Scales and Honor: Darkened Skies

  Chapter 5:

  “How much further could it possibly be?” Nivra groaned the question had been burning a hole within her for quite some time as they walked along the uneven ground of tall grass and patches of rocky soil. She had her hand on Voidwing, to support the tired gryphon. The black and white bird’s strides were sluggish, he would tremble with each one as if weights had been tied to each. “I think Voidy here could use the rest. He seems absolutely exhausted.” She gazed up to Hilda, who had led them from the deserted town to the tors close by. Thanks to the hedge mage the orcs had not found a single trace of them to follow. It appeared that she was as good at illusions as she said she was.

  Hilda placed a hand to a dark grey stone, hand caressing surface that looked as though someone had taken a pick ax to it. The woman turned her head, looking to the setting sun in the distance, the red orange rays glittering in her eyes. “Not too long dearie. Don’t worry yerself none.” The woman nodded, “Just over this hill and you and yer boyfriend here can rest to yer heart’s content.”

  “Hear that Softpaws?” She lowered her head cupping her mouth, and whispering into Voidwing’s ear. It flicked back at her words. “Can’t wait to share this part of the adventure with others. How brave and strong my handsome gryphon was during these moments.”

  “Thanks.” Voidwing gasped, taking his next step. “Not…gra…. Needed though.” His beak half opened into a smirk. “Lying down though will be great.” The gryphon closed his eyes and let out a soft groan, as if he were already there. “Something nice and soft to lay my head upon.”

  “Well…If there isn’t one, you can always rest your head on me my dearest gryphon.” She patted his fur, kicking a rock that had made the mistake of being in her way. It scattered into a larger one, ricocheting off with a crack.

  Not too much further

  The words cast away the lingering traces of worry within her mind, her eyes catching the gentle swishing back and forth of her lover’s silver tipped lion like tail. Quick as a flash he stumbled, struggling to pull himself over the hill and protesting when she tried to help him. The gryphon’s eyes filled with determination as he groaned and pushed himself up with quivering limbs. She gave him a quick kiss, her heart pounding in her chest as she stroked his fur. They made it to the top of the hill, gazing down to the other side towards a small hovel that Hilda had spoken of.

  The house was of a rather small design, looking like it was indeed made for a single person. She could make out three windows on the light cream-colored wood, a thick brown thatch roof topping the thing. The house was nestled against the treeline, rocks of all different sizes dotted the grassy area. Some of them the size of a small pebble, others the size of humans. Words failed her as she rubbed her gryphon, wondering how such a small structure was supposed to contain all of them. She giggled at the thought of Voidwing pressed up against all her wooden furniture or knocking over bookshelves in his movements. She looked down to her lover, his eyes still containing that determined spark. At least this had not ruined his spirit. And as he took another trembling step she doubted he would be roaming around freely inside the cottage anyway.

  When they got closer to the small hovel Nivra noticed that from the roof hung strands of multicolored twine coated with small wooden beads of all various colors. The door that had a trim of dull gold, was a dark turquoise, looking almost like a nose to the cheerly looking building.

  “I know it ain’t much ta look at.” Hilda turned her head, giving them a tooth filled grin. “Probably not what ya two are used to…but..its mine.” She waved to them to follow, gesturing to the place with a bob of her head. “Now come on and stop your gawkin. Wait till you try some of me grey bottom tea. It has the right amount of kick to bring energy back into those bones!”

  “Could use something like that.” Grumbled Voidwing, taking his next step accompanied with a groan that lingered in the air like a dark cloud.

  “Sadly, my feathered friend, a simple cup o tea won’t heal ails you. Only thing that you can do is rest, and a good night’s sleep.

  “Wonderful.” The gryphon narrowed his eyes at the house, tail swishing a tad angrily behind him.

  “So..what really brought you two to Bromwhich?” Hilda brought them down the rocky path to her house, brushing aside loose-fitting rocks with a captured stick. She would gesture to ones with moss on them so that Voidwing wouldn’t slip.

  Nivra almost answered truthfully, the woman’s cheerful demeanor disarming her usual distrustfulness. “To see some friends is all.” She lied, twirling a strand of her hair in her finger. “Got a red dragon acquaintance we’d like to catch up to.”

  “Red dragon eh?” Hilda stopped, taking in a deep breath. A moment passed before she let out a throaty chuckle. “Just your luck there was a red dragon that passed through here, and you says he’s a friend?” The woman brought her hand to her chin, rubbing it with a grin. “Most interestin”

  “Yes. Yes, it is.”

  “I’m kind of jealous of ya dear. Ya usually don’t see or meet dragons round these parts. They tend to keep to their own, avoid us at most costs.” Hilda stopped, sighing at the almost departed sun. “Though who could really blame them?”

  Nivra didn’t have an answer for her, as her own nation had hunted the beasts right out of their borders. “What happened to the dragon thing then? Did he burn that village?”

  “Burn it?” Hilda chuckled, tilting her head to the side. “That dragon was the one defending it my dear. Flew in with his companions and spirited the town away from here in a single day. They packed up the town into carts and headed off along the road.” Hilda gazed passed her, as if to look through the hills beyond. “Something about great heroics and statues.” The woman’s gaze shifted back towards the mage, a smirk spreading to her lips. “Though if ya ask me. I think the red one has an ego ten times too big for his head.”

  “They took…the whole town?” Voidwing winced, a clatter of stones being left in his wake as he nearly slipped. He leaned against Nivra with some quick thanks as she offered him a hand. It appeared as though he had given up on resisting.

  “Something about them heading to the next town over. They deemed there was too many of the green skins to contend with. They didn’t seem like the folks that would just leave a town of innocent souls to contend with the orc’s raiding ways.

  Nivra raised a brow. This woman seemed to know an awful lot about what had happened. A tremor of doubt radiated in her mind, poking at her like a needle. Something didn’t seem right with the woman’s story. “And why didn’t you follow after them? For a person seemingly so connected to the village…It’s rather strange you didn’t go with them.”

  “Cause this little house of mine is my home. The orcs don’t bother me here so why leave? There will always be others. I always trust in good folks like yourselves to drive out the bloodthirsty orcs you know…eventually.”

  “Do you know why they are even raiding the towns?”

  “Probably have to ask them dear.” Hilda brought them before the field of stones before her house. “They didn’t want to talk to me. Suspicious of magic that lot. They yell witch and start hurling spears and arrows. So, I avoided them from then on.” She spun round right on her heels. “Mind the stones dear. They don’t like to be touched often. Some sort of fairy likes to keep them pristine as it were. Should have seen it the last time I touched one. I came back to find my house adorned in acorns. Stuck to the surface with wood.”

  “Sounds more like a sprite.” Nivra laughed, nodding as they passed several of the human sized stones. The surfaces were almost perfectly smooth, as if they had been plucked from beneath a rapid running river. “Come on Softpaws. Almost there, just picture it. Matter of moments we will be resting and enjoying some nice warm tea.” She scratched behind the gryphon’s ear. She earned a pleased chirp and swish of his tail for her efforts.

  “Sounds…. lovely.” He sighed, “Could kiss you right now.”

  “Save ya face makin for inside the hut!” Hilda led them along a small stone path through the sea of rocks. She would move to each pristine bolder, resting there for several moments while she eyed the slow moving gryphon and his princess. She didn’t look annoyed, but rather concerned for his wellbeing. “And don’t get too many ideas of going much further than that. I don’t run that kind of place ya know.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.” She gave the woman a smile, turning her head to Voidwing with a laugh. “We can certainly keep those urges in check, can’t we?”

  The gryphon snorted in response, pulling himself up to the door. To their surprise the turquoise thing seemed to be oversized. That it could fit the gryphon without much squeezing on his part. Not even a shrinking spell would be needed. Nivra cocked her head, swearing that from afar it had looked too small. She supposed it had been just a trick of the dwindling light.

  The dusk offered a biting breeze, one that left the woman grasping at her cloak. Nivra turned her head back round to the rocks as a shiver lingered within her spine. For a moment she thought one of the rocks had moved. That was silly right? Rocks don’t simply move on their own. She eyed it for a moment, trying to catch something to the oddity. It didn’t move, making her feel rather foolish.

  “Something wrong dearie?” Hilda leaned her head back, running her knuckles against the wooden door three times. Her words untangling Nivra’s thoughts.

  “N..nothing.” Her eyes lingered on the rock for a moment longer before turning around. “Just a trick of the light. Thought one of the rocks had moved!”

  “Happens to the best of us. I almost think they come to life at night and change positions from time to time.”

  “Why the knock?” She eyed the window, almost expecting someone to be looking on with a loaded crossbow. “Got some company in there?

  “Oh that?” Hilda ran a finger along the hardened surface, drawing a large rune. “Nothing like that sort of thing. Just the knock deactivates the traps I have on the door. Illusions and charms to catch thieves and anyone seeking to do me wrong.” She tapped her temple with a single bony finger. “Pays to be smart out here. The unprepared can get taken advantage of by the wolf they always say.”

  “What a strange saying.” Voidwing slumped, his head drooping to touch the wooden floor. “Wolves pose almost no threat to me.”

  “Not a gryphon saying is it?” She laughed, finishing her touching with a clap of her hands.

  “Course in your current state Voidy, I think even a mere kitten could be a threat to you.” She cupped his beak, scratching the underside with her fingers.

  He sighed, tail swishing as if in agreement. “I think…. you might be right.” He weakly chuckled, eventually develoving into ragged coughs that drove a dagger into Nivra’s heart each time. “Can’t wait…Soft nest.”

  “Then wait no longer my new friends.” Hilda pushed open the door with a creak. Candles sprung to life around the room as if lit by an unseen hand. They brought a warm glow to the darkened room, making long shadows cling to every surface. The wizard was bombarded with a myriad of scents that assaulted her nose and made her mouth water as a small fuzzy feeling wound its way around the base of her skull and settled like a scarf.

  “Woah.” She gasped, peering inside the hard-wooden doorway to the plethora of cupboards and shelves that lined every wall. On them were jars of all a manner of liquids and reagents. No doubt for spells and if by the scents that lingered, a key ingredient for cooking. There was a blackened stone fireplace made of even darker stone, a pile of soot held within. A single table was found in the room it’s legs sprouting from the floor. Two chairs of darkened wood sat on either side. They seemed to have been roughly made, possibly even by Hilda herself. They sat atop a dark crimson rug covered in sigils and runes stitched into the wool surface. On the far walls there rested two doors. Both had rugged looking handles and made of the same darkened wood of the chairs and table.

  “That smells…divine.” Voidwing pulled himself through the door with a wince. “If the bed you offer is as delightful as the scents then I’m going to be one spoiled gryph!”

  “That you will be brave gryphon.” Hilda laughed, clapping her hands together to create large cushions right out of thin air. While at the same time the wooden table sprouted cups and mugs made of a light cream-colored wood.

  Nivra’s eyes widened as she gleamed at the summoned items. She knew only of a few mages that could do such things. Often moving the items from another room out of sight.

  “You can summon them out of thin air?!” Voidwing gave a surprised squawk. He recovered in a matter of moments, raising his beak to sniff at the wood before gently prodding it with a talon.

  “Is it that strange to be able to do that?” Hilda strode over towards the table, running a hand casually over the surface with a grin. “You travel with a wizard gryphon, and still my summoning of things astonishes you?”

  “That’s a delightful bit of magic you can do right here.” Nivra said softly, crossing her arms as that fuzzy feeling only grew in the base of her skull. She slunk over to one of the red cushioned chairs, sitting down. She tried to sit up straight, maintain the composure that was taught into her, but she failed. The weight and fatigue of the day got the better of her. She slumped back into the chair with a sigh.

  “There we go.Stay awhile and listen” Hilda opened a cupboard as the door behind them closed itself. When they jumped she raised a hand, “Don’t worry.” She laughed, “Does that on its own.”

  With a shrug, Nivra wiggled within her seat. She let out a sigh as the soft thing melted away her fatigue like ice. The cushion probably one of the best seats she had ever sat in, and that was saying something. Father would have probably had several of these made for his court if he were still alive.

  “Finally!” Voidwing flopped chest first onto the cushions that had sprouted from the ground with a soft purr. His cute sound only ended with a trill as his tail gave a weak thwack of the wooden floorboards. “So…Soft.” The gryphon muttered, his eyelids fluttering softly. The bird’s feathers fluffed as he nuzzles the soft thing between his talons.

  “Well doesn’t he look just like the sweetest thing.” Hilda held her hands to her chin, smiling warmly away at the exhausted gryph. “Looks like he can just enjoy the night there. Poor thing deserved it.” She flicked her finger at the fireplace,dancing flames instantly springing into the existence to further lighten the room in a warm and inviting glow. Hardened logs appeared at the fire’s base, made of wood and crackling away. The warmth spread to every corner of the small cottage, casting away any chill that had been lurking in Nivra’s bones since they had been outside.

  Nivra stretched her arms to the ceiling, at the same time as her legs far as they could go. “Most certainly.” She groaned, being rather undignified for once. “That we can agree on. He can be rather sweet at times…Damn Voidwing..This chair and fire are almost as good as your fur and paws.”

  “Say it isn’t so.” He weakly mumbled, curling into a ball.

  She just giggled to herself, letting her teasing words linger for a moment before letting out a sigh. She always hated to make him worry, even if it was a simple joke. “Don’t worry your cute little head , nothing could compare to what you could offer anyway.”

  “Good.” He sighed, his tail swishing from his rear which was still in the air. Nivra would have cackled away at how undignified he looked if he hadn’t been poisoned earlier. It wasn’t long before his legs wobbled, and they collapsed under him with a groan.

  “How do you like your tea you two? I bet the gryphon over there likes something fruity or alcohol to grace his tongue. Seems like that’s what always like.”

  “Both..sound…good.” Came the soft mumbles of the tired gryphon.

  “I like grey earl tea the best. Although whatever you’re offering is sure to be wonderful. Which you have our greatest gratitude for offering your home and helping heal my gryphon.” Nivra bowed her head in respect, leaving the woman with a tilted head.

  “Are you some sort of royalty?”

  Nivra fought the urge to snap her head in surprise. “Why? Do I sound like I’m some sort of royalty?’

  “Just the manners you spoutin. Often it’s them or nobles that talk in such a manner. Also, on account of yer purple dressin.”

  “Purple?” Nivra plucked at the linen tabard, thin layers of dirt and dust sticking to the surface. She instantly remedied that with a flick of her hand and word used for prestigitation. Thin sparks of purple light danced across her clothes, scattering any dirt or grime that was lingering. “I got it from a vendor in Rothdell.” She chuckled, “Purple is a very common color out there.” She waved dismissively to the woman, rolling her eyes. “And the speech? It’s just something I picked up. People tend to try and help you when you sound the part.” She winked, hoping the woman would buy her lies. “Convince them you’re a noble and they bend over backwards to see to your wants and needs.”

  “Suppose that could be a way of lookin at it. Course if ya do that, can make ya a bleedin target for those wanting to gut ya for some coin.” Hilda cut up some green herbs she had snatched from the cupboards, drawing a knife that glimmered in the firelight. Steady chops filled the air as she began to dice the plants.

  “True. But that’s why I got the handsome gryphon over there to protect me. When he’s not recovering from poison he’s quite the fighter. I can honestly rate him top of the pack.” She patted her furred lover’s flank with a smile. “He flashes them his talons or stares at them something fierce with his eyes. If that doesn’t work, I hold up my hands and offer them a quick show of flames. Let them know I got a whole plethora of magical spells to toss around their way if they wish to cause us problems.” She thumbed her chest, offering the woman a confident grin. “Trust me..We are not an easy mark for thieves or bandits.”

  “I suppose you’re right dear.” Hilda grabbed a pot with water swishing around inside. The woman attached it to a thin metal wire over the flames with a soft clink. “And now we wait.” She turned on her heels, a chair growing seemingly from the floor with a wave of her hand. Hilda took a seat on the dark red cushion, closing her eyes and letting out a pleased sigh.

  Nivra watched the fire in silence as she enjoyed the cushion beneath her. The red orange flames danced and twisted in the air, lapping at the metal pot’s bottom. That fuzzy feeling in the back of her mind got only stronger, now spreading down to her neck and starting to caress her shoulders. She reached back with her fingers, scratching her skin with a groan.

  “Something wrong Nivra?” Hilda’s concerned voice brought her out of her trance. “You look like something is crawlin under ya skin.”

  “Nothing really.” She groaned, rubbing the skin and shifting in her seat. “Just a fuzzy feeling is all.” With the scratch itched she sighed, turning softly to Hilda. “Been meaning to ask you. Why even go to the town anymore if there is nothing but orcs running around? Especially if the warriors attack you on sight? Seems like a rather foolish way to spend your time.”

  The woman contemplated her words for a moment, sighing as she shifted her gaze to the fire. Her shoulders rose and fell as she grabbed a poker and prodded the flames to keep them alive. Her eyes traced the thin little embers of light that sprung up like little fireflies hovering in the air. “Just figured I would keep an eye on the place is all. Look for survivors or stragglers that were left within the town. It’s my home you know as I said. No number of orcs is going to change that.” She turned her head with a slight tilt and smile. “Though I think between the two of us, you the more interesting. You’re a wizard from Lumara right?”

  “That’s true.” She nodded, nudging Voidwing softly with her foot. “Voidy and I here travel, round don’t we? Love meeting new people and going on adventures. If there is something to explore that is where we will be.” She chuckled, picturing the gryphon all healed, bounding around with happy chirps at his recovery.

  “Why the red dragon? Why are you looking for that one when you’re just exploring around?”

  Nivra sighed, “That damned dragon lost to us in a game of cards one night. Owes us a great deal of coin that one does.” She gave the woman a fake smile, “He might look strong, but nothing we haven’t wrangled with before.”

  “Oh?” Hilda rose a brow, as the pot began to shriek. The woman grabbed a piece of cloth and collected the pot from its resting place. She placed it on the table and grabbing two onyx colored cups that were resting on a shelf. She rose the pot, slowly tipping and letting the water flow out. Steam curled and slithered from the water’s surface.

  “Well I like to think so anyway.” Nivra took a breath, the scent of mint filling her nose. “Haven’t met a gryphon or dragon that I couldn’t outmatch with my spells.”

  “That’s a good thing to have. Though why not heal the poison that afflicts your lover? Seems like that little hiccup will put quite the damper in your travels.”

  Nivra bowed her head in thanks when the woman pushed the blackened cup towards her. She sighed, closing her eyes and letting the steam caress her face like a tender lover. The warmth cast away any cold lingering in her head as a sigh wormed its way from her throat. “Always wanted a touch of cleric, but I was destined for the arcane arts. Bend a flame, shoot lightning, charm some fool or throw illusions. Those things I can do with little difficulty. Stitching flesh or removing poisons? You would have to unfortunately look elsewhere.” Her eyes drifted to the sleeping form of her gryphon, his shallow breaths at least not making the concern for him grow. “Poor Voidy, this is the worst I’ve seen him.” She suddenly started to chuckle as a story Voidwing had told her came to mind.

  “What’s so funny?” Hilda sipped her cup, “Seems like you’d be more concerned.”

  “No.No.No.” She held up her hand, fighting back a fit of giggles. “Was just remembering this one time that Voidwing stumbled into a collection of cacti. Should have seen him groaning on the ground clutching at his stones. He had thorns buried in his sack, had to spend the next hour helping him pluck them out one by one.”

  “You promised…to not tell that story.” Voidwing mumbled into his fluffy cushion, his only resistance being a flick of his tail upon the ground.

  “It’s a funny story you tired thing.” She rolled her eyes, taking a sip of the tea. The hot drink brought warmth to her throat, and shivers of delight down her spine. “Besides. It was a time I got my hands on your balls. You should be proud of that.”

  “Mmmmhmm.” Voidwing wiggled slightly, apparently unable to do much else.

  “Got a good set of balls, does he?” Hilda laughed, taking another sip. “Gryphons always seem to have those.”

  “You like gryphon sacks now?” Nivra’s chuckling evolved to outright laughter as her face started to shift red. “Thought we were just going to discuss spells and traveling!”

  “Can’t help it.” Hilda gestured to the gryphon’s tail that did nothing to hide his two black furred orbs. They were nicely sized. Nivra guessed she wouldn’t be able to fit them all in one hand. She blushed as she stared at them, imagining they were quite full. She shifted her gaze to the tea. What was in this stuff? She never had had a staring contest with her gryphon’s balls before. She giggled, placing a hand to her lips. Not even when she had her hands on them.

  “Not when the bastards have them on full display. They know it too. Probably where all that gryphon smugness comes from.” Hilda’s face had taken on a pinkish hue as she set her tea cup down with a soft thud. “Makes the mind wander to quite some places does it not?”

  “Thought you didn’t have gryphons round these parts?” She stammered, trying to change the topic away from her lover’s handsome sack and sheath. “Least of all some to oogle their male bits.”

  “Please.” The woman waved, shifting in her seat. “I’ve seen some gryphons come passing through dear. Each one having full round ones. Poor things must have been close to bursting.” She chuckled, gesturing to Voidwing with an outstretched finger. “Have you two…you know…Been a mating?”

  “Oh, heavens no!” Nivra bursted out, quickly composing herself as Hilda laughed at her display. “Not…Not that I wouldn’t want to…We..just haven’t gotten there yet with our relationship.” Her eyes drifted down to her cup, ignoring the woman’s sly smirk. She instead focused on the light brown liquid currently filling her face with steam. “We plan to, just not ready I suppose.”

  “Then he would have been the first gryphon that I have heard of having that problem. The other ones seem ready to mount anything with a drop of a hat. Had a few of the bastards even offer to mount me for the night.” She took another sip, her eyes filling with cheer as flames flickered in her blackened pools. “I’ve heard stories that all the others would engage in carnal acts at the mere suggestion that one would be open to the idea.”

  “That is indeed the assumption. Gryphon’s back home are quite open to that sort of thing. Breeding, mating, mounting. All of these are like bonding rituals to them. It helps build closeness between them.” She took another sip, letting the mint taste mixed with almond swish around her tongue. “How did you even get mint out here? I didn’t think it grew around Drenedar.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  “Oh, I have my ways.” Hilda rose the pot to pour herself another cup of the steaming concoction. “Had a passing group of dwarves from up north stop by. Traded them a few potions and they offered me all the mint that I could have wanted. I think I might have robed them blind if you ask me.” The woman winked before taking another long slurping sip. “Always seems to hit the spot. Think I ought to whip something up to eat as well. Can’t go surviving on just tea, can we?” The woman rose, dusting off her clothes as Nivra poured herself another cup. “I think I might have some salted pork around. Maybe something else I could cook up.”

  “Where did you even get the boar?” She blew off the cup, steam hanging in the air and looking like she was a dragon for a moment. “Another passing mercenary or trader?”

  “That was actually from an orc party that had attacked a farm. Killed everyone that was there.” Hilda sighed, “Couldn’t do much for the family, but I saw they had animals. Best not let them go to waste I always say. Better me to eat them than let the orcs get nourishment from their savage ways.

  Nivra found herself nodding with each word that slithered its way from the woman’s mouth. That fuzziness in the back of her mind slowly receding the longer she spoke.

  “Any stories you’d like to share? Any tales from Lumara to brighten the mood of the evening. Take our minds off of hurt friends and marauding orcs?” She gestured to Voidwing, whose tail thumped the ground weakly, letting out a loud snore. “Though he doesn’t look hurt, does he? Sleepin comfortably like a baby that one is.”

  “You should have seen him round the castle only a few months ago. He would get so nervous when anyone would get around, just in case they found out about us too. He would naturally splay his ears and narrate to himself.” Nivra’s eyes widened, almost dropping her cup in surprise. The words that had slipped from her hardly seemed real.

  “Excuse me?” Hilda rose a brow, shifting her weight onto herback foot and folding her arms against her chest.

  Nivra tried to mask her surprise, settling her hands gently into her lap. “What did you say?”

  “Not what I said dear what you said! You just mentioned something about the castle of Lumara?

  Did I really say that? “Yes, I hunt around the place a lot actually. Being the princess and all.” Once more she stopped dead, hand shooting to cover her mouth.

  “You’re the bleedin princess?” The woman gasped, sitting back down with an amused face. “Now isn’t that just utterly surprising.” Hilda’s words suddenly sounded like candy to Nivra’s ears. The longer she stared into the woman’s eyes she was certain she could tell her anything, even that she murdered her father. So that’s what she did.

  “You did what?’ Hilda gasped, her voice raising hirer as Nivra nursed the cup of tea like a man dying of thirst. It was like a fire had been lit in her heart that she knew not that she needed. With each passing moment her suspicions and uneasiness were starting to fade away.

  Wait a moment. She peered down to her tea, her mind coming to a complete a halt. Like a line of stampeding horses had suddenly been brought down. There…must be something in this tea…There has to be right? Why else would I suddenly tell her stuff like that? Being the princess? Murdering my father? All to a complete stranger!

  She must have been staring at the brown liquid for too long as Hilda’s voice sneaked its way to her ears.

  “Everything okay Nivra? You’ve been staring at the tea for ages girl. I’m sure that whatever your reasons for doing what you did. They were justified in your own way.”

  “Yea…Everything is fine. Just odd that I feel comfortable enough to tell you these things.” She rose her eyes to look to the cheery orbs of Hilda’s locked right onto hers.

  “Oh lovely! Well you can always count on me to keep your secret safe. “She placed a finger to her chest. “Swear on me skin that whatever ya spout in here will stay in here…Besides.” She gestured to the door with her thumb. “Who am I going to tell anyway? Got no one comin round these parts!”

  “I suppose your right.” Nivra mumbled into her cup, her words seemed true and sincere enough. Perhaps it had simply been the fatigue of the day that had led to the slip of the tongue. The day had been filled with dangers and perils after all.

  No Nivra. She’s trying to fool you. You stumble across a lone kind woman in a deserted town? I’m not buying it…Somethings up.” She shook her head softly, chuckling under her breath. “Just being silly is all.”

  “Well it that’s all and settled. I think that will be the moment to get the other refreshments!” The woman bent back, filling the room with a series of cracks as she worked her hands around her spine. “Care for some tarts? Made them this morning on the off chance that I’d find someone worth talking to.”

  “Sure…sure.” Nivra eyed the woman’s smile, the warmth somehow gone from it. Only to be replaced with dread and worry lurking in her heart as Hilda strode over to the door and quickly slipped inside. The moment the wooden door thumped behind her Nivra felt her pulse as that fuzzy feeling had returned in full force. Her eyes widened, her pulse was racing like a drum. She gazed around the room, still clutching the cup of tea. Her eye narrowed as it slowly dawned on her.

  Did she drug me? She closed her eyes, trying to calm her beating heart and shove her worry back down, but it was no use.

  Focus

  She curled one of her hairs, mind filling with black fur and silver feathers. His alluring scent drifted to her nose, cutting the dread within her like a knife.

  Why drug us though?

  She peaked open an eye, staring to Voidwing with concern welling up in her chest. He was blissfully unaware, cutely hugging the cushion with his talons.

  If it is something nefarious Voidwing won’t be any help.

  She sighed, letting her breaths come deeper. She placed the cup onto the table with a clink. She must have misjudged the distance because the cup tipped over, spilling its contents onto the table. She stared at the brown liquid flowing onto the table like a great flood. Her next breath brought with it a horrid scent that nearly made her gag.

  It clung to her sense like mud, and made her stomach lurch. It stung at her eyes, her hands shooting to cover her nose. Her whole body shivered in rebellion at what she had just experienced.

  By paladine’s white dress…What on earth is that?

  Her eyes scanned the room like a woman possessed, eventually falling to the leaking tea that had begun to drip onto the floor in steady drops. Before her eyes what had once been a pleasing brown liquid was now a putrid, viscous, green concoction that looked as though it was scraped off the underside of an ogre’s fat folds. Her stomach lurched, and she held her mouth.

  How.

  Her eyes widened, wanting nothing more then to scrape her tongue with her fingers until it bled.

  You drank…That?

  She sprung up from her seat like a loosed arrow, sliding over towards the tea pot that was resting on a dresser. She lifted the lid, and got treated to the same off green liquid, an eyeball rolling up to face her like an island within the green filth. Nivra spun around, making sure to not drop the lid in her shock. Her stomach gave one last heave, and her resistance to it crumbled. She fell to her hands and knees as everything within side of her ended up passing through her and back onto the floor. Whatever had been inside of her burned her throat and made her shiver as it was vomited onto the floor. She was reduced to a quivering mess, wiping her mouth and spitting several times to get the skin crawling taste from her senses.

  “Gah.” She gasped, limbs quivering as she rose her head to look to her gryphon. ‘Voidwing.” She spoke softly, The floor beneath her shifting from a nice clean wooden one to a rotted darkened wood. It was covered in a sickly looking brown moss; several purple mushrooms were sprouting from the floor like a little rug of fungus. Nivra bolted from her spot instantly, her heart sounding like a stampeding army with it’s frantic beats. Ice wrapped its way around her, as the cozy cottage around her shattered like a brittle glass.

  The shelves that had been lined with bottles of ingredients now looked to be barely hanging on the wall with warped wood. The jars were filled with organs, gore, or red jars what could only be blood. Torture devices hung near by of dark metal, thin metal spines painted with dried crimson of their previous victims. The fireplace had multiple scratches in the blackened surface, looked to have been made by oversized claws. Insects scurried along every wall, and Voidwing was sleeping on a giant bed of pulsating brown mushrooms. Vines ran along the underside of every wall, wiggling ever so slightly like little worms in the firelight.

  Nivra gasped, taking in the scene and gulping as the ice consumed her. All the good cheer of the past hour had been drained out in an instant. Probably to fuel the twisted room around her’s evil look. “V-Voidwing.” The only word she could say, it at least fought back the cold permeating inside of her. She lept to the gryphon to feel his pulse, shoving him out of desperation as her world narrowed to him. “Please…You got to get up..Please.” She pushed again onto his fur, but it was no use. He was simply out of it. Too tired to do anything but rest away. Whatever potion that Hilda had given him was working it’s magic to be sure, she was just thankful he seemed to be alive.

  Although who knows for how long that will be?

  She gazed to the horror filled room, fighting the shiver of fear that lit up her senses. She pressed a hand to the gryphon’s side, leaning up against him in the only thing that could bring comfort to this dreary place.

  “Dear?” came Hilda’s voice from the next room. Except now it sounded like it contained a high-pitched whine. Like someone had dragged their nails against a chalkboard. “What kind of tart did you want? I got apple and blueberry!”

  “A…..Apple.” She shouted back, trying to not picture whatever horrid thing was going to be brought out by that woman.

  Even if she was a woman. She could be anything if such a powerful glamor spell was up…Something to lure me in.

  She glanced to Voidwing’s chest, running a hand through his fur and clenching her other hand into a fist.

  She may have lured us in here…But it certainly won’t stay that way.

  She steeled her nerves with her next breath. Besides she was a trained wizard from Lumara. Had been practicing with Shandalar and Nigel, both very practiced mages in their own right. Time to show what all that training had been for all those years. She tapped a finger to her chin, knowing she had a few powerful spells left to torch this place. Possibly even enough to deal with whatever that thing was in the other room. At least she hoped she did. She shivered at the thought of whatever would await them if they failed, probably bound to a table and tortured to death. More souls to fuel this woman’s insanity.

  “One mistake..That’s all it takes Nivra.” She told herself, pushing up to stand. “Have to be better than it…Voidwing’s counting on you.” She narrowed her eyes, already forming the words to her spell as she heard Hilda’s footsteps start to announce her arrival. “This time my sweet gryphon. I am the one protecting you.” She slipped back to her seat, hand cupping under the table. She might have wanted to blast whatever this thing was with a fireball, but first she wanted answers. That meant facing whatever thing resided here. She took a reserved breath, focusing on the first spell she was going to let loose. Always paid to be prepared anyway.

  “You should have seen all the tarts back there dear. I may have gone a tad overboard!” Hilda laughed, pushing the door open with her rear end. However what emerged from the door was not the fair faced woman that had taken the pair in. It towered over her, dull green scales lining it’s body that looked moist and dripping with droplets of what She suspected wasn’t water. The tray she was holding was clutched by four fingered claws, all covered in purtrid growths of what looked to be moss and mold. Hilda’s face was elongated with eyes and a mouth three times the size they were supposed to be. Instead of her normal clothes from before she was adorned in some sort of garment that looked to be made from human flesh stitched together. It wasn’t even dyed to hide that face, dried and crusted blood was still clinging to the surface mixed with dirt and grime. “Wasn’t expecting such guests.” She stepped into the room, some of the metal devices jingling as the thing locked it’s eyes onto her. They were dark and imposing, looking like murky blackened pools of ink. “Something wrong dear?” The creature added, it’s mouth widening to show off rows of gleaming shark like teeth.

  “N…Nothing at all!” Nivra forced the words from her mouth, trying to maintain her sweet smile. “Just was admiring the gryphon was all. He is rather cute when he’s resting like that. Brings warmth to my heart every time I do so.”

  “That he is.” Hissed the creature with a grin, striding over to set the tray onto the table with a soft thud. “Here we are. Nice apply tarts for your liking.”

  The things that the hag had decided to call tarts were more like soft dough dotted with bodyparts. Fingers, eyes, toenails, bugs. Other things looked to be pressed in as well, it took all her strength to not give away what she could actually see with her eyes. “Looks..lovely…But..” She retracted her hands, a frown already forming on Hilda’s twisted face. “I haven’t got the appetite to eat. Nerves are too high from today.”

  “Oh yes. No surprise dear. Not every day that you get faced with tons of orcs chasing after you.” The hag chuckled, pulling out the dark chair with a scrape and taking a seat before her. Her matted hair hung at her side as the creature gave her a twisted smile.

  “Nice place you have here.” Nivra looked around, keeping her eyes on the creature whenever she turned her head. “I’m rather jealous as it were.”

  “Indeed.” The hag picked up one of the tarts, opening her widened mouth and chomping down on the culinary treat. A loud crunch filled the air, followed by a slurp and the sound of chewing. “Hmmm.You sure you don’t want one dear? They are ever so delightful to the senses.”

  “Yes. Very sure.” She eyed the windows, mind trying to figure a way out away from this thing. She tried to remember what the books told of such creatures. What their weakness could be. Her mind drifted to the flames flickering away in the fireplace. She was certain they were weak against that element. Her eyes drifted to the drool leaking from the edge of the hag’s mouth, watching it pool and plop against the wooden floor in wet splats. She would only get one chance to test her theory, the creature looks to have very sharp claws. She shivered at what those things could do to flesh.

  Probably not much different than those torture devices on the wall.

  “See anything interesting you like?” The hag placed the tart down, a frown suddenly forming on it’s face. It was almost as if..

  Damn’t was I staring too long? Nivra felt her muscles tighten as the thing eyed her like a piece of meat. Silence hung in the air as her heart pounded in her ears.

  “Cause it looks like you have rather saw a ghost. I can even smell the fear coming off you in thick waves…I think something happened..Dear.” The hag placed a sharpened claw on the table, instantly calling back instinct to Nivra’s bones. With a cupped hand she flung a ball of fire right into the thing’s gleaming eyes.

  “AHHHH!” The hag screamed as her eyes boiled, bursting upon the impact of the small bolt of red. Her limb thrashed out, scattering the silverware to the floor with a clattering roar. Nivra had to back away as the second one nearly cut her in two. “Vile little girl!” She lifted the table with her arms, tossing the thing against the back wall. Nivra ducked, the thing cracking in two. Nivra caught a shard to the head, a sharp pain coursing through her as she stumbled away. Her vision turned into a spiraling vortex of colors. She tried to keep her ground, but it was no use, she fell back hard onto the rotten wood.

  The hag stomped it’s clawed feet, shaking the entire horrid cottage. The metal devices on the walls clanged together as she opened her mouth and gave an inhuman snarl. It’s one remaining eye locked onto her, staring bright orange flames.

  “What’s the matter girl? Don’t like the tea?” The hag rushed at her, claws gleaming in the firelight before she slashed at her. Nivra tried to roll out of the way but her head was too clouded. Sharpened claws dragged against her legs, cutting a gash into her leg and lightning her body up in pain.

  The mage screamed, something she was rather ashamed to have done as she pulled and crawled away from the cackling monster. She did another hand movement, locking onto the blurry figure and knew she wouldn’t hit her other eye if her life depended on it. With that option out she chose the less accurate one, but no less deadly. She combined her hands, forming a circle with and unleashing a fireball towards the towering monster. With her thoughts to herself and Voidwing and almost smiled as the flames smashed into the hag’s head and consumed everything in their bright cerulean light.

  It was like a crack of thunder shook the place coinciding with the hag’s high-pitched scream. Papers burned away into ash, pots scattered to slam against the wall. The windows shattered, the table burst apart even more, her flames consumed every dark thing in a moment. The hag’s green scaled hide blackened and twisted as the intense heat ate away at her body. She was thrown back into a wall, the rickety shelf collapsing to break upon her twisted head with a crack.

  “My other eye! You know how much that stings girl? When I get this sorted I will put you through so much pain you won’t know what to do!” The thing lashed out blindly from its resting place as Nivra struggled to stand with ragged breaths. She glanced down to her blood covered leg, nothing to serious that couldn’t’ be solved by a healing potion in her pack. Distracted by her wound the hag sniffed, bounding up with a roar. The mage hardly had time to scamper away, her hand being swatted aside and claws slashing across her chest.

  She was sent spinning to the ground, rolling with a pained thud to Voidwing’s side. She touched her chest, feeling a warm liquid now coated her fingers.

  Blood….My blood. She groaned as pain prickled at her senses, drawing her attention from the hag’s pounding steps.

  “See? Even blind I can hurt you girl.”

  Nivra snarled and let fly her last fireball towards the cackling thing. She didn’t even flinch as more flesh was burned away from what was once Hilda. The hag’s right arm was burned away into ash, earning more screams of blood churning agony.

  Nivra pulled herself against Voidwing as the hag slammed against a wall, the creature heaving and rasping. She held her hand out as the hag slumped to the ground, looking more like a fluffy dwarf pillow too far exposed to flame. She wasn’t even sure how the creature was alive.

  “Won’t matter…You are running out of spells dear. And it won’t be long till I have me claws on you.” The hag hissed, a small blackened part of her limb breaking away to reveal a small nub of flesh growing. It appeared as though the hag could regenerate.

  Great

  The mage sifted through her mind, desperately trying to call up what spell to use next. With a quick breath she found her answer, turning Voidwing to the size of a cat and stashing him into her pack without a moment to spare. She avoided the hag’s clumsy strike, her claws grazing passed her hair and making her nerves shoot up in worry.

  “Get her my children!” The thing cried, stumbling onto a wall, knocking over a pair of blood covered pincers.

  Nivra bound towards the nearly broken front door, pieces of the thing missing from the fireball’s explosion. She grabbed the cold handle and opening the thing. She had no idea what these “children” of hers were, but she had no intention to stick around and find out. She sighed in relief, until she spun around and was greeted to a wall of shambling corpses It appeared as though all the rocks outside were missing, another illusion cast by the hag. All races seemed to be reflected in the rotted blackened eyes that locked onto her, slack jawed and dragging their limbs. Besides just those horrors, were skeletons of bone white, clutching weapons and shields in their bony grip. Empty sockets of their heads were turned directly at her. To her horror she spied several taller undead, stitched together monstrosities glaring at her with manevolant dead eyes. All the creatures took one moment before they were rushing towards her with a series of moans, groans, and creaking of bones.

  “Guess that way is out.” She slammed the door just as a zombie reached out for her, impacting the wood with a guttural groan and a thump. She pressed up against the door as she felt weight suddenly stack against the wooden surface, a heavy imposing force she knew she wouldn’t be able to hold off for long.

  What am I going to do? Face this hag or against her army of death outside?

  She frowned, realizing she had next to no powerful spells left to get out this way in one piece. The rest being simple electric whips or bolts of fire. Nothing to clear them away enough to make a path for her.

  “That’s right dear.” The hag took a step towards her, the blackened soot on her scales slowly crumbling away to reveal dark green shades. Her burned eyes were slowly starting to take on their previous appearance

  “You’re mine for the evening. Why not just sit back and relax? I did want you alive after all.”

  Lies, something like this would tell nothing but lies.

  She pressed herself against the wooden door, staff coming to her hand at full size. She held it outward towards the hag. “I doubt that. I bet those torture devices are for show then? And the undead outside is just a coincidence?” She nearly jumped as the door beneath her started to crack, and the moans started to tease at her ears in full force.

  What spell to use?

  The thought dominated her thoughts as the had dragged herself painfully slow across the floor. “Stay back!” She shouted, letting loose a small bolt of lightning to strike the limping fey. The thing ceased its movements as the white blue sparks danced across it’s scales and made it twitch and squirm. Though that little spell had worked wonders, the hag rose a claw to slam it back down, eyes narrowing as they reformed. Nivra peaked to Voidwing, poking out her pack with closed eyes. He needed her, desperately so. How could she let down the one she loved?

  I know!

  With renewed purpose, and an inner flame springing up inside of her. She advanced on the hag. She shoved the tip of her staff right under the hag’s chin, letting a collection of magic form at the tip and sear the thing’s twisted form. “Listen here you malevolent thing. I want out of here from your little…Children.” She shouted over the loud cracks as the door started to give way. “And if you don’t…” She held out a finger, word already set to be loosed from her mouth. “I got one more fireball, and I don’t think you have enough lift left in you to survive it…”

  “Hahahaha.” The hag chuckled, gasping for air. “But if you kill me then my children will devour you without me to guide them.

  “True.” Nivra shrugged, giving the squirming fey a grin. “But then you would be dead. And that’s all I…Or you care about Hag. Once your minions approach me I will end you and most of them from this world.”

  “You….wouldn’t…Dare.”

  “Look into my eyes.” Nivra glared flames down to the hag. “Do these look like the eyes of someone fooling around? My love is at stake. You think I won’t do anything for him?”

  The hag’s smile faded the moment that her eyes met Nivra’s own.

  “Hurry up now hag.” Nivra looked back to the door, it burst open with a thud. The undead horde outside pushed and squirmed over one another trying to force themselves through the frame. “You don’t have much time left to consider your options.”

  The hag gulped. Eyes darting from her minions to Nivra’s hands.” Fine!...” The undead suddenly stopped around her, almost freezing in place. ‘Fine! I said fine girl!”

  “So, we have an accord then?” Nivra smirked as the moans and clatter of bones ceased. The only sound hanging in the air was the crackling flames that seemed hellbent on wiping the cottage from the earth and turning it into ash. “How do I know that you won’t send your undead on me the moment that I flee from here?”

  “You have my word dearie.”

  “Which frankly isn’t worth a damned thing after you just got done trying to eat me like those children from the stories!”

  The hag squirmed beneath her, taking a ragged breath. “Wasn’t trying to eat ya…Only was interested in eating the gryphon…He looked…” The hag closed her eyes, giving off a pleased croon. “So delicious.”

  Nivra pressed down further against the hag’s throat. “Cease your infernal twisting or I will burn you and your children to death!” She pushed even further into the hag’s throat with her staff, the thing glaring at her with intense hatred flickering in her eyes. “I ask again…Do we have an agreement?”

  “Yes.” The hag’s lips curled into a snarl, “Yes we do.”

  “Good.” Nivra let her up, but kept her staff held right at the thing’s throat. “Now get moving, you’re coming with us.” When she didn’t move at first Nivra prodded her, “I said move!” He followed the defeated hag outside the door, the undead parting before them like water. She eyed the patchwork horrors with a concerned glare, ready to blast this hag with her flames. With a relief they did not attack and the creature led her away from the wretched, burning cottage.

  *

  Why were you trying to eat Voidwing anyway?” Nivra shoved the hag ahead of her with her staff once more. The cottage having been left behind easily an hour ago. The hag had been true to her word, the undead not having followed them thus far. She stifled her concern with a breath of the crisp night air, her ears filling with the sounds that echoed all around them. In the distance a lone owl sounded, the wind whispered a lonely whine, and crickets began to chip away.

  “Really interested dear?” The hag’s voice started to deepen, squirming its way into the mage’s ears. “And here I thought all humans were squeamish when it came to eating friends and companions.”

  “Oh, it can’t be that simple. Why not kill him in the streets with the orcs? Would have solved a number of problems that happened later.” Nivra gripped the staff firmly as Hilda had stumbled forward onto the grass with a groan.

  “Why are you not leading the way? I can hardly see a thing with one bloody eye.” The woman coughed, claws scraping at her side.

  “So, I can keep my eyes trained on you hag.” She snapped back, tongue as sharp as a blade. “That way You don’t get any ideas like trying to escape or attack me with my back turned.”

  “Well thought out.” Hilda rose slowly, wheezing as she gave the mage an intense glare. One that brimmed with contempt. “Looks like I was the prey this time, and you the wolf.”

  “You can look at it that way I suppose.” Nivra pushed the tip of her staff against the shoulder blades of the hag with a snarl. “Now get back to moving.”

  “Fine..Fine!” The hag dragged her feet, shoulders slumping over. “And about your question dear.” Hilda lost her footing again, hand falling to a man sized stone that caught her fall. “I was planning to turn you into one of me.”

  “One of you?” Nivra gaged in disgust as the hag gave her a sharp toothed grin. One that just dripped with malevolent intent.

  “Oh yes darling. That’s how hags are created. When one is well prepared, a woman eats the heart of her lover. She then slowly transforms into what you see before you.”

  “Is that what the tea was for?” Nivra’s arm shivered as her tongue remembered the vile smelling liquid. Her skin felt like it was undulating, with worms wriggling under the surface. She felt her stomach lurch at the mere memory. She stuffed the feeling down, no sense in wrenching right now in front of the monster.

  “Now you understand girl.” Hilda resumed her walk with deep, ragged breaths. “Imagine my surprise as you turned out to be a princess of all things! What luck!”

  “Bad luck in your case if you remember.” She tapped Hilda when she snuck a glance at her. “Eyes front. Don’t want to sear the flesh from your face if I don’t have to.”

  “How considerate of you dearie. I almost thought you had a heart.”

  “Not to things that try to kill me, or Voidwing I don’t. I respond with an equal amount of force back. And looks like that plan worked wonders with you.”

  “Are we not far enough away from my house little one?” Hilda hissed as another thump of the wizard’s staff met her back. She dragged herself over the top of the hill. The rocky way that had seen better days was covered with moss and overgrown weeds that tried to snare at their feet. The only light they had was Nivra’s staff, glowing brightly like a torch against the ground and bathing it in a warm glow. Shadows danced across the rocks and large bushes as they walked.

  “You can cease your shivering. If I wanted to kill you I’d have done it by now!”

  Was I shivering? Nivra retightened the grip on her staff. “As I said. Eyes up hag..Hilda..Whatever your name actually is. And I wasn’t shivering your creepiness. My arm was simply tired of having to point at your wretched back.”

  The hag pulled herself against another stone, her claws scraping the surface with a low guttural groan. “Tell me whatever you like little girl. I know shivering when I see it.”

  I bet you have. She prodded the hag again, images of the woman’s victims coming to mind. They were not pleasant and filled with hair curling screams, desperate begs, and copious amounts of blood. “And such talk is why we keep marching at a steady pace. “If you keep insisting to make such questionable remarks, we shall be forced to keep at this overnight!”

  They marched along the path littered with rocks, the dark things making Nivra almost jump several times. She hid her fear from the monster with a boast or jest. No sense in letting the hag know how scared she really was. She glanced back down the path they had taken, finding no trace of the cabin of horrors she had been resting in. No skeletons followed behind them, no zombies dragging broken limbs trying to catch them. It seemed like Hilda had indeed kept her word, even this far out.

  “That’s far enough.” She muttered as they reached the road below. She gazed down to the dirt, finding lines made by carts and the heavy pawprints of wolves that carried them. It looked like they were back on track after this little detour.

  “Finally.” Sighed the hag, flopping onto the ground with a groan. She flipped over so that she could glare into the human’s eyes with bright orange flames. “What will you do now little Nivra? Keep your word and set me free? Just like I let you leave my house unhurt by my children?”

  Nivra retracted her staff, standing it beside her feet. Her eyes falling to a golden amulet that hung around the hag’s throat in the shape of a dragon. How she had missed that she didn’t know. Possibly the hag had summoned it somehow during the walk. “What’s with the amulet?” She found the words coming from her mouth, ignoring the hag’s question.

  “Oh, this thing?” Hilda cooed, pulling the thin golden strand up so she could get a better view of the jewelry. “This was given to me by the queen of the eternal flame. A sign of my dedication to her.”

  “The queen of the eternal flame?” Nivra scoffed, “Sounds like a fancy made up title if you ask me.” She shifted her weight, a breeze ruffling her cloak behind her.

  “That it might be little human, but they never gave me their real name. Names have power after all.”

  “You never answered my question hag. What’s the amulet do? I doubt it’s just some fancy bit of jewelry.”

  “And what if it was some fancy thing that I plucked from some poor soul that was oh so desperate to cling onto it?”

  Nivra just shrugged, holding her ground. She stared at the hag with intense eyes, and a heavy frown. It was clear she wasn’t going to get an answer out of her. She watched with interest as the hag slowly pushed herself up, going to walk away with a loud cackle. “So, I’m free to go then?”

  “That would seem so.”

  “Then you have my thanks kind human.” She bobbed her head with a smile before going to walk back along the path.

  She’s just going to hurt more lives you know. “Why did you give your dedication to this Queen of Eternal flame?”

  The hag stopped, sighing with a shrug. “When one such she asked me to bend the knee I knew I was not foolish enough to deny her request. I pledged myself to avoid her wrath. If you ever meet her, I suggest you do the same.”

  “Thank you.” Nivra held out a hand, listening to her inner voice and letting fly a final act of death. The flames exploded around the hag in a blazing inferno. The intense heat burning away her flesh finally to the bone. Hilda’s shrieks filled the air and made the mage’s blood churn. The hag collapsed to her knees, parts of her body falling away and breaking to ash upon the ground. Despite her agony the flames continued to dance and flicker around her, delighted to feast upon her flailing form. When her head finally touched the ground and scattered to dust Nivra’s limbs quivered. The day’s energy finally caught up with her as she collapsed onto the side of the road. To her tired mind everything felt ten times as heavy as it should have been. She undid her pack, setting it on the ground as her eyelids threatened to close and carry her to sleep. She released her gryphon from her spell. The bird returning to his full size before her in a matter of moments. She crawled against his underside, shivering in the night air before slipping under his limbs and pressing herself against his furred chest. She heard him grumble, his left forelimb wrapping around her as she pulled her head firmly against him. She felt her eyes mist, the days troubles crumbling away her walls. Tears came next as she buried her head into his fur, thankful she had found a way out of that horror. His steady breaths and sound of his heart helped fight off the misery and horribleness that they had undergone. With a final sniff she hugged him tightly and closed her eyes. It was not long before sleep took them into its embrace.