Chapter 4 Sur Caves

Nysa

Oh, my God. My breath catches as I scramble to my feet, backing away. I have a man in my backyard. My hand flies to my forehead. What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? Oh, my God. I need to tell somebody. Maa? No, she isn't here. The elders. They would know what to do.

"H-help," the man whispers, his voice frail.

No. No, I can't. I shouldn't. The male species is everything that is wrong with our world. Men are cruel, violent, and sadistic to their very core. To help him would be to betray my people, to aid an enemy. I'd be punished without trial, condemned for treason.

"Please..." The man's deep eyes lock onto mine, pleading with an intensity that sends a jolt through my heart. But...he doesn't look like the monsters they've told us about. He looks just like us. Ragnyian. Could it be that the Matrikas are mistaken? What if not all men are bad?

They won't try to find out. They won't even hold court. He'll be condemned as a criminal and executed on the spot. It's unsettling how we've been taught what will happen if we break the rules, yet never given a true explanation as to why those rules exist. Why are all men bad? What did they do that was so unforgivable? Are their actions evil, or their words? Or is it something deeper?

He could answer those questions. He could reveal truths I've never been allowed to know. The thought of understanding the male nature from the source is almost intoxicating. But is my curiosity worth risking everything? Is it worth jeopardizing the safety of Nari?

My mind spins with conflicting thoughts. The right thing is to turn him in, to protect my people. But my heart... my heart tells me to help him, to learn, to challenge what I've been taught. To satiate my curiosity. The stakes are high. One wrong move could destroy everything.

I take a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. My mind wavers, but my heart makes its choice.

"I'm going to help you," I whisper, my voice trembling. "I'll be right back."

I run inside, grab Maa's large medical bag, and a lantern. Back outside, I kneel beside him. I cut open the soiled cloth wrapped around his forearm.

"Sorry," I mutter when he winces. The stench hits me before I see the infection-yellow, cloudy fluid seeps out, and the skin around it is angry and red.

"It's infected." He shivers.

"I can see that." This isn't a wound that will heal in a few days. He needs shelter-somewhere no one would find him. The Sur caves, hidden and abandoned, are the only option. But getting there with him in this state? Impossible.

"I'll be back." I am nothing if not creative.

I dash back inside and head straight to Maa's bedroom. I rummage through her drawers and quickly I find her special candies. What makes her stash unique is that it is laced with stimulants she uses when she needs extra energy.

I grab a large candy, a quilt from my bedroom, and run back out. I place the warm cover over the man and then bring the candy to his mouth. I really hope this works. "Suck on this."

He looks hesitant but is too weak to protest. He sucks on it slowly.

The orange light from the lantern dances on his face. Sweat-soaked golden locks stick to his forehead. He has greyish-blue eyes, a straight nose, and a jaw that is covered with hair. I find that odd but otherwise, the man looks decent. Definitely not monstrous.

Slowly, his pupils dilate and his eyes open wider than normal.

"Do you think you can stand up?" If this works, I will be seriously impressed by myself.

He sits up and looks around. "My eyes... they have... opened up." The man's eyes shift from left to right and then back a few times. "I can see everything. It feels like somebody has dusted all the cobwebs off my mind. I can see all my thoughts so clearly."

"That means it's working." I smile and rise to my feet. "Try standing up now."

Slowly but surely, the man stands up.

I know the man is large but only now do I realize just how big he is compared to me. I am not a small woman but the top of my head barely reaches his chin. The man has broad shoulders, a muscled chest, and biceps thrice the size of mine. If this is what all men look like, I understand why they could be a threat to women. He's unwell and on drugs. I can take him down if needed.

He picks up the quilt and wraps it around himself.

"Great. Let's go." I grab the medical bag, lift the lantern, and make my way into the woods.

"Wait," the man says and walks over to me.

His face doesn't give much away but his eyes reflect pain and anxiety. "Where are we going?"

His distrust is understandable, but he doesn't have much of a choice here. It is either to accept my help or be killed. I'm not sure he understands what is at stake but for both our sakes, I hope he complies.

"A cave," I reply. "No one goes there. I'll be able to treat you undisturbed and you can stay there for a bit. It's safe."

He looks at me for a long moment, his eyes piercing mine. Then, he nods.

We continue into the woods.

In the dead of night, it feels like the whole world comes to a standstill. But just when you settle into the solitude of the darkness, you hear noises-the low grunt of a deer, the distant howl of a wolf, the coo of a bird, or the eerie sound of insects, reminding you of the dangers that lurk in the shadows.

I have no problem exploring the woods during the day but at night time, I steer clear of them. So, I keep my pace brisk and am pleased that the man easily matches my stride.

I remain alert as we walk deeper into the thicket of trees. The grass is sparse on the path we walk because I've trodden over it hundreds of times. Not much else is visible, but occasionally, the light from the lantern spills on an anthill, a large cluster of oversized mushrooms, or a moss-covered tree stump and the familiar sight reassures me that we are on the right path.

"How far do you think is Soare-Luna?" the man asks, breaking the silence.

"What?"

"The Kingdom of Soare-Luna," he repeats. "I need to go back home."

"I'm not sure where that is," I reply. I don't think I have heard that name before. It isn't on any of the maps I have come across either.

"My family must be very worried about me," he whispers, almost to himself. "Mom, Dad, and Tori...I-" His breath hitches.

I look at him. Most of his face is in the shadows, but I don't need to see his expressions to know he's in pain. The torment in his voice is so deep, I feel it in my chest.

"I need to go home." His eyes meet mine. "It's been... so long. I-I need to go home."

I glance at him, his pain a palpable weight between us. "We'll get you better first," I say, though I don't know if I'm making a promise I can't keep.

We fall into another stretch of silence, but this time, I feel less anxious. Men and women might be different, but the inherent need to go home is the same in all. It makes him more like a person to me.

The caves come into view, dark and foreboding against the night sky. Built centuries ago, by an ancient civilization, the caves are seen as cursed-a remnant of people who vanished without a trace. It's perfect.

"This is it," I say. He hesitates at the entrance, eyeing the darkness warily. "It's just a cave," I reassure him, even though I know it's more than that.

The curved walls of the caves are made of stone. The light from the lantern reflects on it, illuminating the sculptures carved into it. Most of them are of a four-armed half-man half-woman with a crown on their head. In some, they are sitting on a throne, in others they are fighting a demon with an animal head, or with enjoying a meal with other people, or having sex. The orange light and the elongated shadows it casts make them appear more striking.

The man traces his fingers over them as we walk past.

"What is this place?" His voice echoes softly.

"Some kind of a temple, maybe. I'm not sure." The cave is a maze, full of secret doors and passages that lead God knows where. I've only discovered a handful so far. The more I explore, the more I'm convinced this is not just a temple.

I escort him into a chamber I've claimed as my own. For the past couple of years, this place has been my refuge-a place I come to when I need some time alone. Now, it will be his sanctuary.

I set the bag down and pull out the candle from my lantern. Guided by memory, I move from lantern to lantern, lighting each one. By the time I'm done, the entire area is bathed in a soft, orange glow.

The man looks around, taking in his surroundings.

I'm not sure what this part of the cave was originally used for by the previous civilization. It was entirely bare, except for a massive seven-foot sculpture carved into the wall on the left. The sculpture depicts a man holding the severed head of an animal that resembles a dog or maybe a fox.

I've added a few touches of my own-a small chimenea sits in the centre, with a jute bed on one side and a chair and table on the other. I also have a pot to store water, a basket with some clothes, and a chest full of weapons for hunting.

He looks at me with an expression I can't decipher. "You really have everything here, don't you?"

"Except food and water, yes. There is a river not too far from here. And I like to hunt," I say and bring the medical bag over to the bed. "Come sit. Let me take a look at your wound."

The man walks over to me and sits down on the jute weave. He stretches his arm out to me. His bronzed skin glistens with a sheen of sweat. A light smattering of golden hair covers his arm. His forearm is corded with thick, sinewy muscles that shift or flex with his every movement. Veins snake their way up his arm, adding to its rugged appearance. Even at rest, he radiates a sense of coiled-up energy, ready to spring into action at any moment.

I bite down on my lip. I have never seen such strong arms.

Focus, Nysa. The man's bleeding!

I cross my legs and examine the wound. It is about three inches long, half as wide, and oozes blood and pus. The edges are so sharp it looks like someone has used a sharp object to take a chunk of his mass out. I have never seen anything like it.

"How did you get hurt?" I ask as I pull out a bottle filled with herb infused water and a clean cloth. I pour some over his wounds and then gently clean them too.

He neither reacts to me touching his injury nor does he reply. I look up at him. He is staring so deeply into my eyes, it is unnerving. Although not as much as they were earlier, his pupils are dilated. He's still high.

"Your eyes are the most remarkable shade of hazel," he whispers softly.

My heart skips a beat.

His hand reaches up and tucks a curly, errant strand behind my ear.

I jolt. A feeling of spiders crawling under my skin spreads through my body and goosebumps rise on my skin.

He blinks a couple of times and shakes his head. "Apologies," he says sincerely. "I stepped out of line. I shouldn't have done that. Or said that."

I swallow and nod, my heartbeat fast.

"I want you to know that your help means everything to me. I am very grateful."

I nod again. "I-um," Find your words, Nysa. "It's getting quite late. I should treat the wound and head back quickly."

"Of course."

I do a quick job of coating the wound with a thick layer of salve that cures infections. I apply some coconut oil on the skin around the wound and then wrap his entire forearm with a clean cloth. Then, I quickly treat the scratch left behind by my arrow.

"You need to rest now. The effect of the candy should wear off soon. You will be able to sleep once it does," I say, quickly putting everything back inside the bag. He will be asleep for a couple of days, but instinct tells me not to tell him that. I don't want him to fight against the sleep, cause trouble, or try leaving.

Once everything is packed, I rise, grab my bag and the lantern, and glance at the door. I shouldn't leave him alone, but the restlessness in my chest is overwhelming. I need some space and time to gather myself. "As long as you stay here, you will be safe."

"But-"

"Goodnight." I rush out of the chamber.

The Matrikas might not be entirely truthful, but they are certainly not lying either. Men possess a unique power, alright. There is no other reason for my body to react that way to his words or his touch. He barely spoke and it was a simple, fleeting graze! It is unnatural to feel so anxious in someone's presence.

What more would he be capable of when he is in his senses?

I'll face him once I come up with a strategy. There can be no oversights or errors. This is life and death.

I spend the night at the entrance of the cave, mainly to ensure he stays inside and partly because venturing into the forest at this time would be madness.

At first light, I sneak into the armoury and come back with important supplies – a sturdy chain and a pair of wrist shackles.

I stand at the chamber entrance, observing the man. He is passed out.

"Hey," I say loudly.

He continues sleeping. Perfect.

I walk deeper into the chamber, scanning my surroundings. The only thing that catches my eye is the sculpture, particularly the fox's head. It might just work... I approach the sculpture and slip a finger inside the animal's nose. It's hollow. Perfect.

I thread the chain through its nostrils, attach the restraints to either end, and bring them over to the man. Silently and carefully, I lock his wrists, then slip the key into my bra.

Finally, I push the chest full of weapons into another chamber. He won't wake for at least another twenty-four hours, but I'm prepared.

Now, all I have to do is wait.