Chapter 16: Saving a Life

Fidelis studied the forest before him. High Knob was such a beautiful place, but it could be dangerous wandering around it in the dark. Beside him, Sodalitas scanned the area. The other guards were fanned out around him, alert to any dangers.

"Your Highness, it's almost time to go back," Sodalitas reminded him.

"I know. Just a few more minutes." Fidelis wasn't sure why he wanted more time, but he did.

"Very well, your Highness." Sodalitas bowed.

Fidelis resumed walking. He was nearly to the edge of their boundary when his senses warned him a second too late of an intruder.

He spun and narrowly avoided the sword coming toward his head. He glanced at his attacker. He didn't recognize the man, but he could feel the familiar energy of the Poten coming from the enemy.

"Must be my lucky day. Who knew the Cornibus would be roaming these woods? Can't wait to inform my king about this."

Fidelis laughed. "You are assuming I will let you live after seeing me here."

He drew his sword and attacked in a flurry of blows. The Poten guard attempted to block his blows. For a few minutes, they were evenly matched, but then Fidelis started to overwhelm the other man. In the distance, he could hear the clang of swords and knew his men were fighting. He hoped they could end this skirmish quickly and report back to his father.

The Poten guard lunged forward. Fidelis nimbly dodged but wasn't quick enough to avoid the sudden blow from a second guard who had appeared from behind him.

Fidelis let out a grunt of pain, dispatched the first Poten guard, and managed to kill the second who had wounded him. He glanced down at the gash to his leg. He could see bone. Not good. He could still hear fighting. He needed to take cover. He was too exposed here.

He began the torturous hopping on one leg to head for the nearest bush. He crawled into it, his breathing labored. He felt lightheaded. He had to stay conscious. He had to….

~***~

Serenah and Alastar landed in the middle of the forest. They folded their wings and glanced about the area. No one was around. Alastar put a finger to his lips. She nodded and silenced her steps as she fell in behind him.

The smell of blood and death was thick in the air, and she stifled the bile that rose in her throat. The healer in her detested the loss of life. Were their two kingdoms destined to fight here in this new world as well? She felt a pang in her heart at the thought. No, she didn't want the animosity between their kingdoms to spill out to this new place.

Suddenly, her hands burned so hot that she almost yelped. She stumbled and crashed into Alastar who managed to catch her. His questioning gaze bored into her, and she shook her head that she was okay. He didn't look convinced but continued forward.

The burn became worse, and she tugged on his shirt indicating that he needed to head north. He changed direction and halted by some brush. The smell of blood was thick and this time she couldn't help but gag. Her hands were ablaze with pain, and she whimpered at the onslaught. Because it was the new moon, she couldn't see very well in the darkness and was too afraid to cast a light spell.

"Hello," she whispered and wiggled inside the brush ignoring Alastar's hissed warning to stop.

She blinked. Inside was an unconscious man. She couldn't get a good look at his face, but her magic let her know that he was a Cornibus. That didn't matter to her. She healed everyone equally.

She placed her throbbing right hand on his wounded leg and fed her healing magic into it. Something shifted in her magic, and she frowned. What was that sensation just now? She shook her head and returned her focus to healing the man. Abruptly, her magic stopped, and she removed her hand. The gash was gone.

She wiped away the sweat and stared at her hand in surprise. This was the first time she ever sweated after healing. What made this person so special? She didn't have time to think about it as Alastar's hand reached in and tapped her on the back.

"Princess, we must go. People are approaching."

"Coming." She wiggled her way back out and to his side.

He helped her up and hurried her away from the brush and deeper into the forest. Once they reached an open section, they released their wings and took to the sky.

Serenah felt a pang in her heart. She felt as if she was leaving a piece of herself behind. Sighing, she took a breath of the spring air and focused on returning home.