by Ross Turner
Vivian screamed and rushed over to him, her heart leaping immediately into her mouth, knocking aside her senses too.
“KAEL!!” She shrieked, charging forward and throwing herself at his side, staring disbelievingly at his ruined leg, her mouth slightly agape.
The teeth of the trap were practically touching. There was nothing left of the muscle, or anything else for that matter, that had once been round the knee. The joint itself had been destroyed entirely, held in place only by a few fragments of shattered bone, trapped between the awful manmade teeth.
He screamed again, twisting and turning desperately on the ground, but he could not escape the dreadful pain.
Then, from very close now, barely a hundred metres away, there came the terrifying sounds of snaps and growls and howls, echoing through the trees. Vivian looked to Heath and Kandor, her eyes wide and afraid, and cursed loudly and obtrusively.
“HOLD THEM BACK!” She ordered, forced to shout through both her coursing adrenaline and the need to be heard over the approaching barks and snaps.
The wolves were soon in sight, bounding hungrily through the trees.
“I HAVE TO FREE HIS LEG!”
Her two burly friends jumped immediately into action, readying their weapons: heavy swords and axes. Vivian snapped her focus back to Kael, knowing that she didn’t have time to heal him, but she absolutely had to free his leg, or he would surely die.
It wasn’t so much the wound she was worried about; though it was dreadful, it could be healed. Instead, it was the wolves. They had sensed Kael’s distress, and has chosen that moment to strike because of it.
What in the world was going on?
Vivian pushed the thoughts from her mind and focused her will upon the trap binding what was left of Kael’s leg. Though the sounds of shouting and snapping echoed in her ears, she forced the sounds away, and kept her eyes squeezed tightly shut.
For a moment she was reminded of the time long ago when she’d hidden from the shadow man in Featherstone Keep, with the sounds of fighting outside and the need to keep her eyes closed. Those thoughts too she cast from her mind however, and focused on Kael’s injury.
Creaking and straining under the immense pressure, the trap slowly fought back against the powerful springs, and opened once again, freeing what was left of Kael’s leg, though it’s remnants hung limply from his thigh, all but destroyed completely.
He screeched again, though by now he had lost so much blood, and had so much adrenaline coursing through his veins, that he slipped in and out of consciousness from one second to the next. His head too hung limply from his shoulders, rocking from side to side, and Vivian clasped it to her chest for a moment, allowing herself a second to look around.
Immediately she wished she hadn’t, as she saw exactly what had been happening all about her.
An entire pack of wolves had poured from the trees, and Heath and Kandor had met them valiantly, protecting Vivian and Kael with all their might. But the wolves descended upon them relentlessly, giving them not even a moment’s respite.
The two powerful men roared and grunted and heaved and cursed as they swung their mighty weapons up and down and left and right, carving great holes in the wolves’ attack. For a moment Vivian even thought they might succeed; that they would be able to fend off the attack so that they could all escape.
But it was not to be.
It was only moments later, still cradling Kael’s limp head in her arms, that Vivian saw one of the wolves, apparently more intelligent and cunning than the rest, encircle the battle swiftly, moving precisely and purposefully.
“LOOK OUT!” Vivian screamed to Heath and Kandor, the desperation in her voice reaching them just as the wolf did - just a little too late.
The beast that had been encircling them darted in, keeping low to the ground, and hamstringed the both of them. Its brutal attack was both swift and efficient, sending both of Vivian’s companions cascading to the ground, clutching their ruined legs, unable to stand, crying out with fresh agony.
Within seconds the swarming beasts were upon the two men, ripping at their flesh and grinding at their bones, ceasing their struggles quickly, and with very little effort, their attacks cruel and precise and without mercy.
Then, lifting their heads slowly and turning to look at Vivian, still cradling her unconscious Kael, they stalked towards her triumphantly, savouring every moment. Blood dripped from their fangs and jaws, fresh and steaming, and evil grins were spread across their furred faces.
Tears streaked down Vivian’s face. But these were angry tears, for the fury within her was bubbling and boiling almost uncontrollably. She lowered Kael’s head slowly to the ground, caressing him gently, and stood over him defensively, preparing herself for battle.
Levelling her gaze at the pack encircling her, Vivian saw something then that she had never expected; something that, a long time ago, she had banished from this world.
The wolves’ fur was rich and jet-black, stained with blood, and their eyes, hollow and empty, were dead, and filled with the blackness of a plague so dreadful that it could mean only one thing.
It sent a chill right through to Vivian’s very core, for she had seen this evil before in her lifetime, and she had committed herself to its destruction, and she had been sure that she’d succeeded.
Apparently not.
“It can’t be…” Vivian whispered, her eyes wide and her heart gripped with fear.
But nonetheless, as much as she didn’t want to believe it, to her senses now, clear as day, the terrible truth was apparent.
Vivian drew in her will, not once taking her eyes from the wolves closing in around her, though of course she couldn’t watch them all at once. Her eyes limited her, but her other senses did not, and in her mind’s eye Vivian could see everything and more around her.
The first wolf attacked, lunging forward with the stealth and speed and power of an experienced killer. But nonetheless, as quick and agile as it was, Vivian was faster, and an invisible blow struck the beast mid-flight, sending it cascading heavily across a small clearing and into a thick tree trunk. Its spine snapped on impact and the beast clattered to the forest floor, twitching slightly, blood dribbling in thick spouts from its muzzle.
Vivian smiled grimly and the other wolves surrounding her bared their teeth menacingly, blood red, growling fiercely, crouching low to the ground, though hesitating slightly, ever wary of Vivian’s power.
Then it began, and in a flurry of flashing teeth and fangs and crimson blood and black fur, the wolves set upon Vivian ferociously. They ripped and snapped and slashed at her, and she screamed and hammered at them in return.
The beasts were sent flying in countless numbers, some of which raised immediately back to their feet and continued their assault, whilst others never rose again.
The exchange lasted for a mere thirty seconds, though it felt like a lifetime. And during that half a minute, the devastation was immense.
Backing off slowly once again, the wolves all panted heavily, many with fresh scars and limps. Their eyes still were set on Vivian, immovable and resolute. Standing still over Kael, unwilling to budge, Vivian too was bleeding in numerous places where she had been caught by fangs and claws, and her breathing was laboured.
A particularly nasty bite on the back of her leg forced her to drop to one knee, where one of the fiends had attempted to hamstring her, and, to all extents, had succeeded. The pain meant nothing to her however, and Vivian simply willed her body to continue, feeding herself with her own power.
The wolves bared their fangs once more, and the fierce young Featherstone prepared for yet another onslaught.
So long as Kael lived, he would be under her protection, and Vivian refused to relent. It would probably mean a fight to the death, but that didn’t matter.
She would not yield.
“COME ON!” She screamed at the pack surrounding her, startling them into a frenzy, snapping at her angrily, but hesitant, fearful of her fero
city.
Suddenly then, for some reason, their threats ceased, and Vivian snapped her head round to the side, sensing exactly what had drawn their attention, and fear gripped her senses once more.
She felt then a new set of eyes upon them from amidst the trees, hidden in the shadows. She could see nothing with her eyes, but with her other senses she saw a powerful beast lurking there, just beyond reach.
The wolves snapped and growled threateningly, apparently having forgotten Vivian completely.
Then, all of a sudden, as if from nowhere, hundreds upon thousands of creatures crept into view, moving slowly and silently, but at the same time appearing from absolutely nowhere, encircling the wolves just as they encircled Vivian.
Again, the animals in the huddle were as wide ranging as they’d been before, and they looked on just as imploringly as before.
Abruptly then, for some reason, guilt washed over Vivian, and her anger drained away for a moment.
“I’m sorry.” She suddenly pleaded to the crowds of animals all around her. “I don’t know what to do.”
But the words had barely left her lips, and she scarcely had a moment longer to take in the sight of their spectators, before the enormous beast that she had sensed, at least five times bigger than the biggest of the blackened wolves, came crashing through the trees.
It bellowed an ear splitting roar that Vivian seemed somehow to recognise, and for a second, lost in the sight that she now beheld, Vivian felt time, and indeed everything all around her, come to a complete standstill.
Was this the great bellowing beast that had terrified everybody so?
Vivian’s mouth dropped open and her mind emptied completely, shock and disbelief washing over her.
It was only as the enormous red bear grasped the wolf nearest to it, plucking it easily from the ground with its massive jaws, and flung it effortlessly against a tree, killing it outright, that Vivian snapped to her senses.
The great bear looked at her then in a way that tore at Vivian’s heart: in a way that she recognised. Its eyes were caring and protective, though focused on the task at hand, hardened by battle.
It even moved like her Red, stalking forwards carefully and precisely, its movements calculated and certain.
It wasn’t possible…
Red was dead…
As the huge beast approached her, moving slowly, its eyes trained on the pack, emanating a low, threatening growl from the very back of its throat, Vivian could see its body ripple with muscle, and that its thick muzzle was frosted with grey.
Vivian couldn’t even begin to form the question she wanted to ask in her mind, and simply stared numbly at the magnificent animal before her. Having spent many years living with red bears, now, amidst everything, the young Featherstone found herself unable to speak.
Finally, swallowing heavily, Vivian managed a single word.
“R…Red…?”
Suddenly then, at the sound of her voice, the wolves howled and lunged forward, all at once, descending upon the enormous red bear hungrily.
“GO NOW!!” The huge animal roared, its voice so similar to Red’s that Vivian could have cried. The only difference was that it was deeper, older, wiser, and much more worn.
After a moment’s hesitation, snapping all of a sudden to her senses, Vivian hauled Kael up onto her shoulders, admittedly using quite a bit of sorcery, and fled from the scene off into the vast forest.
She made it but ten paces before she was tackled heavily to the ground, rolling to her back and sending Kael flying, still unconscious. She was immediately pinned down by a vicious, drooling wolf, snarling over her triumphantly.
Suddenly though, whimpering in pain, the wolf was dragged swiftly back, raking at the ground desperately, barely missing Vivian’s legs with its slashing claws.
“RUN VIV!” The great red bear roared, crushing the wolf that had attacked her and ripping its throat open with its massive jaws.
Another three wolves jumped on the enormous bear’s back then, ripping and tearing at its shoulders terribly.
“VIV, GO!!” The bear bellowed again, desperation tinging the words thrown so urgently, as it writhed to throw the wolves off.
She didn’t hesitate this time, grabbing Kael’s limp body, his face now white and blanched, and took off into the trees once again, cringing at the sounds of ripping and tearing flesh, crunching and breaking bones, and angry, vicious roars and bellows ringing in her ears.
13
The roars and cries echoing behind her slowly faded and died away amidst yelps and squeals, but Vivian didn’t once look back; instead she kept her eyes trained forward and focused, churning her legs furiously.
It was late into the afternoon and the day had begun to cool and chill when Kael awakened from his dazed slumber, stirred by Vivian’s thoughts pushing at his.
“W…Wh…What…?” Kael stammered, raising his hand to his throbbing head. He was lay at the back of a stout red pine tree, half covered by a thick shrub.
Vivian crouched attentively at his side, holding his hand in hers. Her eyes were closed and she was clearly lost in deep concentration.
“What happened?” Kael eventually managed, closing his eyes and lying his head back again, for anything else hurt to do, and his vision had started spinning madly.
His words roused Vivian from her searching thoughts and her features relaxed. She breathed deeply and opened her eyes, squinting against the last remaining light of the afternoon streaming down from above, winding its way through the canopy.
“Hold still.” She instructed, squeezing his hand tightly. “You’ve lost a lot of blood.”
“Am I alive?” He asked, his tone dubious, and Vivian’s reply did little to instil him with fresh confidence.
“Barely.” She eventually replied, following a long pause.
“That’s why I feel so awful then.” He concluded, rather lamely, the faint remnants of a smirk touching his lips.
Vivian did not reply, and Kael sighed deeply, knowing that if he had any chance of survival at all, it lay solely with her.
“How’s my leg?” Kael asked then, without opening his eyes. “Is it as bad as it feels?”
“How does it feel?” Was Vivian’s immediate reply, not even breaking her concentration as she scanned over Kael’s battered and ruined body once again with her mind’s eye.
“Like it isn’t there…” Kael responded honestly.
“Pretty much…” Vivian agreed in return, her words just as honest.
“I thought so…”
The extent of the damage was not localised to Kael’s leg, sadly, and the severe injury had affected his whole body. Vivian could see quite clearly that he’d lost tremendous amounts of blood, and that his heart was under immense pressure, working ten to the dozen, just to try to compensate.
Knowing that they didn’t have long, Vivian worked quickly, assessing what to do with what was left of Kael’s leg.
Since she had not an abundance of time, nor the leisure of uninterrupted concentration, with the sounds of fighting ever in her ears, she knew she would just have to do her best. Neither time nor concentration would be allowed to her until they returned to civilisation.
She made her decision.
Locating the nerves and veins and arteries in and around Kael’s ruined leg, seeing that most of them had been severed, leaving only a few still intact, even if only barely, Vivian set to work.
She repaired those veins and arteries that were leaking the majority of the blood, allowing at least some of the pressure to ease. Then she focused in on the nerves that were causing her Kael so much pain, and cut off the sensation from them completely, at least lifting that barrier too.
Finally, with all the time she had left, Vivian examined the blood rushing through his body - what little of it there was remaining. She studied his cells in detail for a minute or two, seeing their many different types and variations, before, carefully but quickly, multiplying them.
The colour rushed
back to Kael’s face and she felt him breathe a grateful sigh of relief, as the strain placed upon his heart eased. His heartbeat slowed gradually and, now that the pain was gone, even though his leg was still in a terrible state, his body began to return to more or less normal function.
With her hasty repairs made, knowing of course that they were only temporary, Vivian roused Kael to full consciousness, and his strength was somewhat recovered, enough at least for him to stand on his good leg. He leant quite heavily on Vivian, but he was standing nonetheless. They bound a few stout branches to his bad leg, holding what was left of it in place so that it didn’t flail around, and set off back towards Virtus.
Fearful that the wolves would once again find and follow their trail, for it would be near impossible to miss, they hurried on, eating when and where they could, hardly stopping to rest even once.
As they trudged northwards, moving mostly in a kind of awed and terrified silence, Vivian thought of the great red bear that had saved their lives.
She had so believed at first that it was Red, but as soon as she’d heard his voice, it was clear that that was not the case.
But then, if it wasn’t her Red, how had it known who she was?
She forced the thoughts from her mind, crushing the pointless hope she had begun to build. Even the tiniest piece wasn’t worth.
She knew the truth.
Red was dead.
Or at least she thought she did.
It took them several days, travelling at their wearied but relentless pace, to reach Jared’s southern farmstead, entrusting their safety to luck and to fate and to the great red bear that had saved them. When they finally arrived, they were met, understandably, with concerned looks and worried words.
“Vivian! Kael!” Jared yelled, rushing over to them, their return having been highlighted to everyone by one of his farmhands.
