watched right now?” Pandora finally asked, breaking the silence.

Ary became aware of the tingling on the back of her neck, and nervously rubbed her leg and then continued to tap.

“Oh, yes.” She said, peering outside the tent into the growing darkness. “They’re watching us.”

Pandora craned his neck to see what she was looking at.

“Where?” he asked, growing alarmed.

“Right there.” She whispered, nodding her head outside the entrance of the tent.

Pandora peered outside, and started as he saw movement.

“It is only but a shadow.” She whispered again, “but you can see it against the dark sand.” The dwindling light of the sun illuminated a still shadow outside their tent.

Ary studied it. She could tell it was in the shape of a man, and that it looked to be human, and not a Sand Dweller, for Sand Dwellers often had spikes poking out of their backs. Other than that she could not discern who or what it was.

“Be still Pandora,” she whispered, and then returning to normal volume; “Hello?” She called out.

The shadow stirred.

“I know you’re out there.” She said loudly, pretending to look around as if she did not know where it was.

“Please come out! We mean you no harm.” To her dismay, the shadow proceeded to move away from them. She started as she saw footsteps being made prominent in the sand as the shadow moved. Perhaps there was something solid there, and if they weren’t going to show themselves, then she had to take action. Building up her courage, she got up slowly. The shadow was picking up its pace now, and knowing she had no time to spare, she gave a yell and charged at the shadow, tackling it.

The shape gave out a sharp cry and fell. Sand puffed out around them. Ary flailed at the hard contours of the person’s limbs, who was struggling profusively, and happened across something that felt like an arm, and she grabbed on to it with all her might. She cried out as something sharp and metallic slashed her shoulder, but determinedly wrestled the arm with one hand. She grabbed a wrist with her other hand and pushed them into the sand, and then sat on the stomach of her opponent. Her shoulder burned.

“Show yourself!” she demanded. Pandora had scuttled out of the tent after the fight had concluded, and stood, hissing by her side. Ary panted, and blood dripped from her shoulder and stained the sand red. Pandora screeched with terror, as a foot lashed out and struck him in the side. He jumped away and fluffed up his fur, hissing. Ary growled in anger.

“How dare you harm him!” She seethed angrily, and the creature chuckled darkly. Growing furious, she unsheathed her knife and felt for the creature’s neck, holding the knife to its flesh. It drew in its’ breath and then spoke sharply.

“You have attacked me without reason. There’s still time to amend this. Let me go.” Its’ voice was scratchy, and it hissed its words so softly that Ary had to strain to hear its’ words.

“You can still say this at knifepoint?” Ary laughed, and pressed the edge into the creatures skin, making sure not to draw blood… yet. “I’ll let you go if you show yourself. I need to know if you’re friend or foe.” The creature stiffened.

“No.” it replied angrily.

Ary sighed in frustration.

“It is a wonder how you came by a talking cat. Did you steal it?” the creature goaded.

Ary gritted her teeth and Pandora hissed angrily.

“I am not some thing that anyone can claim ownership of!” he unsheathed his claws and dug them into the soft sand.

The creature ignored Pandora and continued. “Of course you didn’t steal it. Who would go to the trouble of stealing a mangy cat who can only speak of small things its tiny brain can only begin to comprehend?” It laughed.

Ary knew what was happening.

“Pandora, no!” she warned, glaring at the cat. Either he didn’t hear her, or he chose not to. Hissing furiously, he leaped towards the invisible creature, unsheathing his claws. The creature seemed to be waiting for this, and with it’s one free arm it caught Pandora by the neck and held him this way. Pandora’s eyes widened and he scratched feebly at the air, his hind legs scratching the thing’s arm, but nevertheless, it held on. Ary cursed Pandora’s pride.

“I can break his neck if I want to. Release me from your hold.” The thing demanded. Ary hesitated, but then realized that he probably could break Pandora’s neck in two seconds. She threw away the knife and rose.

“Release him!” she cried, panicked. Pandora was dropped and landed on all fours, and he retreated to Ary’s side. Ary scooped him up in her arms, stroking his fur. He glared wide-eyed at the space in which the thing was standing.

“Who are you?” Ary demanded.

“That is not any of your business.” His voice rasped. “We do as we please, and no being can order us to show ourselves.”

Ary looked around to see if there were any more tracks. The other being must be somewhere else. This gave her confidence. “You have trespassed on my desert.” Ary replied angrily, “and you have spied on us. I have cause to be suspicious.”

“Were you not spying on us as well?” It answered vehemently.

“Yet you do not show yourself.” She shot back. “You could be a Sand Dweller, or worse, a Sorcerer.”

“If I was either,” the creature replied, “then you would be dead by now.”

Ary trembled with anger. “If you do not show yourself then I will be forced to take action.”

The being laughed. “You can try, but you will fail. The only reason you succeeded in apprehending me before was that I was taken by surprise. It shall not happen again.”

You underestimate me.” Ary growled, wielding her knife before her. With a yell, she charged at her invisible opponent and struck out with her knife. To her surprise, she found that it slid off some sort of barrier, almost as if she were trying to cut through a thick film. Her hand buzzed, and she thrust again, but with the same result. The thing chuckled darkly.

“So you are a Sorcerer!” she trembled and backed away.

“Nay.” The creature replied. “I am not nearly as powerful as that. I do not dabble in dark magic either. I am simply a flickr.”

Pandora flicked his tail, startled. “A flickr? I have heard of those. Most of them I have met have been fairly nice. You must be one of the most wretched out there.” He spat.

The flickr growled at this.

“You shall pay for your insolence. I cannot harm you, for I sense there is a large incantation around you. Too much magic can be dangerous. But I can get her.” Ary tensed, feeling something probe her mind. Instinctively she set up a large barrier in between her mind and theirs.

“You are a wizard?” the creature cried, taken aback.

Ary did not reply, but built up her wall. The presence gained on her. The presence battered itself against the wall her mind had set up, and Ary started to weaken. She tried a new tactic. Carefully trying to keep her barrier intact, she made a small hole and sent out part of her mind to find the source of the attack. She entered the mind of the other, but immediately encountered a wall. This one was strong, and she searched desperately for a hole in its defense, but to no avail. She sensed her wall weakening. Beads of sweat stood out on her forehead, but she consoled herself that the other was having just as hard a time as her. She moaned softly, and felt herself giving way to the strong mind of her opponent.

“Pandora!” she cried weakly. Pandora gazed helplessly at her, and then turned towards the being that was attacking her. He readied himself, hoping that the barrier Ary had encountered earlier was gone. He pounced and struck the creature full force, raking at it with his claws. The creature struck out, and Pandora went flying and landed in the dirt, stunned.

Feeling a lapse in its concentration, Ary entered its mind and attacked it with the rest of her meandering strength. The being, taken by surprise, tried to rebuild its defenses, but she was already in. She grappled with his mind with all her strength, but it was waning. Just as she was about to give up, it spoke.

“No more!” it cried, “I will show myself.”

Ary retreated from its mind, and it sighed as it began to repair the damage she had done. Its image flickered and finally it was fully visible. Ary caught her breath. Never before in her life had she seen something so beautiful, yet so deadly looking. He stood tall and proud, his long, dark hair blowing in the desert wind. His eyes were slanted, but bright violet, his dark brow drawn together in an expression of anger. His skin was dark in color, and his long and elegant fingers gripped the pommel of a large, jeweled scimitar. He was wearing a loose, elegant and dark shirt, and one gold hoop in his ear. His knuckles were marred with scars, perhaps from using his fists against men in armor.

Ary quailed before him. She imagined what she must look to him: a young girl with tussled, long dark hair wearing animal’s skins and accompanied by a talking cat. She glanced down at her dirty clothes and flushed in embarrassment, but the flickr seemed not to notice.

“For one so young, you seem to have a very strong mind. Even so, if that malicious cat hadn’t distracted me, I would have beaten you.” The man glared with hate at Pandora.

Ary stepped in between him and Pandora. “Now that we have acquainted ourselves, what is your name, flickr?”

The man glanced at her with his piercing violet eyes.

“Vierne.” He replied. “And what is yours, wizard?”

“I am no wizard.” She said. “What makes you think that?”

“Only those with magic in their blood can create a mindwall through which a flickr cannot penetrate.” He paused, searching her gaze, “I sensed your strength. With practice, you could become very powerful.”

Ary once again thought of her father, and nodded slightly.

“Yes, I guess I am a wizard. My name is Ary, and this is Pandora.”

“What brings you to the desert?” Pandora demanded, interrupting her.

“Let us save this talk for later.” Vierne replied impatiently, “I need to get back to camp. You are welcome to join me and my companion, we have plenty of food.”

Ary nervously glanced at the sky.

“You two obviously have not been to this desert before.” Said Pandora, noticing her glance. “Sandstorms are very common around here, and anyone caught in them will most certainly die. Also, it is almost nighttime, and Sand Dwellers come out at this time. We live nearby, if you’d like to join us there-“

Ary interrupted him, blushing. “There is an oasis not far from here, we could camp in one of the caves.”

Pandora looked at her queerly, but she didn’t return his questioning gaze. Vierne nodded in agreement.

“Very well.” He said. “I shall pack up my stuff and call for my companion.” He trudged towards the other camp, and Pandora rounded on her.

“What was that?” He asked.

“Our shack is not in the very best condition for guests.” She mumbled.

“What are you talking about?” Pandora asked impatiently. “We’re in a desert, in the middle of nowhere. What do they expect to find, a castle?”

“I just don’t want to let them see the little shack we live in, that’s all.”

Pandora looked at her with dawning understanding. “Why, you like him, don’t you?”

Ary glared at him incredulously. “No!” she cried.

“Yes, you do.” Pandora said, swishing his tail angrily. “Don’t let his beauty blind you.” He growled softly and looked over to the other camp.

“Stop being so ridiculous, Pandora.”

Pandora stared at her with his green eyes, ruffling his black fur, silent for once. He seemed to ponder what she had said, and flicked his tail, agitated.

“He’s dangerous, Ary, I can feel it.” He said angrily. Ary just stared at the retreating back of the flickr.

“That may be so, Pandora, but we’re going to need their help now more than ever. Because wherever they’re headed, I’m going with them. I’ve made up my mind to leave this damned desert, and nobody is going to stop me.”