Guardian Awakening by C. Osborne Rapley Page A

after leaving the forest, a low circle of hills appeared on the horizon off to the right of their path. As they drew closer, Tristan noticed a faint mist hanging over them in the morning chill. They were setting up camp for the night when he pointed them out to Aesia. “I think we should make for those hills. We may find water and game. If there is we could rest for a few days and regain our strength.”
    She stood and looked where he pointed “But that’s out of our way.”  
    “Yes, but no more than half a day, I think it’s worth a try.”  
    She hesitated, her eyes searching his face. “All right, I’m exhausted and sick of this plain.”
    The following morning, after breaking camp they cut towards the hills. As they drew closer the scrub was replaced by larger plants, and small trees growing on the slopes. When they crested the rise and looked down a small valley spread out below them, an oasis of verdant green in the browns and olives of the grasses and bushes of the plain
    At one end of the valley, they found a pool fed by a tumbling waterfall emerging from a cave in a low cliff, glistening in the warm sunlight. A gentle stream gurgled as it danced over rocks before disappearing back underground at the far side of the valley. As they walked down towards the pool, small animals darted away from under their feet while others just sat and watched them, unafraid. The largest creature seemed to be a small deer like creature similar to the ones Tristan had seen before in the forest where they had crashed. He could almost reach out and touch them. Their indifference confirmed there were no large predators in the valley.
    They soon reached the pool, and stood by the crystal clear water. Aeisa dropped her walking stick, threw her head back and spun round with her arms extended. “Oh this is wonderful!” She beamed at Tristan. “How did you know?”
    “The mist over the hills in the morning. There had to be water and well… I just hoped.”  
    “I want to swim in that pool and feel clean.” She held out her hand to Tristan. “Come on.”
    “Be careful, we don’t know what’s in that water, and mind your leg.”
    She turned back to him one eyebrow raised. “Oh Tristan! We have not seen anything dangerous in any of the rivers and streams we have come across, and the pool is only small. Besides I can see the bottom.”
    Tristan looked at her smiling face, and the sudden change was unbelievable. His heart banged against his ribs he took a deep breath No! He paused for a moment before following her to the edge of the pool. It was shallow, with a smooth rock bottom, the water crystal clear and no sign of animal life.  
    She knelt and touched the water with her hand. “It’s warm.” She sat and removed her boots.
    Tristan looked at her suspiciously “You’re suddenly happy. And different, what’s changed?”  
    She shrugged “This place reminds me of my home where I grew up, that’s all.”
    She stood pulled off her belt, stepped out of her uniform overalls and dived naked into the water. She turned to Tristan, her face wet and smiling. “Come on.”
    He turned round before removing his clothes to prevent her seeing how she had begun to affect him. He stepped backwards into the pool. It was warm, with a slight mineral taste. The water must have come from deep underground. She splashed him and laughed. He smiled. The water had a soothing effect on him and he rubbed off the weeks of grime and floated, letting the warmth soak into his body. Aeisa had her back to him as she concentrated on washing her hair.  
    Taking advantage of her distraction he stood, walked over to a flat rock and lay down in the sunshine to dry. He concentrated on getting control of his emotions, ignoring the heat in his groin, fighting the feelings that had been growing in him during their forced walk, the nights sleeping together for warmth. He regained control, the cool air on his skin dissipating the heat in his loins. He sat up