The creature leaped from the top of the cave entrance, landing on Davin and dragging him to the ground, iron claws flashing in the air.
“You're too late. I destroyed him,” Davin rasped.
The monster screamed, a horrible, shrill hissing, and bared her metal teeth, ready to strike, but Kiri was too quick for her. Using her broadsword two-handed, like a club, she knocked the monster to the ground.
Disoriented, it staggered to its feet and swung towards her, sniffing. It grabbed, not as blindly as Kiri would have anticipated, missing her by inches. She backed away slowly, readying her sword for another blow. The creature advanced towards her, accurately pinpointing her changes in direction. How does the damned thing know where I am?
“You destroyed my love, little wizard,” the creature snarled, its voice like a dry wind blowing over an open tomb, “I will destroy yours. I will eat her before your eyes.”
Gods, Kiri thought, her eyes widening, the creature can smell me!
Whipping out a throwing star, she aimed and threw in a single continuous movement, catching the creature squarely in the chest. The iron claws removed the star from the withered flesh and snapped it in two easily. Not good, the creature is impervious to weapons.
Magic gushed through the clearing as Davin shot the creature with a blast of power. It hit her squarely in the back, and sank into her. She had absorbed it, added it to her own power. She whirled, blasted back and returned to stalking the swordmaster.
Kiri continued her strategic retreat, unsure what would be effective against this monster. Suddenly, a branch seemed to spring up under Kiri's feet. She went down hard, no time to react. Her sword fell uselessly to the ground.
The creature coiled to pounce. Kiri's hand went into her pocket and pulled out the leaf. This is it. But the anticipated blow never landed. Just as Kiri had fallen, Davin had pushed the creature hard to the side, trying to divert her. He shot a shimmering bolt of magic that hit the creature off center, on her leg, unbalancing her and making her wobble. His second bolt was less successful. Opening her iron-toothed jaws, she sucked the magic into her mouth and devoured it. Kiri sensed her opportunity and stuck her foot between the creature's feet, tripping her. Unfortunately, Shara didn't fall. She steadied herself and caught Davin, lifted him high and threw him to the ground. His head hit hard. She stalked towards him, her fangs poised to deliver a deadly blow to his unprotected throat. When she bit him, it would be the ideal opportunity to jam the stasis leaf into her vile mouth.
Kiri scrambled to her feet. At that moment, she realized that for all her brave words, she could not abandon Davin. His life meant more to her than winning this battle. She grabbed the creature around the neck with one arm and pulled back with all her strength, unbalancing both of them. Kiri deliberately fell to the side, a dead weight, and the leaf flew from her hand on impact. The creature leaped on her in a moment, mouth descending. Kiri could smell its breath, like a gust of air from a tomb. She jammed her sword arm into its mouth and the iron teeth snapped shut, puncturing deep into her flesh. Kiri screamed in agony, but her free hand kept scrabbling to the side, seeking the leaf in the piles strewn across the meadow floor. It's gone. I'll never be able to find it in all that litter. The creature, enraged, was certain to eat her slowly now. At least Davin would have a chance to escape. It was all she had hoped for. Turning to where he had fallen, she saw he was sitting up, shaking his head as though to clear it. The blow knocked him silly.
“Davin, run!” she shrieked. “Get help!” It was too late for her, but if he could survive, it would all be worthwhile.
“Kiri!” He tried to stand and fell. She realized he was hurt. Blood spilled down his forehead. After I'm dead, he'll have no defense against the creature. He would be more weakened then ever, their shattered bond a wound to his soul. She had to keep trying. Jamming her arm more tightly against the creature's mouth, she pictured the leaf in her mind's eye…its bright, vibrant green, its multiple points, its shining ruby veins. It looked like all that was good in nature. She reached out her hand above the ground, concentrating with all her might, and suddenly, it was there, between her thumb and forefinger, as though she had never dropped it.
Shaking with pain, she turned her attention to the creature. She loosened the pressure of her injured arm against its teeth and Shara drew back, mouth wide and ready to strike. Quicker than the eye could see, Kiri jammed the leaf between the iron fangs and the creature went instantly still, falling forward. Kiri used her uninjured arm to direct Shara's descent to the side, lest the precious talisman fall from the open jaws.
She took a slow deep breath. It's over. Her arm burned like fire, bleeding from dozens of deep wounds. She could actually feel the poison spreading up towards her elbow.
Davin crawled over to her. “You did it, baby. I can't believe it.”
“Yes. Can you stand?” she replied as she hoisted herself to her feet.
Davin rose slowly, but managed to get upright and stay that way.
Grimly, she gathered the creature under the arms and began dragging it to the cave. Davin bent cautiously and lifted the legs. Once Shara was safely inside, Kiri returned to the meadow. She wanted to feel the sun on her face before she died. She staggered into the warmth and collapsed.
“Kiri,” Davin said, “what it is? Are you hurt?”
“I'm bitten,” she replied, shock numbing her lips so she could scarcely form the words.
“Oh gods!” He seized her arm, examined the bite marks.
“Davin, take my sword,” she urged in a slurred monotone. “Finish me. I don't want to become like that.”
“I can't do it Kiri. You saved my life. I have to try to save you.”
She turned her head slowly to the left and then to the right. “My life is over Davin. I've been on borrowed time for nine years. Let me go. I can die happy because of your love.”
“Kiri, I won't give up on you. I have to get you help. At the capital, there are healers who can treat this.”
“The capital is weeks away. We would never make it.” She whimpered. “It hurts so much. Help me die.”
“I can open a portal,” he insisted.
She looked at him doubtfully through eyes that wanted to close. “You have such strength?”
“Yes.”
“Enough for two?” The poison reached her elbow and pooled in the joint tightening it down with a wave of pain.
“I've never managed it. But Kiri, you can help. You do have magic. I saw it. You drew the leaf to you from across half the meadow. If you let me tap your power…”
She bit her lip hard to increase her focus. Blood dripped onto her chin. “You hit your head. You don't know what you were seeing. I have no magic. Argh.” Kiri wailed in agony, clutching her arm. “The poison is spreading. It hurts. Please, Davin. If you love me, help me die.”
* * *
“I do love you Kiri.” Davin knew what he had to do. No cost was too high to save the woman he loved. He placed his hand on her forehead and induced sleep. Then, reaching through the bonds between them, he breached the barrier that kept her well of untapped magic at bay. Drawing deeply on her power and his, Davin conjured a portal directly into the apartment of healers in the capital.
He lifted Kiri's limp body in his arms and carried her through.
Chapter 5
The apartment of healers was in chaos, as usual, people running here and there, groans and shouting, all manner of noise. Davin stepped into the portal room and closed his eyes in relief. It had worked. He had been afraid that, despite their combined power, the portal would snap shut with them inside and cut them in two. He hurried through the door, his precious burden snug against his chest, and shouted, “Help!”
Two healers-in-training ran over to him.
“Is Jaya here?” At the young man's nod, he snapped, “get her, now.”
The other trainee led him to a small alcove with a bed. Davin loosened Kiri's braid, letting the spikes fall and laid her on the bed gently, ho
lding the hand of her uninjured arm.
Jaya ran in, her short blonde hair bouncing. “Davin!” she exclaimed. “What are you doing here? You're supposed to be near the border.”
“I used a portal. Please, Jaya, help Kiri.”
The woman's gaze turned briefly to the unconscious woman and then back to him. “What happened?”
“We won. We defeated the creature. But it bit her.”
Jaya lifted Kiri's limp and mangled arm, and grimaced. Laying the wounded limb across Kiri's chest, Jaya placed her hands together, concentrating intensely. As she slowly drew them apart, a crackling light shone between her fingertips. She wrapped it around Kiri's arm and laid it back beside her on the bed. “There, that will hold the infection for now.”
“What did you do?” he asked. The arm looked the same, though his magical sense could detect something white and shimmering glowing from the folds of the arm… and ugly black waves radiating from each wound.
“I put her arm in stasis,” Jaya explained. “The contagion can't spread. It will take time to prepare the treatment. It's been fifty years since the last time we needed it, and we no longer keep it ready, but I can put it together, if it's really what she wants.”
“Why would anyone not want treatment?” Davin asked, dismayed.
“It's horrible Davin. You can't imagine. Many prefer a quick death. You know I can do that if I need to.”
He moved to stand between his sister and his beloved as though Jaya had threatened Kiri. “No Jaya, not that. I didn't bring her back here so she could die. You have to save her.”
She gave him a confused look. “Who is this girl, Davin? What is she to you?”
He explained impatiently, in short bursts. “She's Kiri Taconowa. She's a swordmaster from Laiconia. She was the one who defeated the creature. She is also quickly becoming the most important thing in my entire life.”
“Oh honestly, Davin. Of all the times to fall in love.” Jaya rolled her eyes.
Davin refused to be distracted. “Can you save her?”
“Yes, but I need to talk to her first.”
“Please, Jaya,” he begged, “don't give her any choices. Just heal her.”
She gave him a speaking look. “You know that's not the way it works. I have to tell her the truth. The rest is up to her, and you.”
Davin bowed his head in defeat while Jaya easily snapped the sleep he had placed on Kiri. The injured warrior opened her eyes with a start, and stared, disoriented, at the whitewashed room around her.
“Wha…”
Davin ran his hand along her good arm. She turned and relaxed at the sight of him. She closed her eyes for a long moment, regaining her composure. Then, finally, she asked, “Why can't I move?”
“Your arm is in stasis,” Jaya told her matter-of-factly
Davin watched a moment of wild panic cross Kiri's eyes. He put his hand on her cheek, tracing one scar from orbital bone to jaw line. “It's all right. You can move the rest of your body. You're not trapped. Do you remember what happened?”
Kiri thought for a moment. “I was bitten. How am I here?”
“I used the portal, like I told you. The stasis spell on your arm prevents the poison from spreading while we wait for the medicine that can cure you.”
* * *
Davin… I've never known anyone like him. How can he have gotten me here? What happened? I'm so lost. Panic rose in her again, tightening her chest until each breath had to be one at the cost of so much terror.
“Kiri?” She turned towards the sound of a firm female voice that turned out to be a curvy young woman, pretty with an upturned nose, freckles, and a shock of blond hair cut close to her head. “My name is Jaya. I'm a healer. I can cure you of this infection, but first I have to talk to you.”
The bed sagged as Davin sat down beside Kiri. She pressed against him, wishing she could sit up. Trapped and confused. I hate this.
“You see, there's only one way to cure these bites, and it's pretty horrible. Some people prefer not to go through it. I will describe the treatment to you, and if you chose not to endure it, I can give you a quick and painless death. You'll simply go to sleep and I'll stop your heart.”
“Don't waste your time on treatments. Just end this.” Kiri said, her voice dead calm. Her heart, less inclined to relinquish life so easily, thumped painfully in her chest.
“Please, love,” Davin said softly, his fingertips brushing her hair, “don't just give up. Remember what we said in the cave? We can have that dream. Just choose to live.”
How you tempt me, my love. She turned to face him, wondering when silver hair, dark eyes and a slight, wiry frame had become her absolute ideal of masculine beauty. He would keep me if he could, but there's so much he doesn't understand. “My life is over, Davin. There is no reason to waste anyone's time trying to save me.”
“NO! You can't just give up, baby. At least let her tell you what it involves.”
“Tell me,” Kiri sighed. “Do you have to amputate my arm?” Start the execution faster, and with one limb less agony.
“No! Nothing like that. Listen, we have to draw the poison out of your body. We can't pull it through the wounds. It's in too deep already. It wants to go to your heart and brain. I will give you a potion that will draw the poison to your stomach. Then I will give you a second potion…well just a purgative really, and you vomit it up.”
Kiri considered. “That doesn't sound so bad.” Not nearly as bad as what comes next.
“Well, maybe not if it were just once. The problem is, it takes time to draw all the poison. This is a very bad bite. We would have to repeat the treatment several times. Most likely for an entire day and night. Sometimes, people who are not very strong don't survive. Even if you do, you'll be weak for days, maybe weeks… I can see you need time to think about it, to talk to Davin, so I'll leave. Let me know what you want to do.”
* * *
Kiri lay quiet for a moment as Jaya left. Davin's thought were swirling. He wanted to say something, but didn't know where to start. Finally, Kiri spoke. “I won't do it.”
Won't, baby? Oh gods. “Why not?” he demanded. “One bad day and night, and you'll recover, good as new, and we can be together, like we said.”
“We can't. My people, my government, will come for me and kill me. I don't see any reason to suffer through that treatment, endure weeks of weakness, and all, in order to be taken back to my homeland and killed. They won't just stop my heart, Davin. My execution was to be public dismemberment. I don't want to go like that, not if I have a choice. I would rather die today, happy, with you beside me, knowing I am loved.”
Davin recoiled. “What a horrible idea. I want to live with you, not watch you die. Besides those are not your only choices, baby. Listen, my people will protect you when they find out what you did. The last time these creatures were loose, hundreds of thousands died. Thousands more were turned into slaves. You stopped it from happening again. Both our nations were saved by your courage today. No one will take you away if you want to stay here. We will protect you. I will protect you.”
“Davin, no one protects me,” she protested.
“No one has, but that doesn't mean no one ever will. I won't leave you, Kiri. I won't let anyone take you away from me. If you're worried about the treatment, I'll be with you through the whole thing. I'll take care of you while you recover.”
There was a lengthy silence before Kiri said, “I need time to think, Davin. Alone.”
Davin gave her a stubborn look. Kiri reached towards him with her uninjured arm, but the stasis field prevented her from touching him. He leaned in and she wiped a trickle of half-dried blood from his face.
Disgusting. I must be almost as badly hurt as she is. “All right. I'll leave for a short time. I need to clean up, and the council of elders needs to be informed of the events today, and send a crew to dispatch Shara inside the cave. I'll also talk to them about granting you asylum. I know they'll agree. Promise me you won't do anything u
ntil I get back.”
“I promise.”
He kissed her hard, reminding her of what she was giving up, and strode out of the room.
* * *
Kiri sighed. She was exhausted, and struggled to think clearly. I do not want to undergo this treatment, but refusing it means certain death. She also didn't really believe that either Davin or his people could protect her from the execution awaiting her. But as she struggled to penetrate her fatigue with clear thought, she realized one thing. Having Davin watch her being violently ill and then caring for her through weeks of rehabilitation was a large part of what she did not want. There was a great deal of difference between lowering one's guard enough to sleep with a man and wanting him to watch her retch her guts out.
So, this is about pride. Not a flattering thought. She tried to imagine life with Davin, and couldn't do it. What would she do? It had been years since she had been a soldier, and she was quite sure he didn't want her to live in order to go back to risking her life on the battlefield. Not to mention Koralians were much less warlike than her own people. There would be little need for a soldier of her caliber here. She would have to redefine herself as…what? His lover? His wife? They had only mentioned such things briefly, and as they had not figured on surviving, nothing had been decided. Hell, they had only known each other two weeks, and in all that time they had been under such strain and danger. It was no wonder they had jumped to quickly into a love affair which had no satisfactory conclusion.
She imagined dying peacefully with her head on his lap, falling asleep and never waking up. What a compelling thought. No more suffering or pain, no more fear. No more having to make difficult decisions. It was the easiest she had ever had to make. Davin will recover. He's strong.
The Bonding Page 5
