Ayuen
Granstead, Enitul
[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/926707024362885130/1045841100604186624/Ayuen-WayX.png]
Ayuen art by Ina Koffen, @Ina_Koffen on Twitter
It all happened so fast. Adrenaline was rushing through Ayuen’s veins, time dilating as her survival instinct took over.
Rove broke the silence with a shout, roaring at the beast as he jumped out of his hiding spot. Trïeste’s cloth ball sailed over his shoulder, aimed right at the Lararhn’s face.
She was just able to avert her eyes as the flashbang erupted, bathing the whole area in a sea of blinding luminescence.
The beast’s howl shifted into an angered roar, the sound of splintering wood crashing through the alleyway. Still looking away, she could hear Rove's boots stomping towards the beast. The electricity. He had to be warned.
“ROVE! Don’t hit its mane!” She shouted as the light dissipated.
Rove was already slashing at the huge beast, having crept forward when the beast was blinded.
Her warning had come slightly too late. Although the Herhor tried to redirect his attack, his blade still struck the creature’s neck. Barely coming into contact with its mane, electricity zapped along the blade for a short moment. A crackling of blue energy jumped from the manes to the blade, Rove seizing up for a short moment. There wasn’t enough energy to deal permanent damage, but it was enough to make his muscle freeze.
The Herhor now frozen and unable to strike, the beast shook its head with a growl, opening its eyes. Its slitted pupils narrowed as it focussed in on Rove. Blood-red rage suddenly welled up from within Ayuen. With a warcry, she lifted her weapon, her wings spread out in a challenging display. Pulling the trigger, she fired straight at the beast’s muzzle. It wasn’t a clear shot, but the animal’s head was thrown to the side, only for a throwing dagger from Sneak to embed itself in its chest. It wasn’t fatal, but it was enough of a distraction to give Rove enough time to recover.
“Bloody hell, RUN!” He shouted, slashing at the beast's eyes and throat. His blade was a flurry of silvery steel, deflecting most of the beast's claws and fangs. The Herhor rained slashed upon his opponent’s tough hide, taking up the Lararhn’s attention. Every time the beast tried to look to somebody else than Rove, the warrior made sure to recapture its attention.
“I’ll be right behind you!”
He dodged out of the way of a savage swipe, the animal’s claws raking across the wall and leaving deep grooves in the masonry. Sparks crackled in its maw, snapping inches away from her lover’s face as he barely managed to dodge.
Behind her, Trïeste and Sneak retreated, running towards another alleyway and disappearing out of sight. Another throwing dagger came whirring out of the gloom before they disappeared, but the Lararhn nimbly dodged it, growling threateningly and launching another flurry of claw swipes at the swordsman. She could hear the ripping of leather as one hit true, Rove grunting as the man stood his ground against the threat in front of him.
----------------------------------------
There was no way she was going to leave him here. But she didn’t want to be a burden. As Rove started to skilfully weave past the beast attacks, Ayuen’s wings flared, flapping once to send her into the vast sky above.
Shooting above the buildings, the poet looked around for a vantage point. There had to be a good spot here to-...
That familiar tensing sound of a bowstring alarmed her just in time to dodge. An arrow missed her wings by a finger’s breadth, the projectile follow by two others. Another arrow and a bullet. The arrow missed, but the bullet grazed her left wing, sending a jolt of pain through her body.
This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.
She had to get down. She wouldn’t have the benefit of surprise to dodge the next volley. Forced to descend rapidly, she sped down into another alleyway. The last thing she saw was Rove blocking and returning blows with the creature, reaching into his pocket as he backed away towards a smaller passage.
----------------------------------------
But she had no time to think as the ground approached at a breakneck pace. Tucking in her wings, Ayuen raised her arms to protect her body and face as she hit the ground. Grunting, she rolled with her momentum, coming to a quick stop. Scrambling up, she was glad to note she only had some scrapes and bruises. Nothing too serious. The Lararhn’s furious roar boomed through the village again, the beast sounding like it was on the move.
There was no time to lose. She had to trust that Rove had been able to throw it off.
Breaking into a sprint, she gritted her teeth, weaving through cluttered gloomy alleyways in the direction she thought to be east. Not only was there an apex predator on the loose, there were people here that had joined the hunt. People capable enough to lure their beast right to their location.
Panting harshly, she had her ears work overtime, turning and twisting to catch any minute hint that somebody was about to shoot at her. Sweat started pouring down the sides of her face, her hair fluttering behind her like a mane of fire. For a moment, she thought she lost her attackers. But it wasn’t over just yet.
To her terror, she could hear a whistle above her, the thundering run of the Lararh changing direction towards her. Rounding a corner, she heard an arrow clatter against the dark brick wall, hitting where her head had just been a second ago.
“Shit shit shit...” She mumbled, panic starting to cloud her judgement. She approached an intersection, several houses lining the passage she was currently rushing through. One of the doors suddenly opened as she ran past, two arms seizing her and pulling her into a dark room before she could react. The door closed, and Ayuen inhaled to scream death and murder. A hand covered her mouth, and an urgent ‘Sshh!’ hissed in her ears. Holding her breath, she heard something big rush past the door, followed by several pair of boots a short minute later.
----------------------------------------
Slowly, the hands seemed to let her go, Ayuen letting her breath go in a deep sigh. Her eyes had acclimated quickly, and the woman turned around to look at her saviour. It was a smaller figure, feminine in stature and clad in a dark cloak. A hood obscured her features, the fabric rippling as the strange woman took a step back.
“Thank you,” Ayuen said in a whisper, glancing at the door. “That was kind of you.”
The figure chuckled softly, a slender hand rising from underneath the cloak to wave away her gratitude.
“Don’t mention it. Just know that you guys are not alone.”
Ayuen tilted her head. ‘Not alone’?
“Who are you, if you don’t mind me asking.”
“Nobody important. And besides, even if I told you, we would have time for all the questions you’d ask me.”
The figure walked towards a door, tapping it silently.
“Now, follow me. The rest of your friends should be safe. We’ll have to be quick. Otherwise they’ll catch on. A wolf can only hide amongst sheep for so long, after all.”
“What? That doesn’t even make sense.” Ayuen said, stepping forward to follow her. The cloaked woman led her through several rooms and corridors, some dark but some lit with candles. She could see people sitting in corners, whispering in hushed voices as they quickly strode past.
“Tough luck. Maybe I’ll tell you later. When we have time.” Another chuckle. “Can’t say when we will have time, but still.”
----------------------------------------
A couple of minutes later, the last door opened into sunlight. Ayuen’s questions hadn’t led to much clarity, the woman either deflecting her attempts or merely chuckling. It wasn’t all fruitless though. According to her guide, all three of her companions had managed to flee successfully, although Rove had taken quite the battering. She would be led outside of the village, where she would have to join up with the rest on her own. The people she’d seen were the villagers of Granstead, who they had been able to warn ahead of time. Otherwise, the Lararhn would’ve had more prey than just her or Rove.
Ayuen blinked, seeing the Granresak River flow nearby, its water flowing calmly as if there was nothing wrong. They were at the edge of town, as promised. Up ahead were hills and patches of woodland, able to hide her from view. Before running, the poet glanced at the cloaked woman in the hopes to catch a better look. In the sun’s rays, she could see the cloak was a dull grey hue. The woman’s face was only visible from the lips down, Ayuen spotting a mole on her chin. The chain of a pendant was visible, the item itself tucked away out of sight.
“Here we are. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of the Lararhn. No villagers will get hurt. Promise.”
“Right,” Ayuen spoke hesitantly, looking around her before stepping out. “Thank you again. For saving my hide.”
“Oh, I’m sure you would’ve been fine. See this as more an assurance that my brother’s girlfriend isn’t hurt too much.”
Ayuen chuckled. “Well, it’s still kind of you. I do appr-...” Only then did the woman’s words sink in. She could see her lips form into a grin as she started to close the door.
“Later, Ayuen. Take good care of him.” A finger was raised to the woman’s grinning mouth.
“And hush... Don’t tell Brother Dear just yet.”
Stunned, the door was closed with a soft thud, leaving Ayuen alone once again.
[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/876104022833127448/1130275226668761098/cloak-gf3f45c89e_640.jpg]
By LEONSTORETR, Pixabay Licence