by Shen Hart
Ryan howled in pain as the fenrath raked its claws through his shoulder. I didn't think. I had to protect him. I dove forwards and drove my blade into its stomach just above its hip. It dropped down to the floor alongside me but twisted and snapped at me. Its teeth grazed my upper arm as I wasn't quite quick enough, but I'd forgotten its friend. I felt searing heat down my back, and the agonising pain clouded my vision for a second. Ryan shouted, and I heard a growl from the fenrath at my back. The poison was fast acting. Our movements were drastically slower, and my vision began to go white around the edges. I forced myself to focus. I had to get Ryan out. I stood as quickly as I was able, finding myself a little wobbly on my feet.
The fenrath lunged at Ryan. I leapt on it and sank my thumbs into its eyes. It wasn’t the time for grace or elegance. The warm gooey substance was somehow satisfying as it coated my thumb. It was black and viscous, a clear reminder of my success in wounding the beast. That left the beast on its knees where it had collapsed under my weight and force, while also being blind and incredibly pissed off. My lapse in focus from the black viscous contents of its eyes was all it needed. Its long teeth sank into my shoulder while its claws cut into my thigh. I took a deep breath and put all I had left into driving my blade down into its neck while Ryan hacked at its throat. It slumped to the ground in front of us. I took a deep breath and forced myself to continue standing. I would not fail Ryan. I was vaguely aware of the sound of shouting, clattering metal and thundering footsteps, but I focused entirely on the door where the fenrath would emerge. I rooted my feet to the ground, held a wide stance and prepared for the next fenrath. I would not fail Ryan.
I kicked aside the most recent corpse at my feet and stood in front of Ryan. His breathing was laboured, and he was struggling to remain upright. The next fenrath was more cautious than its predecessors had been. It walked out of the left door and paused for a moment as it looked at me, then behind me. I ignored the commotion behind me. I couldn't afford to lose focus again. My knees were growing weaker, but there was one left. I would get him out. It bared its teeth and pounced. It didn't reach us, though; two tall men sank swords into its chest. Straight into its heart. I recognised them. I knew the smell of pine on a snow-covered day. I just couldn't remember. Ryan's eyes closed, and he dropped to his knees. No. He couldn't. I wouldn't fail him. I sank down next to him and pulled his arm up over my shoulders. I'd carry him out. I had to.
My muscles wouldn't hold me any longer. My vision went black and I felt the soft caress of the sand beneath me. I thought I felt a pair of strong arms carrying me away. I hoped it was somewhere nice. I was ready for a break from everything, from being Wyrd Bound. I deserved that, didn't I?
~*~
To see what happens next, grab a copy of Feathered Touch here.
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