Far Horizons: Tales of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Issue #19 October 2015 | Page 35

smooth sandy floor. It contained a small fireplace, a
few carved hand tools, and a pile of skins for sleeping.
The news of his arrival must have spread, because
there was a pile of wood ready for the fire, a hollowed
out tree stump container of fresh water, and a small
bunch of wild flowers in the middle of the sandy floor.
“I know it’s nothing like the comforts of Elannort, but I’m sure you can be comfortable here for a
while. I’ll leave you to settle in. Ju should be along
very soon. I’m sure you’ll want some privacy to get
acquainted.” Mandred turned to leave.
“Mandred, thank you,” Simon said. “Before
you go, could you answer one question?”
Mandred paused and looked back. “If I can.”
“When was I, I mean he, when was he here
before? How long has he been gone?”
“He was only here for a week. He left about
three months ago. But he gave me a message from
Dammar that he would return. I will see you tomorrow, or perhaps later around the communal fire? Some
interesting conversation would be most welcome.
I only have grumpy Manfred to talk to and he’s no
fun. Good night, Simon. I’m sorry it’s been a bit of a
shock.” Mandred walked slowly away, leaving Simon
alone in his new real estate. I suppose it’s only marginally worse than my Melbourne flat, with about as
much food.
Simon made sure that no one was watching
and he withdrew Kin Slayer from its scabbard. Immediately the ruby in its hilt glowed and Simon felt
the thoughts of the sword in his head. It was hungry.
It was always hungry. “Not today, my friend. I have
to hide you, until the time that you are needed. I hope
you understand.” So be it. Simon crawled to the back
of the cave and dug a hole in the sand. He replaced
Kin Slayer in its scabbard. “Sleep peacefully, my
friend, until you are called.” He buried the sword and
replaced the sand, stamping it down so that there was
little evidence. Sighing, he sat down on the sleeping
skins and awaited his fate. After a while, he lay down
and rested his eyes. Before long, he dozed off.

In his dreams, he was back in Melbourne. He
was married to Juliana and they had a house in the
suburbs. He was a General Practitioner and building
a successful practice. Juliana was pregnant. He was
going to be a father. He was happy; everything was
perfect. Then it all changed in an instant. Juliana was
walking along the footpath. A vehicle came down
the street at high speed. It mounted the footpath and
mowed her down. He rushed to her, but she died in
his arms before he could tell her how much he loved
her. As he looked up, he saw the car driver grinning at
him. It was Dring. Simon screamed.
A small hand was insistently tugging at his
arm. Simon woke up, the dream fresh in his mind.
It took him several moments to remember where he
really was. He thought that he was just moving from
one dream to another. Ju sat next to him on the bed
skins. She was looking at him intently, gazing deep
into his eyes. The eyes captivated him. They were of
the purest blue and contrasted with her pale skin. He
had seen similar eyes before and the thought brought
him only pain. Her hair was jet black, very long, and
very straight. It was still damp. She had clearly been
down to the icy river in his honour. Her face seemed
different to the other members of the tribe. Their faces
seemed round and podgy. Ju’s face was longer and
thinner, almost elfin in shape. She stood up. She was
not very tall, perhaps five feet. She was slender, tiny;
she looked like she might be blown away in a strong
wind. The spring sun was setting in a fiery display.
Their cave faced west, and the red light flowed into
their cave. Ju slipped off her clothes and stood before
him, framed in rouge. Her breasts were small and
flat, topped with tiny brown nipples. Her belly, almost certainly normally flat, bulged now with the life
growing inside it. It gave her a sexy look. Her pubic
hair grew from her navel and was long and jet-black.
It was matched by long tufts that hung from beneath
her arms. Her arms and legs also had a light covering
of dark hair. Simon had been brought up in a culture
where women had little or no body hair. Here was a
wo