Things Unsaid
October 28, 13,012
It had been two, nay, nearly three hours since she poked him, and Krista had yet to still her quaking. She was ninety percent sure she'd drastically lowered, if not completely extinguished, her chances of him coming with her. In fact, she was sorely tempted to run screaming for the hills.
What had happened?
In quick succession to poking him, she received a glare. Oh, a glare. Is that all? From any other person, it would have been just that: a look. Coming from this man, D? No, it was a look so black it made her heart stop. The spike in his already-intimidating aura left her reeling.
She knew, based off this reaction, that if she were to ever come at him with the intent to kill, he would cut her down without hesitation. Perhaps it should have been obvious.
The woodland proved more comforting than the rocky walls of the shallow cave, the surrounding sights providing a welcome distraction. The cool wind and dewy smell filled her with energy, the smallest of smiles lifting her lips. Until she looked upon the man riding at her side. The bright energy and colors seemed to fade around him, like a little monochrome pit of despair that clung to his shoulders.
Her bounce returned to a limp, leaving with it the thought of an easy slaughter.
Yellow flowers, a beacon of joy in the world of plants, caught her eye. With excitement one might find befitting a toddler when presented with a new toy, Krista did no less than sprint to the patch with her hands flung high into the air. In the time it took D to catch up, she managed to fill her arms with the daisies. "Where can you go wrong with flowers?"
Noticeably happier, she awkwardly skipped along, not knowing which city employed him, but not concerned with it for the moment. The little cloud of despair around D seemed to shrink, and no longer did she feel so worried about him. Almost as though the flowers knew in their own way that this girl needed calming, pulling the negative energy from her.
However, after a bit, various assortments of insects began buzzing her and the flowers. She gladly let them collect pollen and rest. Really, she was more than happy to allow this, until a large bumblebee buzzed mere inches from her face. "No, Mister Buzz-buzz. You need to go for the flowers just like everyone else." She wiggled a flower at arm's length, praying the large bug would move along.
It did not care for her choice of flower, inspecting the small thing before viciously planting its rear on her arm. With a screech, she slapped the bee into the ground and skittered closer to her companions. "What is wrong with my flowers? Picky bee; this is good stuff!"
A handful of minutes passed before she heard it. The buzzing of a too close bumblebee. She waved a hand by her ear, but the sound only grew louder. With a quick look over her shoulder, she spied the source. A horde of bumblebees gathered in a cloud were giving chase. "That little turd!" she screamed, running about as best she could, her precious flowers in hand.
"Drop the flowers!"
How she managed to hear the hoarse voice over her own screaming was a mystery, but she readily obeyed, tossing the flowers to the wind. She only stopped running when she no longer felt the vibration of their beating wings.
The flowers scattering must have distracted the enormous bees, their fat bodies swarming the fallen plants to scrutinize every petal before flitting away the way they came.
One lone bumblebee dropped from the air with a soft thud.
"That's what he gets for stinging me." She smiled almost uncertainly at D as she limped her way to him. She knew she would likely get no answer, but having calmed from earlier, she wanted to attempt some form of conversation with the man she was following. "Thanks? And, I gotta ask… again. Why are you helping me? No, why did you help me?"
He did not answer, but she continued.
"Because, I can't help but wonder. If you do come with me, will you wait until I am asleep to take advantage of me? Like, steal all my money and run off before I can wake?" She did not notice his quirked eyebrow at the odd question, because there were worse things than money being stolen that could happen when someone is asleep and being taken advantage of.
"Or, perhaps you will find me too much of a burden, kill me, and then take off with everything I have? Don't get me wrong. I am ecstatic at the fact that you are even considering coming with me. But, with all the characters I have met over the past 11 years, especially since I left the orphanage, I can't help but wonder if you are just the same as everyone else."
Krista was right to assume he would not reply.
Really, what was it to him in the end? But then, why help her to begin with?
The ground began sloping down, and both could spy the town not far away, surrounded by the forest on all sides. It was no capital, but it was a fairly well-off town surrounded by a wall. Not many went without in this town, and those that did… well, they didn't really matter. Not in this town.
D guided the steed with ease around the shrubs and trees and over rocks. Krista had no such luck. "Kid's not too graceful, is she?" the creature in his hand remarked. They watched as she tumbled down the hill, not bothering to help her stop, merely observing.
It had a point, though. She was very ungraceful, and seemed none too bright.
They came to rest upon the impressive horse by her unmoving body, and D gazed steadily at her back. She did not move, not even a twitch, as the horse impatiently stomped at her. There she stayed for several moments until D stretched down and lifted her by the back of her shirt. She hung there like a kitten, tears streaming down her cheeks.
It was an almost comical sight.
"It hurts to move," Krista hissed through clenched teeth. Even suspended in the air, she felt pain. She was almost sure she made her leg worse.
Her world spun briefly as he tossed her over his shoulder and into the saddle. At his quiet command to hold on, she numbly wrapped her arms about his waist. She sat stiffly, unsure of how to keep her balance or how to hold fast to D as he weaved the horse through the trees.
In just a few short minutes, the town gates rose before them. The guards recognized the Hunter's silhouette, waving him in despite the presence of the wanted girl. The trot through town left her red in the face with shame, able to feel the penetrating glares the people cast her as they passed. She could remember this town, now.
A clean and well-tended estate came into view. It was almost painfully white despite the trimmed bushes surrounding it. And it was separate from the rest of the housing.
Without a word, D slipped from the girl's hold and gestured for her to sit still. The man of the house eagerly met him at the door, smile wide until he caught sight of Krista sitting atop the horse. It did not take a genius to know he was a man used to getting his way.
"You brought it here? I told you to deal with it!" He ran a hand through his salt and pepper hair, growling.
"You hired me to do either or," he murmured, head tipped down but eyes still narrowed upon the man. "She will not be bothering the town after this."
The man grew increasingly more agitated. "And by 'bring it in', I was hoping you would understand that it needed to be deceased."
"She doesn't seem to be much of a terror, as you called her," the countenanced carbuncle grumbled, though it seemed the man could not tell it was not the Hunter. "There wasn't much of a reason to follow through with taking her life."
His face turned red with anger and embarrassment. He really should have been more specific with his reasoning, but it was too late. "I'm not paying you the other half. Half pay for a half-breed and a half-assed job seems more than fair."
"You really wanna do this?" the hand quipped.
"Why have her hunted to begin with?"
Face turning a darker shade, the man sputtered. "She is a menace to society, terrorizing the people of the city. She needs to be dealt with!"
"And she has been." The Hunter held out his hand, and after several moments fuming, the man tossed the agreed amount to him.
"Now get out of my town," he hissed at the Hunter's back.
"Only after we resupply."
Krista waited with her head turned down, unable to hear the conversation or see the employer, but she flinched when the door slammed shut. "That sounds like it didn't end the best. I hope he still got paid."
"I did."
"Oh, good." She smiled weakly at him, wholly uncomfortable with the entire situation. It didn't take much to figure out she was as welcome as bedbugs in this town. "Now that you're done with them, will you come with me to Puregon?"
"Supplies, first."
A loud squeal left her, and for a moment he would swear he could see stars in her eyes. No, perhaps those were tears.
"Thank you!" With trembling fingers, she began digging for her coin purse. "I will give you everything I have in this pouch. I know it's probably a lot less than what you just got paid, but…" She faltered, eyeing the hand stilling hers.
"Keep it for now," he answered before she could ask. "Buy the things you need."
She was honestly amazed. "Really?" At his slight nod she smiled widely. "Sincerely, thank you. I will still pay you, though. I don't know when, but I will."
Back at the center of town, D carefully secured the horse at the trough. Krista slipped from the saddle with an undignified grunt, squeaking and shuddering with nervous energy. She was still overjoyed he was to accompany her, but another part of her was terrified. 'Will they try to attack me while I'm alone?'
'Don't be such a baby. Just get it all over with,' a voice not unlike her own but undeniably foreign answered.
Her eyes went wide. "I know I'm in the habit of talking to myself, but I don't remember having a voice ever answer back…"
'Well, I'm answering now. So, if you could just move this along, that'd be great.'
"Fine," she muttered, inching her way closer to the man in black. "Hey, D?"
He cast her a sidelong glance, watching her fidget.
"I'm gonna go down to the smithy, see if he can't fix my chest plates. If you hear screaming, maybe make sure I ain't dead in the ditch? I'd appreciate it!" She smiled toothily at him, patting the air around his shoulder apprehensively. Wouldn't want to irk him by invading his personal space, again. "So, ah… I'll be back in a bit to get food for myself. It won't be much for them to gather. I've kinda stopped eating since I left Puregon."
Without another word, Krista skittered down the street, eyes searching for the blacksmith's shop. She knew she'd seen one during her mad run through town, and she could only hope that the person was in as good a mood as the rest of the people in this town.
'Except for that guy. He was in a really pissy mood.'
"Yeah, seemed like it," she agreed distractedly. She finally caught sight of the open-faced building, gaping in awe at all of the clutter. Walls were lined with armor of all types and every weapon imaginable. Maces, daggers, swords, lances, firearms. It was incredible, but with all the clutter, it was no surprise that she found herself lost amongst the equipment and scraps.
She jumped as high as she could, spying the thin man laboring over a rapier, before she fell over the nearest pile of scrap. Without looking up, the man yelled, "There is a clear path along the left wall."
Too true this was. With flushed cheeks, Krista made her way to him. "Sorry, I need to know if you can fix my chest plates."
The grinding stone whirred to a stop and he held out a hand. "Let me see 'em."
An already pink face darkened as she worked to unlatch the pieces under her shirt. He eyed them once she was done, comparing the shape of the plate to her fairly flat chest and finding the plate just a tad too flat. "Give me a few hours and I'll have those looking good as new, maybe fitting properly, too."
"Just a few hours?" she asked incredulously.
The smith laughed lightly. "Promise."
"How much?"
"I'm gonna estimate it in the five hundred range. Got at least that much?"
She did not have to check to know she had well over that amount, nodding her head vigorously. "Thank you, I shall return!" she called. Like a startled mouse, she fled the shop and slammed face-first into a broad chest. And she screamed in fright, arms shielding her face.
"This is how I die!"
But no death came.
'Look up, you idiot.'
She did, smiling sheepishly at the Hunter eyeing her. "Sorry, I thought… I don't know what I thought. I guess I thought you were an angry town liver… An angry people… Argh, you get my point!" A rough shudder went through her. "Either way, it's gonna be a few hours and I gotta go to one more place before I get food."
With a near silent squeak and a small hop, she took off down the street, oblivious to the scrutinizing gaze the man gave her. A clothing store meant for travelers caught her eye and she threw herself through the door. Her breeches were fine, however… She cast a scornful look at her shirt.
The stained shirt was a pathetic sight, in tatters and worn thin. Not to mention how filthy it was. And losing her cloak proved to her just how horrid the elements could be when without protection. A bit of scanning and she found all she felt she would need. A single shirt and traveling cloak. And a couple of spare pairs of undies.
That really wasn't much, but she was confident in her ability to keep semi-clean. And besides, why buy too horribly much when she had nowhere to truly store it?
D stepped from the shadow of the building as she passed and scanned the street for him. But upon his 'sudden appearance', she screeched and flung her new clothes at him. Without a word, he plucked the painfully plain underwear off the edge of his wide brimmed hat.
This girl, she startled far too easily. But, if he were her, perhaps he would be the same.
To the grocer she fled with cheeks flushed, quickly swapping out shirts and pulling on her new cloak. The old shirt found a home in the waste bin outside the store, underwear tucked inside the cloak.
He found she was not lying when she said she'd not been eating much. She picked out a couple of sour apples and a tin of crackers, knowing the ride home would take a couple of days. Beyond that, a few hygiene items and she was done.
"Do you mind if I put this in one of your bags?" At his soft no, she deposited her items and followed him to the local tavern.
Silence reigned over the room, activities ceased, as they entered the building, patrons eyeing the duo apprehensively through the swirling clouds of acrid smoke. Even after the pair occupied a small corner table where light was little, no one dared to speak until a petite waiter came to them.
"My name's Marlo," he started, leaning in close to the table to better hear. "What can I get you two?"
The Hunter ordered a red wine by a name she would never remember, and with her mouth agape, she meekly requested water. "Forgive me if I'm wrong, but you don't seem the drinking type."
"Typically," the creature in his hand answered, though she knew no different.
The glasses hit the table with a soft clink. "If you need anything else, just yell," the man said, spinning on his heel to leave as a group of men at a nearby table laughed.
"Marlo, please. With how strong their drinks are, I'm sure they won't make it to a second round!" a man with unruly black hair quipped. He was on the verge of drunk, along with the rest of the men guffawing around him.
Marlo ran a hand through his red curls before slapping the man on the back of his head. "Don't pester others with your drunken teasing this early in the day, Ned." The man, Ned, could only laugh boisterously as Marlo left, but did not comment anymore.
Krista smiled at the exchange, chugging over half her glass before D could take more than a sip of his own. Without a word, she leaned across the table and sniffed his wine. Her nose wrinkled. "Never tried wine. I like the idea of it, it's pretty, but I can't get past the smell."
A soft roll of the shoulders, she shrugged and finished her glass. "Well, I don't know if you know, but I came through the mountain pass to get here. The one they carved." He nodded softly at the information. "So, after we go through there, we go back to the north. I think… maybe it is more northeast?"
A hearty and genuine laugh left her suddenly wide smile. "You'd think in my mad run I would have at least remembered the towns I passed through."
He was silent for a moment, taking another slow sip of the wine. "There is a town just the other side of the pass. We'll reach there by nightfall."
"You sure?" At his nod, she murmured, "I guess that makes sense if I go with you on the horse. Walking takes a lot longer than riding."
They sat in silence, waiting on the girl's armor while he continued to sip on the red wine.
Well, perhaps in silence was not quite accurate.
"My eyes burn!" she cried, rubbing each one with the back of her thumbs.
She'd tried, once more, to see into the man's eyes, quickly finding herself in a stare down.
And another.
And another.
And another.
And she'd lost each one. Really, she wasn't even sure if he had blinked in between each match. "How can you go that long without blinking? I could win if I just jabbed you in the eye, but you'd probably murder me!" She hunched over, palms to each eye, and lightly stomped at the floor with her feet.
D drained the last bit in his glass before standing. The few hours had passed. There was no sense in waiting any longer. He had to wonder if he was truly destined to travel with this girl. But, just how bad could it be?
Life has a strange way of answering sometimes.
He placed the owed amount on the counter, turning long enough to observe as Krista stumbled over the leg of her own chair and mowed down Marlo. Even as he left the bar, a series of crashes reached his ears well down the street. Horse in tow, he waited outside the blacksmith's shop.
A few minutes later she came running down the street, eyes wild, face flushed, and forehead bruised just above her brows. She smiled widely. "Howdy! I'll be just a moment assuming I don't kill myself on something in here. And assuming that man back there doesn't decide to gather a mob to kill me. God knows the counter already tried."
By the time she came back out, the bruise had darkened considerably. She struggled with the clasps on her armor, pleasantly surprised by how well and comfortably it fit now. "Wow, that's nice. Bunches better! So, we done here?"
D merely headed down the road, listening to the girl stumble along and fight with her cloak.
"Very lacking in grace, and an idiot," the carbuncle grumbled quietly. "Really, why don't you just ditch her? She'll figure out how to solve her own problems… at some point. Besides, you're not getting paid. What's the point?" There was a small pause. "You think she'd freak out if she knew just how old you are?"
"You talking to me?" Krista suddenly asked, hands clasped lightly behind her back. "Or are you talking to yourself? Do you do it often?"
"Do you?"
"I think? Is there a problem with it?"
They were near the town gates, and she watched as he mounted the steed with a flourish of his coat.
'I don't think he really cares.'
"I don't guess so," she muttered. She glanced up at him, eyeing his extended hand. "You want me to ride?"
'Nah, he seems like quite the romantic.'
Krista was mid-eye roll when he affirmed her suspicions. "You gonna save me when I fall off head first? Because previous experiences with horseback riding say that's gonna happen." He did not respond. "I'll take that as a maybe."
Hair at the nape of her neck stood on end as she slipped her hand into his and he effortlessly pulled her into the saddle. His hand was only as chilled as before, but something sent a torrent of chills across her body. And for just a moment it unnerved her.
The man did not lie.
Upon the horse they did exit the passage, town appearing ablaze as the sun settled behind the mountains. It was a small settlement, filled mainly with miners and lumberjacks.
At the town stables, D dismounted and patiently waited as Krista slid off the mount, landing heavily on her stomach. He did not wait on her to stand. Well-practiced hands unlatched the saddle and bags and he hoisted them onto his shoulder.
With the horse in the care of the paid stable hand, D headed for the tavern, Krista trailing behind him. She could honestly say that her rump was sore. Her thighs were sore. Everything was sore once the numbness wore off. She rubbed her bottom. Even her side and leg seemed agitated by the journey.
"I will take care of our room."
She choked on her spit before glowering at the pale man. "Wait, our room? I am perfectly able to buy my own!"
The Hunter merely gestured at the sign hanging in the window of the tavern, proudly declaring their single vacancy.
"That's convenient," she grumbled. "Sorry… But I can still help pay for it."
She was ignored, and in her funk, she did not recall him paying for the room, nor did she remember following him there. In fact, he was already in the dark room, depositing the saddle and bags. She stood there, staring for a long while, before she groped for the light switch.
It was a quaint room. With only one bed. Where the duvet matched the pattern and color of the carpet. And a single chair to the left of it all. It was hard to look at. Well, there's no accounting for taste.
Krista's pulled her weapon from her waist and set it upon the dresser across from the bed. "You mind if I go bathe?" she quietly asked. At his soft no, she pulled her things from a bag and stumbled into the bathroom.
Sword at his side, D leaned against the headboard, listening to the running water. There he stayed for several minutes, eyes closed against the light in the room until she came back out. She shuffled across the room to the switch, combing the dripping locks with slim fingers.
With the light off, she collapsed in the chair with a sigh.
"Let me check your wounds."
She groaned as she stood, shirt, armor, and arms lifted. Sure fingers prodded at the wound on her side. While it no longer wept, it was still angry. After a moment of gathering the necessary items, he rewrapped her side with another antibiotic and salve-soaked cloth. Every other stitched wound was fine.
"Where is your splint?" he asked softly, hands running down her shin.
"In the bathroom. I still couldn't figure out how to put it back on and I didn't feel like I needed it too much." She watched him disappear into the bathroom with a scowl. "I feel like a bloody child with all this mothering."
The man did not reply as he returned and secured the splint about her still-swollen leg. It felt leagues better, but it wasn't healed.
She curled up in the chair once out of his hold, knees to her chest, toes wriggling contently. Her cloak pulled about her shoulders, she waited for sleep to greet her. Instead, she felt the piercing gaze of the man in black. "What?"
Leaned against the wall, he gestured at the bed. "You should sleep on the bed so your wounds heal properly."
The glare she sent him was almost chilling for someone of her disposition and stature. As if another side lie dormant, waiting to make its grand entrance. Just as quickly, the look was gone. A serene smile lifted her lips. "Nah, you should take the bed. I slept on your pallet, seems only fitting. Besides, I'm fine."
D watched as she curled in on herself and swiftly fell asleep, eyes studying her figure. Not much had changed since the day before but she did appear less sickly.
"A bit stubborn, isn't she," the creature started, twisting D's left hand about to better see the girl.
Indeed. This would be a long job should he need to deal with a stubborn mule the entire time.
A stubborn mule missing a front and back leg. And no common sense.
"You know, speaking of stubborn…"
If the man were inclined to show emotion, he might've rolled his eyes and sighed in exasperation.
"You need to rest. We went over this the other day. All you are doing is running headlong into a case of Sunlight Syndrome. It might be the death of her if you decided to show your fangs," it chortled.
He did not respond, gently pulling Krista from the chair and settling her tiny frame on the bed. Like it or not, this is where she needed to be. He left her wrapped in her cloak as he claimed the chair, legs crossed and arms folded across his chest.
"Hey, you better not stay up again just to watch her. I mean, did you even sleep last night?"
Before the creature could finish, D was tilting his head down, entering a dreamless realm somewhere between awake and asleep.
She doubled over and wiped at her face and eyes, breathing heavily. Had she been running? Was she crying?
"What is going on around here?" she questioned, continuing to gasp for air as she headed down the road. The streets seemed so familiar. Eerily so. And as she took in the scene, she saw a woman standing just down the road. Behind her stood a maliciously smiling figure. Canines, elongated and painfully sharp, shined. Faster than her eyes could follow, the figure hoisted the woman over his shoulder and disappeared.
She turned, eyes catching sight of another figure, and had the fleeting thought that he might be the same as the last figure. But, something about his presence made her feel ill, and as a lurid light coursed through his eyes, she cried.
The figure extended a slim hand, as if trying to gain her confidence.
She reached back, almost calmed by his actions, before she spied the figure lurking at his back. She screamed one letter. One name. She screamed 'D'.
A sword tip exited his chest and blood erupted from his mouth, painted her crimson.
She could only watch in horror as the blade was twisted free, the figure leaning in close to the collapsing man. No words he spoke were clear to her and a pair of hands hoisted her over a lean shoulder. "Say good riddance to your Dhampir," he breathed.
It was only then that she began to struggle and laughter filled the night air.
"I would stop struggling. It's no use. You are-"
October 29, 13,012
Krista flailed wildly in the blanket and cloak surrounding her, panic stricken and gasping for air. The world around her slowly came into focus. "Oh, thank God, it was just a dream," she breathed, detangling herself from the duvet of doom. 'But what is a diaper? No. A dam… Dammmmpur? And that was D? Is D a Diaper?'
'Well, you did call the man 'D'. I should think so. But better yet! Did you see the way the blood burst from his chest?! It was like a blooming flower!'
An involuntary shudder ran through Krista at the thought of a skewered D. 'You're being a pain. I'd rather not think about it.' She looked about the dark room, secretly relieved to see D residing in the chair, his damp hair shielding his face, steam leaking from the bathroom.
Although his head remained down, D watched Krista continue her fight for freedom, kicking and biting. He merely clenched his fist as the creature giggled to itself.
"Hmm, I wonder what she dreamt about. Maybe you? She seems pretty upset about it."
She did, hands shaking as she pulled back the curtain to observe the town still cloaked in night. With a quiet sigh, she dropped the fabric and skittered towards D. She leaned forward until her forehead touched the edge of D's broad hat, irises shining in the nonexistent light as she stared at him.
Onyx eyes snapped up to stare her down and she stumbled backwards, laughing nervously. "Sorry, I popped your personal bubble." At the quiet statement, she plucked invisible pieces from the air and floor, pretending to patch his 'bubble'. "There!" she exclaimed.
There was a long silence as she pulled on her boots. "What is it?"
"Well, I wanted to know why I was on the bed. I know I fell asleep right there."
"Your wounds need to heal properly," D replied coolly, rising from the chair and towering over her.
Despite the sight and tone of his voice raising the fine hairs on her body, she glared up at him. "And I said I was fine, but… you're right." She sighed, looking down. "You've been right. I apologize."
At his light nod, she lifted her club from the dresser and latched it to her belt. "When do we leave?" In answer he settled his sword upon his back and hefted the saddle onto his shoulder. "I will… I will fetch your horse."
Little more than a dark, petite blur as she passed, Krista no less than sprinted down to the stables to retrieve the impressive beast. Halfway there and he watched as it came charging out, the girl clinging to the reins as she struggled to keep up. She ultimately failed and slid across the ground until the horse stopped by D's side to be saddled.
She'd have been content to lie there a moment longer had the horse not stomped a hoof next to her face. "I get it; we need to go." Without much thought, she grasped D's waiting hand and mounted before him, careful not to disengage him from the saddle with a swift kick to the head.
Wouldn't want him matching her in the bruises department.
Several minutes passed as the horse galloped across the land. It was almost shocking how suddenly the green of the trees and lush grass deteriorated into a mottled brown, leaving before them an expanse of sand she could see no end to. It seemed to fit the term 'barren wasteland' and it showed just how drastically the weather controllers could affect the land.
A light tap to her bandaged side startled her out of her thoughts and she tipped her head back hurriedly. "Yeah?"
"What is that wound from?" D enquired.
Pale cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she smiled sheepishly. "When I was a fair distance from Puregon, I ran across this massive creature! It decided I was gonna be lunch, I guess. I don't really know how I got away, but I'm gonna assume it choked on my cloak and bag. But when it had me in the air, my belly was exposed." She jabbed at the air with a closed fist. "And he got me."
With a light slap to her side, she looked to the passing ground and laughed. "This is what happens when you can't take care of yourself. This is what happens when the town you live in refuses to find a solution to a big problem."
"People began disappearing over night?"
"Yeah."
"Are you aware of any Nobles in the vicinity of the town?"
Krista blindly watched the horse's hooves kick up sand, searching the depths of her mind. "Well, I guess you could call Mister Alistair and Missus Carnegie nobles? They were never lacking in money, though why they would want to settle in a place like that…" She shrugged. "But I don't see what rich people have to do with kidnappings."
The horse whinnied and bucked in protest as D tightened his grip on the reins and jerked. Krista flipped over the protesting animal's head, face breaking her fall first. There was a ringing in her ears as she pulled her head from the sand, and it was almost maddening.
"This is not a joking matter," the countenanced carbuncle growled. "You know damn well that isn't what was meant by 'Noble'."
"What is there to joke about?" she moaned, clutching at her head. "You asked, I bloody answered! What did you mean if not that?!"
"A Noble is a Vampire," D stated as she lifted her torso from the ground.
"Well, what is that?"
D edged the horse forward, eyes narrowed as he stared her down. If she did not know of Vampires, then perhaps that was the reason behind her strange answers. And perhaps by 'you people', she'd merely meant people hired to hunt her down.
"Vampires, self-proclaimed as Nobles, are creatures of the Night that feed off the blood of Humans," he finally replied, tone severe.
"They feed off… blood? Really?" She eyed him suspiciously, rubbing her ears as if that would alleviate her problems. "That's weird. But hey, if they like to live in manors just outside of town, I suppose Puregon is a good place to look. I mean… there's only one, but people have avoided it for as long as I can remember."
A long moment drug by before Krista worked up the courage to meekly ask, "Am I allowed back up?" She gingerly settled into her spot at his slight shift, finding her mind drifting over the information. One would think the existence of these 'creatures of the Night' would have been mentioned at some point. But nothing came to mind.
'I bet they were keeping us in the dark. If his reaction is anything to go by.'
'But why would they do that?'
Krista could almost feel the voice shrug. 'Shit if I know.'
For a moment, she felt truly angry at the man. Just as quickly, it was gone. She'd been rather irritable lately, especially since leaving the orphanage. Especially since meeting the man. 'Is that you making me so upset all the time?'
'Eh, probably. You do seem to get bitchy when I get suspicious or agitated at the behemoth behind us.'
'Well, stop! He isn't doing anything wrong. He's helped us so much! What's there to be suspicious of?!' The voice did not answer, and she had to wonder if the voice had been a figment of her imagination.
'I'm not your imagination.'
She scoffed openly, unaware of the man's speculative and sharp gaze. 'Then what is your name? And where did you come from?'
'You know, I don't remember. But I do know that I have always been with you.'
"Huh." She frowned, blinking slowly.
D had noticed her gaze grow distant, eyes glazed, and whether she realized it, she'd murmured quietly each reply to the voice in her mind. He made sure to commit the sight to memory. And with a gradual tilt of her head, she focused on him.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I know I said it before, but… I don't wanna be so ugly to you. I don't mean to be."
"I'm accustomed to it," he replied.
"That doesn't make it better!" she retorted. "It doesn't give me a reason to accuse you of stuff or be suspicious of your motives. Just know that I am sorry for everything I have done and will no doubt do. And thank you for helping me."
He gave a delayed nod, and that is when Krista started to wonder if something was wrong. For the next few hours she was silent, normally oblivious to things around her but also realizing something was off as the sun climbed higher into the sky. Despite the space between them, dare she say he felt rather warm against her back? Perhaps it was just the sun.
They stopped off in the next town to let the horse drink and rest for a bit at the trough.
Or, so she told herself.
The Hunter drifted in the opposite direction of the girl towards shade. Once enough distance was between the two, the creature in his hand snarled. "God dammit!"
A few people turned in search of the outburst but did not assume the man.
"I warned you!" it growled quieter, air hissing between clenched teeth. "And yet, here we are!"
"We will stop in the next town," he answered calmly. A slight chill ran down his spine.
"If you make it that far."
A long moment passed before the creature sighed. "Well, don't you think it's a bit odd she doesn't know about Nobles?" A quiet affirmation in answer, it continued. "It explains a lot. Her answers, her memories. Which brings up the big question right now: why did you stop for her?"
The Hunter answered the same. "Curious."
"You said that! There's gotta be something more! But I guess I'll have to wait for the juicy details another day."
Krista slowly approached. She fingered a loose string on her shirt and chuckled. "I think your horse is done."
Indeed, it seemed so.
The beast stood tall, giving an impossibly indignant look for a horse as it strained the reins still tied to a post. He gently stroked its muzzle once at its side. This horse had come far with him, perhaps farther than most.
"Are you feeling okay?"
D nodded, slowly blinking as he turned his gaze upon the girl and her skeptical look.
"You sure?" He merely nodded again. She wasn't convinced. While she couldn't be certain, she was almost sure something was off. His aura? Yes, perhaps that is what was alerting her because he looked… normal? Pale. But, was he really any paler? No, definitely his aura as it shuddered like disturbed smoke hanging in a tavern. Because, surely this man was not smoking.
The sun, high in the sky, scorched her skin and left her a sweaty mess. Had it been this hot when she came through? Or was it the lack of wind? She had to wonder how D could stand it.
Truth be told, he was fairing worse than her. A cold chill engulfed him, and yet, his exposed skin felt aflame. If he could hold out, they would be at the next town within a half-hour. Sooner, really. He'd lasted this long, surely he could last that much longer.
His strength waned, posture faltered, breath labored.
Just a bit longer. The town was in sight.
Much the same as a bad dream, his vision swam, eyes jerking and unable to focus on the surroundings. Or perhaps it was more like a vague dream, where the scenes glitch and glide around oneself. An unclear story not meant to be grasped.
"D, your hands are smoking!"
So they were.
Shaking hands pressed the reins into her grasp before biting painfully into the flesh of her shoulders. This girl, she was small beneath his hands. Almost painfully small. Standing, she barely passed mid-chest. It was a wonder he did not drag her from the saddle as consciousness slipped from his grasp.
Krista pulled on the reins, staring dumbly at the Hunter sprawled ungracefully on the ground. Did the intimidating man really just… flake out on her? Without sparing another moment she slid from the saddle and stumbled towards his prone figure, scooping up his fallen hat on her way. Trembling fingers gripped the armor stretched across his chest.
She shook him.
"Wake up! I'm not a doctor! I can't fix you like you fixed me! Oh! Maybe you got too hot." She frantically flapped the hat in his face. "Or maybe he needs some water?" A deep breath filled her lungs as she prepared screech at the heavens, but a hoarse voice stayed her.
"Both of those are good starts, but I have a suggestion," the creature chirped. "You could find a shady spot and plant him for a bit."
The left hand rose to eyelevel, small eyes narrowed in mirth and agitation at her. She pointed a finger at the wrinkled face with a twitch of her eye. "I wondered why D sounded like he had something stuck in his throat, but… this is strange."
So perhaps she had known to a degree.
"Got a problem though, hand thingy," she muttered. "Do I plant him under the shade of the barrel cactus or the shade of the whipping cactus?"
The countenanced carbuncle sighed after a quick look about. "The next best thing is somewhere dark and cool. Get him back on that horse and pray the clinic has a basement. A morgue will do, too."
She shuddered as she struggled to lift the Hunter, extremely grateful the horse sensed her frustration and settled on the ground before her. "Let's really hope for the first one. I would rather not sleep among the dead."
Once they were settled on the horse, the large beast lurched upwards and bolted towards the town. They'd been about two miles out of town when D collapsed and the gate set in the weathered wall was opening by the time they arrived.
If she focused she could spy the female guard wearing binoculars ordering the gate to be closed behind them. But she barely noticed, too preoccupied with the scene unfolding before her. People in the streets scattered as the horse charged through with panicked screams and cursing. It was chaotic at best.
One lone nurse stood before the hospital, watching the horse create an uproar, and Krista had to wonder how the beast knew where to go. Thankfully, it gradually slowed to a stop, nickering and stomping at the startled nurse.
The woman peeked around the horse, eyeing the flushed girl and smoking man laid over the saddle. Her round eyes narrowed. "Can I help you?"
"Will you help him? I'm told he would be better in a dark, cool place, like a basement."
"Miss, is your friend Human?"
"Does it matter?! He's my friend and I prefer him alive," Krista snapped, glaring at the woman. "Please help him."
The woman seemed to deliberate a moment longer before letting loose a piercing whistle, alerting two male nurses to bring a gurney. "We will take him down below. Just follow the signs."
She sped through stabling the horse, despite its reluctance, and struggled to lug the saddle and bags back to the clinic. How could that man carry it all around like it was nothing?! Maybe she was just weak.
The signs pointing the way clearly stated 'morgue', but she was relieved to see the nurse outside a room marked for autopsy. The rooms were considerably cooler and painfully dark with the lights off, leaving her chilled as she passed the nurse. Or perhaps, it was the nurse that left her chilled?
Krista turned on her heel after depositing the equipment, taken aback by the look of utter disgust on the woman's face, her nose wrinkled and eyes narrowed. "Thank you," she murmured to the nurse, eyes wide.
Lips pressed together in a firm line, she tipped her head at the cabinets along the wall. "Rags are under the sink. My name is Anna if you need anything." She made it a point to look anywhere but at them, leaving before Krista could ask anything of her. Only once she was far enough away did she hiss out, "Damn abomination and his whore, tainting this place."
"I wonder why I feel like her name isn't really 'Anna'." Krista ran a damp cloth across D's forehead. At least he was no longer smoking. "Hey, hand thingy? What's a 'whore'?"
"Don't worry about it, kid. It's not important." The hand twisted over to see her, chuckling at her childish pout. "Hand thingy, though? Maybe you can shorten that?"
She was dejected, but managed a smile at the creature. "Hand?"
"Sure, kid."
Upon a rolling chair she scooted closer, fingering the cloth of the man's coat as she studied them. "Is he gonna be okay?"
"Sure. Just a little heat exhaustion. He's been through much worse."
She flinched, almost able to feel warm blood splatter against her face.
It did not escape Hand's notice. "What was that about? Does it have to do with your dream last night?"
Eyes vacant she stammered out, "Gods, I… it was a very vivid dream. Not very clear sometimes, but it felt real. I mean, what's a diaper? No, Dham… Dhampir?"
"Tell me your dream."
So she did, fingers worrying the fabric of the coat as she relayed the dream with as much detail as she could manage. Her skin prickled, thoroughly spooked by the idea that the dream could be more than just a dream.
This man, despite how little she knew him and how suspicious she was of him originally, was not someone she wanted to lose. And part of her could trust him with her life. A man who appeared no more than twenty years old surrounded in a ghastly aura that no longer put her on edge. A man who'd almost killed her upon their first meeting.
That man, so stoic.
And yet…
Her brain hurt.
She leaned her head against the cool metal of D's table, eyes closed as she prayed nothing came of the dream. She wouldn't wonder if he would die, but she could hope not.
A burning sensation crept along her spine.
A quick glance up and she lurched back in surprise, flailing as her chair tipped and dumped her on the floor with a loud clatter. Her heart sputtered. She struggled to focus on D's figure, now knowing the previously gleaming eyes were not a threat. "Bloody hell. Are you feeling better?" she asked, scrambling to her feet.
Nodding, D pushed himself up on a shaking arm. This was no 'dirt nap', but it worked. He eyed the reddened skin of his hand.
"If you're wondering, Hand told me what to do." She pulled the chair back up, brow furrowed as she passed him the cool cloth. "If you weren't feeling good at the last town, you should have said so."
He did not respond as he tugged his sword free and cradled it in his arms. The nurses had not bothered to remove it and it was painfully uncomfortable to lay upon. "Sleep," he eventually breathed.
"Aye!" With a half-hearted salute, she collapsed in the chair and wrapped herself in the cloak. Slowly, one finger inched out of the dark cloth to point warningly at him. "You better stay there. This is not something I want to repeat."
In answer he stretched out on the table. He wouldn't fight the girl this round, even if he had the energy. Instead, he listened for the slowing of her breath and the steadying of her heart. It came.
"D, we need to talk," Hand murmured.
And just as quickly, her signs of sleep fled.
He cast her a sidelong glance.
It could have been a trick of the lighting.
Electric blue eyes stared back, narrowing in agitation before she released a puff of air. "Well, don't let me interrupt you…" The startlingly blue eyes lost their color and closed. A quiet snore filled the air.
This time she was certainly asleep.
"That was odd…" The hand twisted around to face him. "It could be nothing, but I wanna talk about the kid's dream."
October 30, 13,012
In the soft hues of twilight they left, never once approached by the clinic's staff. And despite the stable hand's best efforts, the gargantuan horse was forcing its way through the doors to meet them. As they passed through the northern gate, Krista had to wonder why the guards seemed so tense, knuckles white as they clutched their weapons.
They did not seem so on edge the day prior.
And so they traveled, carving a path through the sand as they followed the markers stretching out onto the horizon.
The horizon.
Dawn had long since passed when Krista turned to the Hunter. "How do you know we're going the right way?" He did not answer. "Do you know if we are?!"
"Asks the girl who came this way before," he murmured.
Nose wrinkled, eyes narrowed, and upper lip drawn back, Krista threw her head back against his chest with an obnoxious groan, the noise more befitting of a dying animal. "You're killin' me."
Acidic green eyes stared past him after a moment, slowly widening in shock. "You know what? I don't care so much about direction. I wanna know what's wrong with that cloud."
A cloud, small and unassuming, hovered in the clear sky.
"It's… just being a cloud, kid."
It suddenly swirled and swelled, shining garishly as it encompassed the sun.
"No, no… I don't think that is a normal cloud activity." As if to spite her, it released a torrent of rain right over the travelers. "And if clouds could, I'd swear this one is peeing on us."
It rained harder.
Just over them.
"Okay!" she yelled. "I get it!" The rain suddenly stopped, and she had to wonder if the cloud was alive in some way as the fine hairs on her body raised.
Its ethereal glow intensified, great arcs of electricity leaping from within its folds to strike the land. Another gush of water. Despite the freakish weather, D seemed unbothered and merely navigated the horse around the quickly forming pools of quicksand and glass. It would not surprise him if the cloud was sentient, nor would it surprise him if it was all coincidence, the result of a weather controller malfunctioning.
Lightning danced just above the ground when they came upon the next town around Noon, and just as quickly as the storm formed, it was gone with a rolling explosion. In fact, Krista would swear the ball of fluff looked smug as it zipped over the town.
This town, much like Puregon and many other towns residing in the desert, was surrounded by a high wall. She had to wonder why, but at the same time she was not overly concerned. Marauders? Were the storms a larger threat than she was aware of?
'Maybe to keep people like us out.'
"Pfft, probably," she muttered aloud.
With the gates falling behind them, they meandered down to the tavern. The beast seemed more than pleased with the small break at the stables, face buried in the closest hay bale. Inside the tavern, smoke swirled in the wake of the women scampering about.
In little more than undergarments, Krista had to wonder, "Why are they dressed like that?" She was led to a more secluded corner.
"It's likely this place also serves as a cathouse," D replied. As if on cue, one of the women led a man towards the rooms at the back.
"A cathouse?" Krista leaned forward to glance around the Hunter, eyes wide in wonder. "Are they going back there to pet cats? Can we go pet cats, D?!" This time, she tipped towards D, lips pulled back over her teeth in an excited smile.
The creature residing in his hand emitted a strangled, choking sound before sputtering, "Are you serious?!" The hand flailed. "You can't wave this off, D! We need to get this kid outta here!"
A girl sashayed up to the table, eyes hooded as she stretched over the worn wood. "Is there anything I can get you two?" She smiled sweetly and slowly fluttered her eyelashes.
"Water."
"Can we go pet cats?!"
"They don't pet cats here," interrupted D.
"Well, sure we do, honey. For the right price, of course," the woman replied.
"No, you do not," he stated, sending her a dark look.
"Go get the waters!" Hand suddenly growled, exasperated.
With a pout the woman sauntered off to retrieve their glasses. And Krista stared at D. "Why call it a cathouse if they don't do things with cats?"
They did, just not the things she was expecting.
Water in hand, Krista turned her attention to the room, once more. She eyed the people flocking to the back and the patrons drinking themselves silly. The occasional male was even spied whisking people to the back. "If they are petting cats, they even got guys doing it…" she grumbled with a long sigh.
"There are no animals here!"
"But, Hand!" She flung her hands above her head and flapped them in a vague gesture at the room. "Why call it a cat house?"
"If I call it a brothel, will that make you understand?"
A blank look. After a long moment of silence, she stood and headed for the door.
"Where're you going, kid?" Hand called as D left enough to cover their drinks and stood to follow.
Without looking back, Krista pushed through the door and into the scorching sun. "I'm going to find a dictionary."
D gently grasped her shoulder. "It's not important."
"Y'all talk as if I should know this stuff."
At the soft shake of his head, she allowed him to guide her to the steed no longer lost in its meal. There again, things kept from her.
A quick glance at the sky. The Hunter lifted a collapsed facemask from the saddle, popping it open to slip over the horse's face. Despite the contraption effectively covering the entirety of its head, the horse seemed at ease. Its ears flickered, cover following the movement.
"What's that for, D?" Krista mounted as D finished securing the object.
"There's a sandstorm brewing," he answered simply. Once settled behind the girl, he tugged up his scarf.
Outside the town gates they were blasted by wind. Sand hung thick in the air. With only her hooded cloak, Krista ducked down and pulled it closed. Part of her wondered how the Hunter could see with the sand in his eyes, but figured if he was willing to press on, she had no need to worry.
The sun was long settled beyond the horizon by the time they stopped, horse resting contently by the pool of water in the pitifully miniscule oasis. Just big enough to house a handful of reptiles and small mammals. It was peaceful.
Peaceful until a loud rumble broke the quiet.
"I'm hungry!" Krista suddenly exclaimed, creeping over to the saddlebags with a sheepish smile.
The Hunter observed as she pulled a handful of crackers from the tin and an apple from the bag, consuming the food with a ferocity one might expect of a starving dog. For a moment, she felt like one. It was a hunger so sudden and fierce it felt as if her stomach was attempting to devour itself. But he watched as she quickly slowed, nibbling at the half-eaten apple.
"Well, that was good. Can the horse have the rest?"
He gave a soft nod and watched as she tossed the remainder to the beast. Not concerned, per se, but… he found it odd that she did eat so little. It'd been three days and this was all she could be bothered to consume. It was no wonder she appeared a tad emaciated.
"D, have you eaten?"
"No," he responded simply.
"Shouldn't you?"
"You should be eating more."
Krista pouted like a chastised child. "I told you. I lost my appetite."
"Specifically," he started, leaning against the trunk of a tree, "you stated you've stopped eating. Is there a reason why?"
"I don't see how it matters. Besides, I don't really know why."
"When did you leave?"
She put a crooked finger to her lips in thought. "I don't even remember today's date, but I'm going to guess that it's been a few weeks. Got turned around a couple of times. My side got infected. Days seemed to run together for a bit after that."
A soft shrug. "Doesn't matter. All that matters is that I found you. That is the real mystery. How did I manage to get hunted by the person I needed?"
D watched as she curled into her cloak with a mumbled 'goodnight', a small smile lifting her lips. At least a few weeks, huh? Did she not understand just how many could disappear in that amount of time?
October 31, 13,012
Quiet splashing roused her from slumber.
"Deciding to be a tad more Human, are we?"
More splashing. If she had to guess, she figured he was probably dunking his left hand more than his right.
She snapped up, shaking the sand from her cloak as she lurched towards the water and dunked her head in. Despite the distortion from the water, she could clearly hear 'happy birthday' from her two companions. And she was shocked. Was that really today? Had she really lost track of that much time?
Why did he even bother with remembering?
A loud gasp fled her lips as she pulled back. Water poured down her face. She could lie to herself and say that it was all water, but her quivering lips were proof enough to the sharp Hunter as she choked out, "Thank y'all." She fled the water's edge.
"Why are you bloody crying?!" she blurted out, but the voice was not her own. It felt strange and strained, but she couldn't be bothered to care in that moment.
In a childish show of joy, she quietly squealed and danced in place, leg aching with the jarring movements. She didn't care. "He didn't need to remember, but he's one of the few who bothered…" Her excitement wore off. "I got way too excited, huh."
The voice was silent, almost as if to say it was obvious she did. But for a moment, she felt she could fly if she really wanted.
And then she came to a startling realization. "I've been gone for over a month. Dammit!"
In the sea of sand, a great opening stretched before them. It was round and smooth, and likely it could swallow a large house. The Hunter eyed the hole, guiding the horse around the edge with a soft click of his tongue. More dotted the land, but these were of no concern.
His focus was on the happenings below the ground.
"You know what this means, D," stated Hand.
Indeed, he did. "Hongares, but they are far from their lands." But why were they so far from home?
The ground bulged beneath them.
With a none-too-pleased snort, the horse trotted back. Just in time, too. The ground continued to swell, sand churning and pitching. A loud pop reminiscent of a discharging firearm and noxious fumes spewed from the opening.
A doglike head appeared, peering over the edge of the fresh opening. Long ears flattened against its skull before it released a bloodcurdling screech and dipped back out of view. Another noise soon filled the sudden quiet. It was a noise that spread chills along the listener's skin; deep, haunting, shaking the very earth with its intensity.
Krista whimpered and clutched at his arm. "That was half the size of the one that tried to eat me."
"Then the one that tried to eat you was only a few months old," Hand muttered.
D snapped the reins as the girl gasped weakly, face draining of color as she looked behind them at the bubbling ground. Like waves at the coming of high tide, the ground rolled forward, golden fur glistening in the sun as the behemoths surged from the ground.
They circled, shaking the earth with their long strides, paws large enough to easily crush the horse and its riders. Eyes black as pitch narrowed at them, lips drawn back across jagged teeth more than capable of shredding through their bones. Five tails writhed at their backs. Fur bristled in agitation.
"I'd rather not be this thing's new chew toy," muttered Hand.
Krista agreed. "Yeah, I don't wanna be a tasty morsel today."
She screamed, panicked as the horse abruptly lurched off to one side and danced just out of range of gnashing teeth, in fear of being thrown from the saddle as it bolted. All around them the ground churned and heaved, gasses bursting from the ground and closely followed by the Hongares.
A quiet ringing.
A flash of silver.
The Hunter at her back shuddered and she cast her eyes up, jaw dropping in awe. A sharp, bonelike protrusion, stayed by the blade poised above their heads, pressed down against him. She knew just how easily the rigid spines could shred through flesh, side aching fiercely at the memory. And yet, he slowly extended his arm as though it were a mere nuisance, pushing it back.
Had she not thought so about that dark man before, she was certain in that moment that he was not someone to be trifled with.
A sound that reminded her strongly of tearing through the skin of chicken filled the air. To be honest, it sounded disgusting.
And surely, if she were traveling back home alone, she would be dead. In a move faster than she could follow, he extended his opposite arm, dagger in hand, and halted the advance of another protrusion. Had he been slower to the draw, that sharp spine would have impaled her from her left shoulder to her right hip.
Why wasn't the horse still running?
Her eyes swiveled down. Iron shod hooves tore through the sand at an almost lazy pace but with enough power to throw sand into the air. It was still running.
'Just imagine. If adrenaline is making the horse seem slow, how fast do you think he is moving?'
Was this man even Human? Because, despite the great feats of strength and speed she'd seen over the past decade, he far outshined everything. She shivered.
'Ah, you can feel it now more than ever, can't you? This man is on a whole 'nother level. I don't think he is even moving as fast as he can. I bet we haven't even seen the beginning of what he is capable of.'
Another pathetic whimper left her teeth-worried lips as she closed her eyes. However, she couldn't say that she was afraid of the man deftly deflecting dexterous spines. No, if anything, it was the voice calmly pointing these small things out, making her realize that…
This world was probably not as simple as she thought.
Hot, dry wind slapped against their faces as a shriek left the Hongare scampering away from them, blood gushing from the spines. The horse continued to dance around death, taking them just out of range of nipping teeth and shifting spines. Of tearing talons and thrashing tails.
The world fell quiet.
They rode for a moment more, giving the Hunter time to sheathe his blades before they turned to observe. Like leash-bound guard dogs they pawed at the earth and let out shrill yips, crowded together but advancing no further.
"What are they doing, D?"
"We exited their territory," he replied, slowly prying her fingers loose from his arm, though she didn't seem to realize she'd grabbed hold in the first place. "Seems someone desired glorified watchdogs."
"But we're so far from town! What's the point of having those things if they eat first and watch later?!"
"I'm not sure."
A gurgling noise.
The group cast their gaze to the Hongares, watching as the largest of them hunched, skin rippling and jerking. Another gurgle left it, sizzling spit dripping from its gradually unhinging jaw.
D softly nudged the horse back.
With a sound akin to pulling one's foot from deep mud, the Hongare vomited a wad of acid that splattered against the sand where they previously resided.
"Egh! That's disgusting!"
The rest of the 'pack' soon followed the 'alpha's' example. The collective sound of the heaving creatures was enough to upset some of the strongest of stomachs. The man in black was unsurprisingly unfazed, guiding the horse northward as acid splattered about behind them, sand sinking and melting.
"I can't believe that they travel in packs. I guess I was fortunate, only running into one. A baby, no less!" Krista exclaimed, lips curling in a wide smile. "And you! That was amazing! I've never seen someone move so fast! And you're so strong!"
She continued to gush even as the Hunter turned his thoughts elsewhere. It really was queer the creatures were this far north. Most tended to stay along the equator where it was warm through the year. They were definitely being used as watchdogs. It did not make sense that they were attacking willy-nilly, though.
"Something must have stirred them up or spooked them," Hand muttered.
He could only agree as he watched Krista flip head first out of the saddle and into the sand.