Of Elvia and the Steam | Part 10

Table of Contents : Prt 1; Prt 2; Prt 3; Prt 4; Prt 5; Prt 6; Prt 7; Prt 8; Prt 9; Prt 10

Elvia and the loathsome steam were one now.
Together they were many with one body,
A collective force with boundaries foggy,
Each one gaining from what the other endowed.

“[Ubaken is complete]” sighed the warm voices
Elvia laid down in the water to sleep
Knowing she would never be rid of this heat.
It changed everything. She was given no choice.

Hot anger of grief boiled in her every bone.
She did not ask why of the creatures in her.
They had no permission to live within her.
They had saved her, but all she felt was deep loathe.

They gave her power, but her pain was their fault.
All these thoughts came to her in various dreams
While the water all around her gently steamed.
Even so, rest gave reprieve from the assault.

           *     *     *

Elvia woke in the middle of the night.
Fully awake she bathed in the cool moonlight
Washing away the filthiness from the fight.
Then she crept to the barge at the riverside.

Sherah’s eyes opened. She was bleeding again.
Her wound had burst but the arrow had come out.
She relinquished a roar of pain so profound.
Elvia rushed to her side again to mend.

They stayed at that place until Sherah was healed.
Sherah asked Elvia’s Loathe where the rest went.
“[They’ve gone to find new homes in a dispersement.]”
Sherah glowered in frustration unconcealed.

As her strength returned the friends journeyed on
Hunting Jubal Cain, that twisted, wicked faun,
Both knowing they would separate before long.
Still, they formed an unbreakable loving bond

So that when they departed one another 
They remained in each other’s hearts as friends do,
And came together another time or two
When circumstances led each to the other.

Sherah went to hunt the wicked Jubal Cain.
Elvia sought out the elusive Loathe homes.
It was long arduous traveling for both
Across the wide range of fey wildering days.

Thus, the stories spread of invisible ones
Who come like the heat of the hottest summer,
And of the steaming sprite who seemed to hover
Like an omen conjured by the hottest sun.

The stories came from a time long ago,
But they lurk in our presence ever so near
Bridging the gap between worlds we hold so dear.
That distant place and time draws ever so close.

Table of Contents : Prt 1; Prt 2; Prt 3; Prt 4; Prt 5; Prt 6; Prt 7; Prt 8; Prt 9; Prt 10