A Twist

Same day. Earth.

"Begone I do not want to see you."

Prium shot as quickly as he could. The Nymph let him free of her hold and he fell on his face. He stood up with dirt lacing his nostrils. He cussed and stood tall beside the Nymph. He sideeyed her then back at Prium. He allowed himself to be distracted.

"Vulcan? Isn't he dead?"

He complained as soon as he noticed Vulcan. Vulcan didn't say a word, only watched, he knew his daughter would have a better response.

"From where did you hear that?"

Prium teased, though her face was a contradiction of the fear her heart held. One of the reasons they had meant to live in the forest was to hold back the news of Vulcan's life from the people. But now? The cat had been let out of the bag.

The man didn't allow himself to be fooled,

"Are you playing a mind game with me now? We all know, though I wasn't there, heard that he was beheaded in the rings. I'm as sure as fuck that he was dead. Don't tell me I'm stupid."

Prium didn't know what to say to the fellow. She tried making a fuss,

"Do you just know Tegia for rumours? Rumours which are giving such life and esteem that even a true news doesn't have. Like the rumor of the wedding of me and you. Even though we both know that we can't end up together."

His face dropped at that. His glowing countenance fell. The concern and doubt scribbled on his face were erased by a gaze of plea.

"Do not say that, you sure know that I'm in love with you and will give whatever it takes to have you. I won't let no harm come to you and you shall always have whatever you want. Even if it's my life."

She scoffed, though she knew he was truthful. Of a righteous fact, she knew that he loved her so dearly. He had proven that by providing early and late night games from the forest at their doorstep. And even at that, whenever she was at the stream and he came there to keep her company, he never made advances of touching her without her will. He loved and respected her womanhood. What more would a lady ask for?

But shame, she didn't like him let alone love. Twas something she couldn't help. She wished she had the strength to help it. In short, she didn't want any man of the land.

She found an appropriate answer for him,

"I think you should get going to your games. I guess your favorite deers are awaiting you."

He began to walk closer to her. Though he knew that Vulcan was in his way. He stopped few steps away.

"I was told by the climber that you went in this direction. Also been to your house mother didn't give a satisfying response. So, I thought to come in search of you, concerned with the thought of what you're doing here alone in the wild while the dusk chants its hymns."

She scoffed and walked closer to him, past her father. She was only two steps away,

"Quite the poetry, Miargos. The gods will take delight in you and give you a lover who will cherish you in place of this beast of a lady."

She said and turned her back on him, meaning to walk away. Then she felt a hard palm on her shoulder, her skin shuddered under the rough touch.

She heard Miargos say,

"Young Cupid had given me a cross to bear. What angel is better than a beast? A ruthless beast which keeps whatever in its care with its life."

She turned to him with a slap on his cheek. She spat in his face and warned,

"Make more advances if you'll learn the harder way."

She walked away from him into the cave. Vulcan stepped in at that,

"Go son, I'll have her spoken to. You're quite a gentleman. I'll see to fact that she ends up in your warm harms."

Vulcan promised, his left hand on the fellow's right shoulder. Miargos shook Vulcan's hand free and shot,

"Trying to be sweet to a stranger when we all know who you are!"

He stomped off as Vulcan traced the path he tread with his keen eyes. Vulcan really was bent on knowing who he really was before the change.

"I'll go and hunt."

There came the voice of the Nymph who had been silent all along. Vulcan snapped back to reality and nodded.

As the Nymph turned her back, he stopped her,

"Let Prium go with you. I'll make our beds. The dusk is hasty to devour the day."

The Nymph turned at him and smiled,

"Ours beds are made. Go call Prium."

Vulcan wondered what she meant by the first sentence. He ignored and walked towards the cave.

As he walked in, he was shocked. The inn was already illuminated with golden rays. There were three beds by the three sides of the cave. The inn was unusually big. His jaw dropped. He could swear by his life that those weren't what he saw when he first entered before Miargos came.

Prium had her back to him wondering too. He called her and she seemed startled.

"What happened here?"

She asked, he smiled as though he could explain but averted the question.

"Go and meet Ayla. She'll have you walk some path."

He was moved that she didn't say a thing. She walked past him and headed towards the mouth of the cave. He called at her,

"I know you don't like her, but putting up with her for a little while she would be with us will do none of us a harm."

She didn't say a thing. She walked out and he sighed. He flung himself into the last bed at the far end but opposite the mouth of the cave.

"Where do you take me?"

Prium was as direct as she could ever be as soon as she got to Ayla.

"Hold my hand."

Ayla gave Prium her left hand without looking. Prium hesitated firstly but held it. As soon as Prium held it, both disappeared. They were found in the depth of the woods.

Cicadas were sing as well as raven cawing. The shades of the towering trees were getting thicker and the silhouettes of the moody clouds stalking the life of the forest.

"How'd you do that?"

Prium asked and Ayla only smiled and looked at her.

"One of the perks of being a Nymph."

Ayla said. Prium thought for a while as they walked on and shot,

"Any possibility of I being turned into a Nymph?"

Ayla halted and looked past the thick shrub up ahead. The path was choked with creepers. And the trees laced with climbers.

"You have an odd affection for your father. Don't you?"

Prium looked into Ayla's golden eyeballs. How ridiculous she could be.

"That isn't a response to my question."

Prium argued. Ayla smiled and balanced,

"You get a response when you answer me."

Prium shrugged and began to walk on but Ayla called at her,