Read Online Exile (Book II in The Elder Origins series): Novella by Bre Faucheux - Free Book Online
Authors: Bre Faucheux
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sustain such a long journey should we be forced to swim most of the way?” she asked.
“They have thus far. It may be a long recovery, but I do believe us capable.” He looked at her again. “Winter did not affect our bodies in the slightest from the cold. I see water as being no different.” He stopped for a moment, reaching for her wrist.
“We can do this, mistress. And if we succeed, we can overcome anything that may approach us.”
“I don’t know how to leave with the knowledge that these people will eventually meet death by our persons,” she said solemnly.
Jayden looked at her, trying to instill calm within her as he held her wrist tighter. “I leave it to you mistress to feel responsible for their well-being, and all the guilt encompassed with white men eventually taking these shores. And perhaps you can one day return to fight them off one by one. But right now, I want you with me.”
Madison was filled with obvious doubt. She liked the thought of Jayden wanting her company, and yet she couldn’t help but feel fault for what was to come. These people she had grown to care for were by no means her family, but they needed protection.
“You feel blame for what has not yet occurred.” Jayden felt her emotions radiating from her. “For once in your life, Madison, think of yourself. “Even if more are to come to these shores, it will not happen for centuries. People thought our journey from England mad. It will be ages before more are willing to venture as far as we have.”
“One can hope,” she said softly, allowing him to take hold of her hand.
“Besides, by that time I suspect you will have found a way to defend them,” he said smiling. She knew that he was being sarcastic, if not smug. But the thought appealed to her. It would be justified to find a way to protect them for their having safe guarded her when she most needed it.
Jayden went to rest for the remainder of the night. Madison stayed out to watch the men on the edge of the camp keeping guard. It was an hour before she allowed herself to relax. She lay upon the ground, permitting her senses to overcome her once more. She tried to listen farther, but in a new way. Staring at the sky and the vast array of stars and colors before her, she listened for any sound that may protrude from it. There was none. The expanse before her didn’t utter a sound. The sky appeared empty from any sign of life. She wondered for a moment if she would hear the resonances of the heavens she had always known to preside in the skies. Now it appeared as ominous in its silence as the journey that lay before her.
She knew Jayden would not share in this suspicion. He could sense her anxieties, as slight as they were. And yet she knew it more important that she be on her guard.
Chapter 4
A week passed as Jayden left daily to prepare the ship for their departure. Madison graciously took the gifts the tribe gave her as a token of appreciation. Although she could tell from within them that they were more relieved by her approaching return to England than they were saddened by it. The healer and his kin were the only ones to show her any immediate benevolence. She took this receiving of gifts as a sign of their cultural traditions, and not their desire for her to remember them fondly. Their furs and skins to keep warm were beautiful, but her body no longer required them for comfort.
Jayden took the few arrows and bow that they provided. They even gave a portion of their meat to sustain them for the journey, although Madison insisted on only taking a small portion of it. She and Jayden didn’t need food to replenish them as the tribe soon would. Jayden gave them more smiles and nods of gratitude than she had ever received from him. But she sensed that he was sincerely grateful for their aid. It was because of them that he was able to return home.
The healer gazed at Madison as he brought her a small clay container. It had been engraved and painted in vibrant
“They have thus far. It may be a long recovery, but I do believe us capable.” He looked at her again. “Winter did not affect our bodies in the slightest from the cold. I see water as being no different.” He stopped for a moment, reaching for her wrist.
“We can do this, mistress. And if we succeed, we can overcome anything that may approach us.”
“I don’t know how to leave with the knowledge that these people will eventually meet death by our persons,” she said solemnly.
Jayden looked at her, trying to instill calm within her as he held her wrist tighter. “I leave it to you mistress to feel responsible for their well-being, and all the guilt encompassed with white men eventually taking these shores. And perhaps you can one day return to fight them off one by one. But right now, I want you with me.”
Madison was filled with obvious doubt. She liked the thought of Jayden wanting her company, and yet she couldn’t help but feel fault for what was to come. These people she had grown to care for were by no means her family, but they needed protection.
“You feel blame for what has not yet occurred.” Jayden felt her emotions radiating from her. “For once in your life, Madison, think of yourself. “Even if more are to come to these shores, it will not happen for centuries. People thought our journey from England mad. It will be ages before more are willing to venture as far as we have.”
“One can hope,” she said softly, allowing him to take hold of her hand.
“Besides, by that time I suspect you will have found a way to defend them,” he said smiling. She knew that he was being sarcastic, if not smug. But the thought appealed to her. It would be justified to find a way to protect them for their having safe guarded her when she most needed it.
Jayden went to rest for the remainder of the night. Madison stayed out to watch the men on the edge of the camp keeping guard. It was an hour before she allowed herself to relax. She lay upon the ground, permitting her senses to overcome her once more. She tried to listen farther, but in a new way. Staring at the sky and the vast array of stars and colors before her, she listened for any sound that may protrude from it. There was none. The expanse before her didn’t utter a sound. The sky appeared empty from any sign of life. She wondered for a moment if she would hear the resonances of the heavens she had always known to preside in the skies. Now it appeared as ominous in its silence as the journey that lay before her.
She knew Jayden would not share in this suspicion. He could sense her anxieties, as slight as they were. And yet she knew it more important that she be on her guard.
Chapter 4
A week passed as Jayden left daily to prepare the ship for their departure. Madison graciously took the gifts the tribe gave her as a token of appreciation. Although she could tell from within them that they were more relieved by her approaching return to England than they were saddened by it. The healer and his kin were the only ones to show her any immediate benevolence. She took this receiving of gifts as a sign of their cultural traditions, and not their desire for her to remember them fondly. Their furs and skins to keep warm were beautiful, but her body no longer required them for comfort.
Jayden took the few arrows and bow that they provided. They even gave a portion of their meat to sustain them for the journey, although Madison insisted on only taking a small portion of it. She and Jayden didn’t need food to replenish them as the tribe soon would. Jayden gave them more smiles and nods of gratitude than she had ever received from him. But she sensed that he was sincerely grateful for their aid. It was because of them that he was able to return home.
The healer gazed at Madison as he brought her a small clay container. It had been engraved and painted in vibrant
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