Raven Saga 01 - Raven

long ago did she die?” I asked.
    “She's been gone about 30 years, but never forgotten,” he added, smiling. “She was a remarkable woman. Not unlike Rose, actually. They were good friends.”
    “You and Rose are very close,” I replied and he laughed, nodding,
    “Elsebeth made us promise that we would be there for each other. She wanted Rose to take her place. She felt that I needed a wife and Rose was the person she nominated,” he chuckled, “but Rose and I are, and have always been, just very good friends. I have managed on my own but Rose is always there when I need her, and vice versa.”
    I agreed that he and Rose would make a great couple, but understood perfectly that some people are better off living alone – well, kind of alone.
    “Gabriel?” I said.
    “Mm?”
    “I'm sorry about Oliver. I'm sorry that I made him go away. I know that he is like a son to you.”
    Gabriel stopped walking and turned to me, “Don't apologise for being who you are Lilly. It is not your fault that it happened the way it did. Oliver is a fine young man, he can look after himself and I know he'll be okay. Like I said to you before, I am a strong believer in fate. What is meant to be, will be, so don't blame yourself” he said, “he'll be fine. And so will we.”
    We continued walking uphill in silence, until the terrain started to become a little more rugged. Gabriel pointed to an area where there were a few more trees and told me that was where we would stop for the night. As we approached, myself a little breathless, I noticed a small cave, the entrance of which was well hidden by foliage.
    “This is where I usually stop and sleep,” he said as we exhaustedly let our backpacks drop to the ground. I slumped down on a nearby rock until my breathing became slower and steadier, watching as Gabriel began collecting sticks and twigs and larger pieces of wood to create a fire.
    He had barely even caught his breath. Feeling guilty for just sitting and watching, I stood up and began to help but I soon stopped when I had the feeling we were being watched.
    I moved closer to Gabriel's side and whispered, “Gabriel, I think there's someone here. I think someone's watching us.”
    “Stay close Lilly, and act naturally,” he replied without looking up as he continued to collect kindling for the fire.
    I saw from the corner of my eye that he was discreetly looking around to see who it could be. Suddenly he stood upright and chuckled. I turned to see the source of his amusement and noticed a rather large white wild mountain goat perched slightly above us, watching us with beady eyes.
    “Hello, old chap,” shouted Gabriel, “I thought I might bump into you again.”
    The goat carefully and cleverly climbed down from the narrow shelf above us and as he did so, the top half of his body changed dramatically. Like Sammy, he was half animal, half human in every sense of the words.
    His head and arms were that of a human and the rest of him was most certainly that of a goat. His hair was completely white, as was his long goatee. Age wise, I would have said he was in his sixties.
    “Gabriel. Good to see you, old man. Frightfully sorry if I gave the young girl cause for concern,” he said in a posh British accent, which completely puzzled me.
    “Hello my dear,” he said as he walked over to me, with his hand outstretched. I shook it, my mouth open in surprise.
    “Close your mouth, Lilly,” laughed Gabriel, “this is an acquaintance of mine, Charlie.”
    “Acquaintance? I would say friend... would you not?” he chuckled, before adding, “absolutely charmed to meet you, my dear Lilly. You must be the old man's grand-daughter from London, I presume,” he said, still holding my hand in his.
    I nodded, not quite sure what to say. I'd never seen a half man, half goat before. Especially not one with such a strong English accent.
    “Nice to meet you Charlie,” I eventually managed to spit out.
    He finally let go of my hand and turned his attention to Gabriel, just as Gabriel was explaining that he had met Charlie when he'd visited the Elders the previous winter, at about the same time I'd arrived – the reason Gabriel had been unable to collect me from the airport.
    “I presume you are on your way to visit the Elders?” Charlie asked while he began to assist making the fire.
    “Yes, I'm taking Lilly up to meet them. What have you been up to lately, Charlie?” asked Gabriel.
    Charlie stuttered momentarily before