Stranded

Upon hearing the roar from the huge beast, Reva and Avery immediately swam to the lake shore, then looked on in horror as the beast charged down the beach towards the rest of the crew.

With relief, they watched as the crew barely escaped to safety, then rowed back to The Torch Flower. However Avery and Reva were now stranded. As Avery looked on in horror, Reva dragged the younger girl into the darker undergrowth to hide.

Reva cursed. “Well isn’t this just brilliant? We’re trapped on an island with a Ravager and a Grey, whilst in our bathing costumes, and there’s a storm coming!”

Avery shook her head. “What’s a Ravager, and what’s a Grey?”

Reva snapped. “Seriously Avery, if you can’t work that much out, you truly are an idiot?”

Avery crumbled. “They’re both grey? The Ravager is the beast? The Grey is the rider? How am I supposed to know which is which?”

Seeing how upset Avery was, Reva calmed a little. “Correct! The giant beast is a Ravager. The thing riding it is a Grey. Neither of them have been seen for hundreds of years, because they came through the portals before they were destroyed. After that, those this side of the portals were hunted down and killed, and that was no easy task from what I know. So that, combined with the Maelstrom and the incoming storm, might explain why nobody ever comes to The Strands? For a very good reason? Entire ships just disappear down here, but my guess is that it isn’t just The Maelstrom that causes some of those ships to disappear. Those beasts probably killed a lot of them.”

Avery replied. “But the storms killed a lot of people as well, and wrecked a lot of ships! Look at it, those storm clouds look bad!”

Reva nodded. “Indeed, and we’re trapped here, on an island, in our bathing costumes, with two towels, and my two daggers? Because you didn’t think to bring your axe, did you Avery?”

Avery produced a dagger. “Don’t take it out on me Reva? I’ve got a dagger!”

Reva chuckled. “Well done, and where exactly were you hiding that dagger?”

Avery shrugged. “The same place as you I assume? Inside the towel? Those creatures are coming back along the beach, so we might want to back away slowly and quietly?”

As they crept back silently through the undergrowth, Avery whispered. “We can swim South to the next Strand? It’s only a five minute swim?”

Reva sighed. “What a great idea Avery, and who’s to say there’s not more of those beasts there?”

Avery snapped. “Reva, what exactly is your problem with me? Well done, you brought two daggers, and I only brought one. We know for a fact there’s a Ravager and a Grey on this island. We don’t know for a fact that there are any to the South? Yes there might be a hundred of them on the Southern island, but do you really want to stay here? Or do you have any better ideas? Because I don’t want to be anywhere near those things!”

Reva paused. “I’m sorry Avery, I agree with you. Let’s move quietly and hope that thing doesn’t have a good sense of smell, because the wind has just shifted from the incoming storm, and…”

There was an almighty roar as if to confirm the Ravager’s sense of smell, and they could hear the huge beast charging through the trees towards them. Avery and Reva ran for their lives as trees toppled down behind them, but the beast was faster.

The undergrowth was now getting too thick, and suddenly the beast was thundering behind them. Reva dragged Avery between two of the thicker trees, and as the Ravager’s horns swept in an arc, they lodged into the larger tree, and fortunately stuck there. They ran towards the Southern shore, but the beast quickly freed itself and charged at them once again. They’d just managed to make it to the shoreline as the beast roared once more, and a tree toppled over to land on top of them both.

Reva’s head was covered in blood as she pulled Avery from beneath a large branch, and they scrambled into the water, but the beast was right behind them. They swam towards the Southern island and fortunately, the water soon became too deep for the Ravager to chase them.

Avery swam to the beach, then looked around in shock as she saw Reva thirty feet from the shore, face down in the water. Avery dropped her towel and dagger, then swam back for Reva. She flipped Reva on to her back, then dragged her back to shore.

Reva was still breathing, but was unconscious and had a deep cut above her ear from where a branch from the tree had landed on her head.

Avery crouched next to Reva and tried to wake her. “Reva, you’d better wake up! You need to wake up, damn it.”

When Reva didn’t respond, Avery tried to hide her tears, though from whom, she didn’t know. She looked out to sea, and for some reason, the Torch Flower was drifting away from them? Surely the crew would come back to pick them up? Surely they’d send the Runner back for them? Why were they leaving?

Avery noted the dark clouds on the horizon. There was a storm coming. And it was no ordinary storm. The Maelstrom was coming three weeks early, and it looked terrifying.

Avery knew that there was a hill close by, and with relief spotted a cave in the face of hill. She had to wade through a pool to reach the cave. It was more of an overhang, but had an enclosed area at the back. It was small, but it was likely the best shelter that she’d find and enough room to fit some supplies, if they had any.

Avery returned to the beach and found Reva. Avery discovered that trying to pick up an unconscious person was a lot more difficult than she’d anticipated. Especially when they were larger and heavier than you.

Eventually, she managed to heave Reva onto her shoulder and staggered through the undergrowth to lay her down in the cave.

Avery returned for Reva’s daggers, then found a spot in the sun to dry the towels. Then she scouted the area in a panic. Although it was a hot day and the middle of summer, the Maelstrom was freezing cold, and the temperature would drop substantially. There would be rain, sleet, snow, lightning, and thunder.

Avery and Reva would freeze with only their swimming costumes and two towels. They didn’t even have a flint and steel to light a fire. There was nothing Avery could do about that, so instead she foraged for food. She managed to vegetables and mushrooms, and bizarrely realised that she was laughing.

Avery chuckled. “I have mushrooms, vegetables, two swimming costumes, three daggers, two towels, and an unconscious Reva! Oh, and there’s a storm coming! I don’t know what to do?”

Avery’s laughter continued as she returned to the cave, then paused as she checked on Reva again. Although Reva’s face looked bad, the cut wasn’t deep, and it was mostly scratches. There was a massive bruise and cut behind Reva’s ear, which explained why she was unconscious.

As Avery went to check on the towels, with relief, she heard the gentle fluttering of wings. Talon swept down, carrying a water bottle and dropped it to the ground.

Talon whispered:

Box To West!

Storm Is Coming!

Box To West!

Avery unfolded the note attached to Talon’s leg.

Run! Go to the Western beach now! There is box of supplies floating towards you. It might miss the beach! Torch Flower attacked. Rigging is damaged. The Runner is damaged. We can’t reach you now and we’re drifting into the Maelstrom. Find shelter! Stay quiet! Stay safe! We will come for you after the storm! Avery, Reva will take care of you.

Avery laughed at that, given that Reva was unconscious. “Talon, you need to get back to The Torch Flower before that storm hits. Let the crew know that we got the note. Thank you Talon! Tell the crew we got the note.”

Talon hovered above Avery’s head.

Got The Note!

Box To West!

Storm Is Coming!

After Talon left, Avery sprinted through the undergrowth to the West, and the Torch Flower seemed so far away. The storm was a black and grey bruise spreading across the horizon, and despite the fact it was the middle of the day, it was getting darker by the minute. A flash of lightning lit up the darkness, and several seconds later, the thunder felt like a physical force as it washed over her.

The lightning helped Avery as it lit up the small crate floating in the distance. Faran, as always, was a genius. He had added something reflective to the top of the crate and it lit up with every lightning bolt. Avery knew that the crate was going to miss the beach. The currents had taken it too far to the West.

She swam out and somehow managed to drag the crate onto the shore just as the rain started. Avery considered opening the crate there and then, but knew that she didn’t have time for two trips, and the contents would get wet. Somehow she managed to get the crate onto her shoulder. The crate over her shoulder was unwieldy and she dropped it three times and had to switch shoulders twice from where it dug into her naked shoulders. She should have brought a towel.

I should have brought a towel! I’m an idiot!

As she got back, she checked on Reva, who was still unconscious and getting colder by the minute.

No, I should have covered Reva with the towels before I left! I’m an idiot!

Avery covered the unconscious woman with the two towels. Avery was beyond exhaustion now, with every muscle screaming out at her in protestation. However she didn’t have time to rest. They needed water, but as she picked up the water bottle, she realised that it wasn’t empty. Twisting the top off, Avery grinned as she found a flint and steel, and a tinderbox inside.

It was getting darker but Avery knew she had a couple of hours at least before the storm fully hit. There was a break in the rainfall and Avery knew it would only be a temporary lapse. She pulled the reflective cloth from the top of the crate and used the string that held it in place to make a small bag she looped over her shoulder, wincing as the rough string rubbed off her already cut and bruised shoulder. She left the crate for now and went foraging whilst she still had the time and could still see. She found a rabbit warren, and as the rabbits came back to avoid the storm, she managed to throw he knife and killed three of them. Avery followed an animal trail and came across a small clearing and she laughed as she looked around it. There were mushrooms, potatoes, onions, and non-carrots as Bear called them.

She had filled her makeshift bag and headed back to the cave. She’d been too slow and felt panic rise as the rain assaulted her with full strength and the wind tore at her hair. Then the darkness of the Maelstrom hit and she could barely see now.

She felt her panic rise because she’d lost her way! Suddenly a bolt of lightning lit up the darkness, and it reflected from the pool leading into the cave. She was almost there. Then the shock wave from the thunder somehow knocked her to the ground.

Avery scrambled into the cave as the storm’s anger seemed to shake the ground. It was now almost pitch black, interspersed with bright flashes as the lightning crackled around her.

Avery then remembered that she hadn’t filled the water bottle, and she needed firewood? How could she be so stupid? Water and dry firewood should have been the first priorities! Not picking vegetables.

Avery crawled back out into the storm again as hailstones battered against her back. She worked her way around the overhang and found a dead bush. And then a small fallen tree that had been protected so far from the storm, so wasn’t soaked through yet. Avery screamed in frustration as she tried to drag the bush from the earth, but the roots were too strong. She went back for her dagger and finally managed to cut it free. Then she went back out and found what moss and wood she could. She knew it wouldn’t be enough.

She went back out once again and collected wood and the wind was so strong branches were being ripped from the trees. They were no good because she needed dead wood, even though it was soaked through. Her back was red raw from now from the sleet and hailstones, never mind the branches battering at her.

The hailstones were growing in size and each one seemed to punch into her like a thrown stone. Avery knew all about having stones thrown at her, but it felt like there were dozens of children pummelling her with stones. Avery was wet and shivering as she crawled back into the cave.

Camping

Avery was exhausted, bruised, cut, scraped and sore. She’d been so busy that she hadn’t had time to think, and she knew that she’d messed up everything! Avery should have opened the crate first? No, she should have bandaged Reva’s wounds first surely? With what?

There’ll be a med-kit in the crate? Why didn’t I open the crate first?

Avery’s strength was failing as she levered the lid from the small crate, and inside she found a large package wrapped in watercloth. Avery shook her head as she realised yet another mistake.

Faran wrapped it all up in watercloth? I could have opened the crate on the beach, then carried the water tight package over my back? Rather than stumbling through the trees carrying the crate? Faran had already considered this? I’m so stupid!

No, I am not stupid! The crate will work as firewood? It’s only wet on the outside, not the inside! Well I am stupid, but it worked out fine! It doesn’t matter that it was pure luck! Just don’t panic! Why won’t Reva wake up? I don’t know what to do? I’m making such a mess of things!

Why didn’t I light a fire first? Now I can’t see! It’s too dark now? I should have lit the fire first! I’m locked in the cupboard in the basement!

Avery flinched as lightning lit up the cave.

No, it’s fine! I’m not locked in the basement, I just need to light a fire!

Avery screamed in frustration as she failed to light a fire, however finally the sparks from the flint and steel took the dry bush, and a small flame appeared. Avery relaxed as the fire finally took hold, but it was going to blow out given the wind from the storm was incredible.

Idiot, why do I do everything in the wrong order? I should have surrounded the fire in stones first! But I couldn’t see the stones without fire? I’m so confused, and I’m so tired! What do I do first?

Avery placed stones around the fire, then added more wood and it finally took!

Look, a real fire! Now I can see! I’m not in the basement! Instead I’m in a cave, in the middle of an island that nobody ever comes to, because it’s full of monsters and next to the Maelstrom! The storm throwing hailstones the size of grapes down on me, but at least I can seen now! Or, I can see until the wood runs out! Wait, I should have opened the package first, what is wrong with me? No, I needed light first before I could see the package, which is why I needed a fire! The order was correct! Calm down!

Avery unwrapped the package, and the first thing she saw was her hat! Avery needed her hat! She put it on her head, and in that act, she felt calm! That was a lie. Avery felt calmer.

See! I have light! I have my hat! My hat was the most important thing! Bear must have grabbed it as they ran away! Bear knew how important my hat was to me so he grabbed it alongside the rum!

It felt like it was her birthday as she unwrapped the package. There was two of everything they needed! Shirts, jumpers, trousers, thin blankets, think shoes, nails, razor-wire, a cup, a small pan containing salted beef, herbs and spices, salt and pepper, Wolden’s Eye, string, fishing line and hooks, hard tack, dried fruit, a dagger, a candle, another med-kit, a water bottle, and a blanket.

And at the bottom lay Avery’s Axe! Bear must have grabbed her axe as well! So she had pretty much all the essentials!

See, everything is fine! This is everything you’d take on a camping trip? We’re just on a camping trip! In the middle of The Maelstrom, surrounded by monsters, and Reva is unconscious! But it’s just a camping trip!

And I have my hat! And I have my axe!

Reva had regained some colour, and at least wasn’t getting any colder, even if she didn’t seem to be getting any warmer. Her breathing seemed more natural, and yet, she still showed no sign of wakening. Avery dribbled some water into Reva’s mouth and with relief, Reva seemed to respond and swallowed it.

Avery laughed at the insanity of it all, stoked the fire, then crept back out into the Maelstrom to fill the pan with water from the pool. Then, she started making rabbit stew!

It’s just like when me and Bear used to go camping! Bear makes a great stew, and this is a camping trip! Except I’m all alone! I’m all alone with the one person who I’m scared of more than anyone in the world! I’m all alone with the one person I want to be alone with more than anything in the world! And she’s unconscious! Why won’t Reva wake up?

Avery was starting to get concerned because although Reva was warmer, she was still too cold. Reva didn’t even flinch as Avery shaved the side of her head, cleaned up the cut behind her ear, applied a salve, stitched up the cut, then bandaged it.

What if Reva gets angry because I shaved her hair? She’s so beautiful, and I love her hair! Reva will be furious with me!

Avery cleaned up Reva’s other cuts and scratches, then bandaged one of the more serious cuts on her arm. Avery placed both blankets over Reva, followed by the watercloth, and finally Reva started to warm up.

Avery was exhausted, so after eating some of the stew she stared into the fire and felt herself drifting into sleep. The storm was relentless, and the cold was seeping into the cave so Avery added more fuel to the fire and placed her hat over Reva’s head. Then Avery realised that she was shivering herself so she curled up behind Reva, then held Reva close until finally they were both warm.

After the days events, Avery was delirious, but every time she started to fall asleep, a flash of lightning, or a roll of thunder shocked her back awake. As exhaustion took her and as she slid into unconsciousness, she gently kissed the back of Reva’s neck and whispered. “One day I might summon up the courage to tell you that I love you Reva, but I really need you to wake up first! I’m so scared and I don’t know what to do...”

Reva Awakens

Reva’s eyes snapped open at Avery’s kiss and they glittered with purple lightning. Her eyes danced in the firelight, though the purple lightning subsided after a few seconds. Reva was furious at Avery for kissing her, but as she moved to shrug the girl away, she realised just how cold Avery was. How cold they both were. Avery twitched with every roll of thunder and was moaning in her sleep.

Pathetic little girl! It’s only a thunderstorm!

Reva looked around the cave in confusion. The last thing that she could remember was swimming to the island to the South. She must have been unconscious for several hours, given the storm was already upon them.

How did I get here? Where did Avery get blankets from? Why am I wearing Avery’s hat? Where did Avery get her hat from? How did Avery light a fire? Where did she get a pot to make stew? Where did she get rabbits and vegetables?

Reva looked at the water bottle in front of her and took a drink.

Where did Avery get a water bottle from? What is going on? I’m hungry and that stew smells pretty amazing!

Reva suddenly lost her appetite as she felt the world spin, then spent a few seconds trying not to throw up, as concussion washed over her and she tried to work out why she was in a cave. Avery’s breathing grew lighter as she drifted into full sleep.

Avery kissed the back of my neck! How dare she!

That was what had woken Reva! The whisper of Avery’s breath on Reva’s neck was sending shivers down her spine, followed by goosebumps rippling down her arms.

Avery loves me? I must have concussion, or I’m sick! Or I’m dreaming? Ridiculous!

As Reva moved to stand up, a bolt of lightning lit up the cave. Avery twitched in her sleep as the thunder reverberated around the cave, and as she did so she subconsciously wrapped her arms tighter around Reva. And yet although Avery was obviously terrified, her hug was protective? Avery was trying to protect Reva? The thought was laughable! And yet, how did she get here?

Reva stared into the fire in confusion for a long time, then as she took Avery’s hand in order to extricate herself, she paused.

Avery is crying like a little baby as always! Avery loves me?

Reva closed her eyes as she fell asleep, wrapped up in Avery’s arms.

Avery Awakening! [Break]

Avery cried out in her sleep, then rolled to the side to see Reva kneeling over her. “Ow, what the hell Reva?”

Avery looked round in confusion, then smiled in relief. “Reva! You’re awake!”

Reva’s glare was furious as she hissed. “Just lie still Avery!”

Avery’s cheer disappeared in an instant, and she was trembling. “I only shaved a small section of your hair! I’m sorry! Only because I had to!”

Reva snarled. “Avery, do you really think I’m angry with you for shaving my hair so you could stitch up and bandage my cut? Seriously? Get a grip! But I am going to hurt you so please stop being a snivelling little baby and sit still! I’m going do to do what you should have done yourself! I need to clean that cut! And another half dozen, then I’m going to stitch up two of them, and it’s going to hurt. Then I’m then going to clean up the hundreds of other cuts and scrapes that you have everywhere? What the hell did you do to your feet and your legs? And the state of your back?”

Reva sighed as she looked at the state of Avery’s legs. “You’re unbelievable Avery, just look at that cut! Seeing as I’m guessing that you cleaned all my cuts? Even the tiny ones? Seeing as you stitched up my head, you didn’t bother to look at your own cuts, which are more serious? Are you completely stupid?”

Avery shook her head in horror as she backed into the corner. “I was trying Reva, but I got the order wrong! I should have lit the fire first, but there was a break in the hailstorm. I think I should have got water first, but there was a pool outside. I forgot about getting wood, I should have done that first, so that’s why the wood is wet. I don’t mean to be stupid, I tried my best! You were unconscious!”

Reva scorned her. “Look at you cowering there like a scared little girl! Are you trying to make me feel sorry for you? You stitch me up and you forget to stitch yourself up? How romantic!”

Avery had tears in her eyes. “You were awake! You were just pretending to be unconscious! You heard everything I said, didn’t you?”

Reva paused, then shook her head. “What are you talking about Avery?”

Avery snarled as she leapt to her feet. “I know I’m a pathetic, scared little girl! I know you laugh at me Reva, but there’s no need to humiliate me! I’m sorry I’m not like you! But you were unconscious? I tried my best! I’m sorry I messed it all up! I was tired! And yes, I was scared! I’m not like you Reva!”

Stitches

Reva paused, then calmed down. “I’m sorry Avery, but you should have seen to that cut on your leg before you cleaned all of my smaller cuts? I have a blinding headache and I have concussion. I’m somewhat confused as to what the hell is going on right now and where I am?”

Avery said “You fell unconscious as we were swimming. I pulled you from the water and I found this cave. The Maelstrom came. I’m not sure given I can’t see the sun but I would guess you were unconscious for maybe fourteen hours?”

Reva looked around the cave in amazement. “So where’s the crew Avery? Where’s The Torch Flower? They didn’t just drop all these supplies here and leave us here, did they? Or is this a little romantic getaway, in the middle of the Maelstrom? Why would the crew drop all this off, but not take us back to the ship?”

Reva sighed. “And why didn’t the crew patch you up Avery? You have scratches and bruises everywhere! What happened to your back? It’s covered in small bruises? Your feet, and you legs? And you have clothes here, so why didn’t you get dressed?”

Avery shook her head. “Too many questions Reva! Did you hear what I said when I fell asleep?”

Reva lied. “No Avery, I heard you snoring in my ear, what do you think woke me up? If you were explaining to me what the hell is going on, I was unconscious at the time.”

Avery frowned. “You heard me! You were awake! You were only pretending to be asleep!”

Reva slapped Avery. “Avery? Seriously? There are more important things to worry about than whatever I didn’t hear whilst I was unconscious! Which was probably you crying? Can we have a little focus? Priorities? Where are we and what the hell is going on?”

Avery nodded in fright. “We’re at the South West Strand. The one to the South of the island we were at. We ran away from that big beast that dropped a tree on our heads? The Torch Flower was attacked and they’re trying to repair it before they’re sucked into the Maelstrom. They’re going to come back for us after the storm.”

Reva nodded incredulously. “Really, so how did I get here? Where did you get all these supplies from? And your hat? And your axe!”

Avery replied. “The crew sent a package in a crate! I swum out into the sea to get it and I brought it here.”

Reva sighed. “Really? You brought all this here? And where did you get the rabbits? The potatoes? The vegetables? The stew?”

Avery said. “I gathered as much as I could. Why do you think I’m covered in bruises on my back? I had to crawl back in hailstones! I picked the vegetables, caught the rabbits, and I made the stew!”

Reva shook her head. “Really? In hailstones? There may be a storm, but it’s the middle of summer? It’s raining, there is no hailstorm!”

Avery growled. “Oh really Reva? This is the Maelstrom? It may be raining now, but there was hailstones a few hours ago!”

Reva shook her head. “Hailstones caused those bruises, seriously Avery? Come on, let’s get you cleaned up. How did we get here? The last thing I remember was swimming whilst being chased by a Ravager?”

Avery nodded. “A tree landed on your head. You lost consciousness half way across whilst swimming to this island, so I brought you here.”

Reva’s anger was building now. “Stop lying to me Avery. I’ve just been for a walk. Yes, it’s raining but we’re nowhere near the shore! So how could you possibly get me here? Where’s the crew, or there must be a town nearby? I don’t believe that you swam out and got some sort of magic crate with your hat, your axe, and all this stuff?”

Avery’s eyes brimmed with tears, then she grit her teeth in fury as Reva applied salve, and a bandage, then wrapped another bandage around Avery’s foot. Reva sighed. “Keep them clean and they’re fine. Look at the state of you Avery, I know a tree fell on us both, but you are covered in cuts, scratches and bruises? How did I get here? Where did all the supplies come from? Where’s the crew? Tell me the truth!”

Avery paused in consideration, then tilted her head to the side, as if trying to work something out in her head involved listening at something she couldn’t quite hear in the sky.

Reva hated it when Avery tilted her head like that. At first Reva had wondered whether Avery was doing it deliberately to wind her up. Later Reva realised that Avery was doing it subconsciously and didn’t know how much Reva hated it. Later still Reva realised that she was subconsciously creating the triggers to make Avery tilt her head like that.

Avery always held that pondering look for a second when she was either recalling something, or genuinely thinking about the answer. But she also did it when she was being sarcastic, which was somehow even cuter.

Avery said in a bored tone that slowly escalated into fury. “Well, let me see Reva? The truth? Well, I swam back out into the sea, where you were face down in the water, then I swam back with you and pulled you to the beach. I then swam back out again in order to retrieve your towel and daggers. I then carried you over my shoulder to this cave. I then went back to collect our towels and daggers, because I failed to carry them whilst carrying you. I then swam out to collect the crate, and brought it back here. That’s why my legs and feet and shoulders are covered in cuts. Because I was running about in my bare feet for several hours, wearing nothing but my swimming costume. Some of that time with you over my shoulder, carrying supplies, or carrying that crate over my shoulder! I also cut my feet and legs finding food, rabbits, vegetables, potatoes, and mushrooms. Oh, I used them to make the stew which you have just been eating. I was really quite tired by this point, so I then tried to keep you warm, shaved your head, stitched your head up, cleaned your wounds, bandaged you, and tried to keep you warm!”

Avery’s fury was so incredible Reva took a step back. “So I’m sorry if I was so blasted exhausted that I didn’t clean up my own scratches. I’d had a really long day, and you were unconscious! I was more worried about you, and you were so cold! And it took me ages to light the blasted fire, so why don’t you give me a break Reva? I know I did it in the wrong order, and I screwed up, but I was trying my best! I don’t know what to do in this situation, do I? Oh, and we got a nice little note from the Torch Flower saying ‘Don’t worry Avery, Reva will take care of you!’ No, I was all by myself, and I tried my best! Why are you always so mean to me Reva? I hate you!”

Reva was furious because she wanted to give Avery a hug, so instead she mocked her. “Really Avery, and here was me thinking that you loved me?”

Avery crumbled at that, then looked down in misery. However to Reva’s surprise, Avery’s anger returned. “I knew that you’d heard that Reva. It seems that I made a mistake there, because I don’t love you, I hate you!”

That’s for the best! Just keep it that way Avery!

Reva wanted Avery to hate her, and yet she felt bad as she saw Avery hobble out of the cave into the storm.

I should be furious because she’s about to get those bandages wet!

And yet Reva could still feel Avery’s kiss on the back of her neck! As a flush ran through her, Reva hated Avery almost as much as she hated herself.

Huff

Reva was relieved when Avery returned to the cave a few minutes later and chuckled. “That was a short huff for you Avery!”

Avery grabbed her hat, then picked up her axe as she hissed. “Sorry Reva, I forgot my axe and hat. I need them both for a proper huff! Stay here and stay quiet!”

Again Reva took a step back, this time because she saw murder in Avery’s eyes. Before Reva could react, Avery had somehow taken one of Reva’s daggers and held it in her left hand. The girl whispered. “I’m borrowing one of your daggers, given I’m in a massive huff!”

Reva laughed as she dropped into a defensive stance. “Oh, how romantic Avery! Is this the point where we kiss?”

Reva was surprised that Avery didn’t look embarrassed. Instead her anger lit up like a beautiful beacon. Reva had seen Avery’s dark moods, but she’d never seen her like this before. Reva had pushed her too far, and maybe she shouldn’t have ridiculed Avery quite so thoroughly?

Avery’s grin was almost feral now, and Reva barely recognised the girl as she laughed back at her. “I’m just a pathetic little girl Reva! I’m weak! I couldn’t possibly drag you out of the water, put you over my shoulder, and bring all those supplies here? I made the whole thing up! Because I’m just a little cry baby? You don’t know the slightest thing about me Reva, just like I don’t know the slightest thing about you. Yes, I’m a freak! I’m stupid! I have a condition! I have tantrums! I have episodes! I’m having an episode right now, so it might be best if you shut that smart mouth of yours and keep yourself quiet Reva? Keep your blade close because you might need it!”

Reva sighed. “Are you threatening me Avery?”

Avery shook her head in confusion. “Threatening you Reva? Of course not! Why would I threaten you? I’m warning you! Look Reva, you can laugh at me all you want, but I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m attracted to you! You’ve always known that anyway so it’s no big surprise, seeing as you love taunting me about it! I’m not ashamed to admit that I love you Reva! The thing is that I know that you could never love me back Reva. I accepted that a long time ago.”

Avery’s anger dampened and she sighed. “I only said that because yes Reva, I am weak and pathetic! I was lost, scared, really tired, and stupid! Everything you hate! But this is hardly the time for this discussion, is it? Dampen the fire!”

Reva whispered. “How romantic Avery, a low burning fire in a thunderstorm. Is this the point where we duel each other, or do we just go straight to the kiss?”

As Reva met Avery’s eyes, she again paused at the pure intensity of Avery’s combined hurt and fury. As Avery swept past Reva she whispered. “I’d love to kiss you Reva, but I’m not stupid enough to think that might ever happen. If we did kiss I’d always imagined it would be on a sunny day, dancing on rainbows, and surrounded by cute fluffy little kittens, not half-naked in a cave in the middle of The Maelstrom surrounded by monsters! Thank you however, I needed my fury badly, so good job Reva! Now just do as you’re told, dampen the fire, and shut the hell up!”

Avery stalked out into the thunderstorm as sleet, lightning and thunder hammered down onto the island. It was freezing cold outside and despite the fact Avery had clothes, for some reason she was still only wearing her swimming costume and her hat? And Avery had went out carrying an axe, and had stolen one of Reva’s daggers?

Reva sighed. “Rainbows and kittens? Avery you truly are insane!”

Reva waited a few minutes for Avery to return to the cave shivering from the cold, then a sense of dread filled her. Why had Avery taken her axe and stolen her dagger? Why would she need Reva’s dagger as well as her own? How had Avery moved so fast that she had stolen Reva’s dagger in the first place? Had Avery seen something out there? Had Avery heard something?

Avery’s anger had been incredible, but why had she asked Reva to dampen the fire? Avery would need the heat of it when she returned?

Reva at least had already had the sense to get dressed and put shoes on before she dampened the fire, then went out into the storm looking for Avery.

Woe Is Me?

Although it was midday, the Maelstrom was at its peak, so dark clouds blocked out the sun and it was as dark as night. Reva could barely see through the storm and sleet, so instinctively climbed the hill above the cave so that she could see better, in an attempt to find Avery. It wasn’t a difficult climb, so she reached the summit within ten minutes. The hilltop was more of a plateau, with a near-flat expanse of grass, bushes and several trees.

Reva sighed in relief as she saw Avery standing in the centre of the plateau. She was wearing nothing but a swimming costume and a hat, in the midst of a thunderstorm, carrying an axe and a dagger! That was pretty much a guaranteed method to get yourself struck by lightning.

Reva watched Avery for a minute, wondering just how crazy she was, and how long it would take for the cold to knock some sense into her. Reva’s patience at the girls tantrum ran out as the lightning storm moved closer and she saw Avery was shivering. However as Reva moved to cross the expanse in order to drag her back to the cave, Avery moved minutely.

Even though Reva was behind the girl, and they were in the midst of a thunderstorm, Avery somehow knew that Reva was there and had sent her a warning? Avery tilted her head, as if she was listening for something and Reva paused, because she hated just how cute it was when Avery did that. And yet, this was different. How could such a minute movement from Avery convey so much information? “Stay where you are! Listen! Be quiet! Hide!”

Reva ducked to the side and crept behind a copse of trees and looked around cautiously. What was Avery doing, and how did Avery even sense her amidst the storm?

Then a flash of lightning lit up the plateau, and Reva understood. Suddenly there were three Grey at the far side of the hill, moving towards Avery like wraiths. Reva knew of the Grey from legends. They were creatures from the Nether and she knew just how fast, strong, and difficult to kill they were. They sent entire squadrons out to kill a handful of them after the portals were destroyed, so three Grey would kill Avery in seconds!

Reva moved to protect Avery, but again there was the slightest of movements from the girl, and that movement again told a story. “Stay where you are! Be still! Watch my back!”

Reva’s fury rose as she wondered why she hadn’t moved yet? If anyone should be standing up there, it was Reva, and Avery had stolen her second dagger. For the third time Reva started to move, and again Avery made a slight movement, but this time there was anger behind it. “Trust me! Be ready!”

Reva felt her panic grow, and yet for some reason she trusted Avery? Reva had sparred with Avery hundreds of times, and knew her every weakness. Reva could beat Avery every time so Reva should have both of her daggers, and Avery fought with an old axe that was better used for chopping wood.

Then Avery did something bizarre, She dropped into a fighting stance that Reva had never seen before. It looked somewhat stupid, and Avery had likely made it up herself. She always was insane, and that was confirmed as Avery laughed at the incoming Grey. “Only three of you? Where are your friends?”

Reva went cold at that, because it was a message for her. There was more than just three Grey? Where?

As Axes appeared in the Grey’s hands Avery again laughed at them. “Three scary monsters with enchanted axes against a poor, weak, defenceless little girl. Oh! Woe is me...”

Avery threw her Axe and dagger high into the air, then to Reva’s amazement, the girl back flipped and cartwheeled away from the Grey. She spun to face Reva where she hid amongst the trees, then caught the knife and axe.

Something in Avery’s cold calm was frightening as she whispered. “You’ll have your second dagger in your left hand around five seconds after the fight starts, so be ready for it. There are another two Grey, so I need you to have my back Reva!”

Reva’s world twisted as she saw the manic grin on Avery’s face. Avery wasn’t scared, she was excited? Avery was trembling, though that was a combination of cold, terror, adrenaline, and pure childish glee? And childish glee seemed to be well out in front! Avery was looking forwards to the fight! Avery was insane! She thought that she could take on three Grey?

Sensing Reva’s doubt, Avery mocked her. “Oh, how romantic Reva, is this where you come to save me? Is this where we kiss? Or might we save our kiss until after we’ve killed them? Just for once will you stop looking at me like I’m a pathetic little cry baby? Trust me, and do as your told!”

Reva couldn’t comprehend the change in Avery, and seeing that, Avery sighed. “I’ve distracted them so they’re focused on me, not you. There’s more than I thought so I need you to have my back? Otherwise there won’t be any romantic kiss? Oh and thanks for making me really angry Reva, I needed that!”

Avery turned to the Grey, and laughed at them. “Oh, please don’t hurt me! Oh, woe is me!”

Reva was desperate to launch herself in to protect Avery, but this wasn’t Avery? Avery was deliberately fuelling her rage? Avery was deliberately riling herself to create one of her ‘episodes’ as she called them. Avery had completely lost control!

The grey horrors looked like Demon’s as they moved into a loose semi-circle around Avery, and it was ridiculous. A little girl wearing no more than a swimming costume and a wide-brimmed hat against three Demons. Avery was carrying no more than an axe and two daggers in a thunderstorm. A little girl facing off against three Grey, each of which was wielding an axe rippling with an enchanted fire somewhere between black and magenta. The Grey’s eyes shifted and became pools of pure black as they set their focus on Avery!

Reva shook her head. “Avery is insane!”

Avery confirmed that fact by laughing into the storm. “Oh, come on, seriously? Are you telling me that I clambered all the way up this hill, half naked, in a storm, for only three of you? Come back tomorrow with six and I’ll consider you worthy of the effort!”

To Reva’s shock, Avery just turned away from the three Grey and started walking towards her. As Avery strode towards Reva, the three Grey stalked after her and another three appeared over the far summit.

Avery bit her lip as she met Reva’s eyes in misery.

Avery’s no more than a little girl!

Like my sister was no more than a little girl!

Avery whispered. “I’m sorry Reva, I made a mistake! There’s something wrong with the way these creatures move, and there’s more than I thought! They don’t know that you’re here yet and that’s why I tried to draw them away from you in the first place. You weren’t supposed to follow me! I’ll distract them for as long as I can. Run!”

Reva paused in confusion, then marvelled at the sheer ridiculousness of the situation. Reva snorted at just how hilarious it was that Avery was trying to protect her, she only wished that she had her spear!

She met Avery’s eyes and smiled. “How cute, but save the kissing for later? I’m assuming you have a plan Avery? My blade better be in my hand five seconds after the fighting starts, or you’re in serious trouble!”

Avery grinned at Reva, then blew her a kiss, which seemed somewhat macabre given lightning lit up the night at that precise moment, and Avery had Reva’s dagger in her hand at the time.

Avery’s eyes seemed to burn like fire as they fixed on Reva. “My plan is to have your second dagger in your left hand within five seconds of the fight starting. After that, there is no plan. That’s why I need you to trust me, stay hidden, and have my back!”

Avery had been steadily backing away from Reva as she said this, and was completely ignoring the three Grey behind her. The Grey seemed to move faster than was possible, and despite the fact they were taking small steps, one step from a Grey almost seemed to take them twice the distance Reva would have expected.

Avery grinned, winked at Reva, then continued walking backwards without even facing the Grey descending on her. Reva looked on in horror as suddenly the three twisted nightmares were looming over Avery and swung their axes in unison.

And that was that!

Avery fell dead to the ground dead and the three grey horrors were already rushing past her body, streaking towards Reva!

Reva bit back a scream of anguish, and focused on the Grey. She’d seen how fast the Grey moved, and she only had a single dagger! She was going to die just a few seconds after Avery.

Purple Lightning

As the three Grey streaked past Avery’s body, Reva’s eyes lit up with purple lightning as she screamed into the night. She rose from her hiding place to meet them, and yet, something was wrong?

Of the three attacking Grey that had killed Avery, two of them tripped and fell dead to the ground?

Given that Reva was looking on in shock, she almost missed the fact that her dagger was streaking towards her as the last Grey attacked. Reva’s dagger wasn’t thrown to kill however, it had been casually tossed to her with perfection, so as Reva caught it, she now had a blade in each hand.

The Grey descending on Reva was overconfident, and Reva easily parried its first axe swing, which sent a jolt of pain down her wrist! Reva noted the Grey’s confusion as it tried to work out how Reva suddenly had a second dagger in her left hand. And whilst it was attempting to work that out, it was stabbed with the same dagger.

Although the Grey dropped to its knees, it didn’t die, then somehow got back to its feet? The fight was furious for several seconds and despite being muffled by the thunder and lightning, the clash of steel on steel was constant. Reva was attacking with all her fury, yet despite hitting the Grey several more times, it was somehow still alive. She was hard pressed to find an opening, given the creature was fast, strong, and brilliant. Reva could see that there were another three Grey attacking Avery, and knew that she’d never reach her in time. Reva eventually scored a deep hit on the Grey’s shoulder, then put a dagger in its eye.

Finally the Grey was dead, and as Reva took a shuddering breath from exhaustion she was already sprinting towards Avery. If Reva could barely defend herself against one Grey, Avery would already be dead against three of the creatures.

The sleet had turned to snow and was falling heavily, so it was now so dark Reva could barely see. She could only catch glimpses and fractured images from the lightning strikes. Reva looked on in horror as Avery fell to the ground and the three towering Grey hammered their axes down at her.

But why weren’t they coming for Reva? Reva’s confusion grew with the next flash of lightning. There had been three Grey hacking away at Avery’s dead body, but now there was only two? And why could Reva still hear the near-constant sound of steel on steel?

Lightning lit up the night again, and Reva sighed in relief as somehow Avery was rolling herself backwards across the ground, away from the two Grey. Avery flipped into a backwards somersault, and was somehow on her feet backing off towards Reva.

And as Avery got closer, Reva could hear her laughing?

Avery now had an axe in each hand, one of which had been taken from the Grey she’d killed and was rippling with enchants. Where there had been six Grey, there were now only three left still standing.

Although Avery was still laughing, the battering she’d taken had obviously taken its toll. The girl had taken two cuts and was limping and was weakening fast.

Despite being exhausted Avery quickly retreated, and as the three Grey surrounded both of them, Avery and Reva were now fighting back to back.

After a flurry of blows, Avery rolled forwards as her laughter filled the night and a Grey dropped dead to the ground. Reva stabbed another in the eye, but she’d left an opening and an axe was streaking towards her from the last Grey.

And then the axe was gone, and the final Grey was falling to the ground dead. Reva looked around in confusion to see Avery now juggling with three axes, two of them rippling with enchants. She threw one of them at Reva and she ducked, and another Grey she hadn’t even known was there fell to the ground dead with the axe in its skull. Reva was sure that the Grey hadn’t been there a few seconds before, and then another two just seemed to appear from the darkness?

Avery launched herself straight into the final two Grey and assaulted them with such an intensity it was incredible, but Reva could see that Avery had pushed herself way past her limit. Avery had distracted them with her fury and they’d opened their backs to Reva. She threw her first dagger so it took the first Grey in the head, and then stabbed the other in the back of the neck as it brutally punched Avery with its offhand.

And suddenly the Grey were all dead! Reva was looking around the plateau suspiciously. The creatures had just seemed to appear from nowhere, but there were none left.

Avery screamed at Reva. “They were mine! How dare you! They were mine to kill!”

Reva looked at Avery in horror as the girl strode towards her as if she was going to kill her, then Avery stumbled in confusion as she looked down at her cuts and bruises, and her weapons fell to the ground. “Actually I seriously needed you to have my back Reva. I’m sorry for shouting at you! How do you do that crazy purple lightning thing with your eyes? You are so beautiful! I owe you that kiss, but... Oopsies!”

Avery’s strength finally gave out as she stumbled, then slid to the ground unconscious.

Oopsies [THIS NEEDS SERIOUSLY CUT DOWN]

Reva carried Avery down the hill into the cave along with the knives and two axes. She now appreciated just how hard it must have been for Avery to have carried her four times that distance, especially given Reva was heavier than Avery.

They were both soaked through, so Reva stoked the fire and checked on Avery. Reva shook her head at the fact that the roles had now reversed, given Avery was now unconscious after Reva carrying her here.

Avery’s left wrist wasn’t broken, but it was so badly bruised she doubted that Avery would use it for several days. Her right wrist was likewise bruised from parrying the blows from the Grey. The girl had two minor cuts, though the one to her rib was a bit more serious.

The most frightening thing was that if any one of those cuts had been just a quarter of a centimetre deeper, Avery would be dead. Avery would have also have a black eye, a serious bruise on her shoulder, and a dozen other bruises, but Reva guessed it was mostly sheer exhaustion that had caused Avery to collapse.

Reva treated and bandaged each of Avery’s cuts then let her sleep. Avery woke up angry reaching for her axe, then realised it was Reva. “Oh, I’m sorry Reva! I thought you were…”

Reva was again amazed at the transformation in Avery. “Stop moving Avery, otherwise you’ll rip your stitches!”

Seeing how upset Avery was, Reva started cooking rabbit and just left Avery to cry. Avery finally moved to sit next to her and looked into the fire, she sighed. “Go on, say it Reva! I’m a snivelling little cry baby! I’m crazy! I have a condition! I’m out of control! I have tantrums! I have anger issues! I love getting into fights! I’m unstable! I’m dangerous! I’m barred from this port! I’m barred from this inn! I had another one of my episodes! I’m a freak!”

Reva sighed. “I don’t think I need to say anything, that pretty much sums it all up Avery! However I’d slightly amend one of those?”

Avery shook her head. “Which one?”

Reva replied. “You’re not a snivelling little cry baby! You’re a pathetic, whining, snivelling little cry baby!”

Avery sobbed. “I’m sorry!”

Reva shook her head. “There you go! Point proven! What do you immediately do? You apologise? There’s your problem right there Avery!”

Avery snarled. “Thanks Reva!”

Reva grinned. “That’s more like it! Why don’t you stop whining and crying like a little girl, then try looking at things from a different perspective?”

Avery’s anger was simmering now. “How?”

Reva nodded. “Here’s how! Stop being a pathetic, whining snivelling little cry baby!”

Avery looked down in fury at the fire.

Reva laughed. “That’s more like it Avery, use those teeth of yours! Use that anger! Yes Avery, you are crazy! Yes, you are cracked! Call it a condition if you like. It is a condition, and yes, you’re totally out of control! You have episodes. You have tantrums. You have some serious anger issues! You love getting into fights, when you’re not snivelling like a cry baby.”

Avery’s tears slid down her cheeks, but Reva chuckled at that. “You’re unstable Avery? Well there’s an understatement! After what I’ve just seen, I’d say you’re more than dangerous! You’re barred from a surprising number of bars and ports. I’d imagine they had very good reason to bar you. It takes quite something to get barred from an entire port, and you’ve managed it twice! And now I finally understand why! You had an episode Avery, or whatever you want to call it, and yes, you are a freak! You were totally out of control!”

Avery nodded. “Thanks Reva! That’s really appreciated!”

Reva shook her head. “You weren’t listening to me, were you Avery!”

Avery sighed. “I could repeat it back word for word!”

Reva laughed. “Look at me Avery.”

Avery looked up. “More insults Reva?”

Reva looked at Avery in wonder. “Insults Avery? My only insult was calling you a little cry baby! You’ve got a perfect memory, play it back? Everything is true, however the only negative thing in there is your negativity Avery. Stop whining about it, and stop crying about it! Look what you’ve just done? You saved me from drowning, you carried me here, you swam out to sea and got that crate? You kept me alive? You got all this food? You cook a pretty amazing stew by the way. You stitched me up? You then went on a rampage and killed I don’t know how many Grey, but at least three times more than I did? I struggled to best one of them, and you tore through them?”

Reva smiled at Avery. “What I’ve just witnessed was one of the most incredible things I have ever seen in my life! Avery I’m like you in some ways, but I couldn’t have done all that? I’m crazy! I’m cracked! I have a condition! I’m out of control! I have tantrums! I have some serious anger issues! I love getting into fights! I’m unstable! I’m dangerous! I’m barred from one port, so I need to work harder it seems! I’m barred from this inn! I had another one of my episodes! I’m a freak!”

Reva looked down into the flames. “But I don’t whine about it Avery? I don’t cry about it? I couldn’t have done what you’ve just done! So what if you’re different? I’m different! So you had a rough time when you were younger. I’m not going to go into the whole I’ve had a rougher time than you, but my mother, father, brother, sister, and all my friends were murdered. I, just like you, had to run away! I had to abandon my life and escape from people intent on either controlling me, or killing me. I used to cry about it when I was a child, and I used to get angry about it.”

Reva blinked back a tear. “Now I just get angry about it, but I grew out of whining like a little girl when I was a lot younger than you are now! I go on tantrums. I go into bars looking for fights. Sometimes my rage reaches a point it becomes uncontrollable. I take it out by kicking lumps out of a training dummy, which although isn’t as satisfying, prevents me from killing everyone close to me. Avery, there is a time and a place to let your rage be unleashed, but until then bottle it up and keep it under control! Then unleash it! Your little out of control tantrum, episode, or whatever you want to call it? That was quite simply the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life. I’m not sure why you had to throw your weapons up in the air, do cartwheels and back flips and exhaust yourself, but, even if it was pointless, it looked beautiful! Your little episode, tantrum, condition, crazy whatever the hell that was, just saved my life? It was beautiful Avery! You are beautiful!”

Avery flushed red as she glanced at Reva, then looked away in embarrassment. Reva sighed to herself as she considered Avery, then hesitated.

No!

Reva whispered. “But Avery? It’s just a shame that you’re both a liar and a coward!”

Stop it!

Avery snarled. “How is it Reva, that you can, for an instant, be nice, then be so mean to me? I actually thought you meant all that! How am I a liar? How am I a coward? I didn’t run away from the Grey!”

Stop it!

Reva battled with herself, but she already knew she had lost. Reva knelt in front of Avery and took her chin in order to force Avery to look at her.

Avery pushed Reva’s hand away, then gazed into the fire. “Stop it Reva! There’s no need to be cruel! There’s no need to taunt me!”

That’s perfect! Avery is nothing but a snivelling little girl! Stop it!

Avery is anything but a snivelling little girl!

Reva sighed. “You might have saved my life Avery, but I saved yours. I’m pretty sure that means that I had your back?”

Avery nodded. “So how does that make me a liar and a coward?”

I’m not a Sand Scorpion, their rules don’t bind me! I can do whatever I like! I can...

Avery looked at Reva in confusion and anger, then repeated her question. “So how does that make me a liar and a coward Reva?”

The Sand Scorpion rules are there for good reason! I need to remember my task!

Reva sighed in defeat. “I’m pretty sure you said ‘We save our kiss until after they’re dead?’”

I’m an idiot!

Avery froze in horror.

Avery would never kiss me anyway! I don’t want her to kiss me!

Reva realised that her hands were shaking, so she mocked Avery. “You see Avery? You’re both a liar and a coward!”

Avery whispered. “I can’t!”

Of course she can’t! Just leave it there! Just walk away!