by Ritu Ghosh
Dan, Belster, Aaron and Billy came closer to take a look.
“We have to be very careful now. This fire looks quite fresh. The Lurgs could be near. We have to be very cautious from here on” said Dan and everybody got on their horses.
They travelled slowly. Aaron wished he had asked Jane to do the magic where the horses’ sounds would not be heard. He missed Jane being with them.
But now they had no choice, they went forward. Everybody sat alerted on their horse, keeping a hand on their weapons. Belster smelled the air and Ony was still looking for any marks left by the Lurgs.
They went on for about two hours but could not find anything.
“We are getting closer” Belster said suddenly. “I don’t think we should take the horses beyond this point”
Everyone got down from their horses.
“Ony, I want you to be with the horses, we cannot tie them up. We may need to flee once we capture one of the Lurgs” said Dan.
Ony was not very happy about it, but he said yes grumpily.
The rest followed Belster and came near a richer area of the forest. Aaron could not see much because of the thick trees and bushes, but suddenly he heard some heavy voices as if they were arguing.
Aaron turned towards Dan and was going to say something but Belster covered his mouth and signaled him to remain silent. They looked through one of the gaps in the trees.
The rest of the Lurg army who had attacked them were sitting around. They were only ten in number. Some were arguing over a leg of a deer that was lying dead in front of them and the others were eating the rest of it.
Aarons shuddered with disgust.
Some Lurgs were just lying on their backs, doing nothing. One was going from tree to tree and plucking berries and eating them. His mouth was purple from the berries and he laughed every time he popped a berry in his mouth.
“We will target that one” whispered Aaron and Dan looked at him.
They slowly came back closer to the place where Ony was waiting with their horses.
“I will take it from here. Me and Billy will distract the Lurgs, you be here. The moment the Lurg comes here, you know what to do” said Aaron and reached into his pack for the invisibility potion. He popped opened the small cork and a very spicy smell escaped from it. He took a deep breath and within a few seconds he emptied the bottle in his mouth.
“Ah.. it burns” he said as the tiny glass bottle fell from his hand.
“I can’t breathe” he said and fell to his knees holding his neck. Dan and Billy came to help him immediately
“Master Aaron, are you alright?” asked Billy, who was very worried.
Aaron was trying to breathe, he couldn’t speak anymore. He could hear Dan and Billy asking many questions, but suddenly, all the voices vanished. He felt light, so light like the air. He felt that he could fly if he wanted to.
He looked down at his legs, there were no legs. He moved his hands in front of himself, there were no hands either. He could feel his body, but couldn’t see it.
‘It worked!’ he thought and his heart jumped with joy. His hearing was back now, he could hear what the other’s were saying.
“Where did he go? Where is he?” bellowed Ony.
“He is invisible, the potion worked” Dan replied in a haste.
“How will we find him now?” Billy was more worried now.
“What if he is unconscious? I told you this was a stupid idea” Belster joined in.
Aaron could not help laughing at them, he couldn’t believe that he is actually invisible. He slowly climbed back on his feet and moved away. He thought a little fun won’t hurt anybody.
Suddenly, Belster's arrows started to fly around on their own. Billy was startled and pointed at the arrows. Everyone saw all the arrows falling on the ground one by one. Belster picked up the arrows and put them back in the quiver. But they fell on the ground again, flying on their own.
“What is going on?” asked Billy looking around.
Suddenly Billy’s hair began to dance and he jumped back. Belster was annoyed.
“What’s happening? asked Billy again.
Dan remained at his place, he looked at the ground and then suddenly moved and caught Aaron’s hand who was still invisible.
“This is what is happening. Aaron is playing tricks on us” said Dan.
"This is not funny boy. We are here to do an important work, not to play” said Belster.
Aaron could not hold his laughter any longer, he laughed out loud.
“Aaron its time to get back to work, no time to fool around, stop laughing" said Dan.
“I am really sorry, but I couldn’t help but take advantage of the situation"
“What is the further plan?” asked Dan in a serious tone.
“I will go and distract the Lurg. Billy, you come with me and Dan and Belster should wait with Ony” said Aaron. He reached for his pack again and took out the stones and tomatoes.
Dan and Belster left and Billy stood there trying hard to look for Aaron.
“Follow me” said Aaron, Billy looked around but couldn't see anything, then he spotted the moving tomatoes and stones. He walked behind them.
Aaron came near the heavy bushes and stopped, Billy kept on walking and bumped into Aaron.
“Ouch Billy, its my feet” said Aaron in whispers.
“Oh sorry master Aaron, I didn’t see you there. I mean I can't see you even now.. I..” Billy stammered not knowing what to say exactly.
“Billy, just stay here. I will bring the Lurg away from the rest of them. Once he is following me, you have to distract him and take him further away so that he can’t alert the others. Make sure that the Lurg does not understand that all this is part of our plan” whispered Aaron in Billy’s ears and looked inside the Lurg camp.
The Lurgs were still sitting leisurely unsuspecting. Most of them did not have their armors or helmets on. Some of them were drinking ale and were fallen on the ground.
Aaron slowly walked across the trees making no noise and came near the Lurg who was still searching for berries in the trees.
Chapter 9
Flynn’s Recovery
Jane was buried in her book of special magic when Flynn stirred, she looked at him, Flynn gave a low grunt and opened his eyes. He stared at the ceiling for some time and then touched his forehead.
Jane hurried and sat next to him. He looked at Jane and tried to remember something. Jane helped him get up while calling out to Bo. Bo came running into the room from the kitchen. Flynn sat up and looked around.
“Where am I?" he asked.
“You are in Alfadon’s house Flynn” said Jane as she pushed a pillow behind him for him to sit comfortably.
“What happened? Oh! I remember now, I was hurt” he looked at his shoulder for the wound but there was nothing there.
“It’s ok Flynn, now you are alright. Here, have this medicine, it will give you strength” Jane handed him the sparkling water. Flynn moved his arm but flinched suddenly.
“It still hurts” he said.
Jane was worried again, she knew that the poison might have gone out but Flynn was not fully healed yet. She helped him drink the medicine.
“You should rest some more Flynn. It will recover soon” she said, but she did not look happy. She knew it would be hard for Flynn to recover fully if Dan fails to bring the cure. She hoped Dan could get the Arthium leaves silently.
“Where are the others?” asked Flynn.
“Oh, they went to capture one Lurg” said Jane, she was more than happy to change the subject.
“Capture a Lurg? But I thought we won the battle with them” said Flynn, who had no idea what happened after he passed out.
“No Flynn, we didn’t win, we had to flee” said Jane.
“Flee? But why? I thought the Defenders never give up” said Flynn.
Jane sighed deeply “Sometimes things do not go according to what we want Flynn, we had to take a call between saving your life or winning
the fight"
Flynn fell silent, he stared at the window for some time.
“And you choose to save my life” said Flynn in a low voice.
Jane sat next to him and spoke softly.
“Flynn, you are a part of us Defenders now and the life of one of our own is important to us. If there is any hope of survival, we do anything to save them” said Jane.
Flynn smiled “Thanks for that" he said.
“Actually, I am the one who should be thankful to you Flynn" said Jane.
Flynn looked up at her in surprise.
“You saved my life Flynn. If you would not have thrown that knife, the Lurg would have killed me. I am very thankful to you for that” said Jane as she smiled.
Flynn remembered the whole encounter with the Lurgs, he pushed out a weak smile. He had not known that he would react like that under pressure.
“Why didn't you go with them? I thought you like to fight” said Flynn after sometime.
“I wanted to stay here and see that you are alright, I promised Aaron that I will make you better” said Jane.
Bo came into the room with a plate full of food; Jane helped him put the plate down before Flynn.
“You should eat, you will get your strength back” said Bo in his tiny shrill voice and Flynn nodded.
With the one good hand, Flynn finished the food as soon as he could. He was very hungry since he hadn’t eaten for two days.
Jane sat next to him and looked at him eat.
After Flynn finished, she took the plates away and helped him with drinking some water.
Flynn clutched onto his shoulders and tried to move his hand. He lifted his hand till the elbow and then clenched his jaws.
Jane quickly put her hand on his shoulders. Flynn touched his wound again.
“Where is my wound? It was bad, I remember. Did you fix it?” He asked Jane.
“Not really. But, I will show you who did” she said and went out of the room.
Flynn was taken aback a little but he sat and waited. He looked around and saw many medicine bottles, potion and herbs lying around in the room. There was even a small pillow and a blanket on the cane chair where Jane was sitting.
Jane’s bag was lying on the floor and many things were scattered around.
Flynn suddenly realized that Jane was really taking care of him. He could see how much she wanted him to get better.
Jane came back into the room but she was carrying a small basket with her. She kept the basket next to Flynn and Flynn backed a little.
“What is this?” He asked, a little skeptical.
“It’s a Dragon. In fact it’s Aaron’s pet” she said and lifted Arkion and put him on her lap, slowly patting him on his head.
“What ? A pet Dragon? Aaron’s Dragon? But...how? How long was I passed out for?” Flynn was extremely puzzled.
Jane laughed and said, “Don’t worry Flynn. He just found this baby dragon yesterday. He named it Arkion."
Jane slowly lifted Arkion and kept it on Flynn’s legs. Arkion looked at Flynn with his beady eyes like he recognized him. He started to climb up his chest. With his hand ,Flynn stroked Arkion’s head. He seems to like it. Arkion curled up and sat on his legs.
“Arkion is the one who fixed your wound” said Jane.
Flynn looked up at Jane, “What?” he said with disbelief.
“Yes Arkion is a healing Dragon and he has healed your wound. You should be thankful to him. He came at the right time, otherwise....” Jane remained quiet after saying that.
“Otherwise, you already tried everything that you could do” Flynn said looking at the mess on the table and floor.
Jane looked down sadly.
Flynn cuddled Arkion and started playing with him.
“Thanks for doing whatever you could Jane, you are a good friend. I know why Aaron trusts you so much.” Flynn said and Jane blushed.
“Take some rest now. I hope your arm feels better after you wake up” said Jane taking Arkion from Flynn.
“And what if it never gets better? I will never be able to throw a knife again?” asked Flynn as he looked at Jane.
Jane held herself from giving a sympathetic expression. She kept a straight face and said, “Flynn, always wish for the best. You will be fine very soon. Now go to sleep”
Jane came out of Flynn’s room with her bag and Arkion’s basket. She truly hoped that what Flynn said would never come true.
Chapter 10
The Trap
Aaron approached the Lurg while Billy stood biting his lips. If any other Lurg was alerted the entire plan would be spoilt.
‘I hope Master Aaron knows what he is doing’ he thought and hid behind a tree at a distance.
The Lurg was looking at some blue berries hanging up in the tree.
He was eying it greedily. There was another Lurg sleeping right next to him.
Aaron was now standing right in front of the Lurg.
Billy could see the tomatoes he was holding. He held his breath.
Aaron lowered the three tomatoes on a tree branch and shook them. It caught the Lurg’s eyes. He slowly came towards the tomatoes.
He examined them and said, “Big, red berries”. A grin spread across his face as he saw the tomatoes, he thought they were some kind of big berries on the trees.
He jumped to pluck them but they moved further. The Lurg was a little confused. He came a little ahead to snatch the tomatoes but the tomatoes moved again. The Lurg was now very puzzled. He was adamant to get the berries. He moved along with the tomatoes.
As the Lurg was almost out of the bushes, the Lurg sleeping next to him woke up with a sudden jerk.
“I can smell human,” he said, but the other Lurgs who were sitting around him hardly paid any attention. They were all busy doing their own stuff.
Aaron held his breath for a moment. He knew if he stayed there any longer the other Lurgs could smell him too.
He moved away from the bushes with the tomatoes. Now the berry loving Lurg can see the tomatoes running away floating in the air.
The Lurg scratched his head for a moment and started to run behind the tomatoes. “Where are you going red berries” he cried in his croaky voice.
The Lurg was right behind Aaron now. Aaron was running as fast as he could, but he couldn’t keep up with the Lurg’s large legs. The Lurg reached for the tomatoes in Aaron’s hands very soon.
Aaron was only a feet away from Billy. He dropped all the tomatoes on the floor and ran to where Billy was hiding.
The Lurg picked up the tomatoes and smelled them.
“Hmm, finally....yummy, juicy” said the Lurg and popped one tomato in his mouth.
“Quick Billy! Take the tomatoes and run to Ony” said Aaron and started to throw stones at the Lurg.
One of the stones hit the Lurg on his head and the other on his hand. He dropped the two remaining tomatoes and covered his face.
“Who’s there? Who’s there?” he asked lowering his hands from his face and another stone hit him on the face. The Lurg was red with anger as he couldn’t see anybody.
Billy suddenly jumped from nowhere and took the two tomatoes fallen on the ground. He started to run with them. The Lurg spotted Billy.
“Hey! Wait, those are my berries! How dare you take it?” said the Lurg and ran behind Billy. Billy was very fast for the Lurg. The Lurg couldn’t catch him but he followed him relentlessly.
“If I catch you, I will smash you” said the Lurg as he ran behind Billy. Billy ran on the ground sometimes and sometimes he jumped from tree to tree. Soon he was near Dan, Ony and Belster.
Aaron had followed the Lurg and Billy too. He could see that Dan was kneeling and searching for something on the ground then he told Belster something and walked away.
Belster stood straight checking his arrows.
Aaron could see them very clearly now. Dan got on his horse and rode away in the direction of the Lurgs camp.
“Where is he going now” thought Aaron and ran again i
gnoring the pulsating pain in his chest from running hard. But Dan had already left and only Belster and Ony stood there.
The Lurg was only a few feet away.
“Now!” said Aaron as he reached near them.