Hey! I know I haven't updated in...ever, so sorry about that – but here's the next chapter, and I will keep updating this time Thanks to Darling Summers as ever for beta-ing.
8. Rescue
Col urged Skylark onwards to the moor as a light, cold breeze began to blow. He had received Evelyn's phone-call when he was grooming Mags in the stable, and had gone out as soon as possible. He remembered, far too vividly, when he had been under Kullervo's power, and shuddered to think what would happen if the shape-shifter used Astrid's powers for evil.
"Concentrate, companion. You are far too worried," Skylark declared through their shared bond.
"Aren't you worried? If Kullervo has Astrid, and gives her powers back...anything could happen!" replied Col.
"We'd better hurry then. I can see the phoenix. I'll go down now."
The pegasus went into an Athenian Dive, tucking his wings in and plummeting like a stone through the ragged clouds. He landed perfectly, his legs sliding slightly on the frozen ground. Suzanne and Tim were standing, each with a glowing phoenix on their arm. Next to them stood Erik with his frost wolf companion Frostfiend, who was eyeing the phoenix suspiciously. The phoenix were really in their element now: they were burning brighter than any flashlight, and would be perfect for finding Astrid on the snowy moor.
"Are we ready?" questioned Erik, who, as the eldest, was in charge until Dr. Brock arrived. Everyone nodded. "Right. I'll take you, er, Tim, and your companion, and Suzanne can go with Col. We'll all be following Francis, when he arrives. Is that okay with everyone?"
There was a chorus of assent, followed by a gasp from Tim. A crimson dragon soared into view, emitting a cloud of gold sparks from his nostrils. Dr. Brock was sitting on Argot's broad back, peering down at the small group of companions. When they landed, the doctor slid off the dragon to join Erik.
"Good evening, everyone" he said grimly. "Erik has told you what we're doing, I suppose? I'll go north on my own, Erik and Tim can go west, and Col and Suzanne can go east. We'll have to hurry: Astrid may be in terrible danger. If that is the case, you need to call your contact, and they will alert everyone else. Let's get going, then."
Without further ado, he climbed back onto Argot's back and took off towards the north. Erik helped Tim onto Frostfiend, and with a nod to Col, they raced off, the frost wolf in his element. Col and Suzanne took off to the east, Flamefeather lighting the way.
It was Col and Suzanne who found Astrid first. She was lying in the thick snow, still unconscious, and completely still. Col jumped off Skylark, closely followed by Suzanne and her companion. He checked her pulse, and found it weak but steady.
"Skylark, do you think you can manage three?" asked Col through their bond.
Skylark shook his mane proudly and shifted his hooves.
"Of course I can," he replied.
Col helped Suzanne to lift Astrid, taking her feet. The phoenix companion dropped Astrid's arm as though it had burnt her.
"She's ice-cold!" she exclaimed.
"No wonder: she must have been out here since this morning. Come on, we have to take her."
Col reached down and pulled her up so that she could lean against Skylark.
"Suzie...you don't think it could've been a frost wolf?"
"Three breaths for frostbite," breathed Suzanne, her brown eyes wide and solemn.
Col mounted Skylark, and helped her to lift Astrid up. Suzanne scrambled up after her and held the unconscious girl in-between her and Col, with Flamefeather sitting on her shoulder.
"Should we call the others?" she queried.
"Yeah. I'll call Dr. Brock, and he can call everyone else. We need to get Astrid back as soon as possible."
Col suited the action to the word, and then they flew off into the night sky.
They took Astrid to the closest Society member at the Mastersons' farm. After landing in the farmyard, Col and Suzanne lifted Astrid down and took her to the back door. Skylark trotted into the stable to stay with Mr. Masterson's horses. With some difficulty, Suzanne managed to ring the doorbell whilst supporting her, and they waited anxiously on the cold doorstep. A few minutes later, the door was opened a crack by Shirley, her eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"What do you want?" she queried. "Oh, hi, Col."
Col pushed the door open and walked in without being asked.
"I'll take her up to the spare room. We just found her on the moor. She'll need an ambulance," he said.
Before Shirley could say any more, Col and Suzanne took Astrid up the back stairs to the spare room. They placed her on the bed as Mr. Masterson entered the room.
"We think she's been attacked by a frost wolf. Should we call an ambulance?" asked Col as Suzanne threw a blanket over Astrid.
Flamefeather hopped off her shoulder and sat on the unconscious girl's chest to warm her up, as Mr. Masterson felt her pulse.
"Hmm. You'd better call that ambulance, Col," he advised. "I'll forgive you for barging into my house, as there were...extenuating circumstances."
Letting that remark pass, Col dialled 999. After talking animatedly on his mobile for a few minutes, he clicked it shut.
"They're coming."
A platinum blonde head appeared at the door.
"Is anybody going to tell me what's going on?" demanded Shirley petulantly.
"Astrid has been attacked by a frost wolf," replied Suzanne curtly.
She didn't like the smug weather giant companion, and didn't mind showing it. Before Shirley could retort they were interrupted by the wail of an ambulance outside.
"Flamefeather, you'll need to go now," said Suzanne quietly.
The phoenix turned his intelligent amber eyes on his companion, and took off out of the window with a soft, beautiful cry. For a few minutes he was still visible, glowing brightly in the ink black sky, before he veered off, out of sight. Suzanne closed the window as Col walked downstairs, taking the steps two at a time. He wrenched the door open just as the paramedics were about to ring, startling them.
"She's upstairs," he declared abruptly, leading the way up the back stairs.
The paramedics took the stretcher upstairs and took Astrid to Chartmouth Hospital.
Connie paced up and down the room, her mobile clenched in her hand. Col and the others had been out searching for Astrid for almost two hours, and she still hadn't heard any news. Suddenly, there was an explosion of noise. For one wild moment she thought that Kullervo was trying to encounter her, and then realised that it was just her mobile ringing. She rammed it to her ear.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Connie-"
"Col? Col, what's happening? Has there been any news?"
"We've found Astrid. She's gone to the hospital. We think – we think it was a frost wolf."
"So she was just asleep?" asked Connie, feeling relieved.
"Erm...no. No. She has frostbite, and we don't know how long she's been out there."
Silence fell.
"Connie?"
"I'll get Evelyn to take me to the hospital. Are you there?"
"Okay. Dr. Brock's taking me now. Suzanne went with Astrid in the ambulance."
"I'll see you there."
"Bye."
As she hung up, Connie realised that someone would have to tell Astrid's parents. As her mentor, it would have to be her.
