The long-ears and I quickly escaped the den of fiends. Whoever could stand helped carry those who couldn’t, whoever could fight carried weapons in case more fiends remained. In total there were twenty three survivors including the woman I carried.
The other survivors seemed suspicious of me at first, but as the group of them whispered and talked to one another their suspicion seemed to slowly transform into quiet awe. I couldn’t understand what they were saying, but the way they talked in hushed tones while pointing at me made at least the topic of their conversation obvious. I didn’t care or pay attention to them. I would have raced ahead of their group if not for being completely lost without a direction to go. So I followed them, their pace slower than I’d like but faster than I expected their wounded were capable.
A few of the more brave of the survivors tried to talk to me, only for me to speak back in my own language and them being repelled by the language barrier. That didn’t stop some of them from trying, but I eventually managed to tune out most of the conversations. I focused on my task of carrying and keeping my ward alive.
It was several hours of a slow jog across the woods before the woodland gave way to rolling fields. The fieldland and tall grass I remembered from the few weeks before were still just as wild and untamed as I left them. I had almost figured the entirety of the grassland hills would have burnt to ash after the intense fire within the village. It was almost comforting, I knew that if the worst came I could flee into the tall grass and hide from most pursers. If another band of fiends, monsters, or something like Nefelair appeared I doubt I would get lucky again in another fight.
Even while we ran further up the hills within the tall grass I was plotting escape routes. Yet my plans all hinged on my ward somehow not dying to the poison in her blood or being able to deliver her to her people’s camp safely. It seemed, however, that my worries would quickly change.
As we crossed a golden field, mounting a tall hill bare of grass, I saw what I had thought should’ve been a small campsite or village. Instead I was met with a stone-walled city with high towers and solid gates. A city that clearly resided at the base of the hills I once stood upon while investigating a burning campsite village. The nearby forest was cleared and managed into fields with crops and pens scattered throughout. The spot of the campsite was gone and replaced by an impressive keep, connected to the keep were tall stone walls; at least eight meters high and thick enough for two people to walk side by side at the top. “You all rebuilt fast.” I mumbled aloud, surprised and impressed by the sight. As I spoke my ward turned and mumbled in her pained sleep. A strong-looking long-ear came over to investigate, speaking nonsense once again while looking at and checking on the woman in my arms.
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The strong-looking warrior pointed down towards the nearest gate, talking in their confusing language. The intent was clear, I should go to the gate with my injured ward and go inside. I began racing down the hill, now with a target in sight I could ignore the group’s pace and rush off on my own. I heard the warrior calling out to me but without knowing what they were saying I didn’t bother to stop.
I crossed the distance at a remarkable speed. Even I thought my legs carried me with a swiftness I hadn’t had since my fight with Nefelair. Rubble, rock, ditch, or mud didn’t slow me as I bounded over the obstacles with ease. Yet as I ran with such haste I could almost feel my energy draining by the moment. Did I invoke some magic without intent? The sensation was strange, but not entirely repulsive. It had been since I drank the blood of my savior that I could feel and experience things other than impulse and rage. The feeling of… exhaustion? I was getting tired, I think, and it was a truly strange experience. Yet as I marveled at the new sensation the pain and uncomfort it produced grew more and more.
By the time I stopped in front of the nearest gate, I felt myself yearn for air but being incapable of breathing it in. I stood there, wobbling slightly, as my body craved something it could never have. So close to the gate, I could see figures atop it looking down at me and talking to each other. Suddenly the gate opened, two heavy wooden doors swinging inward. Only a single person, barely wearing padded leathers, came out hefting a spear aggressively. They pointed the spear at me as if I was a beast threatening them, I had wrongly assumed these people would accept me since I brought them back one of their own.
I understood when I wasn’t welcome, so I set my ward down to the ground gently. Making sure to not make sudden moves that might spook the nervous guard. As I let go of the woman she clasped my arm weakly, not even able to open her eyes. I removed her grip and stood up to leave. She was a bloody and incoherent mess, but I couldn’t do anything more for her. My magic didn’t whisper its foul solutions to me like it had before. I only hoped that doing this for her was enough to repay my debt, yet I felt sick remembering how easily I was overtaken by my baser impulses. It might’ve been for the better that I leave, with the smell of wounds and blood coming closer as the survivors rushed down the hill I could feel my hunger piquing once more, the dark poison in my savior’s blood had masked the other survivor’s scent.
The guard seemed perplexed, some of the survivors called out from behind me as they rushed forward. I didn’t want to take any chances, even if they are grateful now they were so easily distrusting that I knew they would never accept me if my new cloak’s magic failed or was exposed. As the guard began to approach, still cautiously holding their spear, I broke out into a run.
As fast as I could, not looking back, simply hoping my job here was done. I fled to the trees and into the forest. Perhaps I could find some solitude and peace under the thick canopy amongst nature. My time with these people was at an end, but I almost felt sad knowing I would soon be alone once again.