A Return

I had followed the woman in the hooded cloak
The warrior who had led me with a smile
Clothed my nakedness

After a day’s journey

I had yet to see her face

At nightfall we reached a camp

Small
Desolate

But for another

Passively observing our entry

My guide went directly for a ladle

Scooped the contents of a pot
           Hovering over the fire
Filled a wooden cup

              Added cool water

‘Tea’

She offered
Reminding
‘We journeyed too long without food or drink.’

I took the cup, warm in my hands, and drank

The amber liquid was bitter
I spat it out

The woman’s laugh echoed

‘Worry not child
It only tastes bitter for a moment’

The tone of her voice
Turned my stomach

She watched curiously

For what reason I knew not

Until the pain came

I doubled-over

Looked to her
With a grimace

When our eyes met

She raised her arms
Pulled back her hood

                Revealing thick fair hair

                Framing dark ochre eyes

She strolled slowly

Intentionally
                Leisurely
By the fire

“You know…I’ve been watching you.’’

Her voice was a soft melodic coo

With the tilt of her head she smiled a magnetic smile

Her face, now clear in the golden light

Was familiar

Scorn flew freely from my tight throat

“Who are you?” I spat

The cramps

Which had lessened
Were debilitating still
My exertion had tasked what little breath I had
I lost balance and tipped to the ground

                                It’s always so cold and damp near the water

                Small stones pierced my face

                                Clung to the cold sweat now present

               

                I pulled myself to rest against a makeshift wall

                A heavy streak of liquid slid from my forehead

                Blazed past my lips to land on my chest

                                What has this bitch given me?

“Tsk, Tsk, Tsk…

You don’t remember me?  Ahh, it’s just as well, it’s all the same – in the end.”
Her full lips spread across her face igniting her eyes
She beamed arrogantly
 
Unfastening her cloak

She let it fall to the earth

Tightened her thick leather vest

                Paid me no mind as she unsheathed her sword

                                Surveyed its beauty

                                          It was fine in point and design

                                          Polished for death

I remain,

Lesley

Hallelujah Heartist