Minx nearly reached out and slugged him. “As a matter of fact, Mau and I have been tending to you for hours now. We both used our energies to heal you. If not for us, you'd still be pinned to that stupid tree!”
Kaleb laughed—briefly, because the effort sent him into convulsions of pain—and nodded. “I knew I could rely on you, Minx. Thank you.” He turned to her, eyes softening. “I mean it, you know?”
The Fae huntress was careful not to meet his gaze and instead changed the subject, not wishing her cheeks to flush crimson for his attention. “So, who was that guy? I've never met anyone like him before.” She sighed, adding, “He took Alla. There was nothing I could do.”
Kaleb grunted, running his hands across his face and attempting to sit upright. The wounds in his abdomen kept him from doing so, however. “I don't know who he was, but I do know I'm not keen on ever running into him again. That was some strange and powerful magic he worked. Truly remarkable stuff.” He accepted a bit of water to drink, then spared her another sleepy grin. “I'm surprised you didn't leave me here and make off with my hide. You had a chance to do it, after all. Your people would have appreciated it and I wouldn't have been able to stop you.”
“Don't think it didn't cross my mind,” she huffed, fiddling with the string of her bow. “I suppose I felt grateful to you, for all of your help. You may be a dragon, but...” She hesitated, not wanting to bungle the words. “Anyway, nothing's changed. I still need a hide, or some other way to help my people. We're out of time.”
The dragon shifter closed his eyes and meditated on this problem for a few minutes. “Suppose there was some other way to help the Fae,” he theorized. “I'm not OK with you hunting one of my kind. It's barbaric. But if you want to repel this army, all you need is an army of your own, right? I might be able to help in that department.”
“You can find us an army?” asked Minx incredulously. “Yeah, right.”
“No, I mean it. The Talon Range guard is a powerful force. I have connections, and could request their aid. I'm sure they've got enough firepower to handle this Wuff party twice over.” Kaleb rolled onto his side, struggling to get comfortable. The injuries left him almost immobilized from the waist up.
“You really think an army of dragons would be willing to come all the way to Pandling Grounds to help the Fae?” scoffed Minx. “You're crazy. Maybe I should have checked that head of yours for a fourth arrow.”
“It's not so crazy,” he assured her. “After all, I've been willing to help you out all this time, haven't I? Think about it. The Talon Range guard swoops in, saves the day. An innocent dragon out there is spared, doesn't have to lose its hide. In fact, the battle goes so well that it leads to peace between our kinds. No more stuffy old agreements and borders—just friendship.”
She was thrilled at the prospect, even if she still doubted the willingness of other dragons to assist her kind. True, Kaleb had proven himself a worthy ally, but dragons on the whole were often suspicious of the Fae. The two civilizations had never much gotten along, which had led to the violent struggles of old. It was only through distance and bureaucracy that they'd ever managed anything like peace.
You didn't want to kill a dragon, said Mau. I guess this is our best bet, then. He can ask this favor of his friends and we'll see where things go.
Do you really think it'll work? asked Minx.
No, came Mau's flat reply. But what do we have to lose at this point? Even if dragons and Fae don't become best friends after this, it's worth a shot. Anything is better than just sitting here and waiting for the army to overrun Pandling Grounds.
“All right,” said Minx. “Let's do it. Let's ask your friends in the Talon Range for help.”
“Absolutely!” Kaleb attempted to sit up for the dozenth time, only to flop back onto the ground with a wince. “But, uh... we're going to have to wait a bit.” He patted his wounded armor. “Still on the mend, you see. When I've had a chance to recover a little, I'll carry you guys on my back and fly as fast as I can. Till then... I don't think I can even flap my wings.”
“How long do you think you'll need?” asked Minx, growing nervous at the prospect of another delay. They'd already lost so much time; moving too slowly would only serve to doom them in their efforts.
“Uh...” Kaleb shrugged weakly. “I've never been impaled before, so... I don't know... Give me till tomorrow morning? If I feel strong enough to fly by sunrise, we'll get this party started. But I need more rest. A decent night's sleep.”
Her heart sank, but she didn't deny him his rest. “I understand,” replied Minx. “We can stay put for now. But the minute you feel well enough...” She took his hand, squeezed it in hers. “Please, let me know the moment you feel up to flying. My people are waiting, and if we don't hurry, it'll be too late...”
Before she could fully voice her plea, Kaleb had already drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 17
The calm, glassy waters of the lake began to boil.
Minx had been dreaming once again of Heilo Lake, had envisioned herself standing upon its shores. The peaceful scenery had soothed her anxious mind, but mere minutes into her pleasant dream something had changed. The birdsong had stopped, the waves had ceased their pleasant lapping.
And the placid waters had begun to churn.
Minx dreamt of a red sky. The waters of Heilo Lake turned black as ink and began to simmer, as though the body of water had
