Second Skin Omnibus

by M Damon Baker

  “Too bad you only got to wear your pretty armor for a such a short time,” Broda teased him as she helped tighten a few of the straps for him.

  “It served its purpose,” he replied. “I would not have survived that blow in this set.”

  Considering how close he had been to death, Stel was probably right; the extra protection the armor provided had likely made the difference between him needing healing or an attempted resurrection.

  When Stel’s armor was in place and he had assured me once more that he was ready to go, we resumed our cautious march through the forest. We would have preferred to camp as soon as possible, not only to allow Stel the chance to recover overnight but also for the rest of us to get some real sleep, but Khorim’s admonishment had been correct—we had created too much of a disturbance in the dangerous forest and needed to leave the scene as far behind as possible before nightfall. There was simply no telling what hidden dangers might emerge in the darkness to investigate the commotion.

  Stel proved true to his word, and we were able to maintain a decent pace throughout the afternoon. As Khorim and I stalked ahead carefully, we kept our encounter with the Wood Devourer in mind, and remained alert for anything that looked even remotely out of the ordinary.

  You want I help?

  I looked at Bane, puzzled by his question.

  “What kind of help, Bane?”

  I fly, I look too.

  How stupid of me—I had completely overlooked his potential as a scout. Flying overhead, he could see far more than we could on the ground.

  “Yes, Bane, that would be very helpful. Thank you.”

  Bane seemed pleased that I had accepted his offer of assistance and with a quick flurry of his green wings, he leapt off of my shoulder and shot off into the sky. I couldn’t help but admire him as he flew away, the dappled sunlight shone off the bright green of his scales and highlighted the creamy yellow bands across his belly. Bane may have been small, but he was truly magnificent to behold.

  I returned my attention to the forest around me as Bane’s form dwindled away. Trusting him to scout above, I concentrated on my own responsibilities. Barely an hour had passed when Bane dropped out of the sky and perched on my shoulder again.

  Big thing in front. You no go there.

  “What kind of big thing, Bane?”

  Bane not know. It big. No safe.

  “How far do we need to go to pass by safely?”

  Bane smart. Bane already look. You follow Bane.

  I’d let my friends know that Bane was scouting for us, and they’d all gathered around while he relayed his report. Telling them of the mysterious ‘big thing,’ discretion won out over curiosity and we unanimously decided to avoid whatever it might be.

  Bane led us through the forest for a while, flying from tree to tree as we followed the route he had scouted for us. We heard indistinct rumblings off in the distance, and even though we had no idea what was causing them, we were grateful to avoid an encounter with it. Once we were clear of the danger, Bane resumed his aerial scouting, with the added request to begin searching for a suitable campsite for the night.

  Bane came through for us again when he returned to let us know he had found a good location for our camp. Leading us through the forest once more, Bane guided us to the small entrance of a shallow cavern. A quick inspection revealed that the cave was both dry and empty. Even though there was still a good hour of daylight left, the shelter was simply too good to pass up, and we decided to stay there for the night.

  I didn’t wait for darkness to set traps around the entrance of the cavern. The wilds were simply too dangerous even during the daylight hours for such complacency. As I began laying the magical snares, Bane perched on my shoulder and stared in wonder.

  What that? His awe-filled voice filtered into my mind.

  “I’m placing traps to protect us.”

  You make magics?

  “A little, yes.”

  Very special Sintári.

  “Very special Rhastoren,” I replied, stroking him across his little head and neck.

  Bane relaxed and lay his head down again as I pet him. His scales were surprisingly soft and pleasant to touch, and we both enjoyed the experience. I felt an odd sensation from the little Rhastoren and was amused when I realized what it was.

  “Are you purring, Bane?”

  What purring?

  “The sound you are making. That is purring.”

  Yes. Bane happy. Bane purring.

  “Bane, you’re adorable!”

  He jerked his head out from under my hand and glared at me with his little golden eyes.

  Bane not adorable. Bane fierce!

  “Bane is magnificent. Bane can be both,” I replied sincerely.

  Bane cocked his head sideways, contemplating my words for a moment before replying again.

  For special Sintári, Bane will be both.

  “Thank you, Bane,” I said, smiling at my new little friend as he relaxed and lay his head down again.

  Dinner was laid out for us as I returned from placing the rest of my traps. It would be a cold meal, but at least there was plenty of it. Bane perked up for a moment, looking over the food before laying back down.

  “Are you hungry?” I asked him.

  No hungry. Bane eat already.

  I assumed that he had managed to catch something to eat during the day, and let him remain resting on my shoulder as I dug in.

  “I wonder what’s next for you, Dreya,” Stel mused. “Your own mystical butler, or perhaps the Gods themselves might appear to offer you their blessings.”

  Even I couldn’t help but laugh as everyone chuckled at his good-natured jab.

  “Whatever comes next, if it’s only half as special as Bane, I will count myself well-rewarded,” I replied, as I continued to stroke the little Rhastoren absently.

  “Aye,” Khorim agreed. “Saved us thrice already just this day.”

  Stel looked puzzled at Khorim’s count.

  “I know he escorted us around danger earlier, and found this cavern for us just now, but what was the third instance?”

  “You were indisposed for that one, Stel,” Broda chuckled. “Bane poisoned the beast that nearly killed you; we would have had a much tougher time of it without him.”

  “Aye,” Khorim agreed, “The wee little beastie might have saved your life, my friend.”

  Bane glared at Khorim’s description of him, and Khorim quickly raised his hands in surrender.

  “Err, no offense,” Khorim apologized.

  An indignant ‘huff’ echoed in my head as Bane released Khorim from his gaze and returned to his resting position.

  “I owe you my thanks, Bane,” Stel offered the little Rhastoren.

  Pretty elf boy welcome. Bane replied.

  “Bane says you’re welcome, Stel,” I translated.

  After dinner we reviewed our map again, making sure we were still on course, and outlined our intended route for Bane as well. Once we were sure of our heading, we set up our tents for the night; although the shallow cave provided us with shelter, the air inside it was quite chilly, and the extra layer of protection had become necessary.

  With the added security we had that night, Venna dropped the watches back down to single individuals, allowing Stel and I to rest while the others were each assigned a shift to cover. Tási had the second shift, so we retired to the tent together, at least for a little while.

  I had become so accustomed to Bane’s presence on my shoulder that I had forgotten he was there, but as I entered the tent, he shifted, reminding me that my new companion was still with me.

  “Bane, we are going to sleep now,” I told him.

  Bane tired. Bane sleep too.

  While I had no objection to the little Rhastoren’s company tonight, his presence would be more than awkward on other occasions.

  “Bane, you are my companion, and you are certainly welcome to remain with me tonight,” I tried to explain, “but there will also be time
s that I want privacy as well. Do you understand?”

  Bane glanced at me and then at Tási who had followed behind us. Looking back at me again, he replied.

  Baby ogre girl?

  I had to stifle a laugh as he repeated his earlier indignant description of Tási.

  Bane understand. Bane go when Sintári say go.

  “Thank you, Bane,” I said, stroking his scales again as a reward.

  Bane dropped off my shoulder as I removed my weapons and prepared for bed. Once I laid down, he hopped onto me and curled up in a tight little ball with his little head draped across my chest. I felt the beating of his tiny heart and realized that he chose his position so that he could feel mine as well.

  “He is so cute!” Tási exclaimed, seeing Bane resting on me.

  Bane jerked his head up and hissed at her loudly.

  Bane not cute!

  Tási recoiled from his display, wary of the venomous fangs that were now on full display.

  “Bane!” I admonished him. “Tási is my friend. That means she is your friend too. You need to be nice to her and the rest of my companions as well!”

  Bane not cute. He sent me, more subdued this time.

  “I told you before Bane, you are magnificent,” I reassured him. “You can be fierce and adorable and cute as well.”

  “You certainly are fierce Bane,” Tási added, figuring out the gist of our conversation. “I saw you take on the Wood Devourer when my spells only bounced off its armor.”

  Baby ogre girl has magics?

  I nodded my head at him, not wanting to confuse the conversation for Tási. He glared at her before leaning forward and extending his neck toward her. Tási held still while Bane sniffed at her cautiously. When he was satisfied, Bane pulled back and rendered his verdict.

  Baby ogre girl Bane’s friend too.

  I relayed the news of Bane’s decision to Tási, and she breathed a sigh of relief. As we laid down, Bane once again curled up across my chest and began purring softly in contentment. Stroking his smooth scales brought a sense of calmness and relaxation to me that I had never known before. Bane’s presence was proving to be a balm for my soul that I hadn’t even realized I needed. He shifted his head and smiled, seeming to share the peaceful feeling with me.

  “Can I pet him too?” Tási asked hesitantly.

  Bane did not send me a response to Tási’s question. Instead, he got up, and crawled over to her. Tási froze as Bane perched on top of her, pausing to stare into her eyes before curling up on her, just as he had with me.

  Baby ogre girl may touch, then Bane return to Sintári.

  “He says you can pet him a little before he comes back to me,” I told Tási.

  She reached out tentatively and gently slid a hand along his scales. After a moment, I could hear Bane’s soft purring and Tási’s face lit up with delight.

  “He’s so cu-, amazing!” Tási whispered.

  “Bane is a very special Rhastoren,” I confirmed.

  “And he’s cute too,” I added.

  Bane lifted his head and glared at me for a second before his gaze softened, and he lay his head back down.

  Bane is fierce. Bane also cute for special Sintári.

  Bane remained with Tási for longer than I thought he would before finally returning to lay atop me again. Tási smiled as the little Rhastoren left her, watching him curl up with me again.

  I settled in for the night with Bane softly purring against my chest; the soothing sound lulled me to sleep, and I couldn’t help but smile in contentment as I drifted off.

  23

  We traveled through the wilds for two more days, and Bane’s scouting spared us from an encounter with yet another unknown creature during that time. From his vantage point above, Bane led us around dangers and obstacles we might otherwise have stumbled onto, and we all came to appreciate the Rhastoren’s value.

  Between his scouting forays, Bane and I talked a great deal. He had no additional information for me, but I didn’t mind—I was becoming very attached to him. His strong personality shone through our conversations despite his rudimentary communication skills. His wit was sharp and sarcastic, and I couldn’t help but laugh aloud at many of his barbs.

  Bane accepted my companions as his friends as well but showed a special affection for Tási. Only she was permitted to stroke Bane’s scales, and he even perched on her shoulder several times during our breaks. Despite this, he continued to refer to her as ‘baby ogre girl,’ but there was no ill-will in the words, and I had a sense that his indignant slur had become a term of endearment for her.

  When we broke camp on the morning of our third day in the wilds, we knew that our destination was within reach that day; with our goal practically in sight, our sense of optimism was renewed, and we began the day on a hopeful note.

  Bane continued to guide us, steering our path clear of any obstructions, and although there were many areas of hazardous terrain to avoid, he hadn’t observed any of the forest’s dangerous creatures in the last two days. We had just resumed hiking after a quick stop for lunch when Bane returned excitedly and perched on my shoulder.

  Crack in mountain. Big green inside, he sent excitedly.

  “I don’t know what that means, Bane,” I replied in confusion.

  Bane show, you follow! He called as he launched himself back into the air.

  We chased after him as he circled above, urging us forward, and I had to trust that he would not lead us into danger in his haste as we trailed after him. Finally, after running through the trees for a long while, Bane stopped at a rough cliff face. The long roots of a mountain rose before us and sheer cliff walls soared into the air above as we stared at their scrub-covered base.

  This way, Sintári! Bane called, leading us around a bend in the high cliffs.

  Following the Rhastoren around the base of the cliff revealed a wide opening in the sheer walls. Before us, a crevice over a hundred yards wide opened in the otherwise impenetrable barrier, a thick layer of low scrub grew across the gap, forcing us to hack our way through to enter. Beyond it, we discovered the narrow confines of an open chasm leading deep into the mountain beyond, and although it appeared to retain its width over its entire course, the high walls on either side lent the passage an almost claustrophobic feel.

  A low stone wall lay crumbling on one side of the entrance. It looked to be an ancient work that was never completed, compelling Broda and Khorim to stop and inspect its construction before we proceeded.

  “It’s old, but solid,” Khorim declared. “Just need to clear away some of the rubble, but you could build right on top of it.”

  For some reason, his odd pronouncement made me feel uneasy, but the thought was lost to me as Bane urged us forward again.

  Big green inside! He repeated.

  We spread out across the chasm, advancing cautiously into the unknown despite Bane’s constant encouragement. Rounding a slight bend, the ‘big green’ he had been referring to came fully into view.

  It was a valley, lush and verdant. Green fields and large stands of trees lay strewn across its fertile land, stretching well beyond the limits of my sight. A small herd of deer scattered ahead of us, bounding over a narrow creek before vanishing into the woods while we stood in amazement at the hidden jewel we’d discovered.

  “This is no accident,” Venna whispered. “I do not know what it means, but the last Token’s presence in this place is not by mere chance.”

  “No,” I replied softly. “It isn’t.”

  I cannot say how either of us came to that bit of intuition, but I had no doubt that it was correct—this valley, hidden away from the rest of the world, held some great significance that we had yet to discover.

  With a sense of trepidation, I gripped the Amulet and let it guide me through the valley to the Token’s hiding place. Following its path revealed just how large the valley truly was, and from a low rise along the way, we could see the full breadth of the land.

  The valley stretched
several miles wide, and even further along its length. Its orientation allowed the sun to pass directly overhead, permitting a great deal of light to fall between the high cliff walls surrounding it. A small waterfall fell from the mountain above, feeding into a stream that eventually joined a lake in the valley’s center. An entire ecosystem existed within the valley’s confines, relatively safe from the hazards of the outside world.

  “This place is amazing,” Stel commented as we took in the view.

  “I have a feeling we may be here for a while,” I replied, not knowing why I did, only knowing that it was the truth.

  I knew that we were very close to the Token, and after taking a moment to admire in the beauty of this special place, I cautiously led our group on the final leg of our long journey. Remembering our encounter with the dwarven spirit, we all began to check our weapons and make ready for the battle that was sure to come.

  “Bane,” I advised him. “We will have to fight the spirit that guards the Token. It can only be damaged by magic, so you cannot help in this fight, and I need to know that you will be safe. Promise me that you will fly away and only return when it is over.”

  Bane is fierce. Bane fights!

  “You cannot harm this foe, Bane. There is nothing you can do to help this time. You will only distract me and make me vulnerable if you disobey.”

  He rubbed his little face against mine tenderly as he replied.

  Bane cannot help Sintári. Bane sad. Bane does what Sintári commands.

  “Thank you, Bane,” I said, stroking him softly. “I don’t know what I would do if you got hurt. Please stay safe for me.”

  He nuzzled my face again but sent me no further reply.

  The Amulet led us into an offshoot of the valley, and after veering into a clearing, we saw another sarcophagus, much like the one that the dwarven apparition had been resting in. However, there was no elf King hiding inside this one; instead, the ethereal form of the long-dead monarch lay atop the sarcophagus, apparently resting peacefully in the late afternoon sun. As we approached, he sat up and climbed down to stand before us, and we made ready to defend ourselves from his coming attack.