Carving Circles
Chapter 2: Waking in the Solstice Forest
"So, what does this herb look like?" Rory asked as he and Faran were walking.
"It's supposed to be a short plant with very thin leaves that grow out in groups. The herbs themselves are also found in clusters among the hills of Abilatta."
"You haven't seen them before?"
"No, but I have heard much about them. They restore the basic needs for healing from this planet's deadliest illness. We should increase our pace. It will be dark soon. There has been less and less light as days pass."
"The Doctor said the star is dimmer than it's supposed to be. Is the season about to change?" Rory asked.
"No. The astronomers here believe that there is something wrong with the star, though they are unsure what."
As the skies were darkening, Rory and Faran approached a forest covered in fog. The trees resembled black broccoli, with branches emanating from thick trunks topped with black leaf-like blooms scattered across the top. The forest was otherwise bare.
"We will have to pass through there. I don't want to waste any time," Faran told Rory. "Unfortunately, there are stories about this forest."
"Of course there are," Rory replied.
"A pair should have no difficulties braving it."
"So what are the stories?" Rory asked as they continued.
"A primal force lies in this area, has been since the dawn of this world. It's darkening of this land waxes and wanes over time."
Rory and Faran made their way slowly through the forest. Rory pulled out flashlights for himself and Faran.
A black shadow zipped through the ground by the two.
"You saw that?" Rory asked.
"Yes. We should move more quickly. The branches ahead are too small to inflict significant wounds."
The two started to run until Faran tripped. Rory helped Faran up, but then saw that staying in the same place allowed a black blob-like swarm to envelope his right leg. As Faran got up, Rory stumbled down and the ground beneath him began to crack. Rory pulled out the Doctor's screwdriver, but found it useless. Red emerged from the crack as Rory finally fell in. He screamed, finding himself bathed in orange plasma. Faran quickly pulled Rory out and noticed that Rory wasn't burned.
"I'm fine," Rory commented, surprised. "We'll worry about this later." He saw that the swarm around his right leg was loosening so he and Faran resumed their dash. They were approaching the forest line when a wall of black rose around them, forming a perimeter.
"We're trapped," Faran realized.
Rory pointed the sonic screwdriver around, though futilely. "This is the only thing the Doctor gave me that could help. What do you have?" Rory then noticed that he still had a little bit of the black blob on his right leg.
"I just have some analytical instruments, extraction equipment, conversion equipment."
"Anything that could be used as a weapon?" Rory asked.
"I do have a gun. It draws its ammunition from ambient energy."
Rory looked at Faran. "How does it draw it?"
"Whatever's around, it can take."
"Can it take this black thing on my leg?"
"Yes, you're using their own against them."
"If that doesn't work, maybe recognition will do something for us."
Faran rose and pointed the gun at where he and Rory were heading. He shot his gun, creating a small opening that began closing again.
"Quickly!" Faran cried.
The two narrowly slipped through the hole and exited the forest.
"We'll have to go through that again later," Faran pointed out.
"We'll deal with it when it's time to."
"Why aren't you burned?" Faran asked.
Rory looked down. "I don't know."
"Did it hurt?"
"No, it was more like a buzzing, but in my head."
"That doesn't make any sense."
"I'll ask the Doctor when we get back."
Rory and Faran continued the journey, going through some cliffs.
"This part requires teamwork," Faran noted. He and Rory climbed through the area together, pulling or pushing each other as needed.
Rory noticed that Faran was smiling. "Are we there? You seem pleased," he asked.
"No, but I am mostly confined to my cave, caring for Shribb. I am finding this trek very refreshing and relaxing. I almost feel healthier . . ." Faran's expression then turned grim.
"You don't need to feel guilty about that," Rory stated. "I'm sure Shribb would want you to be happy and healthy."
"I know."
"And you need to be, not just for yourself, but for her, so you can remain able to help her."
"You have a lot of insight for someone so young."
"Believe me, I'm not. I've also spent a lot of time hidden away, watching over my wife in a world without stars."
After getting through the last cliff, Rory and Faran saw hills ahead of them.
A dagger flew by, landing near Rory's feet.
Rory and Faran looked behind them and saw eight Mulizes advancing with blades. Rory pulled the dagger out of the ground while Faran grabbed his gun.
"This is still charged," Faran noted as the eight Mulizes got closer.
"What do you want?" Rory asked.
"Your death," one of the Mulizes simply replied.
The fighting began with Rory using the dagger and Faran using his gun. Seven more Mulizes attacked Rory. One was able to catch Rory off guard, sending him onto the ground. Two other Mulizes approached with swords, ready to strike. Suddenly, all of them burst into flames.
Rory stood up and approached Faran. They saw that the fifteen Mulizes had burned to ash, but the fire remained. Slowly, the fire merged into one orange form, resembling Rory. Then, it flew into the sky.
"I suppose we shall ask your Doctor about that, too," Faran said. He looked at Rory, who seemed weak. "Are you all right? Did they hurt you?"
"No, I'm fine. Just some buzzing in my head again. Let's go."
"We're here. These are the Hills of Abilatta, surrounded by pescal trees. The herbs are supposed to be spread out in clusters."
"I remember your description. We should split up."
Rory and Faran walked through the hills, looking closely for the herb in the darkness until they met up again near the boundary. They then rested under a large tree. Rory noticed how crestfallen Faran seemed.
"I haven't found anything," Rory informed Faran.
"I haven't either. I know this is the correct place. It is not supposed to be easy to find, but it is not supposed to be impossible to find, either."
Faran took out some water. "You should refresh yourself." He then leaned back against a tree. "Perhaps . . . it wasn't real. I told you how this trek has helped me physically. The herb restores the basic needs for recuperation. Maybe that meant me. It meant the journey of the caretaker, making sure I am healthy to tend to Shribb. Maybe the herb is a symbol."
"Maybe it's these," Rory said, looking near the roots of the tree. "There is a cluster here of plants that fit your description."
Faran took a close look. "Yes, yes! They are growing by the roots. I haven't checked the tree roots. Have you?"
"No, I've been looking on the hills."
Faran exhaled in relief. "We should rest for now. We'll collect the herbs in the morning and then return to my cave."
Back at the cave, the Doctor looked over readings he took of the star light.
"It's alive!" the Doctor realized. "No, no, it's not, but it should be."
The Doctor didn't notice someone sneaking up on him and couldn't defend himself against a violent blow. With the Doctor unconscious, the figure proceeded to Shribb and removed her mechanical left hand.