Chapter XIX: The Second Retrieval

Terra watched in satisfaction as the last of Gato's henchman scattered under the pelting rain of stones she had flung at them. There was no way they could touch her, she was in her element. A slight smile of triumph crossed her face. Not bad for an old college professor she thought to herself. At least these men would not be able to return to their base when the remaining Titan's arrived. Her heart sank at the thought of her daughter and the others facing so many well armed men. If only she could be there.

Garfield remained crumpled on the ground feeling about as useful as a warm stove at an ice cream festival. Terra came back and knelt next to him.

"Come on," she said as she tried to hoist him to his feet. "We need to get out of here before another batch of reinforcements arrives. Can you stand up?"

Terra struggled under her husband's weight. "I think I can," he shrieked in pain as his wife got him to his feet.

"I think we need to start thinking about putting you on a diet; you've gotten awfully heavy," Terra grunted as Garfield slung his arm around her shoulder for support.

"I'm not heavy," Garfield replied in disgust, "I'm your husband."

Terra laughed at her companion's comment. She turned and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Is everything always a joke to you?"

"You don't see me laughing now do you?" Garfield answered while he surveyed the area as the pair slowly made their way forward. "Why can't we just hop on a rock and fly out of here?"

Terra continued to gingerly help her husband along. "Too exposed, there's no place to hide if we get shot at. It's safer to stay on the ground where we can find some cover if we have to." Terra needed to find shelter before the desert heat commenced. They had no water or provisions since they hadn't thought they would be out here this long. She didn't share this information with her husband though she knew he had to have figured out they were in real trouble by now.

"How about if I change into something lighter," Garfield suggested.

"That's the best idea you've had so far," she replied as they continued to make slow progress through the undergrowth.

A blinding flash erupted before them. Terra held her breath sure that Gato had found them. Garfield and Terra quickly made out the image of a fine white unicorn with two small riders on its back. Dark crimson stains covered the animal's horn and head.

"Greetings," Darien's familiar voice called to the startled pair. "Need a lift?"

The unicorn slowly lowered itself as Raven's sons dismounted and came towards them. Darien had a short bow slung over his shoulder and his brother's neat white tunic was covered with fuchsia stains.

"Is everything all right?" Terra asked in concern.

"Everything is fine Dr. Logan." Daniel's calm voice replied. "We didn't have time to change." Raven's sons offered their assistance to her injured husband. Garfield removed his arm from Terra then threw his arms over Raven's sons shoulders as they helped him towards the unicorn.

Terra smiled as she watched her embarrassed husband mount the majestic beast. "Do you know what you're doing dear?" she asked him as he climbed aboard.

"Calm down," Garfield replied. "I've ridden a horse or two in my life."

The beast suddenly grunted in protest as it thrashed its head in disgust.

"Mr. Logan," Daniel cautiously spoke up, "it's not polite to insult your mount before you begin a ride."

"What do you mean?" Garfield replied unsure what Raven's son was talking about.

"Most unicorns take offense at being referred to as horses," Daniel explained.

"Um, sorry about that," Garfield addressed his mount. "I just had a bad experience with a stubborn horse back in Italy once."

The unicorn looked back and shook his head in approval then slowly stood up as Garfield pinched his legs together and grasped onto its mane to steady himself. "See, I didn't fall off," he announced in triumph as the others watched. "Where are we going anyway?"

"Back to our place," Darien answered him. "Mr. and Mrs. Grayson are already there."

"They're OK then?" Terra asked slightly relived that they were safe.

"Yes," Daniel's soft voice answered.

"Is there something to eat there?" Garfield interrupted. "I'm starving!"

Terra smiled. Her husband sure had strange priorities. "Garfield I think it would be a better idea if we got some ice on that ankle first."

"You can worry about my ankle, I choose to worry about my stomach," Garfield replied in a haughty voice.

"You have some ice back at your place, right?" Terra asked Raven's sons.

Both boys shot her an embarrassed look. "What chance do we have of finding a snowball in Hades?" Darien replied with a slight laugh. "Don't worry; I think we can manage."

With that a blinding flash erupted before them. Garfield kicked his heals back and lead his group them into the porthole.