Kaleb shifted back into his human form and immediately began staggering, clutching at his head. He mumbled something unclear—probably trying to assuage Minx's worry—but couldn't get the words out.
“Kaleb?” The Fae huntress approached him, placing a hand on his arm. “Sit down, relax. You don't seem well...” Appraising the wound on the side of his head, she found herself wincing on his behalf. His ear had been cut and his long hair was matted with semi-dried blood. The look in his eyes was unfocused, almost vacant.
The dragon shifter dropped onto the ground with a moan. He stretched out in the grass, dreamy gaze surveying the dark skies. “Minx...” he mumbled.
The Faelyr stood beside him, nudging his arm carefully with her snout. He was trying to play the tough guy, but I think he was seriously injured back there. Even Kaleb can't withstand a hit like that one.
Minx combed the hair from Kaleb's face and attempted to gauge his reflexes. To her terror, he could barely keep his eyes open at all, and when the lids did part, his eyes were found to roll back in their sockets. His breathing was erratic and labored, and he was unable to answer simple questions. “OK, Kaleb... hang in there,” she said, taking his hand in hers. “Stay with me, all right? Listen to the sound of my voice.”
We need to heal him, insisted Mau. He may have suffered a brain injury, getting hit like that. There isn't much time.
Unable to rouse the dragon shifter, Minx found herself in agreement. Cradling his head in her trembling hands, Minx looked down at him and focused her energies. The coolness of the night made her shiver even as the Fae magic began to flow through her fingertips. “Stay with me, Kaleb,” she pleaded. She stared into his vacant eyes, sensing his jittery pulse through her fingers and attempting to stabilize it with her own energy.
As the minutes passed, her own pulse settled down, seeming to lend Kaleb some of its oomph. Their hearts came to beat as one, and the warmth of her own body settled into his skin. When his breathing grew steadier and his weak groans petered out, Minx was possessed by an almost eerie calm.
This feels right, she thought. She enjoyed being connected with him in this way. The joining of her energies with his made her feel closer to him than she'd ever been, and watching the changes in his expression as the damaged tissues were gradually repaired brought her great relief. She had used her healing magic many times over the years, and had always managed to keep a certain distance from her subjects. It was different with Kaleb, though. It felt more intimate somehow, more natural. She held his head in her hands lovingly, brushed the hair from his brow, and poured her energy into him.
When his condition seemed stable, Minx pulled a handful of herbs from the small satchel on her belt. Working them between their fingers to release their oils, she pressed them gently against his wounds and used a small piece of cloth for a bandage. These particular herbs would prevent infection and further reduce the harmful inflammation often caused by such blunt force attacks.
There was nothing in the area for them to gather; the nearest woods were quite far, and Minx suspected that remnants of the dark army were still on the prowl throughout the region. Kaleb had taken them a fair distance from the hunter's camp, but it was possible the wild savage would organize a raiding party to seek them out and exact his revenge. The three of them clustered together in the field, Mau providing the other two with some warmth, and sought much-needed rest.
In the moonlight, Minx inspected the amulet she'd managed to snatch from the hunter. So, I guess this is the thing Alla was talking about. She rubbed it against her sleeve, shining it, and studied its backing. I don't know what it's made of, or what magical properties it might possess. It could also be a dud, I suppose...
Mau looked at the thing sleepily. Perhaps Kaleb will be able to give us some insight into it when he comes to, she said after a yawn.
This amulet was supposedly a magical object, a thing capable of controlling the various races. Alla had claimed to be under its sway, and it stood to reason that the Wuffs and Krah, too, were helpless against its influence. Minx put it away, her mind still harboring doubts. If this amulet is the cause of all of this—of Alla's service to the hunter and Torrent, then why didn't she come out and join us after I took it from the hunter? She realized that Alla hadn't been present during the recent battle at the camp. She'd remained out of sight, hidden in her tent. That wasn't the kind of behavior expected of a genuine ally. If this amulet was really the source of Alla's trouble, then why didn't she come with us? I control it now, so shouldn't she have to listen to me? I hope this thing isn't just a worthless bauble...
Imprisonment, battle and a lengthy healing session had taken a great toll. Minx shoved aside all thoughts of the amulet, focusing only on Kaleb's wellbeing. Checking his pulse and testing his reflexes once again, she found him well on his way to recovery and was able to relax. She settled against the Faelyr contentedly and closed her eyes, fading into a light sleep.
But this sleep was anything but peaceful.
In the black void that lingered behind her eyes, she found a familiar presence waiting for her.
The voice of Heilo Lake, drifting
