“You're... you're planning to attack the Wuffs?” asked Minx, voice low.
The hunter spared her a narrow glance but said nothing, merely grinning beneath that bony mask of his.
As soon as he turns his back we can take him out, suggested Mau, still growling. The Faelyr's fur was bristling and her tail bobbed energetically as she prepared to launch yet another attack. On my mark...
No, replied Minx. No... Let them go. If they're truly giving up on Alla and setting off to challenge Valry's army, it's better to let them live.
The Faelyr grumbled at this. But they could have just killed us! And they're the ones responsible for poisoning Alla! This hunter claims to have what she needs—a cure, maybe. If we defeat him, he'll have no choice but to hand it over.
She'll recover soon enough thanks to the healing magic, countered Minx. And although they won't stand a chance against Valry's army, it's better to let them go on ahead. The more Wuff they take down, the better it is for us.
An 'enemy of my enemy' situation? asked the Faelyr.
Something like that. Minx watched as the hunter and the Zuscha turned and started across the field. They departed without another word, keeping close to one another. As he went, the mysterious hunter didn't even bother to look back at them. “Alla,” she began, taking a few steps toward Kaleb, “what was that about?”
There was no reply; the excitement had evidently taken its toll on the girl. She'd begun to shudder and sweat even more profusely, and Kaleb set her gently onto the grass so that Minx could get a better look. Her chest heaved and her fair skin had taken on a dire splotchiness. These were the hallmarks of a serious poisoning. Her body was descending into shock.
“The poison,” muttered Minx. “It's still spreading.” Ensuring that the archers had well and truly departed, she set her weapons aside and prepared yet another healing spell. Closing her eyes, she focused. Her inner warmth coursed through her fingertips into the girl's body, gradually rejuvenating the internal tissues that had been damaged by the flow of poison. She could almost picture these energies seeping forth from her own body and into Alla's; she felt the girl's restless heart grow calmer and her rocketing pulse slow to something more reasonable as the warmth washed over her. C'mon, Alla. Don't give up. Keep fighting. You're doing well... This poison will leave you, eventually. Hold on.
The dose of toxin had been great, there could be no doubt. Had she been a weaker victim, she would have perished quickly, even with the benefit of frequent healing. Alla was still holding on, though, her body resisting the poison at every turn.
“She's strong,” offered Kaleb. “She's going to make it. Thanks to your healing, she's going to pull through.”
Despite all her fight, the girl's future remained uncertain, however. Could Minx keep the girl's organs from failing until the toxins were finally purged from her system? How long would the poison circulate? Could this compound be filtered out through natural means, or could it only be neutralized by a potent antidote? There was no way to know the answers to these questions; the only choice Minx had was to continue her healing regimen.
For nearly an hour, Minx sat beside Alla, tending to her in the field. At that moment, her state seemed particularly vulnerable; Minx felt somehow sure that, if she ceased casting her spell, the girl would die right then and there. She channeled more and more of her energy, doing battle with the toxin until she felt confident Alla was stable enough. Mau joined, too, lending her strength.
The girl, briefly returning to consciousness and feebly pawing the hair from her face, looked up at Minx with weary eyes. Sighing, she looked this way and that for the archers. “W-Where'd they go?”
Minx offered a little smile. “They're gone now. Don't worry about it.”
Alla shook her head and closed her eyes, taking in a shaky breath. “No...” she warned. “They'll be back.”
Chapter 15
Careful not to aggravate Alla's fragile state, Kaleb continued to carry her across the plain, Minx and Mau keeping close-by. After the excitement of battle had nearly done the girl in, they opted to take a gentler route to Pandling Grounds, on foot, until she fully regained consciousness.
The day was fraught with scares and close-calls, however.
One moment, Alla seemed about to come to, to open her eyes and walk on her own two feet. The next, she stopped breathing altogether and became limp in the dragon shifter's arms. The group had to stop frequently to administer more healing, and with each successive spell Minx feared the worst. Improvements in the girl's health were invariably followed by sudden complications. She felt like she was playing tug-of-war with the specter of death, and she could hardly keep the rope in her grasp. “Slower,” she urged the others. “We need to slow down, take our time. Too much jostling or hurry and she'll suffer. I need to keep a close eye on her, even as we walk.”
We should just have Kaleb fly us to Pandling Grounds, insisted Mau. It'll take awhile, but if we get her there fast enough, she may survive. You've done a great job, but she needs more healing than you can provide. If we want her to live, we have to hurry there.
It's too risky, replied Minx. It was true; flying to Pandling Grounds would have been much faster. But attempting to keep an eye on the girl and heal her mid-flight would produce other challenges, and Alla's aversion to flying would likely tax her fragile state to the breaking point. The last thing she needed as she fought for her life were additional stressors. As soon as she's made a turn for the better, we'll ask Kaleb to fly us. Till then... we walk.
They covered many miles in this way, stopping every hour or so to assess the girl. Pandling Grounds remained distant as the threat of evening set in, and pausing in a cluster of trees near a small spring, it was decided that they would once again set up a camp.
Again? complained Mau. I don't want to rough it out here anymore. Can't we just have Kaleb fly us to town so that we can sleep in a bed?
Not till Alla's conscious, said Minx. She helped Kaleb start a fire and then sat beside the girl, watching the rise and fall of her chest from behind hooded lids.
This is a lot of trouble, isn't it? Mau curled up next to her, placing her head in Minx's lap. This girl did kidnap me, remember? Sure she's worth all this trouble?
Minx allowed herself a faint smile. The alternative is to let her die. That just doesn't sit well. She is part Fae, after all.
The Faelyr stretched out, enjoying the warmth of the fire. Not too long ago, you were the one who wanted to kill her. What's changed?
I could have lived with her dying by one of my arrows. But what happened back there, with the hunter... If Alla dies, then that guy wins. And I can't stand the thought of it. Minx shrugged. And she still owes us one for kidnapping you. So, it's better to let her live.
Kaleb stoked the fire, running a hand through his locks and peering up at the starry sky. “She seems comfortable, at least. She's no weakling.”
“Of course not,” replied Minx. “She's part Fae.”
“And Dragon,” was the shifter's rejoinder. “But suffice it to say, I think she'll pull through. She hasn't had any more of those serious spells from earlier today. Her pulse and breathing are good, and she's keeping down her water.”
Minx nodded. “I'm hoping... really hoping that she might recover by the morning. We've been in the field for so long now, I can hardly keep track of the time. There's so much happening back home, so many other things we ought to be tending to.” She gulped, trying to force her other responsibilities from her mind, at least temporarily. “As soon as she's well, we have to get moving. There's no more time to waste. That hunter knows about Valry's army. They must be on the move...”
Kaleb nodded. “Of course. As soon as she's feeling better, we'll turn our attention to this army. Your people are in a bind. I haven't forgotten.”
For days now, she had concerned herself with others. First, she and Kaleb had set out in search of Mau—a dangerous quest that had seen them cover a great deal of ground. No sooner had they be
en reunited with Mau had they found themselves dealing with Alla. The half-Fae had proven a handful even prior to the deadly attack in the woods. Now, Minx's every waking moment was devoted to ensuring Alla's survival. She'd had precious little time these past few days to reflect on the enormity of the problems facing her people. While she'd been busy making friends and new enemies, the Wuff army that had taken her mother hostage had undoubtedly mobilized. Her people still lacked the dragon hide they needed—and here she was, sitting beside two individuals who might have been able to spare one.
She settled against Mau, closing her eyes and attempting to think of more pleasant things, lest despair overtake her. One thing at a time. You have Mau and Kaleb in your corner, after all. Together, you'll be able to help your people... And perhaps Alla, too, will be able to help.
She couldn't help wondering how her father was. He'd entrusted her with the initial retrieval mission during a time of relative calm. Pan's need for a dragon hide had been serious then, of course, but how things had changed since that fateful afternoon. I hope father's doing all right... and that we'll get back home in time. The army will surely be returning soon...
Kaleb walked a few circuits around the camp, looking out into the distance under the cover of night. “Get some rest,” he urged her. “I'll keep an eye on things out here for a bit. You need some sleep, Minx.”
She was all too happy to oblige. Minx and Mau enjoyed some much-needed rest, dozing between staggered check-ups on Alla. The girl was doing well, and almost looked healthy as she tossed and turned in the firelight. Heartened by this, Minx managed to sleep deeply. The resultant rest saw her awaken just before dawn, feeling surprisingly refreshed.
When she awoke, she found Kaleb still tending the fire, searching the skies for the first signs of sunrise. He grinned at her. “You were snoring a little. Have any good dreams?”
Minx rolled her eyes, sitting upright and combing her hands through her hair. Working out the tangles, she brushed the detritus from her outfit and gave Alla a quick once-over, feeling her pulse and counting her respirations.
Surprisingly, when Minx moved to check the girl's pulse, Alla pulled her arm away forcefully.
“W-What're you doing?” muttered Alla, her eyes shooting open. She regarded Minx fiercely for a moment, but softened when she realized where she was. “Oh... it's you.” She smiled weakly and ran one of her scaly hands over her face. “Sorry. I was asleep, and for a minute there I thought it was someone else...”
“You're awake.” said Minx, leaning in and appraising her patient more closely. “And you're speaking in full sentences! How do you feel?” Without being asked, she produced a full water skin and a small portion of wild berries, both of which were readily accepted and consumed.
Sitting upright by her own power next to the fire, Alla stretched and tested her limbs. “I feel... good.” She smiled sheepishly. “Not a hundred percent, exactly... But I feel like a fever just broke.” Siphoning off a bit of water, she looked to the slumbering Faelyr and ran a hand across her fur. “How long was I out of it?”
“Quite awhile,” admitted Kaleb. He pointed to Minx, adding, “To be honest, I thought you were a goner. Thankfully, Minx here is a real specialist. She healed you up, every hour on the hour. If not for her, you'd have died days ago.”
The half-Fae nodded, running a palm against her wounded shoulder. “Yes, I... I remember... A few times, while you were healing me, I watched you working your magic. I remember the warmth.” She smiled, eyes low. “I... really appreciate it. After everything I did, I'm surprised that you bothered to help me. I... know it probably doesn't mean a whole lot coming from me, but... thank you, Minx.”
The Fae huntress shook her head. “Don't mention it. I'm just happy you're alive. For a minute there, I thought you were done for. I'm glad I could help.” She grinned, adding, “Though, this probably wouldn't have happened if you hadn't run off into the woods like that. See what happens when you try and escape from me?”
Alla laughed. “Well, I don't think there's much running in my immediate future.” She looked around narrowly, attempting to stand. She did so with Minx's help, and asked, “Where are we, exactly?”
“We're on our way to Pandling Grounds,” replied Kaleb. “Still far, at this point. But now that you're feeling better, we should be able to cover more ground by flying.” He chuckled. “I mean, if you're game. I know how you feel about heights.”
“Pandling Grounds? That's... that's the home of the Fae, isn't it?” chanced Alla.
“That's right,” said Minx. “My people are in trouble. There's an army headed their way.”
“Two armies,” interrupted Kaleb. “One of them is comprised of Wuffs and others. The second army, well... we don't know a whole lot about it, except that it's an 'army of darkness'. Whatever that means...”
“My people need a dragon's hide to maintain their shielding ward, and the leader of the Wuff army demands one as well. If we don't comply with the army's demands, my mother and various other hostages will lose their lives.” Her lips trembled a bit as the looming deadline returned to mind. We're cutting it really close... I hope it isn't too late. Not just for my people, but... for my mother, too...
“I see...” Alla took a deep breath, chancing a few short steps. “Well, I'll be happy to come along with you.” She hesitated. “If you'll have me, that is. I owe you—for everything.”
Kaleb stood suddenly from his seat near the fire. The expression of happiness he'd worn only moments ago had been dashed in an instant, replaced by something more troubled. He panned about the group of trees, fists balled. His brow furrowed in confusion, he seemed to be focusing on something with all his might.
“Kaleb,” began Minx, “what's the matter? You all right?”
He extended a hand to silence her. For a time, only the pop of the fire, Mau's even breathing and the gurgling of the nearby spring could be heard. He approached Minx and Alla, urging them to sit, and ventured a few steps from the camp. “There's something here... A presence.”
Minx eyed her bow on the ground. “Oh?”
“I've picked up a scent,” continued the dragon shifter. He hiked a thumb at Alla. “It's a strange one... reminds me of her.”
“It smells like Alla?” Alla's peculiar scent, which had perplexed Kaleb for many days on the trail, was owed to her being half dragon and half Fae. Prior to meeting Alla, neither of them had ever encountered such a hybrid, and until just a moment ago, neither had dared suspect the existence of any others.
Mau awoke, ears twitching, and turned toward the fire. She stared past the tongues of bobbing flame, a growl welling in her chest. Someone's there.
A thin, dark form passed soundlessly through the trees from the direction of the spring. The visitor paused at the edge of the camp, obscured by the pre-dawn shadow and the folds of a long, black cloak.
“Who goes there?” demanded Kaleb, placing himself between the mysterious figure and the others in the camp.
The figure looked up to meet Kaleb's fiery gaze. Perhaps it was merely the shadows playing tricks, or the glow of the firelight lending his countenance something of the wicked, but the gaze that escaped from the edge of that black hood was every bit as arresting—and powerful—as the dragon shifter's. This stranger was handsome, with neat, angular features and an effusion of dark black braids hanging from his scalp. His skin, however, was a deep green. He arched a sturdy brow and studied the occupants of the camp closely.
Minx helped Alla back to the ground, and was about to pick up her bow, when the figure finally spoke. Something in his voice disarmed her, made her hesitate in reaching for it. The Fae huntress wasn't ordinarily one to yield to threats, but the power in this voice promised of an ability to follow-through on them.
“I wouldn't touch that bow if I were you,” uttered the visitor, hands at his sides. From beneath the edges of the cloak, one could make out the tips of his fingers. They were green, scaly and clawed, like Alla's. He took a step into the camp,
the firelight throwing his shadow across the woods and further amplifying his intimidating aura.
“Who are you?” asked Kaleb. He neared the fire, moving stiffly as if in anticipation of an attack. Kaleb had always been careful in the face of unexpected threats, but Minx had never seen him act like this before. His movements were tentative, and though his voice boomed through the waning night, it lacked the confident oomph she'd come to expect.
Is... Is Kaleb scared? What's the matter? Minx stood behind him, trying to get a read on this strange visitor. It was true that this figure was odd-looking, and the aura he exuded was rather imposing. Even so, Kaleb was a fire dragon of the Pyra Clan. What did he have to fear? He needed only to don his dragon form to strike fear into the heart of this stranger. A few flaps of his wings or a single fireball would send the fiercest enemies running for the hills.
The hooded man did not concern himself with Minx or Kaleb, but instead looked to Alla. He extended a hand toward her and beckoned with a flick of his scaly fingers.
Alla, only hours ago at death's door, stood bolt upright, animated by a palpable terror. Her pale eyes widened at the sight of this stranger and her shoulders trembled.
“Come, Alla,” ordered the hooded man, beckoning once again.
The girl shook her head ferociously, but seemed unable to speak. The fear had stopped up her throat.
Kaleb bristled at the stranger's insistence. “All right, that's enough. Stay put and tell us who you are. Alla's with us. She doesn't have to go anywhere.”
Minx chimed in, standing at Kaleb's side. “We're only going to warn you this once. Don't come any closer.”
Heedless of their warnings, the hooded man strode silently into the camp, pausing on the other side of the fire to nonchalantly warm his clawed hands. “So, Alla, this is the kind of strange company you've chosen to keep, eh?” He shook his head. “You've fallen in with quite the bunch here. A Fae, a dragon and a pet cat. How nice. Now, it's time to bid your playmates a good night. We have places to go, you and I.”
How to Kill a Dragon (Heir of Dragons Book 1) Page 12
