Ari, the Black Swan

I ran through the trees with as much haste a wounded soul could muster. Tears streamed down my face as the hunters behind me yelled my location.

Why? Why was I to be hunted? Just seeing the faces of my loved ones when they were run through in my mind causes my wracking sobs to continue their onslaught. From where did these men hail? I didn’t recognize their facial markings. Certainly not from the south, there was not such an aggressive countenance below the valley. These men were foreign, and my family was dead.

For reasons unknown to me, I continued to run. But the burning in my lungs began to draw the last bit of strength in my limbs and when I knew my limit had come.

What happened if I stopped? I needed to desperately. No choice, the pain in my chest was too much. My legs slowed their run, and my mind went numb. With a grunt, I fell to my knees and took two of the largest breathes that I could before dropping forward onto my stomach.

The mixture of moist and dry leaves on the ground felt wonderfully cool against my overheated body. I smiled and felt the air flow over my back.

“Why are you here?” A deep, rolling voice spoke. Closing my eyes, I prepared for whatever pain was to put upon me. My brother had been sobbing when they knocked him to his knees. He cried right until they slid a blade across his throat, then his friendly laughter would never be heard again. He wouldn’t have fought, he never was a fighter.

The earth moved, I felt air wrap around my body and then my balance shifted. What I felt next was the most comfortable sensation I had ever felt. Weightlessness, I was weightless.

#

When I sat up the next day, I was without my clothing. The room in which I was placed was not my own.

“Danigan?” I called my brother’s name. Perhaps I had a horrible nightmare the previous night. My kind was not immune to dreams when we take mortal form.

“Are you hungry?” The deep voice asked. I jumped and looked to the right.

At a round table a man was sitting, hands upon his lap while he watched me. He wore long robes of black, white and silver. Upon his face sat an intricate mask that resembled a bird. Black in color, outlined with gold, and adorned with golden jewels no mask could compare.

At first I was scared, then startled. But then I was surprised and amazed.

“Are you Ari?” I inquired.

Ari stared at me a moment before nodding.

“Are you hungry?” He repeated.

“I…yes.” I cried once more. Fresh tears arrived and in my heart of hearts I knew that what occurred at my village had been truth.

“Eat. I went and searched the village after I carried you here. You are the only Endh Spirit left in this region.” Ari said quietly. He moved closer and knelt. He moved with such an odd grace, beautiful and majestic. Each time his arm came forward, or his back straightened he was regal and proud.

“Why did you help me, Black Swan?” I asked. The faintest of a smile came upon his pale lips.

“You seemed quite determined to survive. If you had collapsed further away, I would have let the hunters claim you.”

“I see. I’ll be going then.”

“Endh?” Ari chimed. “I have a small favor.”

His lack of humanity bothered me. Even my kind, so far removed from mortal men, still understood the concepts of sympathy and compassion. Ari, the Black Swan seemed to know no such things.

Where exactly had this shape changer come to pass? His presence was known, but whenever his council or company was sought he turned it down post haste. Why should I help this man? Why did he help me?

“Only if you answer my questions I will do your favor.” I grabbed the long vines of my hair, a nervous habit when I knew I was overstepping my authority.

Ari chuckled softly, “Very well.”

“Where are you from?”

“My mother.”

“Is she a swan, too?”

“No.”

“Then what is she?”

“Dead.”

“Why do you answer so plainly!?” I stomped my foot and felt my emotions becoming overwhelmed by my frustration.

“Because you ask plain questions. It is amazing to me how your kind’s veins grow large when you are upset. Please, continue.”

I huffed at the man. But he seemed undisturbed with my behavior. Plain questions, he says. I can do better than that.

“Could you tell me why my village was slaughtered, please?” I asked. It hurt to speak the reality of it, but if I did not I may not find the truth.

Air paused, then sighed.

“The men were perverted followers of the Axian Doctrine. While true followers would never do such a thing, these men believe that creatures originally from the touch of Axi belong that way. Your kind chose to move into a world touched by Ikana, the Creator. They kill things like you.” Ari looked away, his eyes lowered.

“Things like me?” I repeated. His words hurt. It was a choice, yes, to become Endh. But when given the choice to exist permanently in a shell that allows us to communicate and interact with the world, how could I not choose a vessel?

“People like you. My apologies.” Ari stood, much taller than I remembered. He moved close to me, too close.

“What you doing?” I backed away, fearful he would harm me. But I gasped when I hit a wall and saw no escape. “Please, don’t hurt me.” My plea was so quiet, it seemed pathetic to my ears. But Ari stopped.

“I will never harm your people, or you.” Ari took hold of my shoulders and through his mask I could see the kindness of his eyes. “Will to do something for me?”

The favor, I had forgotten.

“Yes. What is it?”

“Let me touch you. I want to know how you feel.”

“I…I don’t know.” I wanted to leave and run through his door towards the lake nearby. To feel the sun and let the water feed my thirsty skin. “I guess.”

Closing my eyes, I let Ari touch me. It wasn’t inappropriate, but it was intimate.

His strong hand touched my bare shoulder, his fingers kneaded my muscle before moving up to the nape of my neck. He kneaded there, too. Then his long fingers slipped between my hair and I heard him chuckle.

“It’s true. Your hair is of plants.” Ari mused. “What wondrous creatures you Endh are. It makes me wish I had been more social with your village.” He pulled up my arm, holding me by my wrist while his finger traced the biggest vein in my arm. He stopped at my hand and felt my soft nails. “These would never harm a man. Did your people have weapons?”

“No.” I replied. His touch was soothing; if I were to be lying down I could fall asleep with no issue.

“I see. Thank you for allowing me this exploration. Now leave.”

“What?”

“My curiosity is sated and you are well. It’s time for you to leave. Head east along the Plenex mountain and you will find a group of people known as the Iron Mask. They will take you in, I promise. And remember, your kind have a special gift with beauty. It’s why they hunt you, along with the fey. Your beauty is not wanted in these lands. Be safe, little one.”

I redressed. A simple tunic and leggings offered by my savior.

#

I stepped outside, warmth upon my face as the sun streamed through the canopy. Ari’s house was behind me as I walked through the forest. I wish that more could have been answered, that I had more time for questions. But it was not meant to be, not yet at least.

This man, Air the Black Swan, an enigma beyond compare had saved my life and did his best to console me. I will be alright, this I know.