| THE BIG ICE Mariah pushed her way through the blinding snow. She had to make the cave entrance by nightfall. The climb was getting steep, every muscle in her body screamed in protest still she moved on. The Jagged rocks tore her hands. The warm blood and sting pain let Mariah know this was not a dream, but the harsh reality of her situation. Mariah began thinking. If only she had taken the easy way out none of this would be happening. All over a map Looking back, how was she to know that two people would be dead, and her own life put in grave danger. Just because she took pity on an old Gypsy woman, giving her a place to stay and an open ear to listen to her tales. In return for this act of kindness the old Gypsy woman gave Mariah a map. She told how the map led to a box hidden deep within the Big Ice. Mariah drifted into her memory of the Melina, the old woman, and her story. The Big Ice was part of a huge mountain that divided the land into two parts. The legend was that many years ago there where two clans. The Witherrights and the Machinations. The Witherrights where an honest, hard working peaceful group of people. While the Machinations where evil liars, and rogues. The Witherrights where weary from all the evil things the Machinations where doing to them and prayed to the gods for help. In answer to there prayers, the gods hurled a huge mountain down from the heavens. Covering it with a thick blanket of ice and snow, to make it impassable. To show their thanks and prays the Witherrights gathered gems and gold, placing it in a box they hid it deep within the mountain as an offering to the gods. The gods where pleased, and for many years the Witherrights lived in peace and harmony, until now. Mariah began to retrace the events that had led her to this race for her life. It had all began with the gift from Mariah. After that strange things began occurring. Mariah began to notice she was being followed. At first she thought she was being paranoid, a victim of the old Mariah's tales. It wasn't until other people in the village began talking of the strangers that Mariah new she was right to have had her suspicions. Could these strangers the Machinations? Everything in Mariah was telling her yes, but how could they have passed the Big Ice? If it was true, then why now? The map, everything was coming back to the map. Mariah had to find someone who knew more about this map, but who? The only person she could think of was Samuels. He was the oldest man in the village, surely he had heard this story. Samuel was busy cooking the evening stew when Mariah walked into the kitchen. Samuel ran the only inn in the village and suppertime was the busiest time of day. Looking up from his work he gave Mariah a toothless smile and motioned her to take a seat on the stool opposite of him. Mariah sat staring at Samuel. She wondered how old he really was. He's been old ever since I can remember, Mariah thought. Staring at his face she could see years of hard work in every crease, but there where also many happy folds, especially around his mouth and eyes. Samuel's brow furrowed. " Mariah, in the name of the gods what are you staring at!" You," Mariah stated. How old are you Samuel?" " Old enough to know you are up to something, why?" " Have you ever heard the legion of the Big Ice, and the box hidden deep within the mountain? " Samuel's eyes grew large. " It's not a legend Mariah, whose been telling you these things?" Mariah told him about Mariah, the map and the strangers following her. " My word child, trouble loves to find you. You go back to your house and wait for me and don't breathe a word of this to no one you hear!" Mariah left the kitchen. As she was making her way to the door she ran straight into a tall young man. His hands grasped her shoulders breaking her fall. Excuse me, Mariah said looking up. Their eyes met. Mariah had never seen such blue eyes in all her life she stood there staring into them as if she where under a trance. "Are you all right?" The young man asked. Mariah blinked and shook her head. "Yes, I am fine." She murmured. "Good, I'd hate to see such a pretty young thing damaged on the account of poor timing." Holding out his hand he introduced himself. "My name is Luke Winthral. And you are?" "Mariah... I am sorry if.. I caused you any trouble I must be going." Mariah turned and headed for the door. "Wait," Luke reached for her arm. Mariah looked into his eyes once more. She new if this continued much longer she would go mad. No one had ever had this kind of power over her before. This made Mariah angry. Angry with herself for letting this happens to her and furious at this Luke for making her feel this way. Breaking free from his grasp Mariah threw his hands off of her and left the inn. By the time Mariah reached her home her anger had reached the boiling point. She grabbed the water pitcher and began to fill the teakettle. She new it wasn't good to get this angry. Really now, she told herself. He wasn't doing anything wrong. All he did was introduce him and catch my fall, actually he was being quite the gentleman, and Mariah lost herself in the splendid memory of their brief encounter. She was engulfed in the memory of his strong hands on her shoulders, his smell, he smelt of leather, and his eyes, those mesmerizing eyes. Mariah was torn away from her thoughts by the sound of water poring on the floor. "Damn." Mariah shouted. Quickly she moped up the mess and put the kettle on the stove. Taking two mugs out of the cupboard, Mariah placed them on the table along with a few biscuits. She knew Samuel would be there soon so she went to her room to fetch the map she had hidden under her bed. When the knock came at her door Mariah was a bit surprised. It was the supper hour; Samuel never left the inn until the last customer was well fed. Leaving her room she took the map and placed it on the table and went to answer the door. She was taken back when she saw Luke standing in the doorway. "What are you doing here?" Mariah demanded. "I followed you home; you never answered my question." Luke stated ."I can not answer any of your questions." "How do you know I haven't even asked you? He said with a glint in his eyes. Back Next |