‘Not a chance.’
Pulling his other blade out, it took an easy slice to end the blasted creature. Panting, he dropped the still twitching corpse to the tunnel floor and sat for a moment, head spinning. The torch glowed dimly, so coated in blood and he leaned forward to pick it up, tapping it against a rock to dislodge the muck. The light briefly shined off something further down the tunnel, where the vorks came from and he squinted, trying to make it out. The spinning of his head abated and now curious, Ignatius stood, holding the torch high and cautiously moved toward it. The corridor quickly grew narrower and at the end of it was an opening, just large enough for him to duck through but he resisted. A low growl rumbled through that opening.
Moving the torch so to cast a little light into the room beyond, he spotted it, the light glinting off the large hungry eyes. The ardwyr drew its upper lip up and growled again, hunching back from the light. Ignatius forgot the discomfort of his injuries and studied the animal speculatively. Ardwyrs were smart, very smart. They couldn’t communicate like Sito but with a constant appetite they could easily be taught. Natural scavengers and very strong, they viciously protected any kills they made or carcasses they found.
Now this, Ignatius thought with a growing sense of triumph, could be the perfect distraction, if the creature stayed close and out the way. The ardwyr stopped growling but kept its eyes fixed on him, the large pointed ears twitching when Ignatius shifted and reached for the closest vork. Working quickly, he hacked both the heads off and tossed the body through the small opening. The ardwyr made a sound of alarm and skittered away from the lizard at first, short tail curled under and its long un-retractable claws clacking against the stone. Then it sniffed, long muzzle twitching, and crept closer. It stood away from the light Ignatius shone into the small room but he could hear the crunching while its massive bone crushing jaws made short work of the vork.
It must have been blocked in here by the lizards, Ignatius realized when he heard it finish, sniffing furiously for any remains. Pushing up to a crouch he moved along the corridor to the next carcass. Removing the heads, he hacked off one of the five legs and threw it so it landed just outside the ardwyr’s den. The sniffing grew louder and the tip of the dark tan and black muzzle appeared. The animal crept forward just enough to seize the dismembered leg and disappeared back into its den. With a smirk Ignatius cut the other legs off, tossing them so they landed further and further away from the den and closer to him. He didn’t fear the creature at all. If he’d been injured or if one of those bloody lizards got him then the ardwyr likely wouldn’t hesitate to drag him into the den and consume him. The creature held no particular affinity to other animals. But, if it knew that it got food when he was near, it would stay close; which Ignatius wanted.
He sat back against the stone wall of the tunnel and allowed himself a moment to feel his impending victory. For an instant the thought seemed so wildly extreme he nearly laughed out loud. To have Catherine fully, to lay claim to her body and plant his seed. Ignatius leaned against his bent knees while he saw it in his minds eye.
Arriving back from battle victorious, not only would Jenviet be dead, but Catherine with child, unknowingly tied to him. Permanently. She would be his elixir of life, her Elemental energy extending his life span to hers and all he had to do was be the strong, passionate partner she desired, an easy task, her inner glow of power made her the most attractive woman he could imagine. He would be King at the time of a new age, with no DeNaga threat and his wife, his queen, the Fire Elemental.
A whine broke him from the daydream and he found the ardwyr sitting at the entrance to its den, watching him.
‘Patience,’ Ignatius said and he cut the final carcass into pieces, tossing it down the corridor to the creature who uttered small urgent growls. The ardwyr hunched over the lizard, its powerful hind quarters folded underneath it while it grasped the lizard with its clawed forearms and tore hunks of flesh off, gulping down the mouthfuls, the shaggy hide quivering. When it finished the ardwyr sniffed again, slanted dark eyes with light pupils gazing expectantly at him.
‘All for now,’ Ignatius said, spreading both hands to show he had nothing. ‘Stay close, there’ll be more.’
It didn’t react to his words but sniffed again and began to back up the tunnel, keeping an eye on him. He waited until it sat back in its den then stood, feeling the itch and ache from the lizard bites and made his way back to the entrance of the tunnel. He wouldn’t know until tomorrow evening if it decided to follow, but if the creature did, it would be worth it.
*~*~*
Chapter Twenty One
‘Ignatius!’
I twisted at Belsesus’ loud call. Ignatius crouched in the opening of one of the many tunnels that speckled the side of the cave, his shoulder and arm dark. I stood from where I’d sat with Loi and hurried across the cave.
‘Just step off,’ Kassie called to him. ‘I’ll lower you.’
The sudden look of doubt made me smile and those watching laughed, but I could see now the dark patches on his mail were blood. He’d have a tricky time climbing down. He barely got the chance to nod before I felt Kassie swirl a bubble around him and the Lieutenant lurched off the edge. The visible gasp of shock, then carefully schooled adjustment to an expression of disinterest made me chuckle.
‘What got you?’ Larvaste asked once Ignatius stood on the ground.
‘Vorks. I found three of them.’
‘Anything else? Does the tunnel go far?’
‘No. Still a way before we see sky.’
I waited while the men questioned him, then followed when he headed to where his bag and bedroll sat.
‘Ignatius.’
He twisted, his face lighting in surprise.
‘Princess.’
I gestured at his torso.
‘I thought I might patch you up?’
‘Oh,’ he seemed taken aback, then shrugged and winced at the motion. ‘That’d be good, thanks.’ He went to reach for the seam in his mail and grimaced.
‘Do you mind?’
‘Not at all.’
I had to stand on tippy-toe to reach the top of the collar and struggled for an instant before getting the angle right. The mail slid down his shoulders making him breathe in sharply when it dragged over the bites.
‘They must have some nasty teeth to get through that,’ I commented.
Ignatius nodded and pulled his undershirt off his good shoulder then eased it off the bloody one.
‘Argh,’ he grumbled when it stuck in the blood and I reached out, gritting my teeth in sympathy and carefully pulled the gummy fabric out the wound, apologizing.
‘Have a seat,’ I instructed and kneeled before him, examining the bites.
The lizards must eat some pretty bad stuff, I thought, the bites looked to be going bad already. I traced the one on his lower arm and pulled back when he flinched.
‘Sorry,’ I muttered again then focused my energy. With my eyes closed I traced his energy, starting with the flame at the center of his being and moved out until I located the throbbing spots where the bites were. The hint of that nasty murky green shade glimmered around the wounds and this time it took very little energy to soothe that color away. I moved my energy through and over the bites, feeling Ignatius’ life light respond brighter as every trace of the lizard saliva vanished from his system. When I opened my eyes the bites had vanished, just the smeared blood around them revealed where they’d been. Ignatius flexed his arm then flashed a smile.
‘Thank you, Cat.’
I don’t know if it was his use of my name, having never called me Cat before, or the warmth behind his eyes but I felt a very unexpected twinge of something.
Affection? Lust?
Well he is pretty good looking, my rational voice considered, and he might be sixty five but damn is he cut! Surprisingly nice too. Always there for you.
I managed a polite nod while smacking that inner voice and left the Lieutenant to it, feeling rattled at t
he sensations. I shrugged my shoulders while walking to where the others set the card game up, trying to be rid of those feelings.
Later, when I lay in bed feeling the medicine from the nellor make its way through my system I saw Ignatius in my mind. But the face shimmered and it turned to Al.
A lump rose in my throat and I imagined him beside me, large frame curled protectively around mine. Tears traced over my cheeks and I closed my eyes to the darkness. In my mind, with his shirt kept close under my pillow, I could see and smell him, but, oh god, did I want to touch him! A tiny portion of me ached to use Ignatius to satisfy that need.
Just realizing that made my toes curl in disgust at that treacherous thought and I rolled to the side, pulling the shirt out from under the folded drying sheet that doubled as my pillow. Pressing my face to it, I inhaled deep. Panic rose when I realized his scent had started to fade. Several more deep breaths gave me enough of his scent to relax and I dozed off with the shirt clutched tight. Alek firmly in my mind.
After packing up the bedrolls and tent Leseach found her medicine basket and sat, watching everyone getting ready for the day. She slipped the chainmail off a hand and drew the sleeve up to her elbow. Already the redness had gone and a quick test with a needle over the paler underside of her forearm showed that no numbness remained. Reaching into the medicine bag with her other hand she located the small vial and eased the stopper out, dipping the needle into it then raked the point down the soft flesh. She felt the barest hint of pain before her arm went fully numb.
‘What are you doing?’
The unexpected voice startled her and she knocked the vial, just managing to snatch it up before any of the venom escaped.
‘Rashid!’
The Lieutenant squatted and gently took the bottle from her hand, putting the stopper in, then placed it in the basket. The casual knowingness with how carefully he handled her property both annoyed and pleased her. His clear, light gray eyes regarded her thoughtfully when he turned from the bag.
‘Why?’ he extended a finger and touched the numb but red arm.
‘To develop a resistance.’
‘But we may not see these lizards again.’
‘True. But they developed this venom for a reason. It could be useful later.’
Rashid considered that, the deep frown in his forehead appearing and Leseach watched his expression, wondering why it made her want to smile. Turning back to the task at hand she eased the woolen sleeve down her arm then slid the mail down but struggled to get the clasp over her finger while trying to bend it at the same time.
‘Here.’
Rashid held her hand, folding the middle finger and pulled the mail over it.
‘All done.’
The weird sensation he caused rose again, fluttering unpleasantly through her chest like her heart was ill. Leseach stood abruptly, towering over the man.
‘Thank you.’
He calmly stood, never showing concern at her intentional attempts to put him in place. Those gray eyes made the fluttering in her chest increase when his expression lightened, gaze somehow warm, and her jaw stiffened with the urge to lash out.
‘Always a pleasure.’
Leseach grunted and turned, seizing the bag from the ground then marched away feeling the familiar prickle across her back. She refused to turn, to acknowledge his gaze, and instead focused on greeting Loushka while re-packing the Princess’ bag in the saddle pack. The tension between both shoulder blades moved up her neck and she let her head fall back, rolling it from side to side.
‘Did you sleep hard too?’
The Princess appeared at her side, greeting Loushka and smiling up at Leseach.
Strange how the warmth in her eyes doesn’t bother me, Leseach thought. What is it about that man that annoys me so much?
‘I did,’ she said, not wishing to discuss her concerns with Catherine.
‘Kassie gives a fantastic neck massage, if you need.’
Leseach nodded then gestured to Loushka.
‘Did you want a lift up?’
‘No, I’m good. Thanks.’
When the line started to move Rashid appeared at the other side of Loushka, greeting the Princess, then griffon, and nodded to Leseach. At least while walking, with a task to focus on, Rashid didn’t seem quite so irritating. He wasn’t stupid like so many males, and he knew a great deal about the North. It felt pleasant to discuss her homeland with someone who had experienced it. The Princess listened to their conversation, asking occasional questions but otherwise remained silent, appearing lost in thought. The tunnels and caverns they climbed through today grew lighter, with more luminous mosses and animals appearing. They heard the occasional echo of water while making their way up walkways that jutted from the sides of caverns, bridging out in areas over deep drops. It kept her mind calm to focus on the task of leading Loushka through the difficult areas and distracted Leseach enough that Rashid’s insistant conversing didn’t annoy her like normal.
‘Do you do that with the creatures in the North?’
Leseach glanced quizzically at him.
‘Do what?’
‘The scraping on your arm, building up a resistance?’
Rashid glanced her way then looked ahead, not wishing to annoy her. Leseach appeared calmer today and he wondered if the venom was responsible.
‘Yes. With so many venomous creatures we have to build up a natural resistance.’
‘How long does it last? Do you need to do it constantly?’
They stopped to watch Loushka leap to a high ledge that led to the next tunnel, Catherine leaning forward in the saddle. The griffon waited at the top for them.
Rashid bent to one knee and offered his clasped palms to Leseach. The beautiful angles of her face hardened in an instant at the offer and she took two steps back then made a running jump up the rock face, catching a grip three quarters of the way up and with two impressive lifts—no foot holds—hauled herself up onto the ledge. The look she shot him when she gazed down made him close his eyes for an instant and will away the urge to smile.
She had no idea how she looked standing there, glaring down at him with those striking eyes and full lips pursed. A strong, vivid, and dangerous woman, whose frank distaste only served to intrigue him more. Rashid moved back then ran forward and leaped, hands dragging for an instant before he caught a hold. Dust and shingle scattered, hitting him full face and he scrambled for a foot hold.
‘Damn it!’
His eyes watered profusely from the grit and he shook his head, swiping at his face.
‘Here.’
A hand closed around his wrist and easily hauled him up and over the ledge. He stumbled before hands steadied him.
‘Stay there, I’ll get some water.’
It stung like mad; he could feel the sharp bits of stone under his eyelids scraping against his eyes. A body pressed against him and she caught his jaw with a hand, angling his head. The cool water offered immediate respite and he sighed in relief. Leseach didn’t say a word while she carefully examined the eye before applying another dash of water. His face and front were sopping by the time she satisfied herself that all the grit was gone.
‘Open your eyes,’ she said, in a curiously soft voice. Blinking, Rashid managed to peer out, meeting her gaze.
‘You may have minor scratches; I’ll dose your eyes now and this evening.’
I watched in fascination while the two of them interacted.
‘You could just offer to heal him, Cat,’ Loushka pointed out.
‘And miss this? No way. This is good for them. If he has real damage I’ll fix it later.’
We sat quietly while Leseach tended to Rashid. The Northerner was gentle with him, nothing like how she normally regarded him. Rashid stayed still when she cupped his face and peered into his eyes before pouring a liberal amount of some potion into them, her medicine basket close by. Loushka and I both watched agog when Rashid lifted his hand, placing it over the hand she held his jaw with.
‘Uh-oh.’
‘Maybe not.’
Leseach went utterly still.
‘I win, he’s dead,’ Loushka though with an almost vindictive glee.
‘He’s still breathing.’
But was Leseach? The two of them, hands locked together, didn’t seem to notice anyone else. Not me, or Loushka, or the slowly growing crowd of soldiers and allies.
‘My money’s on the blond,’ muttered a goblin to a centaur near Loushka’s forearm. Most heads bobbed in agreement while we continued watching, a crowd of unapologetic voyeurs.
Leseach slowly cocked her head while regarding Rashid and all of us watching froze.
‘Kill shot’s coming,’ hissed a General Guard soldier.
Rasid gave a tiny smile, apparently clueless to his predicament.
‘I kind of feel sorry for him,’ Loushka thought and I agreed.
Leseach frowned for a second and I tensed. Then her cheeks seemed to lift, eyes flickered and lips twitched before she slowly pulled away and grabbed her medicine basket, turning our way. Everyone around Loushka and I made a sudden concerted effort to scram when Leseach marched over to put the bag away.
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