Lack of Energy

When he was done eating what Sikkim Root had given him, Nicolas walked further into the trees. Oak Leaf had grown quiet as he walked. He moved to the river and watched the fish. He was still standing there when Oak Leaf stepped from the trees behind him.

"Sikkim Root?"

Nicolas didn't say anything.

"Is that really you, Sikkim Root?"

"Picea Spinulosa Radix non est," Nicolas said. (Sikkim Root doesn't exist)

"Who are you? Where is Sikkim Root?"

"Picea Spinulosa Radix non est, Quercus Folium." (Sikkim Root doesn't exist, Oak Leaf)

"How do you know me?"

"Non remanes hic. Redde tui gentibus." (You cannot remain here. Return to your people)

"Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Nicolas turned slowly to look at Oak Leaf. He no longer carried bow and arrow with him, but he still wore normal clothes and not those of mourning. Clearly, he still believed Sikkim Root alive since he had heard her voice. Nicolas moved away and into the trees, leaving Oak Leaf to call after him. Trees or no trees, there was nothing for Sikkim Root or him in Dead Man's Valley. They would leave, now. He found Sikkim Root sitting where he had left her earlier.

"Picea Spinulosa Radix, Veni. Nos deserente hoc locus." (Come. We need to leave this place)

"Sed arbora..." (But the trees)

"Arbora nihil dicent." (The trees say nothing)

"Nicolas..."

"Mora. Nos vadente." (Enough. We are walking)

Sikkim Root stood and took his outstretched hand. Nicolas was quick to leave Dead Man's Valley, past the secluded spot where they had spent their first night as husband and wife, and deeper into the mountain forest. At one point, Sikkim Root pulled on his hand and lead them in another direction. She knew these woods enough to know where not to enter. Much of it was owned by members of the Mountain Forest Tribe and they didn't appreciate trespassers, living or dead. Nicolas pushed on through the heat of the day and only stopped when Sikkim Root's hand slipped from his own.

"Quid falsus?" he asked. (What's wrong?)

"Egeo aqua." (I need water)

"Scisne si esse aqua iuxta?" (Do you know if there is water nearby?)

"Nescio." (I don't know)

"Celate. Quercus Folium venis." (hide. Oak Leaf comes)

"Pi..."

Nicolas stopped when Sikkim pulled him in yet another direction and into a cave. Towards the back he could hear water. Feeling his way back, he found an underground spring. Tasting it, he found it suitable to drink and went back for Sikkim Root. She sat slouched against the wall of the cave.

"Picea Spinulosa Radix?"

"Hic, Nicolas." (Here)

"Inveni aqua. Potesne ambulare?" (I found water. Are you able to walk?)

"Possum ambulare," she said, leaning forward to stand. (I am able to walk)

She was unsteady on her feet and Nicolas had to support her to where the water was. He removed the deathwrap enough so she was able to drink. When she had had enough, she lay down on the ledge where they knelt. Nicolas checked on her and found her asleep. She had less stamina than a city woman, but then he had only seen city women work in the field. He had no idea what they did after that since he had refused them all. Lying next to her, Nicolas heard someone enter the cave above them and after several minutes of searching left again. They should eat again soon as well.

Sikkim Root didn't sleep long and Nicolas got up with her. They moved towards the mouth of the cave and Sikkim collected nearby roots. The woods seemed oppressively quiet. She turned to enter the cave when Oak Leaf stepped out of the trees several feet in front of her.

"Sikkim Root?" he asked.

She remained silent.

"Sikkim Root, only if you were still alive would you leave Dead Man's Valley. Is it not so?"

Sikkim stepped back towards the cave and Nicolas stepped out.

Oak Leaf looked at the second death wrap that had appeared. There were two? Had Sikkim Root found someone in the afterlife that she could belong to? That wasn't possible. Sikkim Root committed suicide and would forever wander in sorrow. She wouldn't be given the opportunity for happiness. The second deathwrap stood tall as the first retreated back into the cave.

"Who are you? How did you die?"

"Id arbora iubent. Hic deseri." Then Nicolas turned and entered the cave once more. (The trees commanded it. Leave here)

"The trees commanded it?" Sikkim Root had something similar when he asked her why she had committed suicide. But the one who spoke was a man. The voice sounded familiar though muffled by the death wrap. "Nicolas?"

"Hic deseri." (Leave here)

Oak Leaf left the cave behind and made his way back to the village. He would have to check with the city in the morning to see if Nicolas had been put to death as Sikkim Root had been.

"Picea Spinulosa Radix?" Nicolas asked.

"Feci nihil, Nicolas. Dedi me verba." (I did nothing. I gave my word)

"Gratias ago tibi." (I lead my thanks to you)

Sikkim Root nodded then kissed Nicolas lightly. Her heart still betrayed her, but if she could get the rest of herself to accept her seal to Nicolas then maybe her heart would follow. Nicolas kissed her a little deeper then let her go so they could eat. He wanted to get farther still, but would have to go hunting so they could bring water skins and food bags with them. After they ate, Sikkim lay down again. Nicolas checked for a fever, but could find none. Was it the kind of food she ate that made her so tired? From her waist, he took her knife and went out to hunt.

He wasn't able to catch anything that night. Maybe in the morning he would be able to find something. He returned to the cave and lay next to Sikkim Root, who moved closer to him. The cave was cool, but with the deathwraps both of them were able to sleep comfortably.

Nicolas woke in the morning and Sikkim Root was gone. He searched the cave, but she was not in sight. Stepping into the light of day, he saw her sitting on the ground sewing something.

"Picea Spinulosa Radix?"

"Salve, Nicolas. Dormisne bene?" (Be well. Did you sleep well?)

"Ita vero. Tu?" (It is true. You?)

"Ita vero." (It is true)

"Quo vadis?" (Where did you go?)

"Parare copias. Vis deserere, vero?" (To prepare supplies. You wish to leave, true?)

"Ita vero. Tu viditur? (It is true. Were you seen?)

"Non." (Not)

Sikkim Root handed Nicolas two empty water bladders than turned back to her sewing. It was different seeing a woman doing something other than plowing or repairing farming equipment. He stood there for several minutes as she finished sewing one seam before picking up another piece of hide and sewed some more. Nicolas left long enough to fill the water bladders with the fresh cave water. When he returned Sikkim Root was no longer in sight.

"Picea Spinulosa Radix?"

"Hic, Nicolas," she replied, kneeling between some trees. (Here)

"Quid facies?" (What are you doing?)

"Sum colligans radicem bacamque." (I am collecting roots and berries)

"Quid falsus?" Nicolas asked, kneeling next to her. (What's wrong?)

"Nihil. Eamus." (Nothing. We should go)

Nicolas nodded then helped Sikkim Root to her feet. "Te amo," he said, kissing her. (I love you)

"Te amo, enim," she replied softly. (I love you, also)

Nicolas took Sikkim Root's hand and they left the cave behind. They walked until noon, when Nicolas stopped. He pushed back Sikkim Root's death wrap enough to see her face.

"Visne dormire?" (Do you wish to sleep?)

"Volo Dormire, sed egemus movere." (I wish to sleep, but we need to move)

"Picea Spinulosa Radix, quid falsus?" (What's wrong?)

"Nihil. Veni." (Nothing. Come)

Sikkim Root moved several feet away before Nicolas followed. She could only think to put one foot in front of the other. She felt many things contributed to how tired she was feeling—depression from being cut off from her people, being sealed to a man she didn't love, knowing Oak Leaf still sought her, and the quick harsh trek across the mountains. When early evening came, Nicolas made her stop. Her steps had gradually slowed and her silence concerned him. They ate and drank more water then he found a secluded place where they could lie down.

The death wraps were removed and laid on the ground before he lay next to her; arm draped around her waist. Her fingers locked in his own. Though he could not see her face, he could feel that Sikkim Root was troubled. Still she would not open up enough to tell him what was wrong. He waited until Sikkim Root was asleep before he got up and wandered through the trees.

'I wish the trees would speak,' he thought. 'Perhaps they could tell me what I can do for Sikkim Root.'

"Nicolas," he heard whispered.

"Aliquis hic?" he asked. (Is someone here?)

"Nos. Arbora." (Us. The trees)

"Arbora? Tu audire possum?" (Trees? Are you able to hear me?)

"Nos audire potest, Nicolas. Semper vita nos audias, sed non agnosceres." (We are able to hear you. You have heard us all your life, but did not realize it)

"Cum Picea Spinulosa Radix quis falsus?" (What is wrong with Sikkim Root?)

"Doles et gravida." (She is grieving and she is pregnant)

"Cur non me certiorem fac?" (Why hasn't she told me?)

"Non cognoces adhuc; perit in dolor." (She doesn't yet know; lost in her grief)

"Aliquid ad ea faceo?" (Is there anything I can do for her?)

"Ea modo amor. Pervincebat." (Just love her. She will pull through)

"Quando?" (When?)

The trees were silent.

Nicolas slowly returned to Sikkim Root's side and she rolled into him. He held her close and kissed her forehead. "Te amo, Picea Spinulosa Radix." (I love you)

"Te...amo.... Tibi gratias ago," she murmured in her sleep. (I...love you... I lead my thanks to you)