The Last Of The Journey

As Ana climbed back onto the horse, Sitri took a look around. He could sense something. Carefully looking into the distance to try and anticipate his feelings. "I wil be back shortly Ana."

"What is it?" Ana looked in the same direction that Sitri was looking in. "I can't see anything."

"We are being watched. I'm not sure by who, but it is human. Male to be precise." Sitri continued to look at the bushes 10 metres or so away. "Wait here." Sitri ordered softly. Turning to his right to make it look like he was at ease for a second, Sitri then lunged towards the bushes and grabbbed hold of the human hiding in them. Pulling him out and holding him on the air. "A boy." The young lad then started to cry and pleaded with Sitri to put him down. Sitri did, but kept hold of him. "What are you doing here boy?" Ana then joined them.

"I was just curious. That's all. I was looking for berries and nuts when I saw you and your lady friend. So I hid until you was gone" The boy was shaking with fear as Sitri let go of him.

"Do you know how dangerous it is out here for someone as young as you?" Ana asked as she dismounted the horse. The boy nodded

"My mother is sick and father is out fetching water. Please let me go. I won't tell anyone I saw you. They won't believe me anyway." Sitri and Ana looked at each other before returning their attention to the young man.

Sitri curled his mouth. He had no quarrell with a farmstead trying to survive each year. "Have you had much luck finding what you seek child." Sitri asked. The boy shook his head. "Then my young friend. Today is your lucky day. Look at your basket now." The boy turned and saw his basket full of all the things he was looking for. When he turned back to Sitri and Ana, they saw the disbelief on his face. "I'm in a good mood my boy. My friend here allowed me to hear something I've never heard before, Consider it as a get well present for your mother. Now go home. We will watch and make sure you get home safely."

The young man couldn't believe his luck. He hugged Ana and offered his hand in gratitude to Sitri. Sitri smiled and took his hand. Ana and Sitri watch him hurry back home to show his mother what he had got. Ana got back on the horse. "That was good of you to help the child like that."

"It would serve no purpose in letting his mother die without medicine. Besides, I have you to thank for my good mood today."

"What do mean by medicine? You only filled his basket up with fruit and nuts." Ana was confused again now.

Sitri turned to her. "Something you humans have not discovered yet. The berries and nuts are laced with a medicine to help her get well. I saw her in his mind. She won't survive the coming months without help. You gave me a gift, so I gave one to them. It is what you would have wanted Ana." Ana regarded Sitri with surprise. She was never aware that demons could act in this way. "Normally I would have sent him on his way and left it as it is. But, you're gift to me is something that I thought should be repaid. One good turn as you humans say."

"Well, I must say. I'm surprised by what you did." Ana bit her bottom lip and tried not to let Sitri see her looking at his groin again. She liked what she saw and the lustful thoughts removed any remaining vestiges of power she got from praying a short while ago. But Sitri noticed, and was again smiling to himself inwardly. "So, shall we get going then Sitri, or just stand here and stare at an empty wilderness."

Sitri turned and grined at her. "I suppose it is time now, yes. We should arrive at my new home by nightfall if we keep a good pace." They then continued with the journey towards Sitri's kingdom until they needed to let the horse rest.

"So, Ana. How are you feeling now we are almost there?" Sitri asked with sincereness.

"I'm not sure. On one hand, I'll be glad to not have to ride for so long. But I've seen things that I never saw before outside of the temple, or my life with Aron."

"Such as?" Sitri enquired.

"Surprising acts of kindness for a start. The village of Thesterall. You've also shown me how terrible the human race can be to each other. I'm beginning to wonder whether we humans deserve to be saved by our gods or left to suffer alone. Except for my sisters in the temples across the land. They use their powers to help others, without taking the lives of others."

"And you would love to have that power again wouldn't you Ana. Even if it was to kill me."

"I don't think I could do that now. You've shown a side of yourself that I never knew existed. It appears as though even demons have a heart."

"You never answered my question Ana. You'd love to have that power again."

Ana looked down. "Yes. It's the one thing I regret about my marriage to Aron." She admitted.

"At last." Sitri thought. "I have a path to follow now. And it appears that it will be quicker than I expected too." Then he grinned wickedly inside. "She is no longer yours Aron. She will be mine. Willingly." He then looked at Ana. "It is time to go. Not long until we reach the end of the journey."

"Thank god for that. I'm not sure how much longer I can ride this horse for. However, I'd prefer to keep him. I don't want him to come to any harm. Promise me you will not have him killed or mistreated."

Sitri agreed to her request. "You have my word Ana. He will be well taken care of." With that being said. Ana remounted the horse and they continued with their journey. By nightfall they had arrived at his kingdom. But instead of a cave, Sitri now lived in a castle. The grounds around it remained lush and green, untouched by corruption. Entering the castle Sitri showed Ana to a room furnished with luxury. Ana took in her surroundings. She had never seen such a place. A place fit for a queen.