Five days had passed. Hoped the Adapts hadn't moved to the summer city yet.
933Please respect copyright.PENANABzXq8qMT4J
She started to scratch her back and stopped; the healing scab stung.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAI05QWeR3J4
Was it morning or evening? She took out a sun shard from her pouch, holding it in her palm. The shard turned an orange yellow. Morning. So many leagues left to travel. Why couldn't they have let her use a portal? She didn't care about authenticity, meh.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAR7GKuTz4UC
She stretched and stood, a glint behind a bush and the shaking of the leaves. Bushes don't glint. It moved again. She pushed down a shout.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAD7PFsWjHBS
Daggers in hand, she padded toward it. It's over there in the thorn bush.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAmYupLN2JG6
The something was tangled in the bush and thrashed about. With smooth red fur or skin? There was no head to be seen.
933Please respect copyright.PENANA8CYGOEbAAZ
She went over and poked it with a jiggling dagger handle.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAi1CUq0AJia
The creature straightened and became taller. An appendage ripped free of the bush. A hand. Huh?
933Please respect copyright.PENANAXLOVEtNE44
She leaned in closer, just a silly human with a cape pulled over his face.
933Please respect copyright.PENANA8zExONBt0K
Even more the fool was she, not him. Being scared of such a thing, shameful.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAPquENR0dUs
Her shoulders slumped. "Don't move."
933Please respect copyright.PENANA5W0zRQVrQl
Leaning over, she worked free the cape. It took a while to cut though the bush, and she tossed several sticks behind him.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAlhUaCnO0eK
"Wandering hero, you don't belong out here; go home." Did this guy listen to anyone?
933Please respect copyright.PENANAPFjRBCvXQ0
"I didn't mean to follow you."
933Please respect copyright.PENANAtIipITddaD
Parcival yanked a jerkin leg still stuck in the bush and toppled backwards on his butt hard. His eyes widened as he cocked his head like a lost puppy. Her long ears twitched. She repressed a smile, while holding out a hand.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAj7iVLTDslW
He grasped her hand and stood up, dusting off his jerkin and bottom.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAPWNUNljH57
She straightened, while glaring at him.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAfLIz6PDyYM
"Leave now." Her voice sounded far too cold, even to her. He'd be far safer away from me. Everyone would.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAbL81Ps44na
His face became drawn, and the smile vanished.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAsUDX6M7gp0
"My most humble of apology's."
933Please respect copyright.PENANAa4gfDMB3MW
Formality or sarcasm? "Well?" Was the man daft?
933Please respect copyright.PENANAUQqt2U6Eb7
Her stomach gurgled. Ticking her off when she was hungry and annoyed just ... pehh.
933Please respect copyright.PENANA9wBwcPHMPX
He held out his hands out and moved them as he talked.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAaNjLhrgomj
"This is the fastest way back home for me. I can't allow any women, even one, as..."
933Please respect copyright.PENANASoBQ2IiAGP
Parcival paused.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAwSuCPW0FNA
"Dangerous as you are, traveling on your own with The Corpus Outlaws reported in the area, isn't wise."
933Please respect copyright.PENANAx6tTVVLQ9D
She grinned when he referred to her as dangerous.
933Please respect copyright.PENANANd82plPhT3
"I've no trouble with bandits, but plenty with would be heroes. "I can take care of my self." Most of the time. It's just the blackest luck that the few males left are all children; so few had the powers.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAKy5JfNMWxN
She spun and went towards the clearing; she had spotted before resting. He walked along beside her. She speed up as did he.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAn7Tf6xpNo6
"I've about had it."
933Please respect copyright.PENANAYwhSnow48S
She put her hands near her hips and put on a serious face.
933Please respect copyright.PENANA5f95sRrUIu
He turned, and with slow, exaggerated moments reached out and held her shoulders.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAWHLTBnDRZU
"Stop. My oath of truth can't be broken. Olenus punishments are swift. Have pity on me. If you wish it, I'll leave when we reach a town, but not before."
933Please respect copyright.PENANAllgbhM1659
What was he trying to pull? She tugged on a ear-lobe. Still, the rumors of Paladins were generally good. She arched an eyebrow and gave her best steely glare.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAAKXY9U5D85
"I warn you; one betrayal and I will kill you." Have to let him come with; it wasn't smart to risk Olenus fury. For now, once back in a town, however ...
933Please respect copyright.PENANANt3tH9adbV
"Not everyone is out to get you."
933Please respect copyright.PENANAP2CtBzXAsB
Parcival stretched an arm towards the pathway.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAlv79ooKOtq
"Let's go." His features were smooth, and his eyes held no darkness.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAN71dYCqCSR
He walked up beside her again. After a while, she stopped peeking at him and relaxed a fraction. The forest floor and the trees slowly changed to dry dead grasses and leaves; they crumbled under foot.
933Please respect copyright.PENANA88vCxtkG8Q
The shadows and light cleared away to an open area littered with stumps. Off to the right, a large crumbling building, all but an arch doorway of stones left. Steam rose from inside the stone encircled ruins. Of what once was a carving of a great fish, all that was left was the tail fins.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAZvBfLuPDrM
Past that, where the head should have been, a jagged stump. It must have broken off and crumbled to dust long ago. An ancient spring bubbled. She went closer and bent down. One unbroken bench at the bottom; a carved metal rune sat caked with rust.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAZPUkZtIE0i
"Odd."
933Please respect copyright.PENANAKBBlqp0esd
She jumped a little as he was close beside her.
933Please respect copyright.PENANA8w1I6CAded
She straightened up and rubbed her neck. The scratch was tender, and her neck and shoulders were stabbed with a hot needle, then it went away as fast as it came. As that stopped, the vines on the back of her neck thrummed. In a haze, she leaned over it with her fingers dipped in the water.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAFfXSx9GOI2
The rune pulsed a purple light. Each pulse was like a shock that traveled up her arms. It didn't hurt, but her hands and feet became numb.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAAy859OXvaZ
"I'm stuck." She managed to muddle out.
933Please respect copyright.PENANADS176P7wnT
He came over and pulled on her arm and again. On the third try Parcival planted his feet on the rim of the bath and yanked on her. Pain flared though her arm.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAD7FEpyMtop
"You're pulling my shoulder out!"
933Please respect copyright.PENANA4ntftBQeHU
Sweat trickled down her spine and itched on the edges of the leather.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAJn0bXTaEUQ
The rune glowed again. Another shock this time, it hit straight on her chest. Her back arched, and she screamed. It stopped as quickly as it started. She clamped down and bit her tongue; a metallic taste of blood pooled in her mouth. She spat it out. This day sucked. Come on, think.
933Please respect copyright.PENANALXQTIxKawR
He came over to her right side and tried to pull her arm out.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAUvwkS82KkX
The ground rumbled, a hungry beast intent on swallowing them whole.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAentxr9vHnT
"Get out of here!"
933Please respect copyright.PENANACc11nkWAvU
The lines of energy thickened and wrapped around her arm, numbing it. Oh, gods. She pitched into the water, grabbing a stone from the bath.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAi62VseP4w6
"Forget I said that."
933Please respect copyright.PENANAGMQLMHwSIU
"I can't leave you to die; quit saying absurd things."
933Please respect copyright.PENANAIVygCa4ndf
He stumbled back as the ground shook again; water splashed out of the bath soaking them both. He sputtered and started kicking the stones.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAeccswjueE6
The ground split a foot in front of her. The crack zagged and ran into the tree line on the left. Water lapped over the edge of the bath, and the rune fell off the bench, sinking until it hit the bottom.
933Please respect copyright.PENANApg1A0IKxkd
"Iyeee! Kind gods, spare your wrath!"
933Please respect copyright.PENANAHoGovzS10q
He fell backwards as the earth pushed up then slanted.
933Please respect copyright.PENANA8rr8vPsZJa
"Are you bewitched?"
933Please respect copyright.PENANA2ukulCysxZ
A yanking of her arm from behind, along with several mild curses.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAkppbaeodvy
"My apologies."
933Please respect copyright.PENANA8nnRL5TZSf
From behind, he wrapped his arms around tugging hard, flattening her chest.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAOsaz8QVwtz
The ground cracked and split again. The arch doorway on the left a few feet away fell apart. This knocked into other parts of the ruins and fell into a gaping sinkhole. Light flashed from the bath. She turned her head and scrunched her eyes.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAnjxzr26eAm
A vast black sinkhole with the doorways stones sticking at all angles looked more like that of an almighty maw intent on swallowing her whole. Her heart slammed in her chest to the point that her body shook with it. Grab it, grab, it come on. The stone she reached for crumbled to dust in her hand.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAeb5XzcgEoH
Another quake reduced the last of the stones to broken fragments. Another tug from him with more force. The strain of it pained her shoulder and side.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAf3H8UuxrLM
"Stop, you'll break it."
933Please respect copyright.PENANAJofkrlqfeq
Parcival worked his way in front of her. His hands on the top of his head, gripping his hair. "What the hell am I to do?"
933Please respect copyright.PENANAWBJs1PiksO
Her stomach flip-flopped, and acid rose into her mouth. She swallowed it back down.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAtSAaklq337
"I don't care what you do, just do something," she yelled.
933Please respect copyright.PENANACrIXsIV4xn
The rumble of the falling earth increased and blotted out her voice.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAyds7r0zaJ1
Earth crumbled and fell away on all sides. The bath tilted and slid, stopping on a large root that stuck straight out.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAdeXTeNTEWW
She slipped closer to the edge. "Yaaa!" Clawing at the dirt did little.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAyhey0TfPoI
He leapt over onto the remaining stones, pulled out his sword, his hands wrapped tight around the handle. Jumping into bath, he rammed the sword into the water, piercing the rune. It shot out another bolt that spit and encased both of them. She ground her teeth and clamped her jaw from the fresh spike of pain.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAMsZYh0T168
Parcival strained against it and stabbed at the rune. There was no change. His brow sat deep, and his lips tightened.
Is this a sick joke? Tell me! She screamed this in her head.
I had no cause in this, child. I'm not to blame for every misfortune you go through. I do find this humorous you would let yourself become caught so easily. Unnamed chuckled.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAy3E2crhtFo
You will not confuse or trick me. You're a monster. I know you did this.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAplVLU96Ycc
Don't anger me, or this will become so much worse.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAiyoAcbSD5z
A rolling wave of heat roared up her back and boiled into her arms. Just as it started to intensify, it disappeared.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAfi5sIC3sJ4
I do you more good than, you know, but continue to anger me ... With that he became quiet.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAVmRNAhC5dl
Thoughts floated up and back down again as did warnings from her mother. There wasn't much time to dwell on this, as the ancient bath dragged her further towards the hole.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAy28uJcdzjy
Her hair fell over the sides of her face, and several of her bags unwound and spun into the depths. Laboring now, she fought to grab the edge of the bath with her left hand. Her arm quivered though still locked in place.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAGoXnxiGq2W
"We. Are. Going. To. Die! Do something!"
933Please respect copyright.PENANAvVFLOg4hm6
Parcival, with effort, turned his head. "If we make it out of this, you owe me an ale."
933Please respect copyright.PENANA5ED1bFDkl1
He leaned back and pulled on his sword. His muscles bulged, and his face turned red. Sweat streamed down the sides of his face and dripped off. He gulped in deep breaths.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAUMDBtMSK8P
"Now is not the time for jokes."
933Please respect copyright.PENANAUDNm5Xffei
Parcival straightened his shoulders and again fought with the sword.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAQMynw7r4r7
"Garwaaahhhh!"
933Please respect copyright.PENANAMFXj44vxkh
Water became like of glass. Fine cracks appeared across the surface and spread. Light streamed from the cracks, blinding. She tilted her head further away on her right side. Squinting now, she wasn't sure what was worse, the light from the pool or from her bag. Wait.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAXv7ZXcXrDP
She strained and flipped the flap. The pear inside was as bright as the light from the pool. After a while, she managed to pull it out.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAeRlxDD6Z72
Come on, stop being stupid. The merchant did say it wasn't for eating. On closer inspection. It had lines that separated the top and bottom half. A device of some kind. It fairly hummed with magics too.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAvRbGiVWrW5
Really, stop stalling and do it. She hefted it in her palm and tossed it into the pool.
933Please respect copyright.PENANABST2ripg1u
It drifted down in the water. Hope it does something. Exploding, however, wasn't on the scroll today.
933Please respect copyright.PENANANgDb3MYEtx
"How is that going to help?"
933Please respect copyright.PENANAKSTmHi7Js2
He leaned back. "Is it supposed to bubble?"
933Please respect copyright.PENANAl3tMQP8gqH
"I don't know."
933Please respect copyright.PENANAKTPeHZpQdC
"How can you not know? What if it explodes?"
933Please respect copyright.PENANAlfhZuvXWsm
Light streamed out from all sides. The bubbling water swelled and overflowed and steam cooked the back of her neck and ears. Hells dogs, it's hot.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAs4RaQ4cA46
"Try, again," she said. The words were like an embedded burr and hurt speaking them.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAax53Wp6ELt
The bath tilled further.
933Please respect copyright.PENANArb825OynWd
The pear spun about, and at the same time, split into shards of ice that now floated on the water.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAl42tkJE3sZ
He repeated the effort from before, this time lifting the weapon past his face. Water frothed about and shot upwards. He pulled back.
933Please respect copyright.PENANA8VAp0YH8po
"Now. Do it."
933Please respect copyright.PENANAuITJcgli15
Her arm was turning red and blistering. The lines of energy worked towards her shoulder and then around her torso, numbing it further. Her arm slackened, and she was pulled towards the water; it went over her wrist.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAEAR7CT78n1
Unable to brace her feet on the root, she dangled from the edge of the bath. Out of the water, one ice shard burst and dragged the water onto it. It turned to steam that froze and arched down to the ground.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAx6YO1F37AB
If I get out of this. I'm hunting down that merchant. That lying sack of scorpo-dung!
933Please respect copyright.PENANAxFvqbuz0p3
He slammed down again.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAkXm1XIq0sY
She closed her eyes and whispered a prayer.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAwggsOYVe6K
The bath rumbled, and most of the remaining stones fell into the sinkhole. Instead of falling, the stream of water carried her with it.
933Please respect copyright.PENANARsKLwER2CW
Parcival dropped the sword and dived at her. The expression stamped on his face as his mouth pulled back into a soundless yell drowned out by the caustic water.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAlZ8czrWySh
"I'm sorry," she mouthed.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAIy8IIrLCzP
An odd breaking and hissing above, looking down the water frozen and extending into a curve, Parcival dived at her and grabbed her wrist, and they collided onto the ice and were launched over the treetops.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAEeakaSDPx2
He landed on the edge of the sinkhole and dug his free hand into its edge. She grabbed the edge with her left, while he pulled them both up. He rolled on his back, gasping.
933Please respect copyright.PENANA6HvSOUDUuY
"See? You need me. Ha. High and mightily Elves." He shook his head.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAohRsEf1t5Z
"I've had a lovely time. Next time, can we book a getaway that doesn't involve death? He makes a terrible travel companion."
933Please respect copyright.PENANAQPtEt1bjbI
He stared at her then started to chuckle.
933Please respect copyright.PENANAYQEevaygfG
She laughed with him until her cheeks hurt. Sometimes, you just have to laugh or go mad.
####
Thank you for reading!
It'll be a while though. Please tap like on the chapters if you enjoyed it. I appreciate both positive comments along with negative; if worded politely.
ns13.59.84.174da2