Thread: The Golden Heart - Curious Cat & Butterflyluv0408

Covering his face from the sandy breeze of the desert, his horse weakly trotted up and down the dunes of the unforgiving land. Visibility was becoming scarce, and no shelter was in sight. Covering his mouth with his large sleeve he coughed, the silty sand filling his lungs making it hard to breathe, let alone see. Eslred, I He yelled over the wind that became louder to his cousin who lay limp across the back of the horse. Before he could finish his words, the horses leg finally gave and collapsed. The poor beast huffed a few deep breaths after discarding the forsaken Lyles into the sand, closing its eyes and laying there to die in peace. Grasping his tattered cloak, he pulled it over himself and his dying cousin as the sandstorm set in. We should have died in the battle, Alexandre Not here. Eslred choked out, his lips dry and blistered, his face pale white with fever. It is not over until you are underground, Eslred Alexandre said, the young brigand Lyle trying to keep hope alive. Or in the stomach of vultures They are resting their wings and waiting out the storm, but they will return Eslred said, already succumbing to his own death. Were not meant to die here, cousin Were meant to die another mile from here. He humored, Eslreds somber face managing a smile between gagging coughs as the storm rolled over them. Silence reigned between the two for some time. Listening to the wailing of the wind, they laid there for an hour for it to pass. As the winds began to calm and the merciless sun began to impale the thick cloak with blistering heat, Alexandre stood and extended his hand to help Eslred get to his feet. No Eslred breathed out, his eyes struggling to remain open. If you try to take me with you, you wont make it as far Leave me here Can you give me my dagger? His dying cousin asked. Alexandre stared at him a moment in sadness. I guess this is good-bye He said, opening the dead horses satchel and pulling out their almost empty canteen and the iron dagger. My father was stabbed right in the heart by that Tremaine I always thought Id use it to taste the blood of more Tremaine But, no matter how many of their kin I fed that blade, it still wasnt equal to my father He quipped, a comforting smile forming on his face as he closed his eyes and took the dagger from Alexandre. Well be together soon You, however I dont wish to see you for a while. Get out of here alive, Alexandre. He whispered. Leaning down, Alexandre kissed his forehead and began his journey alone. Elsred would not let Alexandre be there when he took his own life. The sun oppressed the brigand prince, battering him each step he took through the treacherous sand. Crossing dune after dune, there was only the sight of a green mountain up ahead. It would be days of journey to get to it, blending right into the horizon. Stumbling down the edge of the dune he spotted something in the saddle where the two sand mounds met. Perhaps another dead soldier that fled the great battle? Approaching the mount of clothing, a soft groan was heard and a white head tilted in his direction. An old woman laid there, haggard and looking as though she was an inch from death. Water? She bellowed in her dry throat. Alexandre took pity on the woman, seeing the suffering on her face. Kneeling beside her, he unscrewed his flask and helped the woman sit up. Propping her back against his knee, he offered the last of his life-giving water to the old woman. Licking her dry lips, she stood as if he had breathed life into her. Turning around, the old woman shifted into a beautiful pale-skinned woman. The alluring creature smiled brightly at him, reaching for his face to caress it. In fear, Alexandre backed away to not be touched and fell backward into the sand on his bottom. Staring up at her, he put his hand on the hilt of his sword. Young man, I wont harm you Youve showed me you are different than the other men who litter my paradise. She said, meaning her desert. My land is harsh to those who cannot persevere Its nature is just like mine. As I would have punished your apathy with apathy, I will reward your salvation with salvation. The woman cooed, pointing to the ground as water began to puddle in the muddy sand. With glazed, thirst-filled eyes, the Alexandre leaped to the puddle and began to dig to get more water. Drinking handfuls of the water, he did not even take time to thank her. You will continue your journey You will see three vultures coveting something. Take it and you can wish yourself anywhere your eyes can see. Also, cut open one of the vultures and swallow the prize within The golden heart. Swallow it. The woman told him. Looking up at her with his muddy, dripping chin he watched as she crossed the dune and vanished. Filling his canteen, he began his journey once again As dusk came, he approached a boulder where three vultures roosted. Each of them mouthed a piece of a cloak in their beaks, tugging at it. As they fought for the cloth, Alexandre prepared his sling. Twirling his sling after placing a nearby stone in its nap, he hurled the stone at the fighting birds. Striking one in the neck, it collapsed and the other two flew away. Approaching the bird, he was dubious it was dead and prodded it with his sword. Finding it has indeed perished, he carved open the dead bird with his own dagger. Cutting into it, he gagged, but was already planning to roast the vulture this evening to eat. Perhaps it would taste like chicken? Finding nothing strange about the bird, he pushed the dagger upward and felt it hitting against a solid object. Prying it out of the bloody mess, it was a tiny golden orb no bigger than an eye. Cleaning it off, he prepared his canteen and mouthed it. Swallowing hard, he bathed it with a good drink of water. After cooking the bird over a small fire, he slept against the still warm boulder. Cooked by the sun during the day, it would remain warm through the cold night as he snuggled tightly into the wishing cloak. Awakening the next morning, he stood and stretched. Strangely, something on the ground where he was sleeping glimmered. Leaning down, he picked up a golden coin. How strange Pocketing the valuable bauble, he put on the cloak and stared at the green mountains in the distance. Wrapping himself in the cloak he closed his eyes and pictured himself there. The air around him changed Pulling the cloak away he was on top of the mountain. Swallowing hard, he was close to a ledge and turned his sights to green lands in the distance on the other side of the mountain. Quickly, he wished himself there and found himself on a dirt road. He escaped the desert alive In a week of wandering, each morning he would awaken and find a gold coin where he slept. The result of the golden heart he had swallowed Spotting a plantation, he walked the fence to see male slaves working the fields. Approaching the plantation house, he desired to sleep in a real bed. A very welcomed change. A man here wants a room When did we become an inn? The matriarch Lilath grumbled, playing with the gold coin in his hand. If he didnt have such pretty gold coins, I would have cast him out My dear Her wicked mother began, puffing at her long cigarette and blowing rings of smoke. Find out how much he is worth Use that pretty face I gave you Perhaps hed make a fine ransom or has a little nest egg with more of these lovely coins? She cooed, rolling the heavy golden coin between her fingers with a malicious smile.