----------------------------------------

A few days later they left for the mountains. Before heading out, Han made an impromptu sling.

Most of the morning, she stumbled, rubbing it she watched the ledges for any lose rocks or snow, mindful of her arm.

Even after Han healed the poison's damage it didn't do much for the overall weakness. Her mind became foggy. Everyone ahead distorted and blurry. She rubbed her eyes. It couldn't be helped—have to keep moving, I'm lucky it isn't the paralyzing kind. Some uncertainty crept in about whether or not the actual execution would cause more harm than good. Each step a half gasp of near slips and rebalances as the path continued to narrow. The betraying pebbles bounced under her feet dislodged off the rightward ledge. With the cliff breaking she clinged at a snow crusted root in the cliff side.

She stopped. Stretching and grappling as it went, each joint a grotesque mass of cracks and pops, the shadowy body broke away from under an overhanging ledge, before disappearing into the depths. Shadows shouldn't move.

Momentarily, It vanished. Swirling contemptful flakes bellowed past. The others failed to notice it, I'll tell them later, when there's a calmer moment.

Through the flurries—Parcival's striking dark-blue cloak rippled and snapped.

A stony gust blustered her hindwards she wobbled unable to catch anything. Soft flakes fell like possessed imps tossing bags of down, reducing viability to a portals range. So much for Elaema's blessing. She cracked a wry smile.

He turned came over, took hold of her hand covering it, then turned to continue to plow ahead towing her. He's pretty gallant compared to others I've met.

"You can let go now I'm fine."

The forceful gale plucked the words away. Even a vigorous attempt to shake his hand proved futile. The pendent-translation fizzled mixing his language with hers.

Pivoting midway on the path, he frowned, releasing his hold.

I hope it didn't say anything insulting! Have to ask him later.

A scraping, and some truly fiery swearing from behind. Oh!

Twisted gusts howled charging between the crannies they pushed her into Han, he slid sideways, dropping to his knees. "Get down!"

Parcival barreled into a running slide with his arm extended, catching her by the waist and bumping her onto Han.

"Huddle, quickly now!" I've read the winds have—"

That intense wind blared as it twisted and tossed sharp snow off the path into her face. If I had my wish all of us would be warm under a quilt in a cozy inn. But, it's best not to waste the limited number of prayers lest I need them.

And the wind died down again revealing the path covered with a drift.

"Urrg." Han bowed his head and persevered through it even though it went to his midriff.

She let him pass and followed behind. Besides, it's easier this way everything still felt numb and fat. Han's fur weighed down with snow dragged him into a partial crouch. Awkwardly, with her good hand she reached over, and brushed it off; the awakening sting from the powdery snow welcome.

The hastening blizzard acted more like a random punishment then a hidden boon, it seemed to confirm it as punitive; directly the visibility shrunk to a few feet.

Testing steps became the norm right after the daunting path inclined; the unlikely duo fared the same, she imitated Parcival. Wonderful, the constant half tilts didn't happen as often. The spate of nausea faded as they crested the path, still accompanied by an slow draining sensation at her center. This isn't just from the poisoning, it's far more. How to find help for a mysterious illnesses?

Gripping Han's shoulder she pointed to the left at a large fissure on the mountainside.

Han tugged on Parcival's jerkin. Han avoided the jutting edges and squeezed in a corner. He cleaned the frost from his glasses, eyeing her.

"Well? Get in."

She rubbed both hands then sat on them. Wretched cold!

Parcival settled in. "I want to ask you something."

"What is it?" She gingerly wedged in between them before leaning back on the stone. I'm just glad we didn't freeze.

He faced to the side quiet for a moment.

"You died. I saw it, your aura extinguished when you were in the container." His voice peaked on the last word.

Does he know? She tucked this new information away, humans can detect auras; or maybe just him. He also might not have an agenda and simply be kind. It's hard to tell anymore, can I? Ten feel like one racing though a greased pipe stuck in infinite loop. Did I?

"You needn't worry usually we'll revive if the damage isn't too severe. Comparatively. We're changing the subject." She clenched her jaw. Maxwell, it's best not to think about him. "Elaema, kind mother forgive me and make me strong," she whispered. A comforting sensation came and went.

She fiddled with a loose threadbare tie on her boot. I'm talking too much, I shouldn't give away so much.

"Compared to what?" He blurted out.

"All other humanoids; at least on this planet." His brows deepened giving an air of seriousness to him. "I want you to come with me. This infection is causing something, it's damaging more than just your body."

Infection? You could be called that.

He will die first. Unnamed thought.

Is the truth too bitter?

Things will be bitter alright. Take better care little one, a few more weeks left. The Calcines follow us close.

Quit calling me 'little one', it's pejorative and I won't have it!

Complete silence for a handful of minutes.

I may take such rudeness and separate it from your hide later.

Calcines?

They close in, hard to sense. My sight is still weak. On to more important matters. How sad a state I'm at, that my followers would reject a term of endearment!

You have no followers! A chuckle wanted to escape, she almost jammed a fist in her mouth, before discreetly slipping it under a hip. Nobody noticed so there's that at least.

You are wrong young one, they are a few left, they all pray daily in wait.

Did they know you were trapped in that runed book?

That's of no importance to them or you.

Of course it is! Don't you care about anyone?

The same could be said for you.

You're avoiding the question, what would happen if I refuse?

Then Parcival will make a fine stout vessel for as long as his body stays intact, I don't need the pendent...

I won't allow it!

Follow my will. The foolish elders will get what they deserve. Forget about the mission.

I'll be free of you soon!

The god laughed, and broke the mental connection sliding to back of her mind.

Even if they may think I'm disabled mentally, I need to let them know, just not yet maybe trust will grow later. I so dearly miss my friends. Would they listen and trust even with this? Would anyone? An infection? If only! A city full of humans... I'm to trust them?

"I doubt they will treat me with the same kindness as you have."

"It'll be alright, you'll see."

Han must have been trying not to bump against her all this time, he relaxed his arm on top of hers. "I tried, but became exhausted." His voice a sleepy mumble. He seems so sincere and less guarded out here, or maybe it's just that we might perish at any time.

"It's alright." Besides, he's warm!

He wiggled a little and freed his tail that had been trapped behind him and the wall, he draped it over his shoulder. "I've been thinking... do you have a problem with me?"

She startled. That's a strange thing to ask someone you've just met. He might be worrying too much what others think. Carefully now. "No, why'd you ask?"

He chewed on his lip. "Humm, I'm not very good with reading people at times, sometimes I need to ask." His eyes shifted away. "Thanks." He rolled up into a ball and fell asleep.

Just what was that about? Maybe I don't talk to him enough, maybe he's shy. I'll try more tomorrow.

Maybe tomorrow will be better. A priest might to help, or even better a blessed healer like Han but for spirit energy. She played with her boot ties. After a while leaned back, dozing into a dreamers respite, the cold unable to follow.

----------------------------------------

They exited the crack during the night. Following the ascending path it widened to a slight dip, opening into a hidden cavern. Many joys here's another cave. She glared at it.

"This won't take long it's more of a tunnel." Han pointed to a diminished light a hundred feet away.

The storm moaned one last time as if in lament to its end. Once again outside, she smacked off the thick snow shaking it off her sopping wet hair.

"Wow, look at the size of this place." Parcival bent forward and whistled. "Extensive too, I'm not terribly enthusiastic about diving into it."

An old simple girder bridge creaked, it's four large mostly split wooden pegs, tilted on the edge where the path ended, and a rope ladder hung off the ends of them down into the lightless depths. I think I'd preferably fall then cross this! It was free from ice and snow. A charmed bridge?

"If we go this path we should be out of these caves by nightfall," Parcival said.

Hmm, am going to need a bright one, that's for sure. Digging around in a pouch she took out a bit of charcoal then traced a sacred rune of her grace most high on a palm. Tribute or offerings are even better for this, but this will do. She joined both palms together. Think of the light globe, her love flows freely, unconditionally, make it take form.

"Light!" The runes warmed on her palms before fading away, spent.

The ball of light appeared and bobbed by her side, larger then before and warmer. The more this is cast the stronger it'll become, and eventually transform, I hope it does soon.

"Sooner if we hasten." The ropes are frizzy, and there isn't even any planks! This doesn't unsettle them? She squirmed, wiping her hands on her soft leggings. Parcival went first, she followed. His warm hand slipped into hers. A prickling-heat spread over her cheeks. He's far too distracting, a good kind of distracting. She squeaked out a thanks. I don't need another relationship though, things become sour fast enough, a heart easily broken.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

Han placed a paw-hand on her back. "Any other bridge type would have worked better. I'm unsure why they opted for rope, but it has signs of having a week charm on it." Only a few paces away, Han stood, hand outreached toward a hidden spell stone beneath the ropes wrapped on the pegs, they were carved in an unknown pattern.

Parcival rested his chin on a hand. "Could be, use caution anyway."

They made their way through a passageway on the right that winded down further.

Ahead, a spine-melting deep growling, at mid-bridge.

Her ears stood straight up, past Parcival at the end it sprawled on a large natural columns adjacent to a supporting bridge behind it. All below it most likely a blind ruination, we could fall forever—stop that, pay attention!

She froze, Han collided with her back.

"Watch it—" He peaked around her middle, his eyes widened far enough that the brows didn't cover them. And, his ears practically slapped the back of his head.

The beast smiled, driblets of saliva dripped between its canines.

Thank you goddess for all your kindness. Except for right now. Scratch that, we're getting out of here! It has really sharp fangs. Mouth dry, she rolled her tongue around.

It took up most of the cavern, its tail curled tight next to its paws. Just our luck, it must have been sleeping. She bit the inside of her cheek. Stop it. Stop it now. That spirit is long gone and it'll never get out of the statue.

"Backup. Back up now. No! Don't freeze up, Han move!" Parcival began to work backwards one eye on the beast. "Slowly now."

The beast sighed. It stretched its long limb in an instant, nothing but a blur ignoring Parcival choosing Han. it hooked its claw under his belt dangling him over the bridge, like a sack of fresh caught fish.

"I wonder what you taste like. Sweet or salty?" It paused to lick the drool that dripped off its lip before sniffing Han.

He kicked at its nose, missed, and spun around, his shirt twisted.

"I taste noxious to the core. Like Jupern Berries. It's from our diet after all. "

"Merry, why don't you do that running spell of yours?" He tried to edge closer but the beast flicked its tail at his face. He jerked back quickly.

"I can't my energy is almost depleted, doing so now would cause injury or worse." Ah! Maybe if—Think. A gentle trickle of water bellow, along with occasional splashing of, fish perhaps?

The beast flicked it's tongue on Han's side taking its time.

"You don't taste like them." Tilting its head and opening its jaws wide, it dangled Han over its gaping maw.

Han gawped at the beast, rapidly circled his arms while simultaneously leaning away. "I really would upset your stomach! If just a grandiose creature such as yourself were make ill by my hand I'd be truly grief-stricken! I ate some bad meat the other day..." he leaned over as if to spew, while moaning most piteously.

Not bad. She gripped the bridge's sides and went closer. Bubbles of laughter boiled over, she bent over and coughed, hard. Han the grandstander...

"Surely, you don't want such a puny, hairy, man-thing as that in your mouth, do you?" Standing tall she struck a flippant pose.

"Don't eat me!" Han said. He shook violently, crocodile tears in his eyes. "I don't get paid enough for this!"

The beast cloaked its eyes. "You are in no position to decide, snippet!"

"A suggestion, nothing more." She shrugged. Masking the pain from her face as her body complained. Am less numb than yesterday, I should be able to do it. Relax, be calm. No time to mull over this.

"By no means, would I dare to tell one as great as you what to do with a meal. It's just that—oh, never mind."

It brought Hans's feet inside his mouth. Han covered his eyes and shuddered, his tail proofed out, quivering, he meowed in squeaks. Water dripped from the ceiling behind him, each drop fell in sync with his cries.

Her fingers icy cold she forced them to unfurl before turning aside. Hope its curiosity is as great as its pride.

Parcival's eyebrows raised high, then he nodded at the beast. "I've heard his kind gives such terrible heartburn, not that you'd have to worry about that."

Now that I can think about it—without my head screaming to run—the animal it's a Behemoth? I've only seen pictures of them in our Zoology books. They made it clear about three hundred years ago they're not just beasts. Hope the information is still valid.

The Behemoth drew his mouth closed, relaxed on a side, his glare hard as bronze.

"You remind me of another annoying forest elfin. In fact, you look exactly like her." He swished his tail.

She shrugged. "A meal will help, I never think well on an empty stomach."

His broad tail wound over Han's legs hauling him over. Claws scraped across the stone without purchase.

She started and stopped with a jerk. No, not yet.

He hauled Han nearer to his face, then bounced him on a talon. "Heartburn doesn't bother me."

"You are mistaken, oh great one. For this is our first meeting." She shrugged. "You warrant a far more indulgent meal than a stringy cat-man." Her shaking hand she rested on a thy—slowly now. You overgrown scorpo-rat—I shouldn't become cocky.

His eyes drawn to razor slits. "My hunger dulls my mind, unlike your flattery. You sound and act much like her. Do not insult my intelligence."

Think, hurry up. She held her hands out, palms facing him. She smiled and tried to mentally relax. I don't lie; he's trying to mess with my head. Do I know him? How could I? I've only ever left twice with Maxwell to other continents.

"It is no flattery! You are truly grand, I've never seen the like. Now you insult mine honor."

The cavern filled with deep guttering rumbles of its laughter. The creature grinned, showing its umpteen double rows of pointed teeth. "You know, he does look as if he'd be stringy."

She tilted forward while forcing her body to draw in slow breaths, while smiling sweetly at it. What's his ploy? "Well, if you'd like I could find you something more appetizing."

Sweat trickled down the back of her neck, and worked its way down behind her shoulder blades, the warm blood pooled between them.

Its eyes gleamed. Without a word, it placed Han down on the ledge. In an instant, it hooked her under the band of her leather pauldrons dangling her over the bridge.

Merryn’s mouth dropped open, a strangled squeak escaped. "You're so very right. Why eat that, when another that's so plump and meaty is so close?" It poked a claw at her breast and her legs. The stench of its breath! She fell into a coughing fit. The fumes!

His eyes thinned to bright slits, as the good humor from before left leaving but an empty chill.

She tried to slow her breath. "Y-o-ou misunderstood me. What of the fleshy Graluv's that graze outside, in the valley below?"

It huffed, wetting her cheeks with sticky snot. "Hoo-Hoo! What? And let three easy meals go?" She shuttered. Bad, bad, bad. How about? No. No. God's.

It poked at the wall next to it with a claw easily. It swung her over to the hole, and with its other paw jammed the tip of the pauldrons into the hole, locking her in place. The creature reached for him and turned its head.

She twisted, kicked, and pushed on the slippery stone. Arrg!

Han stood up, his knees together. He pulled out his saber from his belt loop streaked over to the beast, jumped, and slashed out with his saber. A direct hit cut its nose wide open. Blood squirted out in a spray. The blow was not powerful of enough to do any real long-term damage, but it had to really hurt.

"Get him, Han!" she said.

Han winked and made an exaggerated bowing motion complete with a hand roll. "I was an actor not long ago." He sniffed. "A good one too."

"You cocky little snot, I'll bite your head off!" He roared.

Working at the stone around her shoulder. She dug a dagger into a crack. The stone wouldn't budge. She kept sawing on the leather while watching the beast.

He turned, and roared again in Han's face. His spittle cast off splattering everywhere.

Nasty. Her ears rang.

Han cupped his ears.

Parcival?

His eyes smoldered, while his huge ears swiveled on every movement. He smashed the top of the exit to the right with its paw.

The cave wall broke into chunks landing with a boom before crumbling into a pile that blocked the exit. He flipped its tail, sending Han over the side into the depths.

"Han!"

She pulled, on the stuck pauldrons. Break already. The Behemoth laid his paw on top of her and snorted.

"Ah, so you do care for the ocelot one."

She sniffed indulgently. "Ha! Of course not. Would a dog care for a flea?" She frowned. Name, name, his name? Jerakdodin? Was his name in the zoology book? It was wasn’t it? No. Gah! Hank? A lump in her throat choked, and she gulped hard. Slippery sweat greased her palms as she rubbed them on her leggings.

"You truly do not remember? You were a young sprout of a girl. I am that what made your grandparent's tremble, I am Infernum!"

She started to hiccup. That Behemoth? "You lie! Infernum was our city's valiant protector!"

Parcival padded to the other end of the bridge, his eyes bolt white for a breath. He came out from the shadows of a jutting ledge along the right side of the wall behind Infernum.

"I lie not. I was hired of contract, I was never under obligation to stay." He jerked his head zeroing on Parcival.

"Not so quiet as you imagined you were human."

His short whiskers twitched, quickly he snaked around shoving his face into Parcival's. His breath fogging up Parcival's thick forehead circlet.

When did he have on a circlet? She flinched, then elicited to take a step back, and refrained. That look in the beasts eyes held a frosty glint. One wrong move...

He grabbed at him with a gigantic paw. It tossed him against the wall; Parcival bashed into it, sliding down, stunned.

She hacked at the leather shoulder pauldrons, it split and cracked, with one last tug.

"Your honor is but a sham!"

"What do you know of honor? I, the mighty Infernum am honorable! It is you who has none entering my place without permission!"

"While true, eating us doesn't fix your problem O' great one. With no one to warn others away, more will come."

"Infernum blinked. "I don't care right now. You all woke me up. Get out or be lunch."

She tugged, dropping down.

Infernum wrapped its tail around Parcival's torso, hanging him upside down. Parcival's sword slipped free of its scabbard and ricocheted off the edge of the ledge. His breaths, short and jagged. It's tail constricted further, turning his face a veiny purple-red.

Parcival clawed at Infernum's tail weakly, and choked out a gasping rasp.

She shook and with every bit of will left kept from leaping at the beast; the knuckles on her hands cracked one by one into fists. I can't lose control, or we all lose, I don’t need to use magic this time.

"Let him down. Or you will rue this day." Her voice lowered an octave, and she punctuated each word slowly. The old speak came more easily, it's been what a hundred years?

Interesting. How about a little push? Your powers alone, while great won't hold me back forever.

Stop distracting me.

Take care of it then.

She pulled her daggers out of their sheaths.

"I don't bargain. Tell me now, or watch him die like the other." Infernum said.

"I'm done being nice. Pucker formally and pucker the blow to you!"

She raced over to him, bound over, jumped on his shoulders, and landed on his side, before toppling over she grabbled hold of his furry ear. Her dagger split its ear in half, and ripped it down the side, the blood ran down her arm and dripping off the elbow.

Infernum roared. "You little brat!"

She scrambled forward hoisting a leg of his long neck, and stuck the daggers tip inside his ear. Her wet hair had become wrapped around her neck, cold water dripped down her back.

"Then how 'bout this, let us see how far I can plunge this into your brain. Does that suit you better?"

A low thundering growl. Infernum's eyes crossed, sideways. "I'll give you twenty-four hours to leave my cavern."

Parcival's cape wrapped around his face, he arched his arms behind him, pushing it back.

"I'll make you a deal. Interested?" I beg you Olenus, help us.

Unnamed chuckled.

She ignored him.

Splashing below, followed by a grunt. Han? Hope he's uninjured.

"A deal with my lunch? Now you insult me!"

He swung Parcival like a pendulum. Need to have him free him, Maybe if...

"Well then, Infernum we have nothing to discuss, finish it."

"Ah, the little assassin remembers. This pleases me, that you choose the truth." Infernum set Parcival down on the ledge next to her. He rolled his eyes and snorted.

Pifft, acting like I know him, he’s been in this cave too long. "How dare you! I'm no assassin." I'm a priestess, not that he needs to know this.

"Merryn, right now isn't the time to argue with him."

Who says I'm arguing? Maybe this will...

"What could you possibly have to interest me?"

She resisted turning to talk to him about that 'dear.' "Ah! That's the very thing! All alone in this huge cave. It's a same, how vulnerable you must feel when sleeping."

"Is that a threat?" He growled, blowing hot breath from his muzzle.

Got him! "Oh, no, it's you know just—them."

"Them?"

She slid off and eased away from him working toward Parcival. This has to work.

Before she got even half way over he reached over pinched her shoulder through with the points of two claws. She choked back a scream.

"Didn't you hear? You must have by now!"

Silence for a good chunk and a range of emotions creased across that dragon sized face.

"little Elvin tell me or..." He let Parcival slip a little before tightening his tail.

Her vision narrowed and every muscle shook. "Put him down or I'll make your soul merged within the stone. For eternity."