How to Save a Fae (Heir of Dragons Book 2)

by J. A. Culican

  The Fae huntress launched at once into a furious attack, spraying the hilltop with arrows. The swordsmen and archers arriving on the scene had been thrown into such a frenzy of confusion that they could scarcely take cover before the well-placed shots claimed them. A few hunkered down behind wagons or relied on the flimsy tents to provide protection, but within the first minute of the raid on the camp, the area near the campfire was already growing crowded with fallen Wuffs.

  Minx spied flickers of movement in the darkness below; a squad of Krah had been dispatched from the other camp to put down the unexpected attack. She knelt by one of the wagons and began sniping them, hopeful that Kaleb and Mau would be able to manage the sleepy Wuffs without her help.

  The pairing of dragon shifter and Faelyr performed admirably, crossing the hillock and easily claiming the camp for themselves—that is, until the hunter emerged. Where the Wuffs had been taken by surprise and were scrambling to mount even the barest defense, the hunter was clearly of a different breed.

  He did not exit his tent at once—rather, he sent a cloud of arrows sailing from the entrance of the structure, nearly striking both Kaleb and Mau, before stepping out with his signature swagger and a wild grin on his lips. The grotty hunter didn't look the least bit tired; in fact, like a nocturnal animal who'd been biding its time deep in its burrow, he now emerged with a fearsome energy. His earthy fingers played the string of the bow effortlessly, peppering the field with a swarm of razor-sharp arrows. And this time, he wasn't playing around. Previously, he'd taken it easy on Minx, sparing her the worst during his antagonistic game. Now, every shot was intended to kill.

  The hunter's volleys came perilously close to felling both Mau and Kaleb at turns; the dragon shifter avoided death by a hair's breadth, the dense plate armor on his body absorbing the force of two arrows in quick succession. Mau, ever nimble and darting behind various obstacles, managed to scurry out of the hunter's sight before she could be pierced.

  Minx divided her focus between the oncoming Krah and the hunter's relentless attacks. I have to do something. If I don't put down these Krah, and fast, we're going to get swamped. With all the swiftness she could muster, Minx dropped two of the Krah rampaging across the field below, and then turned to strike at the hunter. She remained on one knee, hopeful that she could keep out of sight. If the arrow comes from down below, he won't see it until it's too late. The hunter, momentarily distracted by Kaleb and Mau, appeared vulnerable to her.

  She would have only one shot. She tested the air, ensuring that the wind wasn't strong enough to force her shot off course. Except for the current of battle in the air, all was still. The time was right.

  Dodge this! Minx nocked her arrow and let it fly, exhaling deeply as the shot screamed toward its mark. She grit her teeth and watched as the shaft arced past the edge of the campfire, as intended.

  And then it connected.

  She heard the hunter's growl before she saw where the arrow landed, and then jumped to her feet, preparing to launch another. Despite her best efforts, the shot had gone a bit low. She'd failed to account for the hunter's movements, and had only managed to hit him in the right leg, near the waist. The arrowhead had eaten through his light armor and become embedded in his flesh, but judging by the way he jerked toward her she knew it was anything but a killing blow.

  The hunter turned to her with eyes as big as saucers. His sharp teeth glistened as he loosed a violent shout and cast his bow onto the ground in a fit of animalistic rage. He began a swift march toward her, yanking the arrow from his flesh and throwing it into the fire.

  She'd hoped to kill or seriously injure him with that shot; instead, all she'd done was throw him into a blind anger.

  Minx was stunned into inaction as the hunter began sprinting toward her. She watched as he pulled a dense wooden club from beneath the edge of his fur cape, and couldn't land another shot before he began swinging at her. All of her energy was diverted into dodging, and she ducked behind the edge of a sturdy wooden wagon just in time to avoid the punishing tip of the club. The weapon, wielded between the hunter's quaking fists, pulverized the corner of the wagon, littering the ground with shards of jagged wood. Spittle flew from his pale lips and grit teeth as he swung, and at missing her, he immediately pivoted toward her hiding place, raising the club high above his head.

  The Fae huntress staggered away, her back meeting the side of a tent. The club sailed down into the earth with such terrifying force that Minx might have been split in two had it struck her, and the tip was buried in the ground, sending clods of dirt and grass flying past the both of them. Sensing an opening, Minx stepped forth, stamping on the tip of the club with her foot in the hopes of keeping it pinned to the ground.

  Though she attempted to nock another shot and deliver a decisive blow from up-close, the hunter's strength once again foiled her.

  With a savage yell, the lanky hunter heaved the club upward. The corded muscles of his arms trembled as he pulled it free of the earth, throwing Minx a few feet into the air as though she were weightless. With the swiftness of a natural predator, he reared back and prepared another bone-crushing swing before Minx's feet had even returned to the ground.

  Minx jumped back on the tips of her toes, the knotty wood of the club missing her nose by mere inches, only to find herself backing into the sword of a waiting Wuff who'd just emerged from his tent. She rolled aside, hunted now by the both of them—but something unexpected happened as she weighed her next move.

  The hunter, seemingly enraged beyond reason, continued his onslaught without a care for his foot solider. The Wuff was caught in the back of the head by the next swing of his club, and Minx watched in horror as the light went from the furry warrior's eyes in an instant. The lifeless swordsman toppled over, and the hunter promptly stepped over his body in pursuit of his quarry.

  Reinforcements arrived before he could take another swing, however.

  A great shadow descended over the two of them as Mau dove onto the hunter's back, claws and fangs bared. The Faelyr crashed into him with her full weight, staggering him. It was then that Minx first noticed it—the oval-shaped amulet dangling from his neck. The thing hung from a thin brown cord, and in the weak moonlight it seemed to possess a curious gleam.

  Is that the amulet? wondered Minx, gaining her feet. With Mau running interference, the Fae huntress found herself with an opportunity. Rushing forth, she made a grab for the piece of jewelry, wrapping her fist around it and snapping the thin cord with a forceful tug. The hunter, too distracted by the Faelyr's claws sinking into his back and shoulders, could not resist, and dropped his club. He focused on trying to throw Mau off of him, but the stubborn Faelyr stood fast, her teeth sinking into the back of his neck.

  “Minx!” shouted Kaleb from across the way. He pummeled an oncoming Krah, sending him tumbling back down the hill, and then ran to meet her. “Are you all right?”

  She tucked the amulet away, nodding. “Get us out of here, will you?”

  The hunter bucked like a bronco, finally knocking Mau to the ground. The crown of his head dripped with gore for the Faelyr's swipes, but he remained as rage-filled and assured in his movements as ever, and he raised the club with a mind toward attacking all three of them at once. He hadn't spoken a word since the start of the battle; rather, he seemed to have forgotten how to speak altogether, and only communicated now in the tongue of a beast. Growling, the hunter turned on his heels and focused on the incoming dragon shifter.

  And, for once, Kaleb wasn't quite fast enough.

  The club sailed through the air, connecting with the side of Kaleb's head while he sped to meet up with Minx. The blow had been more than a glancing one, severely injuring his ear and momentarily knocking him off balance. Kaleb gasped, eyes fluttering a moment and knees going weak. It was Minx who caught him and propped him up with her own strength.

  “Kaleb! Are you all right?” asked Minx, pulling him out of the hunter's reach while Mau engaged.

  It took h
im a moment to respond. Groaning, he placed a palm against his wounded head, then nodded unconvincingly. “Y-Yeah...” He winced, blinking hard to refocus his vision. “I'm... I'm all right. Come on. Let's... let's hurry.” Kaleb sucked in a deep breath and squared the hunter with a molten yellow gaze. “Mau, you too. Let's go.”

  The camp, already thrown into chaos for the ambush, erupted into shrieks of terror as Kaleb donned his dragon form. The ruby red titan appeared in the midst of the simple tents, his boulder-like tail crushing them—and their occupants—in a single great sweep. He extended his long neck, loosing a sky-rumbling roar, and spread his jet black wings. At hearing this roar and beholding the enormity of the creature before him, the hunter finally came to his senses. There could be no doubt that he was a skilled fighter, but he wasn't stupid or enraged enough to go one-on-one with a dragon of the Pyra clan. He lowered his club, taking several steps back, and appraised the fleeing trio with sheer hatred in his steely eyes.

  Minx and Mau climbed onto Kaleb's back and he quickly took to the skies with the forceful flapping of his wings. Catching a great breeze, the dragon sailed swiftly away from the hilltop camps and into the black night. From the very first, however, it was clear he was unwell. His flying was unsteady, his flapping sluggish.

  “Kaleb, are you all right?” asked Minx as they flew off.

  The dragon shifter, not wishing to appear weak, only grunted as they gained altitude.

  The blow he'd taken to the head had clearly been severe, and as they drifted along, Minx couldn't help but be concerned for him. They went several miles from the camp, Kaleb struggling all the while, only to make a sudden landing in a vast field where no evidence of Wuff occupation could be found. The dragon shifter seemed to lose control, free-falling a short distance before finally slowing his descent with a spasmodic motion of his wings. The touch-down was rough, and both Minx and Mau were nearly thrown to the ground when Kaleb landed messily.

  Kaleb shifted back into his human form and immediately began staggering, clutching at his head. He mumbled something unclear—probably trying to assuage Minx's worry—but couldn't get the words out.

  “Kaleb?” The Fae huntress approached him, placing a hand on his arm. “Sit down, relax. You don't seem well...” Appraising the wound on the side of his head, she found herself wincing on his behalf. His ear had been cut and his long hair was matted with semi-dried blood. The look in his eyes was unfocused, almost vacant.

  The dragon shifter dropped onto the ground with a moan. He stretched out in the grass, dreamy gaze surveying the dark skies. “Minx...” he mumbled.

  The Faelyr stood beside him, nudging his arm carefully with her snout. He was trying to play the tough guy, but I think he was seriously injured back there. Even Kaleb can't withstand a hit like that one.

  Minx combed the hair from Kaleb's face and attempted to gauge his reflexes. To her terror, he could barely keep his eyes open at all, and when the lids did part, his eyes were found to roll back in their sockets. His breathing was erratic and labored, and he was unable to answer simple questions. “OK, Kaleb... hang in there,” she said, taking his hand in hers. “Stay with me, all right? Listen to the sound of my voice.”

  We need to heal him, insisted Mau. He may have suffered a brain injury, getting hit like that. There isn't much time.

  Unable to rouse the dragon shifter, Minx found herself in agreement. Cradling his head in her trembling hands, Minx looked down at him and focused her energies. The coolness of the night made her shiver even as the Fae magic began to flow through her fingertips. “Stay with me, Kaleb,” she pleaded. She stared into his vacant eyes, sensing his jittery pulse through her fingers and attempting to stabilize it with her own energy.

  As the minutes passed, her own pulse settled down, seeming to lend Kaleb some of its oomph. Their hearts came to beat as one, and the warmth of her own body settled into his skin. When his breathing grew steadier and his weak groans petered out, Minx was possessed by an almost eerie calm.

  This feels right, she thought. She enjoyed being connected with him in this way. The joining of her energies with his made her feel closer to him than she'd ever been, and watching the changes in his expression as the damaged tissues were gradually repaired brought her great relief. She had used her healing magic many times over the years, and had always managed to keep a certain distance from her subjects. It was different with Kaleb, though. It felt more intimate somehow, more natural. She held his head in her hands lovingly, brushed the hair from his brow, and poured her energy into him.

  When his condition seemed stable, Minx pulled a handful of herbs from the small satchel on her belt. Working them between their fingers to release their oils, she pressed them gently against his wounds and used a small piece of cloth for a bandage. These particular herbs would prevent infection and further reduce the harmful inflammation often caused by such blunt force attacks.

  There was nothing in the area for them to gather; the nearest woods were quite far, and Minx suspected that remnants of the dark army were still on the prowl throughout the region. Kaleb had taken them a fair distance from the hunter's camp, but it was possible the wild savage would organize a raiding party to seek them out and exact his revenge. The three of them clustered together in the field, Mau providing the other two with some warmth, and sought much-needed rest.

  In the moonlight, Minx inspected the amulet she'd managed to snatch from the hunter. So, I guess this is the thing Alla was talking about. She rubbed it against her sleeve, shining it, and studied its backing. I don't know what it's made of, or what magical properties it might possess. It could also be a dud, I suppose...

  Mau looked at the thing sleepily. Perhaps Kaleb will be able to give us some insight into it when he comes to, she said after a yawn.

  This amulet was supposedly a magical object, a thing capable of controlling the various races. Alla had claimed to be under its sway, and it stood to reason that the Wuffs and Krah, too, were helpless against its influence. Minx put it away, her mind still harboring doubts. If this amulet is the cause of all of this—of Alla's service to the hunter and Torrent, then why didn't she come out and join us after I took it from the hunter? She realized that Alla hadn't been present during the recent battle at the camp. She'd remained out of sight, hidden in her tent. That wasn't the kind of behavior expected of a genuine ally. If this amulet was really the source of Alla's trouble, then why didn't she come with us? I control it now, so shouldn't she have to listen to me? I hope this thing isn't just a worthless bauble...

  Imprisonment, battle and a lengthy healing session had taken a great toll. Minx shoved aside all thoughts of the amulet, focusing only on Kaleb's wellbeing. Checking his pulse and testing his reflexes once again, she found him well on his way to recovery and was able to relax. She settled against the Faelyr contentedly and closed her eyes, fading into a light sleep.

  But this sleep was anything but peaceful.

  In the black void that lingered behind her eyes, she found a familiar presence waiting for her.

  The voice of Heilo Lake, drifting through her mind like a fog, assailed her at every moment. The light of the Lake will be snuffed out... You must defend it. You must return and set things right. If you fail... It will be the end of magic, and life, as you know it...

  Minx grappled against the call of the lake for hours, writhing in her sleep, till she finally awoke around sunrise. Plagued with guilt from her first moment of wakefulness, she sat upright and put her hair back in a tight braid. Mau and Kaleb were snoozing peacefully, oblivious to her concerns.

  She knew what was at stake, what she needed to do. It was imperative that she return to Pandling Grounds quickly, to drive off the invaders threatening its borders each and every day. This goal had never left the fore of her mind; in fact, it had only been a desire to fulfill that goal that had seen her leave Fae territory in the first place. Now, in the middle of nowhere with Kaleb and Mau, she lamented her lack of progress. For all her trouble, she'd only man
aged to take a mysterious amulet from the hunter—and she couldn't even be sure that it was the magical item that Alla had claimed. Upon setting out, she'd promised her father that she'd return with a force of dragons to help them defend the territory. That aid, of course, hadn't panned out...

  If she'd gained anything worthwhile in this most recent journey, it had been an insight into the enemy's true strength. The dark army hadn't given up after their recent routing—they'd only been emboldened. They'd been foolish to underestimate Torrent, and even as Minx rested the dark mage was doubtlessly marshaling his forces all across the region. Alla had said as much, alluding to a planned attack of Pandling Grounds by segments of the reunited army. We have to hurry back home, dragons or no dragons. The forces at Pandling Grounds can only take so much...

  Kaleb awoke, unable to keep the sun out of his eyes. Rolling over, he yawned. “Where am I...?” Then, reaching for the aching wound on his head, he laughed. “Oh, that's right.” Blinking at Minx, he grinned weakly. “I got clobbered pretty good, didn't I?”

  The Fae huntress shrugged. “He hit you pretty hard, yeah. Any harder and I would have had to go looking up and down the hillside for your brain, in fact.” She returned his smile. “You crash landed out here and I patched you up.”

  Rubbing at his temples, Kaleb sat upright. “It seems I owe you—again.”

  “Well, I'll be more than happy to cash in this favor,” replied the Fae huntress. “Alla told me that the Wuffs are planning another massive attack on Pandling Grounds. Her group was planning to meet up with another. Torrent, too, by the sounds of it.” She fixed him in a sorrowful gaze. “Kaleb, my people have been suffering like you wouldn't believe. The losses have been numerous and the territory's defenses are faltering. That's why I traveled all the way to the Talon Range. We need your people to help us. There's just no way around it.” She pulled out the amulet, tossing it over to him. “And then there's this. I nabbed it back at the camp. The hunter was wearing it around his neck, and according to Alla it has magical properties. She claims that it can be used to subdue and control the various races, but... it looks like a simple stone to me. What do you think?”