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Stand Together or Fall

Chapter Seven

Storm dipped his hand into the water and wiggled his fingers, the water seemed nice enough; he slid off his shirt, removed his trousers and boots and slid into the lake. Tonya had looked away when the older man had begun to undress and cautiously peeked when she heard the water settle again. Storm rested his arms on the banking and tilted his head to the side, looking at Tonya.

“W-What?”

“You coming in or not?”

“I guess so…” She strolled back onto land, tied her hair up high, slid her trousers off and settled into the water in her underwear, just like Storm.

“You…” Storm began. Tonya turned her head to look at him. He cleared his throat. “You look nice with your hair down.”

“Thanks.” Tonya turned to her reflection, she’d never been around men much, none that trusted her like Storm did, and wasn’t sure how to act around him.

“You told the King you were raised by ‘mortals’.” He began again. “What were they like?”

“They were nice, father grew his own crops and mother helped him when she wasn’t busy with us.” She turned to him with a sad smile. “They loved us and I loved them.”

Storm studied her for a moment longer, not daring to open his mouth, but it slipped past his lips before he could stop it. “She killed them?”

“Father died helping the village. My mother attempted to kill Roku, so Roku killed her.” She cupped her hands in the water and splashed her face, trying to hide any tears that may fall. “What about your parents?”

“My father taught me how to use a sword…my mother I never knew, she died when I was a child.”

“I’m sorry.” She placed a hand on his shoulder. “I know defeating Roku won’t bring your father back but it’ll put his spirit to rest.”

Storm smiled slightly and reached up to stroke her cheek, just under her wound, she winced but at the same time the heat rose in her cheeks. “You don’t need to apologize.”

“Storm! Telek!” Raduko called out.

“Over here!” Storm called back. Raduko stepped through the trees and stared at the pair.

“I was just making sure she hadn’t killed you.”

Storm saw Tonya frown as she turned her back to Raduko. “She won’t she’s not like her sister.”

“Not yet.” He grunted. “Are you coming back?”

Storm looked to Tonya who shrugged. Her facial expression had betrayed her; she was hurt by the other man’s comment. “No but we won’t be long.”

“Alright.” Raduko took one last look at Tonya’s back before retreating back into the trees.

“Tonya?”

“I-I don’t know why people hate us.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “I don’t know what the Telek’s did wrong.” She bit back a sob and turned her head away from Storm. He felt something inside twist and placed his hand over hers.

“Raduko will come around he’s just upset about something.” He soothed. “As for the Telek’s…I think we just don’t understand; we’re scared.”

“Except for you.” She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “You’re not scared.”

He shook his head and drew her close; she stiffened at first but quickly settled into the embrace, resting her head against his chest and reaching up to stroke a scar on his arm curiously. “Jin did it…when we met.”

She nodded in understanding, trying to be as comfortable as possible while listening to Storm’s rapid heart beat; just like hers…was he scared of her? She gently pushed away, her nerves getting the better of her, and shivered as a cold chill ran through the breeze. “We should head back.” She hauled herself onto the banking. “I think it might rain.”


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Raduko stood at attention as Princess Serena gracefully strolled into the throne room, head held high, blonde hair hanging down her back beautifully and her blue eyes were sparkling with confidence. Raduko was instantly struck by her beauty, her flawless skin, her slender body and the way she moved was like poetry.
“Raduko.” The Equoya King’s voice snapped him out of his daze. “This is Serena, the King of Serca’s eldest daughter.”

Raduko stared dumbfounded before quickly lowering his upper body into a deep bow; making the Princess chuckle.

“It’s nice to meet you Raduko.” She said with a silky tone.

Later that day while accompanying Serena around the castle, the Princess stopped in the practice yard and drew a sword from a barrel; pointing it at Raduko.

“I want you to teach me the art of swordsmanship.” She insisted sternly.

“I don’t think that’s wise, Miss. Serena.”

“But I want to learn so one day I may protect my Kingdom.”

Raduko sigh and ran his hand through his hair then pulled a sword from the barrel. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Serena smiled, swung her sword, lost her balance and fell into Raduko. “It’s harder than it looks.” She laughed. She improved with time.

They were going to be wed after the war.

“Serena…” Raduko looked down at his murky drink and heard the door open.

“I guess it does bring rain!” Storm chuckled.

“It’s a first.” Tonya muttered.

Storm made his way behind the bar while Tonya sat a stool away from Raduko. “What are you drinking?” Storm asked.

He shrugged. “Tastes like rum.”

Storm poured a drink for Tonya then one for himself, knocking it back in one go. “What’s the matter Tonya?”

Raduko turned his head to look at the Telek, she just stared down at her drink, unsure what to do with it. “What’s the matter?” He taunted. “Can’t handle one drink?”

Tonya frowned and copied Storm’s movement, cringing as she set the mug down. “That’s…disgusting…” She shook her head. “I don’t think I should be drinking anyway…”

“A few won’t hurt.” Storm slid the mug back to her after refilling it. “It’ll help you sleep.”

“I’d rather be awake all night.” She stood and made her way up the creaking stairs. “Goodnight.”

“Tonya, wait!” Storm followed her and stopped her outside a room. “I know you and Raduko don’t get along but.”

“It’s not because of him.” She cut him off. “I just need to be alone to think.”

“Ok. Well I’ll be in the room next door incase…just incase.”

She nodded, took a hesitant step forward and lightly pressed her lips to his cheek. “Thank you.” She opened the door, slid inside and gently closed it behind her. Storm stared at the empty space for a moment before raising his hand to his cheek.