Amazing Grace (Adler)

[Killik]

Spring 42, 513 AV


Killi wiggled his toes in the top layer of cool, crumbly soil, his boots cast aside at the edge of the potato field. With a basket on his hip, he walked out to the end of the row where he had left off right before the noon meal. Despite the harsh reprimand that he had been given earlier in the morning, and the swollen bruise on his right cheekbone, he wasn’t about to complain. He loved being outdoors – he loved the sun on his face and bare shoulders – he loved the fresh breeze that blew in from the Bay – he loved the sounds of the song birds in the hedgerow and the rustle of the leaves of the ash trees that lined the fields. Working in the mountain, at the hydroponic ponds, was interesting, he supposed. But this – this was freedom such as he had very infrequently felt in his lifetime. This was his third summer being allowed to come and help with the grain farming that went on next the Bay. There wasn’t a huge amount of arable acreage. But what there was, the Inarta planted and tended with great care, for the grain produced help to stretch the food supplies of a race that spent a vast majority of its existence living just on the margin of survival or starvation. Killi didn’t take especial pride in his work, or how it contributed to tipping the balance of that particular scale in favor of his people. But he did enjoy it – this part of it – when he could get out in the fields, off to himself, though there were certainly others around. He felt at peace here, and the work was nothing compared to many of the tasks he had been set in his short lifetime. His asthma seemed better too – less wheezing and coughing. He felt better, stronger and for the most part, he was content. Killi had no great aspirations. He only wanted to be left alone to get on with his job – and not to be physically punished for things he did not do.

Of course, it was all a farce. He hadn’t stolen that left over half loaf of bread from breakfast. The chief Chiet here on the farm just had it in for Killi. Or maybe, he wished he had it in Killi. For on that night, shortly after they had all made the trek down through the newly cleared Sanikas pass to the Bay, the older Inarta had made it clear what he wanted. It wasn’t the first time this had happened to Killi – but now he was no longer a Yasi – and thank the stars above he had not ended up a Drudge. For he could say no to this man, and he had, and he had suffered for it, in the form of several impromptu beatings. Oh there was always a reason for the punishments – the man was very creative with his lies. But Killi figured if he just held in there and bore up under the abuse, eventually it would stop. Eventually the guy would find some other boy, or girl, to pick on, and Killi would be forgotten. That was his hope anyway.

The fresh injury to his face didn’t detract all that much from Killi’s enjoyment of the afternoon, though. He began to whistle softly as he knelt to once again thrust the cut up potatoes of last fall into the earth. He loved the way the dirt felt in his hands, and the sun warmed him as he moved along the row. He didn’t even see the overseer until he was near the end. Killi’s green eyes lifted as he straightened slowly, and they widened at the sight of his nemesis. The look on the man’s face was ugly indeed, and Killi’s heart flipped over in his chest. He had the urge to run – but where could he run to? His eyes dropped and his throat constricted when he saw the thin coil of rope in the man’s meaty hand. Almost wildly, his head swiveled about, but it seemed the field they were in had mysteriously emptied of other workers. The man took one step towards him…

***

It was night and still Killi lay where he had been forced down into the undergrowth a short way from the potato field. He breathed in the deep scent of the leaf litter that pressed cool and damp against his bruised cheek. New injuries had joined this other one, and his body ached. He should get up. He should dress and return to the communal lodge where the farm hands ate and slept. The evening meal would have long been served and cleared away. But it didn’t matter. He wasn’t hungry. Maybe he would just stay here forever. No-one would care, really. He had nobody and was nobody. What would it matter – one worker bee less? The hive would function just as well without him. Perhaps he would rise, and go to the water, and walk into the frigid waves, and…just…let them carry him away.

What did it matter?

[Adler]

Adler’s paws made little noise as he padded through the damp leaf litter that seemed to boarder the trunk of each tree he passed. He had arrived on the outskirts of Wind Reach early that day and had spent much of his time sleeping and regaining his energy after the tiring journey. Now that he could sleep no more it was time for him to eat and his ears perked forward as he weaved through the trees that sprawled at the foot of the mountainous city. His ears twitched this way and that as they caught various sounds, perking slightly when an owl rustled in the leaves overhead and tilting to the side when a field mouse scurried of the path. The path he followed was hardly worth the thought, the leaf litter and undergrowth simply parted slightly in the wake of prey and predator alike, leading Adler to assume it lead to a pond or stream somewhere up ahead. As he moved he allowed his snout to drift across the ground, in-hailing deeply and sorting through what he could smell. There was the mouldy rot of old leaves, damp soil, rabbit, deer, bear- he paused at that and cast a cautious glance around, that last thing he needed was to run into a bear-and the distinct and crisp smell of human. That last scent was what really held onto Adler’s attention. A human was many times more dangerous than a bear, and while he knew Inatrans weren't hostile to Kelvics they probably were to wolves and wouldn't think twice about killing one, for safety or skin. The trees cleared momentarily as a small stream ran across the path and Adler paused to drink before continuing on. The trees were beginning to thin now and the smell of human was getting stronger. Adler quickened his pace as the trees cleared; leading him to what looked like a large area for planting food. He sniffed at the ground briefly, wondering if it was anything he could eat. As his nose ghosted across the dirt the sound of uneven breathing caught his ear, twisting it to the right. A small, hurt form was huddled in the undergrowth, mere meters from the tree line and about a dozen meters from where he had emerged. The bundle was clearly human, and probably an Inartan if the red hair was anything to go by. His human curiosity getting the better of him Adler padded forward, watching carefully in case it was to be some sort of trap. As he got closer to the little human he began to make out more details. It was a man, though on the smaller side and with fairly delicate features, his face and what could be seen of his body was bruised. He growled lowly, not at the boy but in indignant anger as he thought of what must have happened. And they call me an animal! He mused as he paced around to look down at the boy’s face, momentarily forgetting he was a rather large, wild looking wolf, that'd just as soon chew your arm off as he would give you a sympathetic lick to the check.

[Killik]

Killi had allowed his eyes to shut, unable to find the will to make his body move – to get to his feet and return to the lodge. He was far from sleep, but he was letting his mind drift, trying to avoid thinking about what had happened – trying to avoid thinking at all, really. He heard the growl, and his body froze, though he wasn’t moving at all. But he felt the hairs on the back of his neck, and arms, and legs rise slightly in automatic alarm at that bestial noise. Instinctively, though he had not had one single encounter with a wolf, Killi’s auditory nerves sent messages firing to the brain and his gut clenched in a quite visceral, primal response. It might have been a dog – a big dog. But he was lying in the woods – not too far from cultivated land but still – he was surrounded by trees and it was night and there weren’t any dogs right here on the farm – not that he knew of. These considerations raced through his mind, and though a few minutes prior he had been laconically contemplating the pros of drowning in the nearby Bay, all thoughts now turned instantly to self-preservation. Such is the most basic push to survive.

He swallowed, trying to get rid of the lump of cold fear that had formed in his throat. Should he open his eyes, and look? Or would even that slight motion – and his stare – attract the beast? His options seemed non-existent. Jump up and run as fast as he could – would it be fast enough though to outrun…whatever it was? Would it even bother to chase him? Perhaps not. Spring had brought the myriad little varmints out from their winter hidey holes – maybe the canid wasn’t hungry. Maybe it had a belly full of mice, or rabbit. But then…why had it growled like that?

Should he simply remain still as stone, eyes closed tight, and hope that it moved on? Did he have the nerve to do so, as, unseeing, he had no idea really if the thing was moving closer or veering off – or maybe just standing close and sizing him up as a late dinner. The thought was almost wholly unnerving. Killi had no skills that would help him fend off a wolf – if wolf it was. Or even a hostile dog. He had no weapon – the overseer had made sure of that. At least his hands were no longer tied behind his back. He tried to recall if there had been any rocks nearby – rocks the size that he could scoop up and use – to throw, or to beat with. If there had been, he couldn’t bring any mental image of their positioning to his panicked mind.

The seconds ticked by, and Killi tried to detect any further sounds, but heard nothing. Maybe the beast was gone? How would he ever know, if he did not open his eyes? Steeling himself, he counted to three. On the third beat, he forced his eyes open, only to find a large wolf no more than a meter away, staring at him intently. With a startled and terrified yell, the Inarta rolled off his belly and onto his side, throwing his arms up in front of him in a defensive posture. There was nothing for it but to run now. Still moving, he scrambled to his bare feet and with no attempt to grab his Bryda, his legs churned and off he went – for all of about three meters. Despite the aches and pains and scrapes and bruises on his face and body, his body was on full adrenalin alert, and he might possibly have run fast (though not fast enough to outrun a determined wolf.) But unfortunately for Killi, his eyes weren’t aided a bit by the adrenalin surging through his battered body. He promptly tripped over a tree root and went sprawling on his face, once more belly to the ground. He gasped, pushed himself up and tried to stand, only to feel a shocking bolt of pain race through his ankle and lower leg. In tripping upon the root, he had managed to twist his foot in it, and had sprained his ankle.

[Adler]

Adler studied the boy carefully. Why isn't he moving? He isn't dead.... Adler was just about to nudge the Inartan with his paw when the boys eyes snapped open and he leapt to his feet. He jerked back with a surprised yip and watch, bewildered as the boy shot off in the opposite direction. Though his instincts told him to chase after the boy and catch him before he got away he was too shocked to process the thought until the boys foot caught a protruding root and he tumbled heavily to the floor with a gasp of pain. Adler started forward quickly, his instincts telling him to protect the smaller man and shifted mid-step, a brief flash of silvery lights clouding over his body before revealing him again, though with less fur and much more human looking. With two quick strides he stood over the young man and bent down, gripping his shoulders as he turned him over, being as gentle with his injured leg as was possible. He sighed quietly as, without a word he crouched and examined the Inartrans injured leg. It had been nearly a full season since Adler had been in his human form and the feel of cool air against his bare skin was fresh and comfortable. He rolled his shoulders and twisted his neck before looking back down at the young man, dropping down into a crouch so he could take a closer look. "You've hurt your ankle. I'm no healer but i can try to patch you up. Whats your name?" He asked, voice deep and smooth. He gazed down at the boy questioningly, completely at ease with his own nudity, briefly wondering if his nakedness was offensive to the boy. He knew little of Inartran culture and was unaware what social norms would dictate in such a situation.

[Killik]

Wildly, Killi’s head skewed back, to look over his shoulder to see if the beast was pursuing him. What he saw made his eyes open wide with surprise, and then a flood of relief cascaded through his body. A kelvic! Of course, it was possible the kelvic meant him mischief, but that seemed unlikely. Given a kelvic’s inherent nature, they rarely set out to injure humans, not just incidentally and without cause. And Killi had given this kelvic no cause whatsoever to either fear him or harbor any animosity towards him. His thoughts were borne out, and his sense of returning calm was bolstered by, the kelvic, now in human form, coming to him and gently helping him to turn over onto his back. Of course, the movement was enough to make the Inartan grimace and let out a quiet gasp of pain. The kelvic wriggled a bit, stretching muscles and limbs, before crouching down to take a look at the ankle, and Killi’s eyes remained on him the while, not bothered by the unclothed state of his human form. It was to be expected, and not fussed over, from a kelvic, and indeed it simply matched Killi’s own state of undress, though that was not of his own choosing. Not at all. As the kelvic bent down, Killi sat up and pulled the knee of his uninjured leg to his chest, wrapping his arm about it and hunching forward a bit, to try to cover some of what was exposed.

The kelvic spoke, in a quiet, deep, earthy tone and the redhead answered simply enough, “I am Killik,” his hazel green eyes gazing into the wolf kelvic’s face curiously. Killi hadn’t had so very many direct interactions with this race of beings, though they were not uncommon in Wind Reach. He’d never been in such a juxtaposition with one, that was for sure – needing now the creature’s help, unless he wanted to crawl back to the farmhouse.

“That would be very much appreciated – if you could help me. I live over there.” He nodded with his chin back in the direction of the fields, and the long, low house beyond. “On the farm. I’m helping with the planting.” Somewhere, he knew, back at the edge of the closest field, was the basket, still with unplanted potatoes in it, cast aside earlier. That was, unless one of the other workers had retrieved it already. He wondered what they had made of his disappearance – but knew they’d likely not say anything too loudly about it. There would be whispers, though…

Pushing such unpleasant thoughts aside, he asked, “And what is your name, if I may know it? Are you – are you from around here? I – I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before, if so.” For he thought he would have recalled such a one as this, who was well built and pleasant to look upon. But perhaps the wolf was useful to some hunter of the Avora, probably bonded to one.

Killi gave a small self-deprecating laugh, as he added, “I guess I got scared out of my wits for nothing. I thought you were a real wolf! Sorry – I wasn’t exactly courageous, was it?” He chuckled with more real humor in it. “It must have looked funny – me tearing off like that, and then falling flat on my face.”

[Adler]

"My name is Adler." He said, moving one hand to Killiks back and the other to under his knees, pulling the smaller mans body to his cheast as he picked him up, hoping that he wouldn't mind. Adler could have simply supported him as they walked across the field, but it had been far to long since the last time he had been so close to another human and he found the physical contact to be relaxing, reasuring even. He wondered for a moment if Killik minded and judged from the way he had covered himself before he probably did. Feeling slightly guilty Adler stood and turned in the direction that Killik had indicated. If it bothers him too much he should tell me. He thought. "I am not from here. I have just returned from living with a pack of wolves. I only arrived earlier today." He glanced down at Killik, and smiled in what he hoped was a reasuring manner, flashing his teeth. "You the first person i've had a proper conversation with since that storm." He frowned on that thought, well aware that the storm had been the cause of many a misfortune all across Mizahar. "Well,"Adler protested, slightly miffed at the wolf comment. "I am a real wolf. I'm human also. I guess its the best of both worlds in one body." He finished, pride dripping from each word. It wasn't that he was particularily angry or annoyed at the Inartran, he simply had far to much pride to let any little comment go. He couldn't even put up with being mistaken for a dog, or even somuch as called on, no matter how fondly. He craked another smile to show Killik that he wasn't really mad. "It was pretty funny." he replied playfully. "For a moment i thought you touched in the head. What are you doing out here on your own any way?"

[Killik]

Being lifted to the kelvic’s chest with the ease of a child’s toy was unexpected, certainly, and Kilii’s arms came up of their own accord and he instinctively grabbed for steadying balance around the kelvic’s neck. His face was momentarily alarmed, but soon enough relaxed into a satisfied smile, with the realization that the kelvic meant to carry him back to where he slept of a night. His grip loosened considerably and he said, “Well met, then, Adler. I’m pleased to meet you, truly, and thanks…for this.” Killi indicated the fact that he was being carried with a nod of his head.

It was a bit embarrassing for the Inarta, both for being packed around like a child, and because he was still aware of his own nudity. But he shoved such concerns aside, thinking he should just be glad Adler was willing to help, and hadn’t just taken off and left him to make his own way back to the farmhouse. Besides, Adler was unclothed and in all probability didn’t care that Killik was as well, so why should he care himself? The contrast of this innocent and therefore meaningless state of undress with the underlying reason why he was naked in the first place sent a stab of anguish through Killi, but he tried to focus on what Adler was saying and not think about all that. He caught that wolfish smile and he found it mildly humorous, taking it to be what it was offered as, a token of peaceful intent and friendliness. Killi smiled back, ignoring all the myriad aches and pains left from his recent ordeal.

“That was an incredible thing,” he replied, speaking about the storm. “I’ve never seen the like – and even the elderly said they’d no memory of such a happening, nor heard of any even from their own elders.” His voice was full of wonder, but then dropped to a note of sadness. “It was so sad, all those who were killed…” He looked up into Adler’s handsome face and said with a bit brighter tone. “It’s good that you came through it alright. You were out in the wilds? With a pack? That must have been terrifying – I’ve heard there were many strange occurrences after the storm left – and weird animals never seen before prowling about.” He looked away, and now they were near the fields again, he nodded. “I worked here last summer, but never saw anything out of the ordinary. But that’s what the hunters said, and the travelers that showed up last year.”

When Adler spoke of being a real wolf, Killik looked a bit abashed, and hurriedly said, “Oh, I’m sorry. I haven’t been around many of your kind. I – I wasn’t sure…how you liked best to be known – as – as your human self or…or…” He felt he was making a mess of the apology and maybe just being more insulting to the kelvic, so he finished his thought with, “Well, I mean, I’d like to know more…about kelvics. I suppose I’d have to hang around with one to do so, though.” This made him wonder what Adler’s plans were, if he had just now made his way back to civilization and human habitat.

Adler was once more smiling so Killi was in hopes that his misturned words hadn’t caused any real insult. He smiled too, and shook his head. “Yeah, grace personified. That’s me.” He hesitated and then said with a nod, towards the correct building, “That’s where I’m headed, if you don’t mind. We’re almost there,” he reassured, looking at the kelvic once more. “I hope I’m not breaking your back or anything.” He paused then asked what had been on his mind.

“Where will you be staying, now that you’re here? I think – I think you’d be welcome to spend the night in the farmhouse, if you could stomach that. I mean, it’s a far cry from sleeping in a den, or under the stars. But…everyone is probably asleep by now anyway. If we were quiet, you could slip in and sleep and then be gone by morning.” He looked at Adler, considering. “Or stay, if you wished to stay, and work? I’m sure they could find something for you to do.” He then sighed a bit. “Though if I could run off into the woods and never come back myself, I don’t know that I’d wish to stay here any longer.”

[Adler]

Adler adjusted his course at Killiks direction and was silent for a few moments, pondering the fact that he had found a young, nude Inatran man all on his own in the middle of a field. What the petch had he been doing before i found him? He wondered to himself, for the first time really studying the boy in his arms and taking in the various bruises and scrapes. he sighed at his own lack of perception as he only noticed Killiks other injuries till now. Surely they didn't all come from the fall he had taken. Puting his questions aside for a moment he focused on answering what Killik had asked. "I don't know what i'll do really. I'll need to stay for a while, replenish my supplies and earn some money and then i suppose i'll leave, continue traveling. A night out of the elements would be a good change though, so i think i'll take you up on your offer." he grinned. "You could," he murmured, smile falling away. "When i leave you could come with me, clearly you do not have an ideal life here." His eyes swept over the battered body in his arms again. "What are all these bruises from." He asked without a second thought, not even considering that the Inartran might not want to discuss whatever had happened. "Who did this?" He asked a rumbling growl making its way into his voice as he realised that someone had done this too him, purposely. His arms tightened possessively around his small frame and he rested his cheek on top of the smaller man's head, using the contact as a way to calm himself and an attempt to comfort Killik.