Lost 


Adaz was having difficulty sleeping, though the campfire had already 
burned low.  Then it seemed as though she had just started to drift 
off when she heard familiar footfalls.  She opened her eyes to see 
Sutekh, his eyes radiant in the bright moonlight, kneeling over her.  
She was about to put voice to a question when he put a finger to her 
lips, silencing her.  Then he bent and gently kissed her.  
	Adaz's heart raced as she reached out and slowly pulled Sutekh 
to her.  They kissed again as he lay down beside her and she drew her 
blanket around him.  "At last," she thought, her heart soaring as 
their kisses became more passionate.  "He has admitted it at last."  
	For the first time in her life Adaz willingly gave herself to 
a man.  

Adaz did not awaken to the early morning sounds of the camp, nor to 
her harshly whispered name.  

Adaz was awakened by the cold.  Naked, her light blanket was not 
enough to keep away the chill of the morning.  She had relied on the
body of her lover to keep her warm through the night, but now she was 
alone.  
	"Well, not entirely alone," she thought to herself.  She 
smiled and reached out to pet the weasel perched on her covered legs.  
Sutekh's familiar was staring intently into the forest, sniffing at 
the air.  At Adaz's touch, it jumped away from her, startled.  After 
taking a moment to stare accusingly at her, it resumed its vigil.  
Only then did Adaz notice that the fire, built up for the morning, had 
been partially extinguished with hastily kicked dirt.  Adaz gathered 
her clothing and quickly dressed.  She was belting on her small sword 
when Sutekh returned.  
	He emerged from the trees, cleaning the Sword of Lyons with a 
piece of torn cloth.  When Adaz saw the weasel crawl under her blanket 
and curl up, she smiled and went to greet her love.  She slipped her 
arms around his neck and kissed him.  Sutekh did not respond.  
	Puzzled, Adaz backed off, wondering what game he could be 
playing.  Then she saw his eyes; they were as emotionless as they had 
been the day before.  Adaz stepped away from him, not thinking it 
possible.  
	"You picked a strange time to try and reenact old times, 
Adaz," he whispered harshly.  
	Sutekh's words made no sense to her.  "But..."  
	"But what?  Adaz, I just killed an orc not a hundred yards 
>from here, yet you slept even when I called your name.  There are 
bound to be more about, so gather your things quickly and quietly.  I 
will be back shortly."  With that he sheathed his blade and 
disappeared.  She heard him move into the camp and saw her blanket 
thrown aside.  The weasel levitated into the air and disappeared, 
snuggled into its pouch.  With that Sutekh's footfalls receded into 
the forest.  
	Adaz went through the motions of breaking camp, but her mind 
was reeling.  What had happened last night could not have been a 
dream, yet she did not believe Sutekh capable of using her like that 
and then crushing her heart.  Confused, she at last gave up hope.  
	There was no trace of her tears by the time Sutekh returned.  


						Jeff Stehman