Cayna woke up screaming, clutching at the air before her. She screamed for her mother and father, but they were not there and as she soon observed, she was no longer in the large underground cavern. She was in a much smaller cave, tucked somewhere high up in the mountains. She was laying on a bed of warm furs that felt soft and welcome against her skin. It was then she noticed that she was completely nude.
She clutched at herself as the cold hair hit her chest. She gathered the furs around her and looked around her. In the center of the cave was a roaring fire. Someone had lit it and fed it recently by the way it crackled and popped with fresh logs. That meant that someone had removed her clothes as well! Could it be that stranger that appeared in the cave right before she passed out? She felt herself go red despite everything.
Still, thoughts of her now deceased parents filled her heart with sorrow and through her mixed emotions, the tears began to fall again. She huddled in the blankets for refuge against the biting cold of the mountain air, sobbed and shook for a long time.
She doesn't know how much time passed but she stopped abruptly when she heard something approaching the mouth of the cave. It padded along quickly and panted with quick excited breaths. Could it be some sort of beast? Cayna panicked, looking all around her for something to use as a weapon but she saw nothing. She pressed up against the wall of the cave and hid as much as she could within the blankets, hoping their scent would mask her from whatever hungry beast had found the cave.
A shadow appeared on the stone floor, it was a creature on four legs and absolutely massive. Yet, as it made its way further into the cave, the shadow significantly decreased until she saw a red nosed dog with short white fur enter the room. The dog was neither menacing in appearance or countenance. It bounded excitedly at her and despite still being a little afraid, Cayna giggled and petted the dog as it leapt up to sit next to her on the bed.
The creature licked her curious hands and nuzzled against her. It seemed happy or relieved to see that Cayna was okay, as if it had been worried about her for some reason. It seemed rather intelligent, judging by the way the eyes peered back into her own. She began to half suspect it to say something, but it never did. It only wagged its tail in an excited fashion and relished in all the attention Cayna was giving it. She had to admit, the distraction was very welcome. Perhaps this was a pet of the man who she presumes to have rescued her. If that was so, she felt better already about the character of the person. How could a villain have such a well behaved and friendly dog?
Without a sound, the stranger appeared in the cave entrance. Cayna only noticed, so enamored she was with her new canine friend, when the dog leapt out of the bed with a happy bark and returned to the side of her master.
The man walked in and for the first time, Cayna got a good look at him. The first thing she noticed was that the man's face was not dark anymore but reflected his pale skin, which was the color of dew strewn cobwebs. His hair was long and was somewhat shaggy, though this did not take away from the handsomeness of his face. He was very fine to look upon and Cayna was embarrassed when she found herself staring. She had never seen a man like this stranger. Didn't he say what his name was? She couldn't remember.
The stranger's hand came to rest on the hand of his dog as he looked down on Cayna, his eyes not glowing but seemingly almost human, with striking green eyes. As he lowered his head to bow towards her, Cayna noticed the pointed tops of his ears. She gasped.
"Are you not a man?" she said, clapping her hand over her mouth after realizing she made a rude outburst.
The stranger straightened with an imperceptible upward curve of his lip. "I am Gwyn. If you ask if I'm human, I answer that I am not, though I am a man after the nature of my people." He said and turned his attention to his dog. This time the smile that grew on his face was plain to see. "Dormach is pleased to find you awake and well. She was worried about you."
Cayna looked at the dog who gave a small, affectionate yip, her tongue lolling out and bouncing as she panted. Cayna smiled at the dog, Dormach. "Thank you for being concerned about me." Her face then darkened with the heavy emotions still clouding her heart. "I'm sorry but I don't understand anything. I've lived my whole life running from something and I never knew why." She looked up at them with tear sparkling eyes. "Will you please tell me why my parents were killed?"
Dormach whined in its throat, leaping back on the bed and cuddled against Cayna. She reached down and stroked her fur as Gwyn sat on the floor, a pondering look in his eye.
"I can tell you what I know, or at least, what is prudent. It is not my place to reveal all to you." He said. Cayna simply stared at him. Any answers that would help her understand her life now that she lost everything would be welcome. She just needed to know why.
"Cayna, the first thing you need to know about your life is that the man and woman who lived and died to save your life were not your parents. Your parents died soon after you were born when the Sycadian wolf hunters tracked them down and killed them." Gwyn said.
Cayna stuttered. "But that's impossible! They told me they were my parents. I don't believe you!" she said, growing agitated. Dormach raised her head and laid a gentle paw on her fur laden thigh. The creature seemed to say that she needed to remain as calm as possible. Cayna regained tentative control over herself.
"The truth is that the people you grew up with are defectors from the Sycadian government. They were once part of the wolf hunter task force. That was until they met your parents and you, their new born. You see, your true parents had managed to go undetected in normal society. They were actually neighbors to your foster parents. When their true lineage became known, your foster parents had already become their good friends and they couldn't bring themselves to kill your family. They made a decision against everything they were brought up to believe about your ancestors. They tried to protect your parents but the other wolf hunters somehow found them quickly and your parents managed to save you before they lost their lives."
Cayna clutched at her chest, her breathing ragged with emotion. She not only lost one set of parents but two? Something underneath the drowning sorrow welled up inside her. It was a blazing fire so intense that it frightened her. She felt on the verge of growling like a beast and lashing out at everything that came close. Her rage was an unsuppressed blaze!
She looked down as she felt the paw of Dormach press down harder on her thigh, bringing her back from whatever pit she was falling into. She felt her ears were hot and her face flushed. She was burning up! Still, she refused to throw off the blankets in front of Gwyn.
When Gwyn saw that she had calmed down, he continued. "I assume you saw the tale on the cave walls on your way to the temple?" Cayna nodded. "I cannot say that it is all truly as it was inscribed. Be wary of that account. There are many versions of the rise and fall of the empire of Lycia. I cannot bring you closer to the truth on that matter. The one who enlisted my aid though, I am sure that he can." He said.
"Who?" Cayna said.
"You will meet him soon enough. I will let him speak for himself." Gwyn said.
"Why do you come to rescue me now instead of waiting all these years?" Cayna said. She felt as if she overstepped but Gwyn didn't seem to mind the question.
"Have you ever seen my kind before?" he said, answering with a question. She shook her head. "That's because this is a human kingdom and are among the most secretive of all the nations on Eldyon. They have almost no contact with the outside world, certainly not with the Edenite courts."
"Edenite courts?" Cayna said. "I've only heard about their, I mean, your kind in tales." She paused and then added. "I didn't realize they were true."
He gave her a wry smirk. "I've heard these ill begotten tales you speak of and I can say there is little truth in them. Other than the fact that we exist. The Sycadians have been very successful in suppressing any valid knowledge of the world beyond the mountains."
"Why?" Cayna said. She felt so lost and even betrayed. Was her whole life just a big, long lie? Was she even being told the truth now? She felt the press of Dormach's paw again and she immediately felt calmer. She itched behind the dog's ears which she showed appreciation by kicking her hind legs in pleasure. Cayna never had a pet and she found that she really missed out on having a furry friend like other kids. There were so many things denied her in her life of hiding. It didn't seem like that was going to change anytime soon.
Gwyn wore a thoughtful expression on his face. "The past is where we learn our mistakes from. Those who control access to an accurate description of the past I suppose want to manufacture a very specific future. Though the inner plans of the Sycadian regime is not within my realm of expertise." He said.
Cayna didn't find that very helpful. "So who are you taking me to?" she said. Gwyn made it sound as if he would have answers for her.
"We shall meet him on the morrow. For today, we rest." He said. Cayna realized that he was really talking about her needing rest. Speaking of needing things, she thought. "Where are my clothes?" she said, her ears burning with embarrassment at the thought of Gwyn seeing her naked.
Gwyn pointed to the back of the cave where it wound further into the mountain. She saw nothing back there so she turned around and gave him a puzzled look.
"I am having new clothes being made for you. The weaver is working beyond there." He said.
"There is someone else here?" Cayna said, wondering who it could be.
"You'll meet her soon enough. She is the one who undressed and tended to your wounds." Gwyn said much to Cayna's relief.
Gwyn made his way over to the fire and sat near it, staring into the flames. It made his eyes dance and sparkle with a clearly inhuman glinting. They were like jewels. Cayna found herself mesmerized. The man seemed like he could wander in and out of dreams. Such was his grace and countenance. He seemed lost in his own thoughts and Cayna felt it was rude to stare so she turned her attention back to Dormach who welcomed it greedily.
After a while, Cayna's stomach began to rumble as she caught the scent of cooking meat. She looked over and saw Gwyn was preparing food around the campfire. How had he done that? She looked on, amazed at the line of sizzling meat. Her mouth watered and she almost wandered from her blanket despite her nakedness. Remembering herself, she tried to sit patiently and think of other things besides food. Yet, when she did this, all she thought of was her life and that was depressing. Dormach constantly at her side did help to distract her a little.
As the food was nearing perfection, a figure came from the back of the cave. Cayna gasped as she saw a beauty as she had never seen before. The woman stood, elegant and poise as she held new clothes in her arms. Her face was white as snow and her hair was the color of a golden field of wheat. She wore a gown about her shimmered as twinkling stars. Her eyes were ice blue and there was a reassuring, almost motherly smile on her face.
She approached where Cayna was seated. Cayna stole a glance at Gwyn but he seemed to ignore them as he turned the sticks hanging over the fire, drops of fat from the succulent meat dripping into the fire with delicious sizzles and pops.
Cayna turned back to the beautiful woman who smiled down at her. Her eyes were kind if not a bit sad. She set the clothes on the bed and sat down. She reached over and placed a hand on Cayna's shoulder. With deep, sincere eyes looking deep into her own she said, in a song-like voice, "I am sorry for your loss, Cayna. No child should ever have to witness such a tragedy. We grieve with you."
Cayna was at a loss for words. This person didn't know her, though she couldn't be sure she never knew her foster parents. It still hurt to think of them in that way.
She was even more surprised when a single tear slipped down the curve of her perfect cheek. Her eyes glistened with the promise of more tears. Cayna realized she was crying for her sake. It affected her in a way that she never thought was possible. Seeing such kindness, such genuine empathy made her entire being flood with emotion. Emotions she thought she had already expunged. She didn't think she had any more tears to shed but before she knew it, her tears flowed and her shoulders were hitching with her open sobs. Without even thinking, she reached over to the woman and grabbed her around the shoulders, hugging her, wanting and needing the comfort of a mother; a friend. She forgot herself and just cried.
The woman did not appear surprised by this and even returned the gesture, smiling her sad smile and letting silent tears fall down her cheeks as she held the young girl in her soul wracking sorrow.
When Cayna finally exhausted the emotions out again. She profusely apologized to her. The lady would have none of it. Dormach wanted attention now, barking and licking Cayna's face which got her laughing and in a good mood again. She hugged the dog and kissed it on the forehead.
The lady stood, bowed to Cayna and spoke saying, "Welcome to our little company, Cayna. I am Carngrwn. You may call me Carn, please count me as friend."
Cayna beamed up at her. "Thank you, I will!" to which Dormach answered with a happy series of barking.