by J E Reed
Elliott interrupted her thoughts. “There should be an inn around here, I’ll see if they have any room.” He turned to them. “Have a look around, see if there’s anything useful.”
A pang of nervousness shot through her at the thought of them separating, but an assuring smile from Elliott eased those fears. It wasn’t as if the villagers would attack them. Or at least that’s what she hoped.
Kiuno took in the people. Their smiles, though few, were there. Sturdy walls stood around them, the horizontal slats carrying a smooth finish. Stone foundations stood strong, ready for the brewing storm.
Weapons were scarce with swords and staffs being the most prevalent. So medieval. Is this what the creator wanted? To throw them back in time? The small knife in her belt suddenly didn’t feel ideal.
As they rounded another corner, they came to a section that seemed to contain mostly houses. It extended back and hadn’t been visible from the entrance. Kikyo pulled her in a different direction, apparently deciding they’d done enough exploring. He asked those in passing where to find the inn.
A stone foundation rose from the ground to surround the bottom floor, and wooden planks finished the second story. A sign swayed in the cool breeze, and smoke poured from the chimney.
As they pushed the door open, an onslaught of voices met their ears. Laughter, sweat and—Kiuno paused…alcohol?
She took a second look to be sure her nose wasn’t fooling her. Half of them were drunk. She stood there awestruck. In a place like this? What purpose did that serve?
Elliott sat perched on a stool by the far wall with a mug in hand. He spoke to two younger men behind the counter and appeared as though he’d been drawn into their drunken madness.
She cast a worried glance to Kikyo.
They fought their way through the scattered tables and chairs until Elliott waved them over. He exchanged a few words with his newfound friends, and one of them pointed to a staircase on their left. Elliott shook one man’s hand, and they followed him through the throng of people.
At the top was a long hall. They entered the last room on the left. Kiuno closed the door and leaned against it to take a deep breath. She’d forgotten how loud a crowd could be.
“What did you find?” Kikyo asked, giving him an odd look.
“We won’t have to worry about payment, though he mentioned anything done for the community was appreciated. I offered your hunting skills. It’s been crowded lately with people passing into the third realm.”
“I thought you were drunk,” Kikyo stated, crossing his arms.
Elliott laughed. “It takes a bit more than the weak crap they have to accomplish that. Drinking is simply a way to get information. I suggest we stay a few days, get as much information as we can from the passerby’s. They close the gates in the evening, so if you want to head out early just ask. There are predators that have caused some trouble.”
“What kind of predators?” Her heart skipped.
“Didn’t mention specifics, but they recommended hunting with a group.”
“I prefer us alone. Kiuno and I can handle ourselves.”
“Figured you might say that, just be sure you two watch one another.”
“We always do,” she said.
Elliott nodded. “All right, now onto the good news.”
“You mean other than an actual bed?” She’d been eyeing it since they walked through the door.
“There’s a tub of warm water waiting in that little room.” He pointed to what she’d assumed to be a closet and noticed the droplets on the floor. “I’m sure it’s more inviting than a bed.”
Kiuno paused. “You mean a bath?”
“A warm bath. I figured the lady should go first.” He winked at her, and she turned to find Kikyo nodding in agreement. She wasted no time and closed the door behind her.
The room was small and steamy, just big enough for her and a little round wash tub in the corner. A cover kept the heat trapped within. Kiuno ran her hand along the walls, feeling the smooth finish before peeling her dirty clothes off and dipping a foot into the warm liquid.
She sunk into the water, drawing in her knees and relished in the way it made her muscles relax. She hadn’t been in a warm bath since they’d arrived. It was a luxury none took the time for. Whenever she’d bathed before, it’d been done in the river with Kikyo standing guard. He was the only one she trusted to keep her dignity.
Using the liquid in a small dish, Kiuno washed the filth from her body, dousing herself in the fragrance of a sweet flower. She leaned back, temporarily forgetting the worries of this world. Though she would have loved to stay there all night, she knew the boys would appreciate the warm water as well.
Kiuno dried herself with a rough towel and grabbed her old clothes before noticing a fresh set on a corner stool. This had to be heaven. A few more sat beneath her own and though it was a little big, she wouldn’t complain about clean clothes.
“I expected you to be longer.” Elliott said as she used the towel to tousle her hair.
She shrugged. “I didn’t want the water getting cold.” She couldn’t fathom the work it took to heat and imagined people carrying buckets up the stairs.
“Fair enough, Kikyo, you can go next.” He stood, and she was briefly embarrassed that he’d be using the same bath water. Considering the situation, it was the least of her worries. Normality had changed.
She sat on the edge of the bed, soft fur acting as blankets. Despite it being made of straw, it was the most comfortable thing she’d laid on in a month. Kiuno braided her hair to the side and was out as soon as her head hit the pillow.
REALM: 2
DAY: 45
When her eyes opened, the light had dimmed and shadows danced on the walls of their own accord. It took a moment for the fog to clear and realize a fire was going. Kiuno rolled over to find Elliott seated before the flames, his hands clasped under his chin in thought. Kikyo lay fast asleep on the far side of the bed. She rose slowly and tiptoed to the fireplace.
“You’re awake.” He’d changed his clothes and looked different now that dirt wasn’t smudged across his face.
“You clean up nice,” she said.
“Not too bad yourself.” She listened to the quiet, the murmurs of those below no longer echoing through the floor. Rain clattered on the rooftop drowning the sounds of the night, but none leaked through the boards. It was nice to be dry for a change.
“How long have I been out?”
“A few hours.”
“You didn’t sleep?”
He glanced at the door. “I wanted to stay up for a bit.”
She followed his gaze, realizing he didn’t want to leave them completely vulnerable. After all Eldridge had informed him of, she understood his worry.
“Why don’t you get some sleep, I’ll be up,” she offered.
“All right.” Elliott took her place in the bed and she sat on the stool returning her gaze to the fire. If she could learn to start one, it would make Elliott’s life easier. Kikyo made it look so simple, maybe their energies flowed differently.
Would anyone she knew be able to manipulate magic as well? She hoped so. Anything that would help them survive.
The rain ebbed and started again as the night wore on, the clatter causing her to doze. She fought it until the sun crept over the horizon.
Kikyo woke first. She’d never been much of a morning person, but his time clock seemed to be set with the sun. He stood by the fire for a moment in silence.
“Ready?”
“Shouldn’t we wait for Elliott?”
Kikyo grabbed his bow. “He’ll be all right.”
“Does he know we’re leaving?”
“I told him after you fell asleep.”
The guards were reluctant to open the gate and told them of a four-legged beast that stalked the plains, but Kikyo insisted they’d be all right. At least one of them had some confidence. They had an advantage with magic but still. How was he so calm after seeing those fro
m the first village torn apart?
Several paths cut through the grass, some wider than others with puddles filling in the tracks left behind. They veered from the wider path cutting down a narrow trail where the grass grabbed at her pants, dampening the bottoms.
The sun only gave them a bit of light, but the crisp morning air was refreshing. The grass had started to shift to a golden color, and it seemed the days were growing shorter. Autumn. What would they do once winter arrived? Kiuno glanced back at the wall and wondered if every town would be as airtight. She hated the cold.
Kikyo interrupted her thoughts and indicated for her to sit as he stomped the wet grass surrounding them.
He went through the details of his magic again, speaking of a flow that ebbed from the center of his body. She felt for it, trying to focus on the rush, but it’d been so long since Tyler that she struggled with the specifics. Another disappointing morning wasn’t what she needed.
“Breathe Kiuno.” She let out the breath she’d been holding and forced her shoulders down. Kiuno released her stomach and let the tension roll from her body as she stopped fighting a battle she would never win. She let her mind wander from her hand and up through her arm until—
A spark.
It was small. A pulse. Not quite the rush she’d been expecting. Kiuno focused on that feeling, reviving it before it could fade. The more she concentrated, the stronger it grew, pulsing along unseen currents.
“I can feel it,” she whispered. Kiuno kept her eyes closed, afraid any movement would make the feeling vanish.
Kikyo took her hand and tilted it palm up, placing his own beneath hers. “Focus that energy here.” She let the heat from his hand guide her as she pushed the warm sensation through her body. She glided it up through her sternum, across her shoulder and down through her arm. It fought and wavered like a small flame fighting for oxygen. She continued until the feeling was in her fingertips and opened her eyes.
A small spark sent her excitement soaring before it fizzled. “Did you see it?”
“Yes, now again.” Kiuno took a shaky breath and calmed her racing heart to find the pulse once again. She pushed it down the same path, and once it reached her fingertips she shoved. Heat wafted them both in the face making Kikyo grimace, but he didn’t move his hand.
“Good, pull back a little.”
Though it had fought to be released, she now struggled to contain it, like a dam finally breaking free. Kiuno remembered how effortless it’d been with Tyler. The struggle had her sweating. Eldridge mentioned her magic being uncontrollable. What had he meant by that?
“How does it feel?”
“Difficult,” she said.
“In what way?”
“To restrain.”
“You’ve managed the hardest part. The rest will come with practice.”
She followed his eyes to the spark and watched the flame shift, spinning to become one with magic of his own. A small fiery tornado whirled in her palm, dancing between the two of them. She marveled at how easily he could manipulate it and then looked up to see his previous fear dissipated. Perfect control.
They stayed still, silent, watching the miniature display until he removed his hand and the flame faded in a wisp of smoke.
“That was amazing.” Their eyes met, but he didn’t comment. Kikyo stood and helped her up. Her heart pounded when he didn’t step back, the deep scent of a forest overwhelming her senses. His hand lingered and the look in his eye caused her breath to catch.
Kiuno shifted her feet, but both turned to the chilling growl that echoed behind them.
Three red eyes stared back, the rest of its body blending almost perfectly with its surroundings. Thick curled horns grew from its head with flattened ears resting against them. It resembled a large feline. A hunter stalking its prey.
No. Not prey. Predators invading another’s territory.
Kikyo inched for his bow, but it lunged before he could reach it. His hand clamped around her wrist, dragging her to the ground as an invisible force flipped the creature over them. It landed gracefully, turning to bare its fangs. In the open, Kiuno could see a set of tails and lean muscles that promised a deadly encounter.
They should have listened.
“Kiuno, get behind me.” She did as commanded, cursing herself for not bringing another weapon. Her little knife would hardly be a threat. Anything that would prevent those jaws from clamping around their throats.
The air tore at her clothes when the creature lunged again, and she ducked as it soared over their heads. A frustrated growl rippled from its throat, and it circled. Kikyo kept his eyes locked with the creature’s, trying to predict the next move.
“Are you doing that?” she asked.
“Yes,” he replied, his breathing labored. “I’m shifting the air into a vortex, but it’s extremely difficult.” He appeared calm, but his shaky voice told her otherwise. The magic was draining him. Her heart beat faster. If his magic faltered…
In a desperate attempt to help, Kiuno fumbled for her bow. Kikyo stood in the wake of danger. Her hands shook. Why couldn’t she just—
The feline jumped, the arrow missed, and Kikyo shoved her to the side. Panic shot through her as his cry of pain echoed across the field. She spun on the wet ground to find jaws clamped around his arm and blood dripping. Claws dug into the surrounding dirt. One shake of its head…
Kiuno screamed his name, trying to get the creature’s attention as fire spun down her arm and exploded around the beast. It howled in rage and turned to face her.
Her body shook as she struggled to pull and release a second arrow. It imbedded itself in the creature’s front leg, but the animal barely flinched. Ignoring Kikyo it circled her, searching for a way around the flames. Now, she just needed a plan.
It lunged again. Kiuno shielded her face, but the fire reacted against her will, erupting around her body, and the creature roared again. Three arrows flew in rapid succession filling the air with a gargled yelp.
She took a moment to process that Kikyo had shot them. Fear shown through all three eyes and the top one moved unnaturally. She held her breath when it whimpered and took a few steps back, disappearing into the grass.
She stood in silence, her body trembling from exertion as the magic pulsed like fire in her veins. A few sparks were running wild through the grass. Kikyo shuffled to his feet and followed her gaze. Each flame turned into puffs of smoke, smothered as he stole the oxygen.
Blood dripped from his fingertips.
She started toward him, but he took a step back and raised one hand. Kiuno paused, realizing the flames still flickered around her arm. She tried taking a deep breath, but they didn’t recede.
The sight of his blood made her pulse race. She forced the magic into submission which took far longer than she would have liked. Even with them gone, the heat lingered at the surface, trying to claw for an escape.
“How bad is it?” she asked.
He winced and examined the area before responding. “Not great, but I’ll live.”
Kiuno peeled away his sleeve to reveal several deep puncture wounds along his forearm. She ripped the bottom of her shirt to tie a bandage around the deepest of them.
“Are you okay to walk?”
“It didn’t attack my leg,” he said, his voice heavy with sarcasm.
She sighed. “I can see that.” Even in this situation he could still make her feel foolish, but she could tell he was just as exhausted. Maybe more so.
Kiuno slung both bows over her shoulder before he spoke again. “We should get moving, he won’t go far.”
“What are you talking about?”
“It’ll die with the shots I took.”
“You’re bleeding,” she said bewildered. “We need to get back t—”
“I’m fine, we came out here to hunt, there’s no reason to return empty handed.”
The stubbornness in his gaze told her he wouldn’t be persuaded. Wasn’t a wound like that supposed to be treated as s
oon as possible? Did a bite need stitches, was infection an issue? She continued to stare as questions raced through her mind, but his gaze didn’t falter.
“Fine.”
“Are you hurt?” His question almost made her laugh. She wasn’t the one bleeding.
“No, the fire prevented it from getting close enough.” The only wounds she could claim were a few scrapes on her hands from hitting the ground.
“You controlled it well.”
She hesitated. “It wasn’t intentional.”
“I know.”
“You do?”
He nodded. “That’s the second time you’ve used it under these circumstances. I assume the adrenaline helps you focus. It’s good enough for now.” She couldn’t say she agreed, but if not for her magic, both situations might have turned out much worse.
The two followed a path of broken, bloody grass until they found the creature lying on its side, its breathing labored. Kikyo put another arrow in it, and they waited for death to take its course. Kikyo took the bag from around her shoulder and pulled out his leather tarp. He’d made it back at the first village and used it to drag his kills home.
The feline was heavier than any deer they’d ever caught, and she struggled to move the limp body. Thick claws and sharp teeth were much larger up close, and the third eye lay open slightly. It sent another shiver down her spine. Who would create such a thing?
“Are you sure you’re going to be able to pull this?” she asked, glancing at his arm.
“Stop worrying, I’ll be fine.”
“Just tell me if you get tired.”
The weight of the creature slowed them considerably, the two only managing a few feet at a time. Kiuno knew he didn’t want to go back to the village empty handed, but she worried for his health.
Less than an hour later, Kikyo collapsed. “This is taking too long.” Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his breathing was more labored than before. “Go get some help.”
“I can’t just leave you here.”
“We took care of the threat.”