Mellah

By A.S. Wilshire

The land of Lamerion is in crisis yet for two Faer of Berlitch, the defeat of the evil lord matters little. Friends since they were Faelings, Mellah and Pilin are fighting their own battles. A traumatic youth led Mellah to choose dark methods of managing her pain and when he discovers her secrets, Pilin vows to aid his beloved friend in any way that he can. Unfortunately, Pilin has unknowingly created an even more hostile environment for Mellah and as they grow closer, the danger grows more threatening. A violent attack on the maiden nearly ends Mellah’s life and when she wakes her healing will either bring them together or tear them apart forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.S. Wilshire
• Release date: Feb 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310407444

A.S. Wilshire

A.S Wilshire lives in western Colorado with her daughter and spends much of her free time with her family. Her love of the written word began in her preteen years and now, whenever possible, she immerses herself in the world that she has created, filled with the characters that she loves.

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Mellah

A Lamerion Short Story

A.S. Wilshire

Published by A.S. Wilshire at Smashwords

Copyright 2016 A.S. Wilshire

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase additional copies for each recipient. If you're reading this ebook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book is dedicated to my mom, Johanna.

For being there for me through the hardest times of my life.

For being there for me through the best times of my life.

Thank you for being you and allowing me to be me.

I love you, more than I can say.

Author Notes

If you have read my first four books and are now reading this one, you might become a little confused at the timeline. This short tale takes place during the Family’s journey in the Defeat of Jolten Series. It begins in Chapter 1 during the Family’s time in Berlitch in the second book, Faer Pride, and continues through the rest of the series. More specifically, Giden’s birthday is the 7th of Aptasrin (October). Remember that you can find the Lamerion calendar on my website: www.aswilshire.com.

You will meet Faer that you know, some quite well, and meet others who were created for this book. This is essentially a glimpse into the life of two specific Faer during the events of the series. It also answered a few of my own questions as to what some Faer were doing when other events were taking place.

This book is a little different than what you may have read from me before. As usual, the Faer hijacked the story from me. I had no intention of writing anything like this to be shared with others, yet it demanded to be written. And on that note…

I need to put a warning in here. Some of the material contained within this book could be a trigger for those surviving self-harm tendencies and/or eating disorders. Please do not read if you are likely to be negatively influenced by reading about another’s struggles with these issues.

‘Cutting’ is not glamorous. It is not fun or exciting. As someone once told me: Cutting oneself is the single most disturbing indication of deep psychological imbalance. Whether this is true or not, I do not know. I did not write this with the purpose of sensationalizing this disease, nor to fill my email with accusatory hate mail that I have tried to ‘recruit’ impressionable young people into this dark lifestyle. If anything I wish the opposite to occur; perhaps dissuade a single person from attempting it, perhaps encouraging a ‘cutter’ to seek help, and most of all, give someone the knowledge they are not alone – whether this person is a ‘cutter’ or a loved one of someone suffering from this disorder.

If you or someone that you know is struggling with self-harm or eating disorders, please seek help from any of the many available resources.

Thank you.

Prologue

Year 118 of the 5,200 eon

21st of Nislasin

A young Atilles male still a decade short of his majority stood with a large group of his peers. They laughed and teased one another yet Pilin’s brown eyes were drawn to his most trusted friend some distance away. Mellah had come of age two years previous yet she did not interact much with those near her own age. She currently sat alone on a bench on the perimeter of the dance area near the gathered Elders of Berlitch. Her brown curls were being blown around her head and shoulders by the wind and slender arms were fighting a losing battle in trying to tame the long locks. Pilin smiled wistfully as he watched his friend until his attention was captured by one of the maidens standing near him.

What is she wearing? Tassril laughed unkindly.

Pilin’s eyes turned back to Mellah and he silently studied the shapeless gown that his beloved was wearing. It was an unflattering purple color that strained over the maiden’s bosom before falling straight down to her lap and then over her knees to her bare feet. When he had first seen Mellah that evening he had noted that the shapeless garment hid the curves of the maiden’s hips and legs, and in fact little skin could be seen below her neck other than her wings. Pilin’s heart began to fill with anger as he listened to the young Faer around him continue to disparage Mellah’s appearance.

You should join the dancing, Pilin, another maiden suggested with a flirtatious expression.

You are right, Pilin replied immediately and looked back toward Mellah. I should.

Pilin forced a smile to his face and walked quickly across the distance separating his group of friends from the isolated Mellah. He responded to the greetings that were called out to him yet he did not turn from his current quest. As he made his way through the crowd he saw seven young maidens land in front of the bench that Mellah was sitting upon. Only a few minutes later the young male halted in front of the sitting Mellah and granted her the pleasure of his most charming, and most practiced, smile while ignoring those around them.

Good evening, Mellah, Pilin said warmly and easily held the surprised blue eyes that stared up at him. Would you honor me with a dance?

Um… G-Good evening, P-Pilin, Mellah replied in a soft and endearing stammer. Are y-you… having a g-good time?

I would be having a marvelous time if you would agree to dance with me. Pilin held out his hand gallantly and watched nervously as Mellah reflexively began to take it only to jerk her hand away at the last moment as a whispered slur was made before the other young maidens quickly retreated.

N-Nay, Mellah whispered and Pilin carefully hid his disappointment and anger. Th-Thank you… yet n-nay.

I am sorry to hear that, Pilin admitted and lowered his hand. You look lovely tonight, my friend.

I do not. Mellah frowned and stood and her sad blue eyes were filled with hurt. I look as though I am wearing ‘a potato sack that was dyed the most atrocious shade of purple ever devised by Faer kind.’

Mellah—

Go back to the others, Mellah interrupted quietly. I have been tormented enough tonight.

Pilin watched helplessly as the maiden that he loved turned her back to him and hurried away. In moments her long curls and folded wings were lost in the crowd of Faer celebrating the shortest night of the year in the town square. Pilin sighed in regretful sorrow yet did not follow his older friend. Pilin did what he had always done: he returned to his friends and tried to forget the pain in his heart.

Chapter 1

Year 264

6th of Aptasrin

Two broad triangular wings folded and lowered while two slender hands untied the laces of the dark grey tunic below the wing joints on the maiden’s back. The garment was slipped over the head of the Atilles female and then drawn down pale arms to be removed entirely. Black calf-length leggings were unlaced and then shimmied over wide hips and allowed to fall to the dirt floor of the bedchamber of a cabin in western Berlitch.

Long russet-colored curls were set free of the braid that held them away from the maiden’s face and then a clay basin was filled with water and placed near the washtub in one corner of the chamber. The Atilles maiden then sat on the edge of the washtub and rubbed her right hand purposefully over the pale skin of her upper thigh. Faint scars could barely be seen yet the maiden did not need to see them to know where each cut had been made. She knew how long each one had been; how wide it had opened; how much it had bled; how far it had been from its neighbor.

The silence surrounded her as she turned and moved the basin on the small table at her side closer to her and made certain that it was balanced perfectly and precisely positioned. She could do this now without thought yet to do so would cheapen the ritual and take the purpose from it. A bath sheet was placed near and salve and bandages waited on the table, precisely placed and organized for logical application. With all of her preparations completed the blue-eyed female reached for the dagger and took it securely into her hand.

The last set made two weeks ago had been parallel to the moon’s path so this set would be perpendicular. Planning each slice in her head the Atilles maiden put the blade against her flesh and pressed lightly then watched the drop of crimson bead at the entry point before she slowly and purposefully drew the sharp edge across her flesh.

The maiden lifted the dagger and began again with complete control of her every movement. When there were eight perfectly spaced identical lines of dripping blood marring the pale flesh of her thigh, Mellah placed the knife into the basin and reached for the bath sheet.

Behind her the thick wooden door softly settled into place.

~

7th of Aptasrin

Seven Atilles Faer stood near the guard station at dawn as they awaited their Captain to wish them well on their mission for their injured Prince. The faintly glowing beings did not have long to wait before Captain Yraz, a Feenin male with four slender wings, arrived and wished them a safe journey and Leesol, the eldest of them at three hundred one, unfurled his two broad triangular wings and led them away from the village of Berlitch in western Lamerion.

Leesol was followed by the two maidens of the group; Mellah, and Dulah, who had blond hair and blue eyes. Behind them came the other four males who ranged in age from one hundred ninety-four to two hundred eighty-seven. The youngest, Sacrin, had black hair and dark brown eyes while the oldest, Dehban, was also blond with blue eyes. Mellah and Zebbin were colored similarly while the remaining member, Pilin, had darker brown hair and eyes similar to Leesol.

Berlitch was the second largest village in Lamerion and was situated at the base of the Onoik Mountains and at the edge of Plasin Forest. The village sat sixty miles from the Suveyus Sea to the west and was home to all three races of Faer that dwelled in Lamerion. The population of Berlitch nearly doubled in size every day as vendors from nearby villages came to the large market to trade and sell their wares to the warriors who made up the majority of the village’s residents.

The seven warriors who had left their home would first be heading east to Culist Marsh nearly five hundred fifty miles from Berlitch. The journey would take them more than twenty hours for they would need to halt to rest and eat to replenish their strength. Leesol led them along the edge of Plasin Forest for six hours before he gave the command for them to land and rest.

Nay, thank you. Mellah shook her head as Pilin offered her a bite of his meal. The maiden sat between Pilin and Dulah and avoided the dark eyes of the extraordinarily handsome male who had been annoyingly considerate since they had been given this mission by their Captain. I am not hungry, Pilin. Please cease asking.

Mellah does not eat much, Dulah informed all of their companions quietly. If she takes any food during this mission I might die from amazement.

It will take us many days to accomplish our goal. Leesol frowned severely.

I will eat when I have need, Mellah whispered and pressed her waterskin against her right thigh. Should I attempt to eat simply because another believes that I must I will merely become ill. Can we speak of something else now?

May I? Pilin whispered and without waiting for permission took Mellah’s waterskin and helped himself to a drink of her water. When he returned the waterskin to her Pilin placed it in front of her crossed legs. His hand hovered above her right knee before he jerked it back to his side. Thank you, my friend.

Finish up, Leesol said and then stood and walked a few yards away to stare into the thick forest. We will leave in five minutes.

I must seek a moment of privacy, Mellah whispered tightly to those on either side of her and leapt to her feet before flying to the forest. The close-growing trees prevented her from flying beneath the canopy and Mellah landed and lowered her wings before walking quickly into the forest. Bloody hell, Mellah whispered to herself and looked over her shoulder to make certain that she was not being followed. Blessed Ladies, please. Please let my fears prove false.

Mellah pushed through a bush with yellowing foliage until she felt that she was hidden well enough from her Faer companions. Her hands shook as she unlaced her black leggings and then she squatted to see to her need. A few minutes later she stood and Mellah righted her clothing, unable to prevent herself from watching the lines of crimson disappear from sight. When she lifted her gaze the Atilles maiden found herself staring at an unfamiliar maiden with black hair, black eyes, and tattered blackened wings.

Thyride! Mellah screamed and drew her sword. Moments later other black creatures left their places of hiding and began to rush toward the single Fae. Mellah pushed free of the bracken that had momentarily shielded her and engaged the first female in battle. Leesol!

Mellah swung her sword in quick and forceful motions that pushed her opponent backward. She thrust her sword into the female’s stomach only to quickly yank it free to block the downward swing of a male. Mellah grunted with exertion as she pushed against the stronger being and then cried out and jumped backward, allowing the dull weapon to strike the ground hard enough to send a shower of soil into the air.

Then Mellah’s companions were with her and she joined them in their battle with the evil beasts that had once been Faer. The evil Fae that had been exiled to the northern wastes nearly a century before had discovered a poison that could change Faer from good to evil and from light to dark. Those that they fought now had been turned long ago for the Thyride did not immediately exhibit these blatant signs that they had been changed. Mellah blocked the aggressive strike of a male that had been aimed at Dulah’s back and then dropped to the ground and kicked the beast’s legs out from beneath it.

The battle continued for nearly a half hour and then Mellah stood panting with Leesol and Zebbin as they all searched the shadowed forest alertly with the dead Thyride at their bare feet. Leesol began giving orders and soon the Faer had returned to the open plains south of the forest and gathered their belongings. Dehban had been wounded and Mellah could only watch silently as Sacrin and Pilin supported and restrained their injured companion on the ground while Dulah quickly cleaned and then bandaged the deep wound in the blond male’s flank.

Can you continue, Dehban? Leesol asked in concern.

He should not fly, Dulah said before the male could answer. The wound will not begin to heal if he is forced to use his wings.

We have more than one thousand miles to fly before the end of our mission, Pilin pointed out compassionately. That is a long way to travel carrying another’s weight, Leesol.

There is no other option, Leesol whispered and turned to face Mellah with solemn brown eyes. You must lead them on, Mellah. I will carry Dehban back to Berlitch.

Leesol—

We can—

I should—

Nay, Leesol interrupted the three males on the ground, his deep voice filled with uncompromising strength. Sacrin and Zebbin do not have the strength in their wings, nor do the maidens. Pilin… Mellah will need your support as I carry the Fae that I love as my brother home.

Less than ten minutes later Mellah watched with Dulah’s arm linked with hers and Pilin’s arm across her shoulders as the two eldest flew quickly away from them. They were soon out of sight and Mellah gave the order for those who remained to resume their journey. Mellah flew at the head of their loose formation and searched the land and the sky for any threat to her companions as they continued east.

The sun was beginning to set when Mellah led her companions to the ground below. The elder maiden remained standing as she continued to stand guard over the younger Faer as they ate and drank and then closed their eyes to sleep.

Mellah, Pilin whispered as he joined the silent sentinel.

Aye?

You are not alone. A strong hand lifted and tucked an errant curl behind Mellah’s pointed ear while brown eyes followed the movement. Allow me to stand watch while you rest.

For only one hour, Mellah instructed and pulled away from the male with a furrowed brow. We cannot rest for long.

Mellah spread out her bedroll next to Dulah and stretched out beside the blond maiden. Mellah closed her eyes yet could not sleep. The maiden rolled onto her right side and focused on the pain in her thigh as her blue eyes shifted from one slightly glowing form to the next as the minutes slowly passed by. She was on her feet and replacing her bedroll into her satchel when Pilin turned from his watch to wake them. Together they woke their companions and a short time later they had resumed their mission.

Their poor luck continued to plague the traveling Faer. Twenty miles east of their last halt the Atilles Faer heard the approach of Flying Goblins. Mellah adjusted her broad wings to pull her upright and then hovered hundreds of feet above the ground while calling orders to her companions and drawing her own sword.

Bloody hell, Zebbin cursed loudly as the Goblins came into sight, their black leathery skin reflecting some of the moonlight. They are the altered Goblins. I loathe these beasts.

None of us are fond of them, Sacrin replied tightly. Perhaps we should have brought a few of the bowmen with us.

The screeching of the approaching Goblins prevented any more conversation and the five Faer rushed to engage the evil creatures in battle. Mellah beheaded her first opponent only to duck beneath another’s wing to avoid the sharp claw at the point. Dulah screamed yet Mellah could not turn from the three Goblins in front of her to see if her cabin-mate was all right. Mellah removed the left wing from her foe before beheading yet another as the second fell out of the sky. The third Goblin was eviscerated and Mellah spun quickly around to see that only she and Pilin remained in the air.

Mellah saw two more Goblins flying toward the lightly glowing Faer on the ground and angled her wings to chase them. The maiden’s sword impaled a Goblin only moments later and the Atilles maiden used her wings to halt her fall, the movement pulling her sword from her enemy’s body. Zebbin launched himself toward the other Goblin and beheaded it quickly while Mellah spent a moment watching an injured Dulah hold a clearly deceased Sacrin while her sobs began to fill the air.

Mellah! Pilin called urgently.

The eldest Fae looked up at the call and then Mellah returned to the battle above. Only eight Goblins remained yet they were swifter and larger than the species was normally known to be. Mellah and Pilin both suffered scratches from talons and wing-claws before all of the Goblins were dead and they were free to join their younger – and now silent – companions on the ground.

Nay! Pilin cried in horror and fell to his knees beside Zebbin whose neck had obviously been broken when the black body atop him had knocked him out of the air.

Nay, Mellah whispered as she crouched next to Dulah’s body slumped over Sacrin. The pool of blood sinking into the ground was alarmingly large. Mellah carefully lifted Dulah by her shoulders yet after only one glance at the lifeless blue eyes the maiden allowed her friend’s body to resume its position over Sacrin. Blessed Ladies, nay.

Mellah jumped to her feet and her right hand curled into a tight fist. The Atilles maiden then began to strike her own thigh with enough force and precision that the hidden wounds reopened and began to bleed. Mellah gritted her teeth and tilted her head back as she continued to inflict pain upon herself for many glorious moments.

Then her wrist was gripped in a strong hand, halting the damaging blows. Mellah was yanked closer to the male and she stumbled at the unexpected actions of her companion until their bodies collided forcefully. Then a hot mouth was on her neck and Mellah cried out in shock and grasped a handful of Pilin’s tunic in her left hand while her right was directed to her companion’s neck.

Pilin! Mellah rasped in agony and pushed against the male. Pilin, halt. Nay!

Mellah, Pilin replied hoarsely against her neck and the maiden stilled at the pain that she could clearly hear in her name. Mellah… Please, Mellah.

We are not young recruits, Mellah whispered soothingly and pulled the male into a tender embrace. You can have my comfort, Pilin, yet we cannot succumb to the madness. Not here and not now.

The mouth on her neck halted and then lifted and then the two Faer merely held one another as they stood on the grassland surrounded by their dead companions and nearly two dozen of their enemies. Many minutes passed before Pilin softly cleared his throat and then pulled out of Mellah’s arms while his own released their hold on the maiden.

Without words the two Faer began to dig into the hard packed soil of Escolis Fields. Two hours passed before they were able to lay the cooling shells of their companions to rest. The last rites were performed to the best of their ability and then Mellah and Pilin turned their backs on the mounds of freshly turned soil and the scattered remains of the Flying Goblins. They flew south for only a couple of minutes before Mellah halted them and landed and then lowered herself to sit on the ground.

Do we continue our mission or do we return home? Pilin asked quietly and lowered himself to sit facing the maiden. Mellah’s heart ached at the pain that filled her companion.

Which do you think would be best? Mellah whispered and allowed Pilin to lift her right hand into his. They both stared at the contrast of her pale skin against the male’s darker flesh. Which would you prefer, Pilin?

You are the leader of this mission—

Do not do that, Mellah interrupted sternly. There are only two of us, Pilin. We will decide together what we will do now.

Prince Balan ordered us to find the yellow rock and to take it to the marshland north of Millen Knolls.

Aye, yet there are only two of us now. Can we be successful and if we are not… Who will tell the Prince that we failed in our mission?

So we are agreed? Pilin whispered after many silent minutes and finally lifted his eyes from their hands.

Aye, we are agreed. Mellah felt her eyes fill with tears that she refused to shed. We will accomplish our goal or die in the attempt.

~

9th of Aptasrin

Dawn was still a few hours distant when Mellah and Pilin landed at the edge of the expansive marshland. Pilin immediately crouched and began to build a fire while Mellah stood watch and gathered the cloths that they had been ordered to tie around their mouths and noses. The maiden then filled two pots with water from the nearby Sica River before she returned to her companion and set the pots near the flames to heat.

I can hear the Water Goblins, Pilin said quietly without looking up at the maiden. They are some distance from here.

Aye, Mellah replied awkwardly. They had not spoken much to one another over the last two days of unceasing travel. "We must time our actions so that the fire