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
