Air: The Elementals: Book One Read online

  Air

  The Elementals

  Book One

  Copyright © 2020 by Jennifer Williams

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

  may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

  without the express written permission of the publisher

  except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Printed in the United States of America

  First Printing, 2020

  ISBN: 9781096783008

  Imprint: Imagine Nation

  Imagine Nation

  Chenoa, IL 61726

  [email protected]

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Dedication

  To my mom and dad for their unwavering belief in me. I only wish you were here to hold the first autographed copies in your hands.

  To Mr. Tom Wells who is without a doubt the most amazing and engaging English teacher a teenager could hope to have.

  And last but not least, to all of you reading this because I wouldn’t be able to continue in my chosen craft if no one was interested in the worlds my mind creates.

  Chapter One

  He stepped off his corner of the flat rock and saw the light pouring into the entrance of a cave. The sun was high here and blinding. His eyes closed almost instinctively at the glare. He stepped back into the shadows to allow his eyes to adjust. The dampness from the cave spread over his skin yet he could also feel the heat from the rays of light that danced across the cave floor inches from where he stood. His senses were alive and responding to each new sensation flowing through his human form.

  Slowly he made his way to the front of the cave and emerged. He placed both of his hands over his brow to shield the sun from his eyes. The warmth of the sun penetrated his light bronze skin. There was a vast forest in front and below him filled with trees that would tower over any man. The sky was a hazy blue with a few scattered clouds that looked more like thin wispy horse tails than the fluffy balls he had imagined. He turned round and round taking it all in. The sky with its bright warmth, the forest with its autumn colored paintings, the shadowy darkness of the valley floor below, and the earth tones of the hill and dirt beneath his feet. Each held a different stunning view. Each had a different feel.

  A blue jay flew overhead, and he was captivated by the blue on blue contrast against the sky. He followed the bird with his eyes, turning his head to keep sight until he almost lost his balance. Steadying himself, he took a deep breath letting the clean air fill his newly made lungs. ‘Has air always carried a smell such as this?’ he wondered. It was like inhaling the sycamore trees and fertile soil with each breath their aroma was so strong.

  He was alone on the side of the hill by this cave at least for now. He needed to remember the location to be able to travel back when the time came. He walked several feet down and turned back to fortify the image in his mind. He trusted that instinct would bring him back even without burning it in his memory, but he wasn’t going to risk the chance. He had no way to know yet that the route home would always find him when the time came no matter how far he may venture.

  The forest spread out below him. He was fascinated by the multitude of textures that intertwined. Shades and hues that he had never seen. Not like this. It was beauty in a way that he had never known existed. He never really had an opinion on this expedition and wasn’t at all affected by whether or not the Elements would get this chance, but he was glad now that he was here in the mortal realm. It far exceeded his expectations and in only the first few minutes.

  He surveyed the landscape and could pick up on two villages within miles of his cave. The larger village held more promise for learning, but he chose the smaller one because it would lead him through the thick grove of sycamore trees. He found their scent enticing and breathing them in to be almost intoxicating.

  Every experience was exhilarating. Each step found soft warm blades of grass tickling his feet. Bird songs were echoing through the canopy like a symphony in his ears. He made his way down the side of the hill to the valley floor below and placed his palm on the trunk of the closest tree. He could feel the shade from the tree providing immediate relief from the rays of the sun, and he became aware of the tiny droplets of sweat that formed on his forehead and were now dripping down into his eyes.

  Using a piece of cloth that draped over his arm, he wiped his face. With the tree supporting him, he leaned back and looked up the trunk until he could see light peeking through the branches nearer to the top. Every moment was filled with enticing new sensations that lingered around him, and he would have chosen to stay out his year there in the valley if he could. It wasn’t an option. He had to follow orders and find a group to observe to gain knowledge and understanding.

  His walk through the valley was steady and deliberate. He spent several hours keen on making it a slow exploration. He was eager to experience everything. How did grass cooled by the shade compare to the feel of bark from a fallen tree? What if he placed a foot on each at the same time? Then which sensation would be the primary? He continued heading east at a leisurely pace until a new sound approached him from a distance.

  It was like melodic laughter meandering through the forest. He quickened his pace and the smell of the air became heavier and damp. As he neared the burbling stream, he could already begin to feel its coolness softening the temperature around him. It finally came into view when he stepped over a log and walked between two tall giant oaks to reach the bank. The water flowed past him cutting through the sides of the bed and lapping around rocks.

  Birds were singing to each other and branches snapped from unseen animals that lurked nearby. He scanned the growth along both sides of the stream, but he could only hear movement. Whoever these new creatures were, they were careful to remain out of his view. This water source was a necessary gathering place for all life in the valley, and he must be seen as a threat for them to hasten their retreat.

  He walked down the bank to a shallow point with a bridge of rocks cutting across. He eased his foot down onto the stone nearest to him and felt the cold chill of the fresh water cover it. He lifted his foot and watched the water drip down and flow away with the current. A breeze picked up and the air instantly chilled his already wet skin. He silently chuckled over the near tickling sensation it caused as he quickly set his foot back down on the ground.

  He knelt down along the edge and held his hand against the flow of the water watching it separate to both sides to surge around his fingers. Using both hands, he formed a cup to collect enough to drink. He brought his hands to his lips and sipped the crystal clear liquid. He could feel the chill from the water as it moved down his gullet. He sipped from his hands again and again collecting more water from the stream savoring another new sensation.

  A few feet downstream was a large rock that jutted out of the side of the bank. He walked over and sat down allowing his feet to dangle in the water. He continued to rest while taking in all he could of his surroundings. He noted how the trees’ branches would sometimes interlace with each other as they grew. He watched and listened to the forest creatures flittering from one branch to another. He spied through the grass and other foliage of the valley floor hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the animals he’d yet to only be able to hear.

  A warning shot through him suddenly as he picked up on another presence nearby. This was definitely a human, and he couldn’t be spotted. He couldn’t see anyone, but his intuition tol
d him they were close. Quickly he scrambled up and back into the cover of trees where he had exited not long ago. He stood in the shadows and waited. Moments passed before he saw a young woman approach on the opposite side of the stream. She carried with her several makeshift wooden buckets. He sat down on the log hidden in the darkness of the shade and peered around the trunk of the larger of the two trees to spy on her undetected.

  She emerged from a path through the trees about twenty feet upstream, but she was close enough that he could tell her body was barely covered. She wore a type of animal skin skirt, but that was the only covering on her body besides her feet. Her chest was exposed to all that was around her including him, and he could feel a stirring come from below his waist under his robes. He darted his eyes away ashamed.

  She knelt down to the stream and took a drink in the same way he had just minutes earlier. She continued to kneel by the stream looking down at her hands resting on her knees. He watched her filled with intrigue and wondered what she must be thinking sitting there alone. He could, of course, read her thoughts if he chose, but there was something about the mystery that tantalized him. Slowly, she stood up and removed the small piece of cloth from her waist. He turned his head and wouldn’t allow himself to look back until he heard the small splash as she lowered herself into the stream.

  Her back was to him when he peeked out again. She was bent over rinsing off her arms in the cool, clear water. She stood up and cupped both hands together lifting them to splash a gentle spray over her face. The water didn’t fully come up to her waist, so his eyes followed her long hair down her back to the top of her round and taut bottom. His face flushed, and he carefully moved over and sat on the forest floor. His back to the tree that stood between them. He remained this way for a very long time fearing the thoughts that would entertain him if he dared to take another look. He could hear the splashing of the water as she climbed out.

  Quietly he sat faced away from the stream unable to bring himself to move. There was no sound at all, but he continued to wait. He fought the temptation to see her through his mind’s eye as he was afraid of what she may be doing and what he may accidentally witness. After several long minutes with his heart beating faster and faster, he turned. She was fastening one of her foot coverings, but the rest of her garments were in place. He let out a long exhale relieved that he would see no more than he already had.

  She finished tying the coverings then, one by one, she lowered the buckets until they were filled with the crisp fresh water. Before he could begin to wonder how she would be able to carry all of these back by herself, she tied the handles to the ends of a vine rope. The other ends of the rope were attached to a long pole. She crouched down and placed the pole across the top of her shoulders at the back of her neck. She wrapped each arm around one end of the pole from the back then slowly stood up. The buckets of water were perfectly balanced on either side of her small frame.

  He was impressed by how simple yet ingenious this device had been. It made light of heavy work allowing anyone to accomplish tasks that their physical prowess may have otherwise limited them from performing. His curiosity had been piqued, and he decided to follow her back to her village to learn more knowing full well that was not the real reason he chose to follow her. She was the only reason his interest had been stirred.

  It was necessary to be cautious. He waited until she slowly disappeared out of sight before departing from his cover in the trees. He walked back to the rock bridge and hesitantly crossed the stream. The rocks were slick under his feet, and he feared falling in would grab her attention enough to investigate the noise which would give his presence away. Once on the other side, he walked quickly until he caught sight of her again then he slowed to match her pace to be able to keep a safe distance.

  He was thankful that she was facing away from him as he was already imagining how the weight of the carrying stick pulling her shoulders back would lift and push out her round breasts. A similar stirring began to grow inside of him under his robes. He closed his eyes and shook his head. It was only day one, and he was already being exposed to temptations that were trying to overpower him. He must learn to control these thoughts, or else he may fail at his task.

  She continued to walk along the worn path about a hundred yards before she turned to exit the tree cover. He was keenly aware of the village that wasn’t much farther off. He hung back knowing he could find it on his own, and he wanted to give her time to disappear amongst the huts before he approached. His aim was to observe these societies functioning as a whole not to devote his attention to any one person. There would be no harm in learning about the daily life of these people by concentrating on one he thought. He was already trying to reason with himself why it would be acceptable for him to devote all of his time to her.

  Trying again to push thoughts of this beautiful woman from his mind, he slowly made his way back into the forest marveling again in the feel of the cool grass under his feet. He slowly circled the village at a distance that kept everything out of his sight, but nonetheless an occasional sound or excited yell from a child would reach his ears. He didn’t have to be within view to be able to see them. His gift was sight.

  He could see the mud huts that housed each family. The village was larger than he originally expected it to be. Some of the children were playing, but the older ones were helping with the work. He could see the women cooking and sewing. Only a few men were in the village, and they were resting and talking. He knew the rest of the men were hunting. They wouldn’t return for hours, and when they did, he would be safe on the southern edge for the hunt was to the north. All of this he could see before he walked close enough to bring the village within view.

  Circling the village a second time, he noted how the children wore no clothes at all. The men wore loin cloths, but the women wore a type of skirt fashioned around the waist that were short enough to reveal everything as they moved. He found the girl from the stream. She was helping her mother prepare a midday meal. He found himself relieved that she was not married even though he knew he shouldn’t care.

  He continued around until he was back on the southern edge. He understood he would need to find a place close to the village to use for cover from anyone who wandered near him. The cave would be too far of a trek to make daily. He searched through the woods until he found a very large tree with a hollow trunk that was wide enough he wouldn’t be able to wrap his outstretched arms halfway around. There was a very large opening in the base of the trunk allowing him to hunch over and enter. Once inside, he could stand up with ease. There was enough floor room that he could sleep comfortably and be protected from any weather.

  The tree would not be considered safe, but he knew it would be several years before it toppled even with the added stress of him using it as a home for a year. “A year?” he asked himself out loud. “Is it wise to spend the entire year with only one village?”

  He knew it was because of her that he would even consider it, and he knew it was because of her that it is exactly what he would do. He would rationalize the logic behind this thinking later. He would convince himself that it would be better to study the same group then multiple ones as it would allow more understanding than the small fragments of insight acquired off of several groups would provide. This would be the internal conversation that would keep him awake many nights over the next year, but not today. For now, the top priority would be making this space livable.

  Leaves from the forest floor would have to make do for a bed. The robes he wore would work both as a pillow and a blanket while he slept until he could make new ones. The rumbling in his abdomen told him he needed to find food fast. He stepped out of his new home and focused on the village. No one would be entering the woods again tonight. He could forage without care.

  The valley was filled with nuts, berries and other fruit. He held each one in his hand to feel whether it was safe to eat. There was an occasional corn stalk or other plant growing wild. Seeds must have been
scattered from the nearby village either on the wind or through animals. These plants were safe for him to pick from because their bounty wouldn’t be missed by anyone. It didn’t take long before his robe was gathered to use as a pouch and had been filled. He ate as he searched to cure the hunger pains attacking him. On his way back to the tree, he grabbed a few large sticks to begin making tools for hunting. The weather would turn cold soon, and the foliage would stop producing. He needed to be prepared.

  Once he had safely stored his findings in the trunk on a flat piece of wood from a nearby broken log, he set his mind on water. He would need a way to store it. He saw that if he went back to the stream further down than where he had started, he would find what he needed. He set off immediately because the day was growing old, and it would be dark soon. He made his way back to the rock bridge he had crossed merely a couple hours ago and kept going. It only took a few more minutes until he saw it. A wooden bucket was bouncing on the surface caught between two large rocks.

  When he picked it up, he could see the bucket’s previous owner. She had tripped many miles upstream, and the bucket went tumbling from her hands. She tried to find it, but gave up thinking it had washed too far down. She was much older than the woman he had followed earlier, and it would have been too far for her to explore safely. He gathered water in the bucket and held it up checking it for leaks. It appeared to be in good condition, so he headed back to his tree as shadows began creeping in everywhere.

  It was dark before he returned, but he could sense every rock and jutted out root around him to avoid tripping. He made his way into his tree and sat down. He looked around at the bed he had made, his bucket of water and the food he had collected. He beamed proudly at the great progress he had made for his first day, and he hoped the others had been successful in their attempts as well.