Vorkest

“So Naja’s not sixteen?”

“No, on Cionis the days are twenty eight hours and our years are five hundred days. Naja’s closer to twenty six. How old are you Reid?" asked Bridana.

“I’m twenty three, but hey, don’t change the subject! Ya’ll are all a bunch of liars. Even that damn wolf! He told me I could ride a wolf, but now I’m in a carriage with you, and not riding a wolf, hmph,” pouted Reid, wearing a beautiful fall gown and boots provided by Bridana for the journey.

The ladies traveled in a large, gallot driven coach enroute to Vorkest, the Canid forest kingdom. Outside the carriage three, spear wielding, Canid escorts rode gallots while two ran beside in wolf form.

“That dress favors you more than it ever did me Captain Reid, and you fascinate me so. I see why Naja likes you!” cooed Bridana.

“Yeah? If you’re so concerned with Naja why’d you send her to the warlock?”

*Because if the Canids catch her they’ll kill her for what she did to their king!*

“Oh, you’re in my head...you’re sending, right?”

*Listen to me Captain, you’re alive because I told the Canids you can save their king with your alchemy. That’s why we travel to Vorkest now.*

“Oh, that's what you told them? Great, and since I’m not a doctor tell me what happens when I kill the geezer?”

*You won’t, I have faith in you!*

“Good for you, cause I don’t trust you, you double-crossing Aunty! ..oh I’m all flustered!” cried Reid, staring out the window at the beautiful countryside.

“Haha, not used to your feminine emotions yet?”

“What do you mean ‘yet’? I’m still a man in here you know!” she growled, shaking her fist in her lovely gown.

The carriage descended to the Vorkest forest land and Reid marveled at the Canid towns and homes. All beautiful wood and earth dwellings crafted with care from the surrounding land.

‘How eco-friendly, these people!’

Kerod the full wolf jumped on the carriage side and shifted to human form.

“Ladies, castle Kaer stands over the hill!” he growled in the carriage window.

“Thank you Kerod,” gushed Bridana.

“Aye, and you’re stunning in your dress Captain Reid,” huffed Kerod, winking at Reid before rejoining the escort pack.

“Oh~ thank you!” chirped Reid.

*Captain Reid, you do know why everyone speaks English?* asked Bridana.

“Uh...You know, I wanted to ask, but then I just went with it...man there’s so much weird shit goin on in this world,” muttered Reid, closing her eyes and shaking her head.

*Haha, you’re more easygoing than Naja claimed. It’s Elf magic, you only think you hear English, just as the others hear their language when you speak around us.*

“So that’s how Naja.. But wait, I wasn’t near an Elf when Kerod spoke to me in the street.”

*The effects can linger for an hour or so. But keep this in mind if we’re ever separated*

“Ok, good to know.”

The carriage climbed over the hill in view of the great earth and wooden castle Kaer. The streets crowded with onlookers as the guards and carriage rumbled to the gates.

“Are these folks our fans?” asked Reid, waving to the cheering people walking alongside the carriage.

*Yes, they heard you will awaken their beloved king with your earth magic!*

“They heard what now?”

The carriage entered the castle square and halted. Court maidens and valets entered to assist the travelers. Reid observed the Canids, a tall race with the shortest people five foot eight. All with fine, wolf like features. And both males and females were strikingly handsome.

“Lady Bridana, it’s been too long!” beamed a tall blonde woman in a white and earth toned gown.

“Orasha, a pleasure to see you as well,” replied Bridana, taking Orasha’s hand as she escorted her down, “Oh and this my travel partner, Captain Reid from earth.”

Orasha’s eyes blazed, “Oh~ You’re the dok-ter here to save our beloved king, please let me get your things!” she cooed and a valet team descended on Captain Reid to carry her one rucksack.

“Uhh, don’t go to any trouble on my account, I assure you I’m not worth it, heh heh!” chuckled the embarrassed Reid.

*Reid, as soon as we are in chambers, gather your medical kit, and have faith!*

“Yeah, easy for you to say~” said Reid smiling at the valets.

Escort

For an hour after arrival Reid rested and ate in her bed chamber. The food, a mix of root vegetables and elk meat spiced with local herbs.

“Yum, this grub’s great!” beamed Reid to the bed maid. Prior to this meal she’d only eaten the few army issued ‘Meals Ready to Eat (MRE)’ packs carried in her rucksack.

While eating, Reid praised her chamber  design and decor. Light colored sand wood in a minimal flat scheme, bed, couch and table.

“Cool, Scandinavian style, like Ikea in here, heh heh!” Reid said to the maid, who returned a puzzled expression.

“Brithrana ee? Eekia?” responded the maid.

“Eh? Oh right, my language spell’s wearing off, you don’t know what I’m saying.”

“Kwa?” asked the maid.

“Uh, don’t worry about it, you wouldn’t get the reference anyway!” chuckled Reid, escorting the maid out of the room.

As Reid stepped into the hallway Bridana arrived with Orasha, Kerod and the demanding guard who Reid flung a chair at in Rispar.  

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*Captain Reid, your medical kit, in particular your poison needle!* requested Bridana.

“My what?” Reid asked unsure.

“Ah, Captain Reid. We’re here to escort you to our King’s bed chamber, we understand you will undo the sleeping spell placed on him by that witch Naja!” said Orasha.

Reid stumbled back hearing the request, and who caused the problem.

“Naja put him to sleep hunh...wonderful….Well, it’d be rude if I said no, so uh..let’s go check your king!” Reid assured, not knowing what else to say.  

Stelio

Reid and her escorts, who grew more populous by the second, arrived in the king’s chamber.

“Whoa, talk about the master suite!” she said, admiring the large well lit room.

And there, on a bed in the full sun light lay the king. Reid moved closer to view him.

‘Whoa, you ain’t no geezer.’

The great king Stelio, a strapping twenty five year old with light brown hair and a handsome lined beard, lay dormant on the bed, his armor and sword nearby. Reid moved closer and lift the king’s palm and wrist.

‘Hmm, normal pulse and breathing...he’s in a coma...or asleep.”

*Reid, your poison needle, I know you have one, I saw it!*

“My poison needle?  Ooooooh!” Reid shouted, finally catching Bridana’s meaning.

“You mean Atropine! Right, I’m with you!” Reid reached for her medical kit needle and a hand sized tube filled with the chemical.

*Atropine: provided to all U.S. Army combat troops to fight nerve agent during chemical attacks. Soldiers self administer it through a needle. The drug fires the neurons and spikes the heart rate.

The Canids surrounded their king glaring at Captain Reid and her foreign chemistry.

“Captain, are you sure this won’t...make his situation worse?” asked a concerned Orasha.

“Orasha, if our king dies, the earth woman’s death will be public and slow!” vowed the guard who Reid flung a chair at.

“Patience, Tratan, have care for your king, and do not say his name and death in the same breath,” defended Bridana.

“You lie Elf, you all do!” huffed Tratan, glaring at Captain Reid, “And you’re all fools for trusting this sorceror!”

“Enough, Tratan!” shouted Kerod.

Tratan, outnumbered by those who wished Captain Reid well, backed out of the King’s chamber scowling at those who didn’t heed his warning.

“Earthwoman, I’ll see you again!”

“Why? So I can crack your skull with a chair again? Go fuck yourself bro!” Reid barked at Tratan.

Everyone gaped at Reid in disbelief at her unlady like outburst, and Kerod laughed.

“Haha, spoken like a true warrior! Let’s save your energy for my good king!” said Kerod gesturing at the dormant king Stelio on the bed.

“Right, here, let me say the magic words, ahem!” said Reid leaning over to Stelio’s face to whisper.

“Alright handsome, you got red blood and a heart, and they taught me this in ranger school, it’s called the ‘Pulp Fiction Shot’...so just pretend you’re Uma Thurman, and uh...don’t die, cool!”

Reid said no more and jammed a long atropine filled needled through the king’s chest plate and straight into his heart. The crowd gasped at the violent act, some grabbed at Reid, fearing she’d do more.

But the king trembled. His hands shook and he coughed on the bed.

“The king stirs!” cried Orasha.

King Stelio’s right hand shot up and ripped the needle from his chest, and with his eyes still closed, his great hand wrapped around Reid’s neck and choked her!”

“Hey, hey!” Reid gasped trying to undo the king’s death grip.

“My lord, wake up!” shouted Kerod.

The great king raised up coughing, still choking Reid. His eyes opened and he gasped sucking air as if drowning. He glanced at the faces around his bed in a dreamlike state, when.

“Buddy! ack ack quit chokin me ack!” grunted Reid.

The king faced Reid startled and released her, “Forgive me!” he cried.

Reid dropped to the floor, and Bridana and Orasha rushed to her aid.

*Excellent work Reid! I knew your alchemy would save him. I’d seen Dr. Gantz  cure this sleeping spell with the needle. But his supply depleted, until you arrived with a new tube in your medical pack.*

“Yeah, I kinda fig-”

“Earthwoman, you saved me from the dark and I thanked you with a hand at your throat! Most unforgivable!” growled the sad king Stelio.

“What? My good king, you flatter me, but I promise you, you owe me no debt,” Reid assured Stelio.

“No, you’ve returned me to my people’s service, I cannot thank you enough,” he kneeled and kissed Reid’s hand.

“Oh~” blushed Reid. ‘Oh wow, you are a gorgeous king..Hey! WTF am I thinking?’ she curtseyed in thanks.

“Good king Stelio, her name is Captain Reid, and she’s exhausted from healing you, I’ll see her back to her chambers!” said Bridana, pulling Reid toward the door.

The king locked eyes with Reid and gestured to stall them, but his cheerful people surrounded him with hugs and tears of love. The ladies fled the king’s chamber, with Reid’s eyes still locked on the king’s grey green eyes...

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