The night sky was still. Nothing moved from the spot where the monstrous bull stood. Ghost, Rian and the others had already left the area. Making sure that no one else would come after them and attack. The crystal statue gleamed under the light of the moon. Suddenly, a large shadow covered it. A heavy flapping noise resided in the sky. Growing louder as the shadow came closer.
Murkon landed with a heavy thud. The trees shook. His eyes focused on the frozen form of the monster. He sniffed it. His lionfish fins twitched. "So…" He said in a hollow voice. "A shadow has learned his truth." He tapped on the crystal. Several cracks began to form around the crystal prison. "Awake, Ashblaze. There's still work to be done." He heard several noises and glanced over to see several eyes staring at him. "Find them. There's no doubt that Aurinas and her daughters are around her."
—-(Ghost and the others, somewhere in the forest)-
Ghost's feet felt numb. She felt like walking for an eternity. Her eyes flicked between SkekMal who was readily beside her and Rian walking on the other side with sorrow and anger in his eyes. Even though SkekMal was alive, Ordon was already eaten by the Gobbles in a matter of seconds. Ghost could feel her true heart twist in different directions. Happy that SkekMal is alive, but her adoptive Gelfling father was returned to Thra before his time. She gripped her crystal necklace. Suddenly, a thundering boom resounded below them.
"Oh…great…" SkekLach muttered. His voice was raspier than normal. "More rain. Just…what we need."
"I don't know, Collector." Gurjin spoke. He adjusted his sword. He looked at his hands. They were raw and had a few scratches on them. "An extra dose of water wouldn't hurt considering how low we are on it." He pulled out his flask. Only a drop made it.
"Plus we don't have any ointment." Deet added. "They were crushed when we were trying to run away."
"We'll search for some once we find a place to hide from the rain," Kylan pointed out. As if on cue, the thunder clapped above them. Rain immediately poured over their heads. "Perhaps at a faster pace!"
Everyone began to frantically search for whatever spot would be big enough to hide them. But to no avail. The Skeksis were panting heavily. Suddenly, large thuds resounded. The slaves, which were able to reunite with the group along with the white Starbird and Tavra, simply stared at the water quizically. Drum held out his paw. Cerebrite blinked at the sky. Spark simply shook herself. Ghost glanced and saw SkekEkt crumbled on the ground. Hup trying to shake the Ornamentalist awake. SkekVar and SkekLach were also on the ground too. Groaning in pain. Ghost gasped and ran to each of them, desperately shaking them. Her hands caught heat with each touch. SkekEkt being the hottest.
SkekTek kneeled beside SkekEkt. Eyes taking in details of the shriveled body. He placed his head and listened for a heartbeat. "He's alive, but he's got a fever due to exhaustion."
"Come to think of it," SkekZok spoke. "I haven't seen him sleeping since our time in Stone-In-The-Wood."
"Me neither." Scrollkeeper added.
Ghost heard something. She looked down in time to see SkekEkt move. His eyes slowly opened. He went into his cloak and pulled out a folded piece of parchment. Ghost took it from him. She let out a shuddery breath when he closed his eyes. Ghost merely put her head on top of him.
Suddenly, a veil of white and blue feathers surrounded everyone. They all looked around to see that Nova and the White Starbird loomed over them. Their wings intertwined. Heads craned over them.
Tavra bowed. "Thank you. We appreciate the help."
SkekTek began to take note of the growing red spot between Nova's left side. He went over to look at it. His claws gently pulled away the feathers to reveal a deep gash. Blood slowly seeping out. The stench of infection hit his nostrils with full force. He crinkled with pure disgust. Suddenly, he felt Nova's large head nudging him. Coos filled his ear. The Scientist couldn't explain it, but he could make out the words of comfort that she was trying to say.
"You know there's something that puzzles me just now," Gurjin said.
Naia looked at her twin. "Which is?"
Gurjin glanced over at Razz. "Razz? If the Starbirds were as powerful as you say they are? How come they were locked up with the rest of you?"
Razz blinked. He clicked his beak. He scratched and tossed his head around. "No clue. Razz only heard rumors that the last Miracle Queen betrayed them and ambushed them. Smash lot of eggs."
"How awful!" Deet shouted.
"Shh!" SkekMal suddenly hissed. "Do you hear that?" He pulled out his blades. He moved in front of Ghost. His tail flicked in several directions.
Everyone was a bit confused for a moment. Suddenly, squelching noises were heard at a distance. They all froze. The slaves frantically gathered around SkekTek, much to the Scientist's surprise. SkekSo and SkekZok moved slowly away from the wings as a large shadow started to come into view. Naia, Hup, Rian and Tavra drew out their weapons. Deet held on to a nervous Sidetec. Grumble and Fearless growled low. Razz raised his feathers, hints of silver glinted in the light. As the shadow came closer, Ghost suddenly heard a warble from the White Starbird. Then, the wings pulled away slightly to reveal a large, dinosaur head looking at them.
"It's the creature from before!" Deet gasped. She ran over to have a look at it. The scales were free of chains. The eyes glimmered with a fresh light. Deet giggled as the creature licked her. "Hey! That tickles!"
Ghost sighed. "At least it's not something dangerous." However, she knew they couldn't stay in the rain like this forever. She glanced at Razz. "Razz? Can you see if there's a place we can take proper shelter? Nova's injury is going to get worse if it keeps up."
Razz nodded. He flew away. His body went past the large feathers with ease. A small whistling noise heard in the distance.
"Great." SkekSo grumbled. "Even if we do find shelter, how do we carry them? As I recall SkekMal can only carry one at a time."
SkekMal flicked his gaze at him. "You doubt my abilities?"
SkekSo raised his head high. His eyes held no fear for the savage Skeksis. His breathing hitched but he tried his best to hide it. Even his hands were starting to shake. "Forgive me, Hunter. Though I know you can carry large beasts, you and I both know that you've taken large kills one at a time. Surely, you won't miss that setback."
Deet went over to Ghost and tapped her shoulder. "Ghost, I have an idea how to move them." She pointed to the dinosaur.
Ghost looked at Deet. "Do you think it will work? I'm mean…the poor thing was frightened by that monster earlier."
"Well…Let's give it a try." Deet walked over to the slaves. She gave a simple bow. "Can you help us please?" She took note of Drum's uncertain look on his face. "It's alright. They're not going to hurt you. But we should work together."
Drum looked tilted his head. Confused by what Deet was saying. Suddenly, he heard SkekLach weezing. His small eyes glanced over at the ugly wound on SkekLach's face. His nose took on the same smell the Scientist had. He crawled over and looked over at the other Skeksis. Drum noticed Ghost's worried face. Rian walked over to her with a similarly tired expression. "H…H….Help?" Drum was nervous as everyone turned their eyes on him. "Help?"
Deet smiled. She nodded. "Yes, Drum. We help. We need to lift The General, The Collector and The Ornamentalist onto that creature there."
Gurjin, Naia and Kylan gathered around Ghost. "Guess we better help too." Gurjin said. His voice dripped with annoyance. "It'll be a pain but if it guarantees that we can move these three into our new found hiding place without dragging, then it'll help."
Kylan ripped a piece of clothing and handed it to Ghost. "Here. To clean the wound for a bit."
The Gelfling began to gather around the three Skeksis. Gurjin, Naia and Spark readied themselves around SkekVar while Deet, Drum and Kylan discussed how they were going to move SkekLach. Ghost, Cerebrite and Rian simply stared at SkekEkt. The white Gelfling took a breath. She wanted to ask Lazul but she could feel that he had little strength to hold onto her. Suddenly, a shadow loomed over her. It was Shield. The Silk Spitter handed her the box. The silver-white pelt jumped out and wrapped around her. Ghost tried to protest, but the warmth from the wool kept the chill that had been given from the rain.
I'll help too. Shield said. Can't let you have your heroic moment all the time. He kneeled.
Ghost was about to touch SkekEkt when SkekMal grabbed her limb. "Let go, Mal." Her voice felt cold. Then her cheeks burned at what she had done. "Hunter, your fellow Skeksis is ill. I know your strength is mighty but-"
"Do you really think that creature will listen to you?" SkekMal asked. His voice was surprisingly soft.
Ghost eyed his weapons. "Maybe it might if you put your blades away and remove your mask."
"What?!" SkekMal roared. The creature bellowed in fright from the sudden movements.
SkekSo flinched. Then he sighed. "Just do as she says before we all suffer a cold!"
SkekMal growled and put his weapons away. He removed his mask. His eyes followed the group's every movement as they tried to hold the Skeksis upright. SkekVar and SkekLach seemed to have regained some consciousness as their feet began to shuffle. Ghost and Tavra struggled for a moment to get the Ornamentalist on Shield's shell, but managed to succeed. The Hunter followed them to the uneasy scaled beast.
The Forest Saurio observed them. The green eyes flickered to each individual until they settled on Ghost and Deet. It sniffed them. A soft mumbling escaped its throat. Its head lowered down. The fins flat against its neck. Shallow wounds criss-crossed the neck to show how much damage the chains had caused it.
"Please." Ghost said. "We need your help." Her blue eye began to glow softly. Suddenly, a weird sensation crept into her nose. She sniffled for a bit. Then she felt something hitting her core. An emotion, but not her own. A loneliness that made her hearts sink into the depths of her stomach. Am I feeling what the Forest Saurio's feeling? She thought. "You…can stay with us for a bit…"
SkekSo was about to protest but a shake of SkekZok's head made him stop in his tracks. "Why is it that no one listens to the Emperor anymore?" He grumbled under his breath.
Ghost took a deep breath. "We're not much, but I can help you find your kind when this is over." Ghost soon noticed the stare shifting to SkekMal. "Don't worry. He's gruff, but he's smarter than he seems. He won't hurt you if you're helping." She raised her hand. A long pause only left the rain to drum out the silence. Then, she felt the leathery texture of the scales. A feeling of acceptance crawled into her soul. "Thank you."
The Forest Saurio lowered down. Eyes wearily watching SkekMal. The Gelfling and Shield managed to get the three Skeksis onto the creatures back. With the assistance of the silk, they were able to hold the lords down to the point where they wouldn't slide off. It got onto its feet, ready for the next direction.
"So…" Naia turned to the rest of the crew. "What now?"
"Well..We can just sleep on the cold hard ground." Gurjin turned to the other Skeksis. "If you're willing to do it. After all, you barely come out of your comfy castle unless it's time for tithings."
SkekSo growled. "You little-"
"Am back!"
"Gah!" SkekSo fell back into the mud as Razz whizzed back into the veil of feathers.
Razz was about to land on Ghost's shoulder, but saw how truly tired she was. He went and land on SkekMal's instead. The Bladewing was met with a growl. Razz raised his head with no sign of fear. "Razz found something."
"Would it be your manners?" SkekSo asked as he got up with the help of SkekZok. His hand gripped his chest.
Razz gave him an annoyed look. "You one to talk." He cleared his throat. "Razz found house a few footsteps near here. Looks empty. Big enough for Skeksis and Gelfling."
"Do you think it's a trap?" Kylan asked.
"It sounds way too good to be true." Naia followed.
Rian sighed. "We don't have many options. Whatever may be waiting for us there, it would be better than staying out in the open any longer."
Tavra nodded. "We still don't know too much about the enemy." She looked up at the sky. "The rain won't clear up for a while as well."
SkekSo sighed. "Very well. Let's just get this night over with. I'm tired, hungry…and not in the mood for another argument."
With that, the Starbirds moved their wings away. Allowing the raindrops to hit them. They all began to move forward. Razz leading the way. Cerebrite had trouble moving in the right direction and Deet had to guide him in the right direction. The Forest Saurio had to be led the way by Ghost walking forward. Nova had to coax the creature with her wings. Soon they all arrived at the house that Razz spotted.
It looked a bit like a Gelfling house on the front. A simple home with additional floors. Once they were able to get SkekVar, SkekLach and SkekEkt down from the Forest Saurio, they got to the porch and noticed a wooden door with a Starbird carved into it. The moon, sun and star overlapping. Strange figures eyed the boarder. Rian opened the door. Both he and SkekMal peeked in. The interior looked bigger and deeper than it originally appeared.
"All clear." Rian whispered.
The group went in with ease. SkekAyuk began to sniff the air while holding SkekEkt. SkekOk shivered with SkekLach adding unwanted pressure to his back. SkekTek tried his best to balance SkekVar with his hip and SkekZok trying to assist. Ghost wobbled for a bit and began to sit down on the nearest chair. The black and golden wooled creatures leaped out and wrapped themselves around Deet and Rian. The two Gelfling looked at each other, confused at what had just happened.
"Should…we find this normal?" Deet asked.
"If it were, they could've done it earlier." Rian grumbled.
"Let's just get some sleep," Ghost said.
Kylan nodded. "Yes. We've been up for nearly two days without eating or drinking-"
"I'll take care of that." SkekAyuk made his way to the eastern part of the room. He grabbed Hup and Drum without warning. "You're going to help me."
Hup struggled and tried to smack at the hand. Drum merely looked two nearly vanished in sight. Gurjin and Naia went after the Gourmand with protest. Tavra shook her head. "I better go after them before a fight breaks out." Nova fluttered frame now shrunken down and landed on SkekTek's carapace. The White Starbird and the Forest Saurio stood outside.
SkekTek sighed. Soon Sidetic joined him. The little green creature chirped in curiosity. "I better look around for any medical equipment to use." He began to walk up the stairs. The wood creaked loudly under his weight.
Spark saw a nearby fireplace. She blinked at the coals. Her paws swiped at them. Sparks that matched her name flew out. Without hesitation, she began to curl up in the embers. The flame rose high around her. The entire room became warmer than anyone could imagine. To everyone's surprise, Spark wasn't burned alive. In fact, the flames started to become a part of her.
"Intriguing…." SkekOk spoke. "Never seen a creature be that immune to fire." He turned to Razz but soon felt something bump into his side. He looked to see Cerebrite in his robes. "That's the fourth time that I've seen you bumping into things." The Scrollkeeper waved a finger at the Earth Croaker. No response. "I wonder…." He took off one of his spectacles and placed it on Cerebrite's nose. When he did it again, Cerebrite blinked and followed his movement. "There. Now you won't be much of a bother anymore."
Cerebrite looked around the room. Eyes filled with wonder. He began to walk over to the fireplace and yelped when one of his claws touched the flame. He saw the color go from orange to black. He glanced at a tired Ghost. An angry Hunter. Rian and Deet gaze back at the Stone Croaker with amusement. Then, he began to clap. His claps were small but grew louder. He let out a laugh. Then yawned. He found a few blankets that weren't used for the Skeksis and laid on them.
Rian sighed. "Might as well." He felt the wool transform into a blanket as he grabbed a nearby pillow. The Stonewood warrior moved a little closer to the fireplace, careful not to get burned. He gave one solid glare at SkekMal before he fell asleep.
"Goodnight," Deet yawned. She laid a few feet from him. Her big eyes shut tight. Her breathing evened as her dark pelt turned back to its original shape.
Ghost soon felt Lazul shift on her back. The Djinn soon landed on her lap. Her hands took in the damp skin. The lone eye looking up at her. "Are you tired Lazul? Is the fire bothering you by any chance?"
"Forgive me mistress," Lazul said in an apologetic tone. "I need to be in water for a bit longer tonight."
Ghost nodded. "Very well. Go into the kitchen to see if there's a pot of water for you." She watched the Djinn moved away. Her shoulder was now occupied by Orchid. Shield right next to her chair. The Silk Spitter handed her the box.
Ghost…Orchid began. Her voice bitter. I'm sorry I couldn't help you back there….If only I was bigger… She felt Ghost's hand on her. The warmth slowly returned.
"It wasn't your fault." Ghost began. "We weren't ready…If anything…It's my fault that Ordon…is…" Tears brimmed her eyes. She sniffed. Trying her best to wipe away her tears. Suddenly, a shadow loomed over her. Ghost looked up to see SkekMal loom over her.
The Hunter lowered down to have his eyes meet her level. "No more tears now. You weren't prepared to take them. A setback."
"A setback?!" Ghost hissed, trying to lower her voice so Rian couldn't hear. "You call losing a Gelfling father to both me and Rian a setback! Do you have ANY idea what I've been through when I saw the both of you go down in the Gobbles pit? I promised to make sure no one would die anything further-"
"Which you've failed to do. Ouch!" SkekSo was hit in the head by a fire log that Shield threw at him. He was met with a hiss.
Suddenly, Orchid leaped onto SkekMal's beak. Listen here, you clueless savage! It's bad enough that Ghost is going through some loss right now, but will it kill you to be more sensitive to the situation?! She's risked her own life to protect one of your own and all you can think about how this whole thing is a setback. You're the setback here! You didn't even bother trying to rescue Ordon, did you? You poor excuse of a- Her words went into several curses that no one in the room but Ghost and Shield would understand. Before anyone could stop her, Orchid jumped closer to the Hunter's face and jabbed his eye with her leg.
"Augh!" He stumbled backward as the Threader got off of him and went back to Ghost. He growled. "You little-"
"Stop!" Ghost screamed. Her command startled Rian and Deet awake. Even SkekTek, who soon arrived with some bandages and ointment, got between them. "Please just stop…I just…I…" Suddenly, the paper from SkekEkt landed on the floor. She picked it up. It was dry from the rain. Her hands were hesitant to open it. However, the memory of what she had seen with SkekVar and SkekTek burned in her mind. Ghost took a deep breath and opened it. Words appeared before her. Shaky but held the elegant cursive that SkekEkt was known for.
My dear Ghost,
I'm so sorry I can't talk. I know it's hard to believe but a monster took my voice away. Even I…find myself wishing it was a bad nightmare. However, when I close my eyes I can't help relieve the moments of my capture. The pain. The darkness. The horrid stench. When I saw the current state you were in after rescuing me, I was beside myself. I was even horrified at what our Emperor said. He always found you sweet and cheery. His little Glass. True, I did think of you as a little plaything at first, but over the years, I found you to be so much more.
It didn't help that I was such an ugly Podling. However, you would never think that? Would you? You went out of your way to help me. I saw how you cherished things and saw the beauty in almost everything. Those statues made from broken plates and paper were truly amazing. You were always the most beautiful Gelfling I knew. In more ways than one. I'm sorry for not telling more about how we run our kingdom. You try so hard. It hurts me to see you sad. My little Jewel.
Take care,
Your Ekty
Ghost's vision began to blur. A weird sensation crawled into her. Similar to what had happened with the Forest Saurio. The words glowed light blue. An image of SkekEkt sitting underneath the light of the moon. His hands shook with each letter he wrote. His head looking over his shoulder at each rustle. Then, his eyes settled on her still form. Shame and regret. Something the proud Ornamentalist was never known for. The vision soon ended. Ghost sniffled and wiped her tears away.
"Ghost," Deet said. She was on her knees at the edge of the chair. "Are you ok?"
"Not completely," Ghost admitted. She hugged Orchid. "But much better than before." She leaned into the seat. The cushions eased the pain on her back. Wings relaxed. She enjoyed the warmth of the fire as the crackling embers filled the room. Unaware that several, worm-like creatures were spying on her above the rafters of the house.
—-
A wholesome moment before more creepiness comes into play. I also wanted Orchid to have her BFF moment!
