The Light of My Hearts

A couple days later...

Gillam had stopped flying and was casually walking beside Helia’s horse as they traversed farther and deeper into the North Woods. After meeting Alec and getting chased by goblins, the remaining leg of the trip had been uneventful. And yet, Helia acted nervous; jumpy even. Her eyes were constantly moving, her hand was resting on her saddle bag, and Gillam noticed more than once her head turned fast to look behind her.

Finally, he inquired about it, “Helia, are you alright?”

Helia looked down at him from her mount, “Yes. Why?”

“You seem...on edge.” He observed.

She blinked then huffed a short laugh.

“What?” Gillam asked.

“We’re getting close...and I don’t want to be surprised.”

“Surprised?”

Helia gestured to the forest around them, “By Kendrick. Son of a bitch is probably watching us right now.”

The fae glanced around, “Shouldn’t we be able to hear him?”

“Ha! He’s not called the Gray Shadow for nothing! I still can’t figure out how someone that big can be so quiet.” she grumbled.

Gillam made a confirming gesture with his head. It had been nearly a month since he’d last seen his sister and he had much to speak with her about her new beau. As her eldest brother, he felt it was his duty to protect her from anything. Even her own decisions. If something drastic needed to be done, he needed to be ready.

They traveled for a bit until Helia’s fidgeting became something else.

“Ugh...ok. I can’t hold it anymore. I’ve got to pee.” She groaned, stopped her horse, and carefully dismounted.

Gillam took Hershel’s reigns for her as she tip-toed out of sight into some private bushes. Helia found a suitable spot behind a thick piece of brush to relieve her sloshing bladder.

She was nearly finished when suddenly, “There’s poison ivy there.”

“YAGH!” Helia screamed, voiding the rest of her bladder in a millisecond when the giant’s voice startled her. “DAMMIT KENDRICK!”

Her head whipped around to see the giant, crouched but looming several yards away on the other side of her chosen bush.

He laughed at her reaction, “Hello, Slayer.”

“You son of a bitch! Get the hell out of here!” she swore, waving her arm.

He huffed, “Get out of my own forest? How rude of you, Slayer.” He gestured, “Besides, you’re the one marking bushes that aren’t yours.”

“Oh, for the love of...!” she groused, struggling to pull her pants back up. “I knew you were stalking around! How long have you been following us?”

He shrugged, “Not long, really.” He smirked, eyes gleaming playfully, “I noticed you were acting nervous.”

Helia buckled her belt tersely, “You wish.”

His smirk broadened to a sharp smile. Helia didn’t like the look. Before she could finish clasping her belt and draw her sword, he reached over and plucked her up by the back of her shirt.

“Dammit, Kendrick! Put me DOWN!” Helia cursed, kicking with fury.

“Weren’t nervous, eh? I think I smell a lie.” He chuckled, holding her up to his eye-level. His eyes flicked down to her half-drawn sword, “Oh? You want to play?”

She glared daggers at him and slowly pushed her sword back into the sheath and crossed her arms.

“Not with you.”

He dropped her in the palm of his other hand. She staggered and plopped down on her butt.

He poked her slightly with a finger, “Aw. Why not?”

She shoved his finger away, insisting harshly, “Your games are NOT fun for me. And I’m NOT your damn toy! Put me down...please.”

His brows went up, “Oh! A ‘please’? From you?”

Helia rolled her eyes, “If it will make you put me down, then yes. Please put me down.”

“Ah. But you sound insincere.” He ruffled her hair, “How about you admit that you missed me? Then I’ll put you down.”

Helia slapped at his finger again and balked at the request. She was seconds from drawing her sword again to make him stop when Gillam came running and stopped upon seeing Kendrick holding Helia.

The giant glanced over at him, “Oh! Hello, Gillam. How are you?”

“Um. Hello, Kendrick. I’m well, thank you.” He greeted automatically before focusing on Helia’s predicament, “What are you doing? Won’t you put her down?”

“I will. Once she admits she missed me. Just a few little words are all I need.” He gave an ornery smirk.

Helia was looking more outraged but then she sighed and sniped back, “I thought you didn’t like it when humans lied to you?”

Kendrick hissed through his teeth, “Ooo. Low blow, Slayer.”

And at that moment Twillow’s voice rang out as she flew down to greet them, “Gillam! Helia!”

“Twillow!” Gillam shouted back as his wings thrummed with power and he took to the air to meet her.

Midair the siblings embraced, wings creating a blurred vortex around them.

Twillow pulled away briefly, “Kendrick, don’t tease Helia. Please put her down.”

He gave an expression of disappointment but nodded, “Very well, my light.” He eyed Helia before gently setting her down, “Got out of it this time, Slayer.”

“You’re lucky she showed up before I hacked off that finger.”

He snickered, “Keep dreaming, Slayer.”

Twillow buzzed with excitement as she embraced her brother again and they landed together, “So where have you been? What have you been doing? I want to hear all about it!”

Gillam nodded with joy, “I’m so glad to see you, Sister.”

Her violet eyes immediately noticed the leather patch on his stilled wing, “Oh! What happened?”

Gillam flicked his wing slightly but shook his head, “Just a little tear. Helia patched it nicely for me.”

With a friendly smile she trotted over to Helia and when she noticed she wasn’t wearing her chainmail she embraced her too. (Ever since Gillam had come under her tutelage Helia had gotten into the habit of wearing a shirt over her chainmail and one under it. This was to prevent any accidents with the iron-sensitive fae while still maintaining her own protection.)

“It’s so good to see you!” Twillow then pulled her along, “Come! Kendrick and I were just getting ready to head back home. You must stay and have lunch with us.”

“Thank you, Twillow. That’s very kind of you. I’ll just go get my horse.”

Kendrick rose to his feet, rattling the branches above, “I’ll go on ahead then and get lunch ready.” He took two steps and when Twillow didn’t land on his shoulder he turned and asked, “Are you coming?”

“You go on ahead, Sweethearts. I’ll lead them.”

He nodded, “Alright.”

With a quick burst of speed Twillow darted up to his face and gave him a quick kiss on the tip of his nose. He smiled, amber eyes melting soft. Then he moved off in a louder manner that no one would miss. Helia shook her head, still baffled that he could be so quiet when he was easily making a huge racket befitting his size.

And then Gillam suddenly announced, “I’m going to go with him.”

“Oh?” Twillow sounded surprised.

Gillam gave an assured nod and flew past her.

“Well, all right. Whatever you want.” Twillow sounded surprised. “Helia and I will catch up.”

With that her brother darted away after the giant.

As the woman made her way back to her horse for the remainder of the journey, Twillow asked, “Has Gillam been doing well in learning your trade?”

Helia nodded, “He’s doing pretty well. Got me out of a few tight scrapes.” Then mumbled, “Got me into a couple too.”

Twillow gave a worried look, but Helia reassured her, “But overall, he’s a quick learner and very handy to have around.”

“Oh, that’s good to hear!” the fae sounded pleased.

She had hoped her brother would be an asset and not a burden to Helia in her profession. Gillam was brave and very talented in protecting others, herself among them. He’d always been the brother that would come to any rescue she needed no matter how minute which could be beneficial, but also annoying. Sometimes he could be too overbearing when it came to her romantic pursuits. (That was one personality trait he shared with their mother...and he hated it when Twillow called attention to it.)

Still, she could’ve very easily had a cold older brother who didn’t pay her any attention or was cruel to her since she was the youngest and the only girl amongst her siblings. But Gillam was her hero in many regards.

Though it did strike her odd that he would want to go with Kendrick instead of being near her to talk, she didn’t deny she wanted them to get along. Perhaps he was just trying to build that relationship? Or...maybe...he was being her typical protective older brother?

...

Gillam caught up to Kendrick, flying just beyond his broad left shoulder. Watching how effortlessly the giant could bend and sway fully grown trees like a wind in a grassy field made the fae’s spine feel a bit rubbery. Even though he had seen Kendrick at full size in Marlayla, the giant had acted very careful as he walked the night streets. Here in the forest, he moved with confidence and power.

Kendrick turned slightly when he heard his wings following, “Oh. It’s you. I thought Twillow changed her mind.”

“No. She’s going to travel with Helia for now.” Gillam explained.

“Ah. So, why aren’t you traveling with them too?”

Gillam seemed loath to speak what was on his mind even though questions had been stewing in his head for weeks.

He asked in a serious tone, “There are some things I need to discuss with you.”

Kendrick gave him a bemused look, “Oh?”

“Twillow is my baby sister. I’ve looked after her since she was born, so I know her better than most. But...I don’t know you at all.”

Kendrick gave a small shrug, “Ok...?”

“For instance, I didn’t know you were so notorious in this realm.”

The giant seemed to slow his pace slightly, giving the fae a sideways look.

He sighed, with an annoyed tone, “I’m not a beloved figure, no.”

Gillam continued as he flew, “It seemed like every town that Helia and I traveled to there was always talk of the Gray Shadow. That’s you?”

Kendrick nodded, “Yes.”

“Are the stories true then?”

“Depends on which stories you heard.” Kendrick replied frankly. “I myself haven’t heard all of them.”

Gillam’s tone grew more serious, “Then you’ve killed and eaten humans?”

“Hm. Coming right out and asking that question, are you?” Kendrick quipped back.

“Have you?”

To that, Kendrick stopped, amber eyes scrutinizing the fae, “Where exactly are these questions going, Gillam?”

The fae landed in a tree and flared his wings, “I make it a point to know any man Twillow takes a fancy to.”

“Hmm. So, you’re concerned I’m a danger to Twillow?” Kendrick hummed with a dash of derision creeping into his tone.

“I want to know what kind of man...or monster... my little sister is with. From the stories I’ve been hearing, they make it sound like she might be with the latter. But I want to ascertain that for myself.”

Kendrick narrowed his eyes, squaring his shoulders, “I see.” He paused, staring at Gillam. A hard gleam came into his amber eyes, “I’m well-aware that I’m seen as a monster. And I’ve killed many humans. Eaten a few. If we’re being honest...I regret very few of them.”

An uncomfortable squirming moved through Gillam’s guts. The thought of his sister being with someone whose kill count was too high to put a number to troubled him.

Kendrick’s eyes locked on the fae pointedly, “But you should also know I didn’t always kill humans who came into my forest. I never bothered them. In fact...there was a time when I was a boy that I wanted human friends more than anything.” He gave a weak nostalgic smile, “I was a lonely kid, I guess.” Then he frowned again, jaw sliding to the side, “But no matter what I did or how I acted, they always saw me as a monster. So, I ignored them for a time. Until they crossed a line.”

Gillam frowned as his statement created a realization, “You mean...when humans blinded your father?”

Kendrick’s head pulled back and his eyes widened, ”What?”

“We met your father in the forest two days ago.” The fae explained.

“You...and Slayer...met my father?” Kendrick repeated slowly. He sounded stunned and almost angered.

Gillam nodded, “He helped Helia and was very cordial to us.”

The giant sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose with frustration, “I’m sure he was.” He cursed under his breath as he shook his head with a barely contained rant, “What if it wasn’t you two he met up with? Suppose it was a group of slayers looking to make a name for themselves? He’s going to get himself seriously hurt or killed and I won’t be there to help him!”

As he fumed, Gillam was beginning to grasp Kendrick’s motivations. It didn’t make him feel better about the concept, but it made sense.

Kendrick gave a heavy sigh again, rant done but eyes still hard, “Yes. After they blinded my father, I knew I couldn’t ignore them. I would make them learn what a monster truly was.” His jaw slid sideways a bit, “I suppose it was also less painful to act like a monster and be treated like one than to be friendly and still be treated like a monster. It felt more... honest.”

A faint, yet pained glimmer came into Kendrick’s eyes before he turned away, “I’m sure you too believe I am a monster and that your sister has no business even being near me. I acknowledge that I’ve done monstrous things in my life...things I can never take back nor change.” His eyes went softer, “Your sister has seen the monster side of me and...I wish she never did. And yet...she gave me a chance and saw something beyond that. Something more. I love her for that. I love her beyond that.”

Gillam batted his wings a couple times as he processed what the giant professed. He could tell he meant every word.

Kendrick tipped his head with a questioning expression, “I’m surprised you’re actually disturbed that I kill humans. Citizens of the Parliel Realm seem to hate humans as much as I do. Your kind created the Division to get away from them after all.”

Gillam squirmed again but for a different reason. Before he met Helia he didn’t know enough about humans to form a strong opinion about them. He’d only chanced to see a couple in his life but never interacted. Kendrick wasn’t wrong in his observation. There were many who feared humans and saw any invasion into the Parliel Realm as a precursor to destruction. Hence why humans were banned unless they had the proper paperwork. And even those humans were not citizens.

"I don’t hate humans.”

The giant huffed, “Live around them a couple centuries like I have and you probably would.” He pointed to a few white marks on his cheek and the numerous dots marring his forearms, “Nearly every scar I have is from humans.”

“But isn’t Sig your friend?”

Kendrick nodded, “He and his family are an exception.”

“And Helia?”

A brief smirk curved his mouth, ”Perhaps we could call her that...?”

Gillam brought up another question, “Kendrick, you do know you have a sizable bounty on your head?”

“Slayer has made me well aware of that fact, yes.”

“I’m concerned Twillow might be harmed because of that.” Gillam admitted.

Kendrick turned to Gillam again with more conviction, “She is safe with me.”

“You are a target...and she will be also.”

The fae could see a flash of worry skitter through Kendrick’s expression before vanishing under his own self-assuredness, “I will do everything I can to keep her safe, Gillam. No one will harm her while I live.”

Though Gillam didn’t doubt that statement, and he knew his sister was very powerful magically, the threat still remained. With the prevalence of iron in this realm, it wouldn’t take much to render Twillow helpless, or heaven forbid, kill her. He himself was at constant risk. There had been a couple times he’d accidentally brushed past a human’s iron arm guard or a chainmailed back and felt the hot burn prick at him. The arrow that had punctured his wing still hurt even now as it slowly healed. He couldn’t suffer the thought of his sister being shot.

“Well...maybe there’s a way to prevent that from happening?”

Kendrick tipped his head, “What do you mean?

“You’ve said everyone sees you as a monster. Killing any humans who come into your forest confirms that perception. Perhaps you need to change that image.”

The giant sounded confused and skeptical, “My image?”

“Yes. I mean, you have every right to be angry with what happened to you and your father, but aren’t the humans who committed that dead now?”

“Yes. I made sure of that.” he replied darkly.

“Well...why not try to make peace with the humans now?”

To that Kendrick barked a thunderous laugh, shaking his head, ”Right.”

“I’m serious!”

“I know you are. But that is impossible...and out of the question.”

Gillam hopped off the branch he had been standing on and flew in the air as he spoke, “You and I both want to protect Twillow and keep her safe. Yes?”

“Of course.”

He gestured, “Well if you make peace with the humans, you won’t have that bounty on your head. And if you don’t have that huge price hanging over you the humans won’t feel the need to hunt you down to collect it.”

“What a lovely fantasy.” Kendrick’s sarcasm was blatant, “Let’s just say for one second that I’m in agreement to this lunacy: how exactly would I make peace with a species that either runs away screaming or shoots me on sight?”

“You and I know it won’t happen overnight. But making peace would make it safer for both you and Twillow, wouldn’t it?”

Kendrick frowned, “It’s impossible, Gillam. Even if by some miracle the humans would even stick around long enough for me to speak civilly, they’d never make peace with me. There’s one thing I’ve learned about humans, they are as vengeful as I am. Peace or no, someone would take advantage of my complacency and kill me when my guard is down. I can’t trust them.”

Gillam tried to retort but Kendrick began walking again. The fae followed.

“You won’t try?” Gillam prompted.

“Look, Gillam. I know you are worried for Twillow. I understand and respect that. You are a good older brother to her. But I can and will keep her safe. You have my word.”

Gillam nodded, “I believe you.”

Kendrick returned the nod.

Though he still held reservations about the giant’s violent dealings with the humans, Gillam felt he had a much better understanding of Kendrick now. Now he seemed far less a monster and more of a man with a dark past who was entering the first steps of a better life. From his tone and behavior, Gillam could tell that Kendrick loved his sister purely and would do anything for her. Still, he hoped Kendrick’s stubborn refusal to change his hatred for humans would weaken and peace would be made. He followed alongside the giant, knowing he still needed to talk to Twillow about this.