Feel the Burn

by MacDonald, Nicole

  The look she gave him made him laugh, more so when she rolled her eyes and gestured behind with a nod.

  ‘Hell yes! God knows what those two are up to, but man is it awkward.’

  The informal and familiar way she spoke helped to dispel the tension he’d felt since not sharing her tent and Ignatius laughed again before addressing her and Loushka.

  ‘You’re both welcome. Laura says the water is close.’

  Catherine stumbled in her haste to get moving and he caught her by an elbow, steadying her while she got her footing.

  ‘Careful.’

  ‘How does Rashid know so much about the North?’ Catherine didn’t make to pull her arm from his hold and the casual attitude relaxed him further. Flashing a smile at her Ignatius kept a light hold on her arm while they moved over an area littered with rubble.

  ‘Rashid had a couple of missions there, some years ago,’ Ignatius explained.

  Loushka moved silently behind them, the armor on her wing tips occasionally clinking off the stone walls.

  Catherine looked up at him with a frown and an eyebrow arched.

  ‘How old is Rashid?’

  That took a certain amount of mental arithmetic.

  ‘Oh, uhhh… seventy five?’

  Catherine stopped dead and stared at him, her jaw slack with astonishment.

  ‘Seventy five!?’

  Ignatius looked puzzled at my shock.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘But, but, th-th-at’s not possible!’ I stuttered, my mind refusing to believe the lithe, strong and while not youthful, not old, Lieutenant could be even close to that age.

  ‘Why not?’ Ignatius asked.

  For yet another moment it became blindingly clear of how little I knew of this planet. It had never occurred to me that the regular ‘normal’ people could have long lives, even with knowing Elena.

  She’s a sorceress, my rational voice pointed out in a desperate attempt to make sense of it all. She’s meant to be old.

  I turned to Ignatius. ‘How old are you?’

  He looked rather taken aback at my demand and pursed his lips while studying me speculatively.

  ‘How old do you think I am?’

  Feeling more than a little flustered I aimed high and hedged, ‘Forty?’

  His eyes creased at the sides and a broad smile spread.

  ‘Forty?’

  ‘Forty five?’ I amended tentatively, wondering if I’d over shot it.

  ‘The Lieutenant is sixty, Cat,’ Loushka thought, amusement clear in her mind.

  Sixty!? The memory of the hard chest under my hands that night seemed anything but sixty. If he’d said thirty five I would’ve believed it.

  Ignatius still grinned when I blurted out, ‘Sixty? Really?’

  ‘Sixty two, actually,’ he corrected while giving Loushka a wink.

  ‘Still a leech,’ she grumbled in my mind.

  ‘Belsesus is ninety,’ Ignatius helpfully added.

  ‘So the Griffon Guard are all babies?’ I said it before thinking and Ignatius roared with laughter.

  ‘Thanks, Cat,’ Loushka thought.

  ‘Sorry! But really?’

  ‘The life span for an average human is around one hundred and fifty, Cat. Other species live longer, like centaurs. They often live to two hundred and there’s even rumored to be one who is over three hundred years in Pholkali.’

  ‘Where the hell is that?’

  ‘Further east than Delanta. Why are you so bothered about this?’

  ‘Humans are lucky to reach one hundred on Earth.’

  ‘Good thing you’re not human then.’

  Catherine frowned at Loushka while they communed and Ignatius waited, feeling quite flattered that she thought he looked so young.

  ‘What do you mean I’m not human?!’ Catherine suddenly shrieked, startling both him and one of the centaurs who’d come to see why they weren’t moving. Loushka cocked her head, the quizzical expression making her look ridiculous.

  ‘You’re an Elemental, Catherine,’ Ignatius pointed out.

  At the same time she mumbled, ‘Oh,’ with a sheepish glance at the griffon.

  ‘Can we keep moving while we talk?’ Ignatius asked and offered his arm. Catherine took it, her eyes distant and face pensive while he led her through the final part of the tunnel.

  ‘How long will I live for?’

  The tremulous tone surprised him and Ignatius looked down to see her chin wobble. She stared at him with a desperate expression.

  ‘I don’t know. Gifted creatures can have three or four times the normal lifespan but as far as I know no Elemental lived long with the DeNaga’s around. Hence the need to be rid of them,’ he said with a flourish hoping to make her smile.

  Oh god, if I do somehow survive this I could live for six hundred years? I stumbled over loose rocks and Ignatius caught me under an arm.

  ‘How long can griffons live for, Loushka?’

  ‘A few centuries.’

  The urge to cry made my throat swell and I pushed the tears down but Ignatius appeared to read my expression and stopped, touching my cheek with a concerned look.

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  I shrugged, not able to speak yet and swallowed, wincing at the hard lump.

  ‘Cat?’

  ‘I just can’t imagine it,’ I thought miserably to Loushka. ‘Having to live so long without him.’

  Loushka regarded me with sympathy but didn’t say anything. I heard the others coming up behind. Ignatius made a shushing sound when I tried to speak and moved me to a shallow dip in the wall. Loushka obscured everyone’s view to us.

  ‘Catherine,’ Ignatius said quietly. ‘What’s wrong? I didn’t mean to upset you?’

  ‘I can’t imagine it,’ I whispered and he leaned close to hear. ‘Living without him for so long.’

  Ignatius closed his eyes while working at finding the appropriate words as the conflicting sensations of sympathy and annoyance ran through him. With a sigh he looked down at her, those green eyes shone with unshed tears and her lips trembled. The right words sprung to mind and knowing he needed to play this right, Ignatius leaned down so his eyes met hers straight on.

  ‘Love can find you at the most unexpected time, Catherine, and you have a big heart. Alek wouldn’t want you to pine forever.’

  A low angry growl from behind made him tense then slowly turn. Loushka’s beak hung inches from his forehead and the sudden huff she gave caused an involuntary flinch when the chainmail hood warmed.

  ‘What?’ he snapped, drawing to full height while eyeballing the insolent creature.

  ‘Enough,’ I said and pushed between the two. ‘Let’s get to the lake.’

  ‘I told you, Cat. Watch out for that leech,’ Loushka’s mane bristled, more of it sticking out between the armored plates on her neck while we walked after Ignatius whose stance betrayed his anger.

  ‘Sure, Loushka,’ I thought, feeling beyond exasperation. The corridor gradually widened and lightened when we drew close to where those ahead of us waited. Ignatius gestured for Loushka and I to go first. The dark slate-like stones had metallic properties that sparkled in the light of my energy and I held a hand out while feeling my way down with the other. I scooted my feet across the rough, rocky floor, feeling for foot holds. Loushka with her enormous paws made short work of it and I ended up clinging to the bottom of her shoulder armor while making my way down.

  ‘I don’t think Ignatius is that bad,’ I thought mildly. ‘I know he’s egotistical and an utter snob, but he’s really been there for me these last few weeks. He’s never going to be on my favorite list but he’s not awful.’

  ‘Humph,’ thought Loushka. ‘Perhaps. I don’t like it when he gets so touchy feely with you.’

  ‘That’s probably more my fault than his,’ I conceded with a flush of embarrassment.

  Loushka twisted her head sharply to look at me, the manner pure raptor.

  ‘What do you mean?’

  Floundering som
ewhat I explained the rather…vivid dreams…and how Ignatius ended up my unintentional target.

  ‘Are all humans this horny?’

  ‘Hey! It’s not my fault that’s the last good memory I have of him. Better than the ones with that witch.’

  Loushka didn’t comment and we made our way up then down a rise, squeezing past a massive chunk of rock that had broken off from the ceiling or wall at some point in time.

  Breaking the silence Loushka thought, ‘Well I see why you have Leseach sleep in the tent. Though a word of caution, she may take great offence if you did such a thing to her.’

  I giggled, unable to help it.

  ‘I know, I’d lose my hands at least! Thankfully I haven’t had the dream since she’s been in the tent.’

  ‘Even your subconscious isn’t that fool hardy,’ teased Loushka.

  We continued down a steep climb and Loushka thought. ‘Still, she might like it.’

  Preoccupied with finding hand and foot holds while I climbed down, I absently thought. ‘What?’

  ‘Leseach. She could be that way inclined.’

  Getting her meaning I paused to stare up at Loushka in astonishment. The griffon, god knows how, climbed face first down the steep angle. Her eagle eyes watched me mischievously while waiting for my reply.

  ‘Really? Wow, if that’s true then Rashid is sooo barking up the wrong tree.’

  Loushka huffed with laughter and I gave a cry of surprise when she accidentally loosened a rock. Letting go of a hand I swung out as it bounced down the rock face past me.

  ‘Princess! Are you okay?’

  ‘Barking up the wrong tree?’ Loushka still huffed with laughter. ‘Where did you hear that expression?’

  ‘It’s an Earth term,’ I thought, before hollering to Ignatius who cursed when he tried to squeeze past Loushka to check on me. The griffon deliberately spun her rear this way and that, laughing while she thwarted his attempts.

  ‘I’m okay, Ignatius, just a loose rock.’

  ‘Stop being a brat,’ I shook my head at her.

  ‘Ahh it’s good for him. Keeps him on his toes.’

  When I reached the bottom I stood aside to let Loushka down and waited for Ignatius, knowing he wouldn’t be happy until he saw me. I watched him climb down, easily finding handholds, moving swiftly down the rock face. It boggled my mind to think he was over sixty! All muscle and sinew, like Daron and Rashid, or like Alek had been. Nothing at all to suggest decades on me.

  ‘Stop ogling him.’

  I spun to glare at Loushka. ‘I’m not! I just can’t believe he’s sixty.’

  ‘Yeah, with an ass like that who’d have thought,’ she smirked at me.

  ‘I’m not that freaking horny!’

  ‘Right. Says the girl who groped him in the middle of the night. Taking advantage of a man in his position. Really, Cat.’

  ‘Brat! You suck. I’m never confiding in you again.’

  She snorted at that and gave me a little shove with her beak.

  ‘You’re too easy.’

  I grinned and shoved back. ‘Hey! Alek is the only person who got to say that.’

  That made her laugh hard, her armor glinting and she sat on her haunches for a good huff and wheeze.

  ‘You sound like a giant bellows.’

  ‘I’ll take that as a compliment, nymph.’

  Ignatius dropped the last couple of feet, landing lightly near us and hurried to my side while I thought to Loushka, ‘Nymph? Are they real?’

  Ignatius seized my face checking me over and I blinked in surprise at his intense scrutiny.

  ‘You’re okay?’ he demanded.

  I nodded while listening to Loushka.

  ‘Yes they are, and I’m beginning to think you have it in your bloodline.’

  Ignatius looked perplexed when I frowned at Loushka.

  ‘I take it that’s not a good thing?’

  ‘Depends on the point of view.’

  Right. Stepping back from Ignatius I gave him another nod.

  ‘I’m good. Let’s go.’

  The griffon eyed him disapprovingly then turned and sauntered off. Ignatius waited a moment before turning to Catherine who watched the griffon in amusement.

  ‘All okay?’

  She glanced up, eyes bright with a hint of laughter.

  ‘Indeed.’

  He motioned for her to continue and seizing the torch he’d dropped over the ledge before climbing down, he followed.

  Darkness didn’t bother him; after so many years working in all manner of places the caves weren’t that unusual, but the utter absence of life unnerved him a little. It made a man inclined to see things in the shadows. It also made watching Catherine walk ahead of him, an absolute pleasure. A thing of beauty, he thought, eyes fixed on the swing of her hips. She kept both hands lit to light her way, a palm at her side and one held aloft and the fire only enhanced her, glinting off the chainmail suit that hugged her figure.

  Little wonder the griffon doesn’t like you, observed the caustic voice in his mind. Ignatius shrugged the thought off. If the plan plays out like intended, then the griffon’s opinion will be meaningless.

  As they walked the tunnel grew darker and the air started to feel damp.

  ‘We must be getting close to the lake,’ Catherine stopped to stroke the rocks and waggled her wet fingers at him.

  Ignatius nodded. ‘The sounds of those ahead seem closer.’

  Odd sounds, now he thought about it. The same thing appeared to occur to Catherine and she frowned, twisting to look ahead before turning back to him with wide eyes.

  ‘Loushka says something’s there!’

  She darted off; with a curse Ignatius hurried after her.

  ‘Put your shield up!’ he bellowed, pausing at the entrance of three tunnels before spotting her red glow down one. With a firm tap he hit his torch against the entrance; the chemicals that burned in its head fell to the ground and would mark the way for those behind. The ground grew steadily damper while he made his way along the rough track. Catherine wasn’t too far ahead and he caught her up, being careful not to touch. A shield glowed visibly around her and would pack a wallop.

  ‘Come on!’ she grinned, excitement making her energy and eyes flash.

  While they slipped and scrambled along the rocky track, shouts and roars echoed from ahead. Ignatius kept his expression calm when Catherine threw him a shocked look, and ran through the possible options.

  I could hear Ignatius breathing heavily while we hurried along. It got even slipperier and both of us scrabbled for holds or balance, skidding over the occasional smooth slick sections of rock. When I bounced off the side of the wall my energy absorbed the impact and I realized why Ignatius ordered me to pull it up.

  ‘Here,’ I turned to him, offering a hand. He flinched back.

  ‘No, silly. Take it, I’ll shield you too.’

  His hand closed around mine and I extended the energy in a flash, locating his life flame with ease. It pulsed in excitement and I tugged his hand, ready to rush ahead when he tightened his hold.

  ‘I’ll go first.’

  ‘Okay, old man. Lead the way.’

  He shot me a narrow look, eyes dark against the shadows of the cave.

  That cheeky grin of hers felt irresistible. Ignatius gave a short laugh before turning and dragging her along.

  ‘Come on then, little girl. Don’t let an old man show you up.’

  They continued slipping and sliding along the way. He felt grateful for her energy when they slammed off a wall again, feeling the thump and pressure of the solid stone but no more. The shouting ahead grew louder and bits of glowing blue mold or lichen clung to the rocks, offering an idea of the size of the tunnel they moved through. They climbed up a sharp rise then stopped at the top, staring down a drop into a large basin-like cavern. Below them most of the soldiers and allies pressed to the walls of the cavern but several centaurs and a few Nyjens helped Loushka and Tomiar fight what appeared to be enormous sna
kes coming out the lake at the front of the cave.

  ‘Let’s get down there,’ he said, and let go of Catherine’s hand, starting the climb down. Catherine leaned out to watch and lit the way. It wasn’t a difficult climb and a quick glance revealed they wouldn’t be in any immediate danger. Ignatius motioned for her to come down while he stood at the base of the rock face, watching for any threat. The lake glowed the same blue as the mold that grew all around the cave. A scuffing sound made him glance up to see she’d nearly reached him and without thinking he reached to lift her down. It wasn’t until he set her on the ground that he realized her energy hadn’t reacted.

  ‘You didn’t zap me,’ he said in surprise.

  Catherine replied distractedly, eyes on the griffons. ‘No. I won’t now I’ve linked with you. What is that?’

  ‘Water snakes?’ Ignatius suggested.

  ‘I don’t know,’ I said in a dubious tone. They didn’t look like any water snakes I’d seen before. I squinted at the strange things that reared up from the base of their lengths, writhing in the air. A Nyjen leaped at one and a dark wet shape lunged forward. Ignatius and I gasped when we both realized; they weren’t snakes, but tentacles!

  The Nyjen let loose an energy shout, his eyes and scars showing a stark brilliant violet against the darkness. The mass of writhing tentacles jerked back, unsure, then in a blur one snaked forward and caught the warrior by the waist, slamming him against the rocks. The crack of the Nyjen’s neck against the stone cut through all the other sounds and I jerked away, hands to my face while I fought the sudden urge to vomit. Ignatius pulled me against him and I felt splatters of something hit my back.

  ‘Don’t look,’ he snapped in a harsh tone. I nodded, face against his chest while listening to Loushka’s infuriated roar, echoed by Tomiar.

  ‘Get Sito,’ Loushka’s voice flashed into my mind. ‘And stay back!’

  ‘Sito!’

  Ignatius pulled back to glance at me then nodded and bent, hands laced together.

  ‘Step in,’ he ordered.

  I placed my foot in his hands and leaned forward to grasp his shoulders. Our eyes met and he flashed a vicious grin.