I don't own the Mighty Ducks.
She hadn't stopped glaring at his back since they escaped that forest. Dragaunus could practically feel her eyes burning a hole through him. If looks could kill he would be dead ten times over by now. She was pissed, he got that, he even got why but he wasn't about to apologize for it, he was a lord after all. Carefully to make it seem like he was looking off to the right, he risked a quick glance over his shoulder which had been a mistake. The female avian's face was shrouded by shadow, only her blazing green eyes could be seen and death was in them. Ethan travel further back from her as if she herself were ablaze. The nervous young saurian's eyes would switch back and forth between the two, probably wondering if Mallory was going to stab him. The red lizard swallowed, a little sweat gathering at his brow. He slowly looked forward, trying not to seem too twitchy. He would not be intimidated by such an insignificant creature. That was what he told himself, though at this moment, he was a little intimidated by her. Thankfully when they were done running from that creature which tried to capture them as they fled, they found the path again and remained in open sunlight.
The hostility directed at him now, was more like how she had been towards the beginning of their journey two weeks ago… or maybe it was three? He shook his head, trying not to think about it. Besides, why should he care that she was angry? He didn't and that was what he would continue to tell himself.
Looking ahead of them at the vast flat fields that stretched out into wide open plains, he sighed in relief. With no trees, they could continue their journey uninterrupted by that thing, stalking them from the shadows. The sound of an angry roar was heard far back behind them. Both Mallory and Dragaunus looked back over their shoulders to see trees shake, sway back and forth then go down with a loud boom. The potion master was having a fit now that he could not follow. Another angry yelled followed by more trees toppling, let them know where he was back in the wood three miles back.
Ethan yelped and walked closer to Mallory, who was no longer glaring death at Dragaunus but more concerned with the thing stuck in the woods behind them. "We should move faster. Let's not give him the chance to catch up with us." She spoke up for the first time, since what happened.
Dragaunus nodded, seeing that Mallory made a valid point. "Very well. Keep up boy, we will not slow down for you." He began running at an even pace.
Ethan groaned. "But I'm so tired of running!"
"Come Ethan. Muscle through it." Mallory gave him a pat on the back and kept pace with Dragaunus. Fear of being left behind got him moving and he kept pace with Mallory. If they continued like this to the next village, they would get there before night fall and be safe from Dread.
…..
They were pleasantly surprised when they arrived close to the edge of the next village an hour before sun down. Poor Ethan was ready to collapse as he stumbled to a stop behind Mallory and Dragaunus, who for some reason, seemed fine, only a little out of breath. "What the hel-" He couldn't get the words out between his panting. "The fastest- how can you- not be- affect-."
"In through your nose and out your mouth Ethan." Mallory advised.
He just shook his head, not able talk past the attempts to catch his breath even with Mallory's guidance. Dragaunus rolled his eyes, at least she was able to keep up, this kid was dead weight since he couldn't use his powers. Quite simply, he wasn't useful to them. If he could convince Mallory to get rid of him that would be helpful, but she wouldn't. For some reason the duck cared about this kid. That still confused him.
They continued towards the lights of the village, it wasn't visible past the hill yet but when they got there, they realized it wasn't a village but a very large town and more modern to top it off.
"Boy. One would think you did nothing but lounged about all day!" Dragaunus grumbled. "Do you not even know how to run and breath properly?" He didn't wait for an answer. Instead he walked to the entrance of the town, this time not feeling anything wrong with it, much to his relief.
"Wow, it's weird seeing all the light and electricity again." Mallory spoke, observing the bright yellow and pink lights from ahead.
Ethan had never been to a town where they had this much money. He could only imagine that the Neon City looked like this as well, but in all honesty, he didn't like it and the closer they got the less he liked it. It was very loud, the smells were strange, some gave him a headache. Someone drove past him on an old scooter, blowing fumes everywhere behind it. As it passed, Ethan choked on the smell, trying to cover his mouth with his sleeve.
He didn't understand it, why did the rich want to live in places like these? Then he saw something he had never seen in his life. A man, dressed in a more similar fashion to Dragaunus, except for the armor, pulled money from his pocket. They man's arm was not flesh and blood, but metal. The more Ethan looked the more he found varies beings with metal parts, replacing the flesh. "Try not to stare here." Mallory advised. "Act like its something you see every day."
In this crowd, Mallory and Dragaunus didn't stick out at all, here it was Ethan who stuck out. "Wow." he murmured. "This place is… I don't even know."
"Quiet boy. You draw unnecessary attention to us." Dragaunus glared at the group looking at Ethan, seeing the very large lizard's glare, they timidly moved on. Walking further into the village, they had to make their way through alleys to get around the traffic jam of beings in the streets.
"We need to find an inn or hotel." Mallory suggested. "Possibly one further in town in case that thing comes looking for us."
"No, we need to find one on the outside of town if it comes, that way we are ready for a fight, these lights will not stop its approach, if anything it can hide more easily here." Dragaunus said.
Mallory took a deep breath and sighed. "Fine, I can see the merit in that. If that's the case, then why don't we turn around and stick to the outside until we find what we need?"
"Because we need to eat too duck." Dragaunus spoke condescendingly, amusement clear from the sound of his voice and the smirk on his face. It was the first time in the weeks they traveled together, he smiled. It ruffled her feathers.
She spoke through clenched teeth to stop from sending a biting comment his way. "Then pick something."
Already intending to, Dragaunus walked off to the right towards an alley. It had smelled good. A small restaurant that looked like an outdoor bar was serving many customers. All eating at the bar, in a row, consuming their food excitedly. "Here." He smirked, seeing Mallory followed with crossed arms.
"What is this place?" She huffed, seeing large bowls of brown and red broths with meats and vegetables.
"Oh wow!" Ethan exclaimed. "This is a traditional saurian soup bar!" Ethan excitedly took a seat at the bar next to two other open stools. "I haven't been to one of these since I was a kid!"
Seeing Mallory's skepticism at the food's worth, she didn't follow when the young saurian looked back at her expectantly. "You are a kid Ethan." Mallory said, arms still crossed. He looked a little down cast at that for a second but patted the stool next to him for her to take a seat.
Dragaunus smirked even bigger, showing his teeth, seeing that he had won the argument over what food to eat. Now he was only too happy to lord his victory over Mallory. "Come little duck. I will show you." Boldly he wrapped his tail around her waist, to Mallory disbelief, and pulled her towards the bar with him. So shocked by his actions she didn't do anything to stop it.
Only once she was seated did he remove his tail from around her. "Don't do that again." She said, staring ahead at the wall behind the bar, uncomfortable with what just happened. Dragaunus just smirked again but didn't say anything. He rather enjoyed making her uncomfortable. When the cook came by Dragaunus order three bowls for them.
"Don't they have a menu?" Mallory asked.
"No. Places like this only serve one dish that they specialize in." Ethan smiled. "You'll love it! Trust me." The young saurian, tapped his fingers together excitedly.
"I guess." She muttered, not wanting to spoil his excitement. Dragaunus watched her from the side of his eye, she noticed this and saw the look of victory still hadn't left his face. Leaning slightly towards him, making him raise his brow, she whispered to him. "If you don't wipe that look off your face, I'll do it for you." The comment only egged him on.
He leaned in closer to her. "And what exactly will you do? Little duck." His yellow eyes challenged her green ones. The stared off was broken by their food arriving, the cook placed the bowls down in front of them with his large clawed hands. "No public displays of affection at my bar." He growled.
Mallory and Dragaunus had the same reaction. "What?" They exclaimed, disgusted and alarmed the cook thought they were about to do something intimate.
Ethan laughed into his bowl, almost spitting out his food. He knew they hated each other so he didn't have an issue with what the guy said. It was just funny to him that their hate for one another had been confused for attraction. Seeing Ethan laugh at their expense, Dragaunus used his tail to push the back of Ethan's head down and make him do a face plant in his soup. "Dragaunus!" Mallory scolded, punching his arm.
Ethan coughed some of his soup up, his face dripping with broth. Grabbing a towel, he wiped his face so he could see without the soup dripping in his eyes. "What? I just laughed?"
Reacting as he did before when she assaulted him, Dragaunus wrapped his tail around her neck, bringing her face close to his in a semi threatening manner. "What did I say about striking me."
Mallory pulled a knife and placed it at his throat. "Back off, right now." She warned.
"No fighting at my stand!" The cook yelled, grabbing a large meat cleaver, the intent of his threat was clear. Seeing they were about to get kicked out, Ethan grabbed his bowl and practically drank it down.
Various beings at the stand turned to see what the commotion was. Seeing the scene they were making, Dragaunus began to slowly release Mallory when he noticed something he hadn't before… her eyes were like emeralds. He realized something else too, something that bothered him. He wasn't as angry as he should have been for her punching his arm, in fact he reacted this way because it was how he would have normally reacted to her hitting him. Like he had before in the forest and even then, he only wanted to establish that he was the dominate one in this group. He hadn't even realized he had done it. What was going on with him?
Seeing the anger and hate in her eyes cause him to instinctively to let her go. Stepping away he, looked at the redhead confused. "What the hell is your problem?" She asked angrily.
Turning away Dragaunus walked off without a word.
…..
"What is going on with him?" She wondered, seeing the way Dragaunus reacted and looked at her confused the hell out of her back at the food stand. Walking through the streets with Ethan, beside her, they searched for a hotel or inn.
"Think he will be able to find us?" Ethan asked Mallory who shrugged, seeing an inn ahead that looked decent. She went to it, wanting to do nothing more than bathe and sleep.
Five mintues later…
"How can you only have one room left?" Mallory asked through her teeth.
The frightened, woman behind the desk practically shook in her shoes. "I'm really sorry mam!"
"Its fine. We'll take it." She gave in at least Dragaunus wasn't with them. Maybe he went to find his own room?
"Is it just the two of you?"
"No, it is three." Dragaunus stepped up to the desk, surprising everyone, even the poor woman. "R-right sir."
"Shit." Mallory muttered to herself as the woman showed them to the room that they would share and let them start settling in.
"Please enjoy your stay with us. I will bring tea to you momentarily" She closed the door for them, they could hear her footsteps disappear down the hall.
"What are you doing here?" Mallory growled, she still was still pissed.
"We are traveling together are we not." It wasn't a question.
Choosing to ignore him, Mallory sat down on the opposite side of the room. "Whatever. You stay on your side and I will stay on mine."
Dragaunus sneered at her. "Not going to be an issue."
Ethan stayed closer to Mallory but still out of the way if a fight occurred. After everything that had happened earlier that night, they were bound to get in another argument. And he was right, not even ten minutes later, they started exchanging unpleasant words and the situation had escalated from there.
While they continued their verbal spat, Ethan pulled the necklace he bought for Mallory from his robe. He wanted to give it to her as a present but now he really wondered if the stone did what Dread said it would. "If I cut myself and put a drop of my blood on it, would it really make Mallory love me?" He glanced at Mallory and Dragaunus, seeing they weren't paying the least bit of attention to him.
Seeing Mallory's sword leaning against the wall, Ethan slowly scooted towards it, bringing his hand up and pressing his middle finger to the edge, it cut him skin just slightly, enough so that blood began to pool into a small bubble over his cut. "I shouldn't do it. It would be wrong. Right?" Ethan looked at the jewel in his hand. What was the worst that could happen? If needed he could just ask for the necklace back and it would remove the spell, if there even was a spell on it.
Taking a deep breath, he pressed his finger to the jewel and watch with wide eyes as it glowed a dark swirling green and black then turned red. The brightness of the jewel faded and it became a normal green emerald again. "It worked." He whispered to himself in awe.
Meanwhile, Mallory and Dragaunas were now standing and facing off. Wanting to hit Mallory where it would hurt, Dragaunus started criticizing her team. She of course defended them furiously but did not get rallied up enough to attack him… until Dragaunus made some nasty remarks about Wildwing. Mallory was on her feet and in his face in a flash. "Shut your mouth! He's more a leader and a male then you'll ever be!"
"That's laughable! It's clear you haven't met a lot of truly masculine males in your life time if you think that duck is worth anything."
"If you don't shut up I'm gonna knock your teeth out!" Turning to go back to her bed but paused hear the next words leave Dragaunus' mouth.
"Wildwing is a punk who was just next in line because he didn't have what it takes to even save his friend."
Furious, blinding rage consumed her. Grabbing the ceramic cup on the table next to her bed she threw it at his head. The cup shattered on his forehead, spilling water down his face. Standing up he lunged at Mallory. She dove out of the way, missing his clawed hands and jumped on his back, punching him in the back of the head. They ended up rolling around on the floor, one trying to get the upper hand. Gaining ground Mallory ended up on top of him with her hands around his large neck, trying to unsuccessfully strangle him.
The knock at the door went unnoticed by both combatants. "Hello, I brought some fresh tea and…" The young maid paused after opening the door, seeing Mallory sitting on top of Dragaunus. Both stop mid fight to look at the maid in surprise.
Thinking she had walked in at an inappropriate time on the two she started apologizing profusely. "Oh! I didn't realize you were both… I mean… I'm so sorry."
Confused Mallory tried to figure out what she was talking about, looking down at Dragaunus she realized she was in fact sitting on top of him in what could be interrupted as a cozy position, if it hadn't been for her hands around his neck. "Wait? What? No!" Mallory jumped off Dragaunus as if he were diseased. "No, no, no, no!" She frantically waved her hands back and forth while shaking her head. "You didn't interrupt anything! This isn't what it looks like! I was just trying to kill him!" Mallory explained thinking that this sounded much better. The maid looked at her nervously with a big anime sweat drop going down the back of her head, thinking Mallory was crazy. "Don't just sit there! Tell her!" Mallory demanded that Dragaunus also let the woman know that they were not an item.
Dragaunus stood up behind Mallory, shrugging his very large red shoulders. "Oh. Don't be shy dear. She won't care." Mallory turned and glared back at him. Slapping his arm in reprimand but he ignored it. Even though she slapped his, arm again, at this point he didn't care, he was enjoy mocking the redhead far too much. "Leave maid, so we may get back to it."
The woman gasped and closed the door. "What are you thinking!?" Mallory exclaimed in horror. "Now she is going to think we were fooling around! With Ethan in the room no less!"
Ethan was off to the side, looking at Dragaunus oddly.
He ignored her comments again in favor of teasing her some more. "Imagine…" He chuckled to himself, seeming pleased. "What would Wildwing say?"
Mallory ground her teeth together in anger. "He wouldn't believe it. He knows I have something called standards."
"I go far beyond your standards duck! I'm the best that there is." Dragaunus got in Mallory's face, offended she considered him to be low standards. "Not that I actually care. I'm just defending my honor."
"You wish! You don't even measure up to half the man Wildwing is!" Hearing this; twin streams of smoke curled out of Dragaunus's nostrils and his eyes glowed like yellow fire.
"Wildwing is trash." Dragaunus fumed, his fists clenched in rage. "Just some puck loving pest that got lucky."
"ARGH! I can't stand you!" Mallory stormed out, rudely shoving the door open and passing the timid maid, who brought food. The redhead stopped to glare at the girl. "We didn't order any food."
"Oh! I-it comes with complements of the room and our apology that we couldn't give you separate ones." Mallory scuffed and disappeared down the hall.
The maid looked at Dragaunus who was watching Mallory disappear out into the night. A strange look in his eyes that the maid recognized. "He wants her." The maid thought to herself. "But she doesn't want him. How sad for him."
"Well what are you still standing there for. Leave the food and go." He spoke authoritatively and went to take a seat back in the corner. The maid nodded and did just as she was told. Ethan sat back and observed everything that happened. Choosing to keep what he saw to himself, he went back to the necklace in his hand. Should he give it to her?
…..
Mallory stormed through the streets. Making her way a little further out of town where she found what looked like a spa. "Hello." A woman outside greeted her.
Turning to the voice, Mallory saw a small red skinned woman with white hair. Everything about her looked human expected for the skin and hair. "Welcome, to Serenity. Would you like a treatment?"
"How much for one?" Mallory leaned against the door frame, thinking she could use some time away from Dragaunus. "20 demou for our typical treatment."
"Which is?"
"A mineral spring bath and message." Mallory nodded, that was cheap.
"Alright." A few minutes later she was in her own personal spring with two female aliens who were there to assist her. They gently went to work cleaning and messaging her. Mallory laid back and let them work, this was just what she needed. A small smile touched her beak as one of her hands were massaged.
Two hours later, Mallory left feeling relaxed, as if the argument with Dragaunus had never happened.
Seeing that it was a nice night out, she decided to take a stroll. She had her weapons with her in case anything happened. Walking along a lit path toward some local waterfalls and the river that it flowed through, she passed several couples, strolling hand in hand. Between the sound of the waterfalls, the lightening bugs floating in the grasses and the moonlight, it was the perfect night for a little romance.
Too bad for her, her life seriously lacked it. Joining the resistance and fighting the invasion, love and romance hadn't been something that wasn't on her agenda from the get go, but now she wished for it. Mainly she wished the relationship she had with Wildwing had progressed to something more. Sadly, that would never happen. He took his responsibilities as a leader too seriously and she would never impose on him. That's all there was to it.
Walking up the step path to the bridge close to the top of the waterfall, where no one else was, she looked over the side of the rope railing. Gazing at the rushing water going down the falls to the river below. During the climb up, the loud water was almost deafening but the further up, the quieter it got. Giving a sense of peace. She just wanted to go back to her team then from there maybe get back to their home world. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of feet coming closer. Looking over, she was surprised to see Ethan nervously approaching. "Ethan? What are you doing out here?" He could have gotten hurt.
"I wanted to make sure you were okay." He nervously twiddled his thumbs.
Smiling at him, she nodded. "I'm fine. I just needed a moment away from Dragaunus. He's acting weird."
"Yeah I noticed. He started acting a little different today."
Mallory shrugged, comfortable with the situation, it all felt so wrong. "Mallory?" The young saurian's voice shook a little but he covered it up quickly. "I got something for you."
"Oh?" Now she was curious. He pulled out the necklace from his robe, showing her the green jewel.
"Ethan! Where did you get this?" She was touched he had gotten her something.
"A while back. I just hadn't had the chance to give it to you." He looked down at the ground, not feeling particularly good about this. Mallory reached to take it.
"Thank you, Ethan. It's beautiful but are you sure you want to give this to me?" She asked, seeing that he looked torn about the necklace.
"I- uh…" He couldn't look her in the eyes.
She tilted her head in confusion at him. "Ethan?"
"I wouldn't take it if I were you." Ethan gasped pulling the necklace back and clutching it to his chest. Mallory turned quickly pulling out her sword, seeing Dread standing on the other side of the bridge.
How he found them she didn't know, but it seemed he intended to finish what he started back in the woods. Mallory stared across the bridge at the Darkmore monster that used to be a potion master. His long claws extending for a fight. "Ethan get back to the inn. Get Dragaunus and stay there."
"What? What about you?" He shook his head, not wanting to leave her side.
"When have I ever needed help?" She smirked over her shoulder. Her smile encouraged him.
"You never have." He watched her adoringly. Dread almost laughed. "I'll be back with Dragaunus." He ran off, ignoring what she said about staying at the inn. "Don't kill him too fast!" Ethan was completely confident that Mallory didn't need help with this thing.
"I will take great pleasure in drinking the very last ounce of your blood and then finishing off your companions." His demented smile was riddled with long sharp teeth, lips pulled back so far it was almost as if his smile went up to his cheek bone. "Come at me prey. Fight for your life. It'll make taking your life all the more beautiful. I only hope the boy struggles as hard as you."
"Dream on freak. You're going to have to get to Ethan over my dead body." She swung her sword in preparation for the battle, the moon reflecting off the sharp blade.
"That is the plan." He laughed, then lunged.
Moving faster than Mallory predicted she barely had time to blocked and defend as his claws came down at her. Her sword came up just in time to stop them an inch from her face, his intense red gaze searing her widened emeralds. "Got to be faster." He mocked.
Glaring, Mallory pushed him back with her sword, hoping to cut away his nails but they were as hard as metal and wouldn't break. She sliced and swung at him, as he dodged with unreal speed. He laughed, his form moved back and forth so fast it was as if he was vibrating. Suddenly, he disappeared from in front of her. "What?" She was in awe. He was just gone. Little too late did she realize he was at her back. Mallory gasped feeling his hand close around her throat from behind her, one are wrapping around her torso and hold her arms down.
"I caught you." He smirked. She struggled, horrified that she lost so easily. "Now to take a bite." He yanked her head to the side and stuck his unnaturally long tongue out to taste her, licking directly over the artery. "I can taste your blood through your skin. Delicious." Struggling to get free Mallory couldn't swing at him without risking hurting herself. She could feel his breath on her as he prepared to sink his teeth into her neck. Making her decision, Mallory held her sword the opposite way and moved her hips to the side, stabbing the sword back and at and upward angle, right into his chest. He screeched, releasing her. She jumped back, swinging her sword at him as she did but he moved away to the other side of the wooden bridge faster than she could swing. "That actually hurt." He glared, looking at the black blood oozing from the wound.
She got her balance and held the sword up in front of her.
"Too bad for you this won't slow me down." He smirked, his red irises glowing in the dark.
Mallory narrowed her eyes and charged him head on, ready to fake going one way only to move another. This move often worked against her opponents.
His smile only widened at seeing her charge. "That's the spirit." He ran at her moving faster with his dark magic then what was natural. Seeing him come at her she swung her sword high at him as he swung at her side, cutting her deep. Mallory felt her blood soak her side and leg. He cut deep, too deep. Seeing her sword covered in blood, she knew she hit her mark. Turning to look at him, Mallory watched as he only laughed at her. "Did you really think that would work?"
A red diagonal line suddenly appeared across his face and he looked confused. "What?" He asked no one as part of his head slipped off and fell to the ground. He staggered for a moment. "I lost?"
Mallory approached, ready to put the monster out of his misery even though her side screamed at her. Seeing her coming from his one remaining eye, he made a final effort to kill her. Quick as lighting he slashed at the ropes holding the bridge up. Mallory attempted to grab onto the falling bridge but with her injured side she couldn't move quick enough. The redhead could only watch as she fell to the rushing water far below until she smacked it painfully. The rough currents dragged her under and downstream. Not having strength to swim, the female duck let it.
Watching the glassy world above her go by. Birds flew over the river with ease, completely unware of the life below drowning. She went far fast thanks to the current. Her eyes slipped closed, feeling the sharp pebbles and rock bed scratch at her armor as she drifted.
Suddenly warm hands yanked her upward, she could make out the silhouette of the person who pulled her from the water then carried her to shore. With the moon behind them, she couldn't identify who it was but trying to examine her savoir didn't last long as she lost consciousness.
…..
She ached almost everywhere. Slowly opening her eyes, Mallory found herself in what could only be someone's small wooden cabin. The sound of faint rushing water outside told her she was by a river. Most likely the very one she had been fished out of. Taking in her surroundings Mallory saw her sword was all the way over by the door, sitting next to a claymore. This sword made hers look like a tooth pick. "Who the hell could swing that thing?" She thought to herself, thinking of someone the size of Grin wielding it. Looking around for the rest of her weapons, she spotted her utility belt right by her head, her knife was still in its sheath. Not too far from it, was her gun. Breathing a sigh of relief that it wasn't lost, the redhead closed her eyes, wanting to rest a little more.
Footsteps approached the only door. It slid open a moment later to reveal a shirtless handsome drake carrying three fish over his shoulder. "I see you've decided to come back to the land of the living." He smirked at her, his pearly white teeth contrasting with the tan feathers. Long blond hair was braided to keep it out of this face. "You were pretty banged up. I'm surprised you pulled through. Must be a real fighter." Placing the fish down by the fire pit in the center of the room, the drake walked over to her, pulling the blanket down her body. To her utter horror, she was completely naked underneath besides the dressing wrapping her torso to cover the wound on her side. His blue eyes never once strayed from the dressing but out of instinct Mallory grabbed the knife from her utility belt, holding it to his throat with quick reflexes.
He paused in place at the feel of the sharp blade. "If I wanted to take you I would have done it by now, don't you think?" He calmly explained, staring into her eyes. He had the most attractive blue eyes she had ever seen. Taking a couple deep breaths to calm herself, Mallory realized what he said was true, she removed the shape blade from his throat and put it back in its sheath. As if nothing happened he removed the rest of her dressing to inspect and clean the wound.
"Hey! I didn't say you could undress me!" She covered her breasts, inadvertently blocking his view of her injury. Mallory cringed at the pain the quick movement caused.
He rolled his eyes. "I've already seen you naked, what difference does it make now." He grabbed her hands and moved them to the side, so he could finish what he was doing. "Just relax." His brow scrunching in concentration, as he grabbed the bottle of alcohol.
Emerald eyes widened. "Wait!" He didn't listen, instead he poured the alcohol over the open cut, sterilizing it. "Ahh!" The stinging sensation was horrible. She jumped up, but he put his hand on her stomach and held her down with surprising ease using only one arm. Grabbing another bowl of some sort of green paste he stuck his fingers in it and wiped it into her wounds, which again hurt. "Ouch! What is that?" She was alarmed, not knowing what he was doing. For all she knew he could be making it worse.
"This will help you heal faster." Finishing what he was doing, he grabbed fresh wraps and dressed her wound again. "All done." Standing up and moving away to place the paste and alcohol away, he looked back over his shoulder at her, smirking. "You can cover up now."
Mallory blushed, realizing she was just sitting there naked, looking at him in wonder like an idiot. Covering herself, she muttered a grumpy and embarrassed thank you. "Where was I when you found me?"
"In the river." He turned to face her, crossing his strong tan arms over his well define chest. Mallory couldn't help but admire his built abs. He was good looking, that was for sure. She swallowed, not wanting her thoughts to stray into the gutter. After all it had been a long time since she had received any action being stuck on Earth. "That's a pretty nasty couple of cuts there." Leaning against the wall, he kept his distance, wanting her to get comfortable with him. "What happened?"
"I was attacked by a monster."
He raised an eyebrow. "A monster? Will it come looking for you?"
She shook her head. "It shouldn't. I'm pretty sure I killed him."
"Him?"
"It was the Blackmore potions master. He was some kind of monster."
"The Blackmore potion master? He was a human."
"Yeah, a human that uses dark magic and feeds off the life force of others, as in drinks their blood."
"Wow." He seemed surprised. "Well how are you sure you killed him then? Dark magic can do some pretty extreme things. Like keep people alive that should be dead."
"I cut his head in half, like this." She drew an imaginary line at an angle across her face, showing him the path her sword had taken.
He didn't seem convinced. "How did you end up in the river?"
"He cut the ropes on the bridge we were fighting on. I fell."
"Did he fall?"
She glared. "No."
"So, you really don't know."
Mallory growled. "I guess."
He seemed amused by her irritation. "Well. No need to worry. If he comes. I'll deal with him."
It was Mallory's turn to be amused. She was about to ask if he was talking about his friend who wields the massive claymore but stopped short seeing him pick up the sword and place it over his should with ease. "Sleep. It's the only way you'll heal faster." He looked over his shoulder at her again, the sunlight shining on his eyes through a crack from the door.
"I can't. My companions will be looking for me." She tried to sit up, but her body wouldn't comply.
"You won't help anyone if you die from reopening those wounds. Just rest, I will keep an eye out for them. What do they look like?"
She paused, thinking about telling him to forget it but thought of Ethan and decided it didn't matter. "They're both saurian. One is a teenager with green scales and the other is very big with ugly red scales and an obnoxious attitude to match."
"Something tells me you don't like the big one."
"What gave it away." It wasn't a question.
He laughed, finding humor in the situation. "The tone of your voice. By the way my name is Gene."
…..
