Celestial

The woman, girl, fairy, I didn't know how to describe her spoke up. Her voice was soft and melodious, like the soft chiming of bells under an afternoon wind. She asked a question in some language that I couldn't understand, or I assumed it was a question at least. To be honest I could not tell, her language being too foreign for me to make sense of.

Her eyes were wide, almost as if she had seen a demon. Only then did I reflect upon my state. In terms of appearance I did not consider myself anything more than plain, though many seemed to disagree with me. But then, a bloodied man covered in mud and wounds was far less attractive than any other.

Others had considered me charming, but upon seeing her my words failed me. She did not speak the same language as I, what was I meant to do? At least, that was what I thought at first. How could you fault me for trying? "Hello, who are you?" I said, the sound of my own voice surprising me. I had not spoken in days, and my throat was dry from want of clean water that I knew I would not find. As I spoke I near choked, dust turning my cough into a wheeze.

Such a sorry state, and I scarce recognized it until I saw another humanoid, and what seemed like a pretty woman at that. Ah, the trappings of civilization. I will not say that I do not enjoy them, for that would be a rather blatant lie. But a trapping nonetheless, even if I know I shall return there soon. The dress was all I needed to know that there were other men out there, and rather medieval if I were to guess. Not that I was surprised, a civilized place would have far more roads and far less pretty young women roaming the wilderness. Speaking of her.

Her eyes flashed in an emotion I could not read. "You speak the Celestial tongue." She said. Whether it was a command, statement, or question, I could not tell. Now, I must say I was confused.

"I speak English, and my name is Leon Marshall. You are?" I tried again, my voice stronger this time. It felt good, seeing another person again. I had thought myself alone.

Her eyes widened. "A worldwalker? What madness drove you to come here?" She asked, her eyes glowing with a dangerous light. I was an injured man, but a trained soldier, so I should not have been afraid of her. Yet seeing that harsh light from her eyes I did, the cold gaze that seemed like a silver sword.

"I do not know what you are talking about." I replied, my hands resting on my knife. I did not know if I would need it, or if it would help. But her gaze was unnerving, and a few precautions would not hurt. The thought almost hurt. Using a knife against an unarmed young lady?

As her eyes moved to my good arm she moved back. "Do not tell me that you came here by accident." She said, her eyes narrowing.

"I have no clue where I am and I did not make an attempt to come here. Does the United States of America or earth mean anything to you?" I asked.

Her shock was visible this time. "The States? You are of the highest lands?" She asked.

"I don't understand half of what you are saying, woman. I just fell a few hundred feet from the sky, and if you can tell me where I wound up that would be really nice." I said.

She scoffed. "For one so lost, your words are strong. If you are not the greatest liar I have ever seen, you are surely the greatest fool." She decided.

I decided then to lose my temper, although I must admit that it was a bad idea. "Please, if you could explain what is going on I would like it very much. If you can't, then leave!" I snapped.

In hindsight this was a terrible decision. What if she had decided to leave? What if no other spoke my language? What if I lost her tracks through the wilderness, to a wind or something similar? No, it was a unnecessary risk. A sharp tongue was less of a pain than the many wounds lining my body. To this day I thank God for her being a better person than I.

That, or she was unnerved, if such a thing were possible. Her eyes were so glassy, so marble like, that I couldn't read them. "You may follow me. Speak no word in the presence of any other. Look at nothing that does not belong to you, and do not stray from where I lead." Her voice had the finality of a command.

She turned around to leave. I stumbled towards her, and pain shot up my legs. Movement was difficult with only one leg. It felt as if my bones were snapping at every step I took in a vain attempt to catch up. But I tried anyways. How could I not?

She noticed, and spun around. "You're injured." She observed.

"No, I just stepped into a patch of tomatoes and I'm red all over my body." I said.

She stepped closer to take a look. "Several broken bones and limbs. It is truly a wonder that you are still standing." She held out her hand.

Of course, I had no idea as to what she wanted me to do. She sighed, steadying me before walking forward. For a woman of her size, her strength was surprising. I must have been twice her weight, but she supported me with no issue. It was just then that I realized how tired I was. My muscles ached, petitioning me for a few moments of rest. I ignored them, as I always did.

"Who are you, where are we going, and why are you helping me?" I asked.

She stopped moving to look at my eyes. I felt a shiver as I met that silvery gaze, so cool and emotionless it could have frozen. "In your tongue, I am Silvana. I will be leading you to my home, Celestial. If life is precious to you, follow and do not stray. The world has no mercy for your kind."

Whatever she meant by celestial, I suspect it was nothing good.