Mau had made short work of the archers, mauling one and then chasing down the other, who'd dropped his weapon and tried running off in terror. The Faelyr strode triumphantly back through the gate as the alarm bells ceased ringing. See? That wasn't so bad. It just so happens that the moment I showed up, those guys weren't interested in firing arrows anymore. Funny how that happens.
Minx was seized by an intense pain in her chest—the same she'd experienced earlier in the day. She wasn't sure whether the uncomfortable maneuver over the side of the wall had exacerbated it, but as she struggled to rein in her pulse she felt it was unrelated to her acrobatics. The ache was too high up, in her breast, and it wasn't the pain she usually associated with strained or injured muscles. She grit her teeth, trying to hide her pain from Mau and the Fae milling about below her. What is this pain? Why is this happening to me? Is it something serious? I've never felt anything like this before. It's like my heart is about to explode...
The pain lingered on, waxing and waning for close to an hour, and only began to fade when Kaleb returned from his scouting mission. At glimpsing him in the distance, the pain immediately started to subside, and she stood atop the wall for a few minutes, attempting to track his movement through the clouds. She finally caught sight of Kaleb's great shadow passing over the plains and rushed to meet him as he flew over the Trading Center and touched down within the square.
It was clear from the moment that Kaleb assumed his human form that he was worn out. He limped and staggered as though on the verge of collapse, and was drenched with perspiration. A handful of onlookers helped him to a seat in the medical tent and he was brought food and water, which he accepted sluggishly. Minx fought her way past the medical staff and made her way into the tent, not content to watch him being cared for from afar. “Are you all right?” she demanded, taking his arm and sizing him up. “What did you get yourself into this time?”
Kaleb nodded, lips quirking in a sleepy smile. “I'm hanging in there.” He took a long pull from the waterskin he'd been brought, then sighed. “I ran into the hunter again. I suppose I haven't learned my lesson...”
Minx nearly socked him in the gut. “You picked another fight with his forces? What were you thinking? They almost got you last time! Why do you have to be so reckless? It's like you're trying to throw your life away!”
The dragon shifter waved her off with a chuckle. “Hey, it was a close one, but I've survived twice now, haven't I? This time, I took a handful of their guys by surprise. It wasn't till the end, when the hunter and a few of his dark Fae archers showed up that I had a hard time. They ran me ragged, and for a minute there I didn't think I'd make it back to camp. But here I am.”
It hurt Minx to see Kaleb in this exhausted state. “I'll say! And what a sorry sight you are! You're going to get yourself killed playing these stupid games. I should tell my father to release you from scouting duties. This isn't working out.”
“Nonsense. A long rest and I'll be good as new.” He drained the remaining water and polished off the food in a few savage bites. Then, standing, he trudged out of the medical tent. “I'm going to brief your father,” he said to Minx, who was still tagging along behind him with a grimace. “After that, I need a little sleep. How about you? I imagine the next shift will be starting up soon, right?”
Soon enough, the next shift would be starting, it was true; she, Mau and Kaleb would be allowed to retire for the evening, and would only be summoned back to the square in the event of massive trouble. Nonetheless, she remained worried over his haggard appearance, and wasn't sure that a mere night's sleep could heal either one of them of all the wear and tear they'd accumulated. “Do you need help?” she asked, trailing him by a few paces.
“I'll be fine,” he assured her, starting into the High Council building.
Minx was used to worrying after her own skin, but concern for someone else's was alien to her. She was hopelessly caught up in Kaleb, obsessed with ensuring his wellbeing, and as she watched him amble off she had to restrain herself. He's worn out, but he doesn't need you to coddle him. Just relax. He returned safe and sound.
Kaleb spent a long while in the building, reporting off to Minx's father. It wasn't until after the sun had set and he'd told the whole death-defying tale of his most recent scouting run that he emerged—still threadbare and panting—from the building. He joined Minx in the square, wincing for the aching of his joints. “How are things?” he asked. “Ready to clock out?”
Minx was all too happy to relinquish her post to the Fae who were then seeking to begin the evening shift. “I'm looking forward to some rest,” she admitted, leading him from the square toward the border of Pan. “If Torrent will let us sleep all night, that is.” She knew full well that a serious threat would lead the sentinels posted at the watchtowers to call for reinforcements, and that her night's rest might be cut short as a result.
Without a word,
