“Fuck them up, wolf lady!” Kaara yelled at the top of her lungs as she was carried away. Kaara felt like she was on the back of a Wulviir again. For such an old xio, he was fast.

Before she knew it, they were in a place of marble, stone, and violet flowers.

“This should be far enough. What’s your name, girl?”

“I’m Kaara, what’s yours?”

“Oikevas. I heard that you can heal, will you be able to tend to the boy while I find something for this one?” He gestured to the blonde haired xia, “Her burns are magical. Likely something beyond your capacity to fix at the moment, so I’m going to be getting her help elsewhere.”

Kaara would have disagreed, but she could feel how fragile her soul was at the moment, so she didn’t protest. She’d have a hard enough time healing herself and The Noxa right now.

“Okay mister Oikevas! I’ll be here.”

Something jumped from the bushes, bounding over to The Noxa. Before Kaara could raise a defense, Oikevas stopped her, “You needn’t worry about him.”

The bat drake whimpered, poking The Noxa with its nose and licking at the wounds which still hadn’t closed. It began to pace.

Oikevas whistled, calling the drake’s attention, “Let the girl help him Ezo, I need you to do something for me in the meantime. Follow me.”

The bat drake barked, taking one more look at The Noxa before following.

“You should be safe here. No one’s stupid enough to start a fight near this mountain,” Oikevas said.

Kaara nodded, and with that Oikevas made his exit. She took a deep breath, looking over The Noxa. “Alright buddy, we’re gonna have to share cuz I can’t cast it twice right now.”

She hugged his limp body to her chest. He was smaller than her. Water spawned around and wrapped them in a dome just barely big enough to hold them.

She filled her lungs and exhaled. Her gut sealed. She couldn’t heal very fast at the moment. She’d pushed herself even harder than when she’d summoned the geysers, and her soul had already been injured from that experience.

She sat there for an hour or two. She leaned her head into his back. The warm water made her want to sleep. She could hear his heart thumping along.

He’d lost a lot of blood. His heart was beating so fast. At least he was alive. That was good.

“There you are! Kaara!”

Kaara opened her eyes, seeing the distorted figure of Tiksu.

“You’re in so much trouble when we get home, Kaara.”

She put her hand up to her ear.

“Don’t act like you can’t hear me! Who is that?”

Kaara mouthed the words and mimed out a story.

Tiksu sighed, “Well at least you’re in good spirits. What happened? And for crying out loud, pull the water away before I do it myself!”

Kaara let the water drain, keeping some of it on The Noxa. Arik and Rorik caught up on the back of their Wulviir.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“You wouldn’t believe what happened! There was this wolf lady, but before that there were bad guys and this guy was fighting. Oh! And before that-”

Tiksu held his hand up, “Start from the beginning. What happened?”

Kaara told Tiksu her adventure from how she’d gotten lost all the way up to where she was now.

She tried her best to sound happy and excited so Tiksu wouldn’t worry, but she was exhausted and Tiksu could see that.

By the end of it, Tiksu embraced her with a hug, followed by Arik and Rorik.

“You did the right thing, but Ignon take me if that wasn’t stupid of you.”

Kaara held back tears, “I know, I’m sorry.”

“What direction did you say the Venator Knight was in? If she’s still fighting-”

“Not necessary,” The wolf lady said from the top of an Ingen tree nearby.

She dropped down, her helmet melting away, “I was keeping an eye on them while she healed my son. I presume you’re her guardian?”

Kaara hadn’t felt her presence this entire time, and neither had Tiksu judging by the look on his face.

Tiksu nodded, “And you’re the aforementioned Venator Knight?”

“Aye. I appreciate your willingness to help just the same.” She turned her attention to Kaara, “How is he?”

Kaara looked over to The Noxa, “I think he’s fine. He’ll probably be a little sore though!”

The wolf lady had the warmest smile Kaara had ever seen, “Thank you.” she said.

“Well isn’t this a sight?” A new voice called out.

It was a xio draped in a fine purple silk toga followed by a family of his noble children. He had blonde hair cut short at the sides and shaved in the pattern of a tiger’s stripes.

Kaara had almost mistaken his tail for jewelry. It glinted with platinum scales and violet stripes. He radiated so much power and prestige Kaara felt she could smell it on him. She had never seen anyone with purple eyes before, and the children who followed him all shared that trait with him.

He sneered, seeing The Noxa on Kaara’s lap, “I hardly thought I’d ever see the infamous Wulkuniira and her only child.” He said in a venomously sweet tone, “At the base of my mountain no less! And is that Tukso I see?”

Kaara didn’t like him.

“I beg your pardon, Grand Duke, but my name is Tiksu.” Tiksu corrected, bowing his head.

“Ah yes, that’s right. I was expecting you. Are those three yours as well?”

“Not my own, but promising future hunters nonetheless, milord.”

He locked eyes with Kaara, “It doesn’t seem like my city has treated you well. But you make street rats look good, my dear.”

Rorik had to stop Arik from cussing him out.

“Thanks!” Kaara said in a cheerily ignorant tone despite knowing he was trying to insult her.

He smiled, seeming to write her off as someone of low intelligence, “She's got some wounds on her, what’s happened? Surely you’ve not had to discipline her too harshly Tikso”

“Tiksu, milord.” Kaara saw Tiksu’s jaw flex, “There was an altercation in the slums, Grand Duke. You needn’t concern yourself with it,” he said.

The air grew dangerous, “Oh? What goes on in my city is my business.”

The Wolf stepped forward, “You are mistaken milord, what went on in the slums was my business. We will not bore you with the details.”

The Grand Duke stood in opposition to the Venator Knight, sizing her up. She did not back down, and that made a devilish smile curl on his lips, “I will respect the opinion of the strong. If you say it is not my business then I will not pry any further. Have you enjoyed the day’s events?”

The Wolf shook her head, “I’ve not had the time, but I will when my son awakes.”

“When he wakes, be on your way. Will you be attending the tournament tomorrow? I’d love to speak with you in private about your campaigns. The legend of Wulkuniira stretches far and wide.”

She kept her head bowed. Kaara could tell she didn’t want him to see her rolling her eyes, “I would prefer to watch the fights with my son, so I will have to graciously decline, your Grace.”

“Oh but I insist. The boy’s father can look after him, can he not?”

“He has a guardian, yes.”

He cupped her chin, and had her look him in the eyes,“Then I’d need only a moment of your time-”

Kaara saw The Wolf’s grip tighten on her weapon.