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  Fenrit turned to face the remaining two Kapi only to find that they were already on the offensive. They had already learned from the mistake of the first Kapi. Size did matter and they would need to attack in tandem. Both Kapi ran at Fenrit’s legs in an effort to trip him. The plan succeeded and Fenrit found himself on the ground having dropped Scourge next to his satchel that he had laid down when the battle began. One Kapi jumped on to his back and the second on his legs. Fenrit kicked the second Kapi off his legs and pushed himself off the ground despite the additional weight of the Kapi upon his shoulders. He spun around in circles quickly trying to throw the Kapi off using centrifugal force, but the Kapi had securely wrapped his arms around Fenrit’s neck. The Kapi took a bite out of Fenrit’s shoulder and the Loupiq howled in pain. Fenrit peered over at his shoulder to see blood oozing out of his fresh wound. The Kapi had apparently settled on the idea of eating Fenrit on the spot if necessary. Fenrit tumbled on the ground and felt the Kapi loosen its grip around Fenrit’s neck. Fenrit began to roll around on the ground as if he was on fire and after a few iterations he was able to shake the Kapi completely off of his body. Fenrit sprung back up on to his feet and raised his arms in a defensive position. The shoulder that had a chunk bitten out of it seared with pain at any movement of the arms. This battle would be short if the Kapi continued to maim each of Fenrit’s appendages. Both Kapi lined up again and proceeded with the same assault at Fenrit’s legs except this time both of them opened up their jaws ready to cripple their target. Fenrit jumped over the brunt of the attack, but one of the Kapi’s teeth still managed to slice open part of Fenrit’s foot as he sailed through the air. Fenrit could not sustain any more damage. The Kapi were now positioned between him and the cliff. A crazy thought popped into the premalier’s head and he decided to immediately put it into action. Fenrit charged at the Kapi as if to collide into one of them and ram them off the side of the cliff. He grabbed Scourge and his satchel along his path and held out Scourge with its arms parallel to the ground as if the goal was to thrust both Kapi into the icy depths with a single blow. The Kapi looked at each other and dodged the attack. They turned their heads to watch in surprise as their attacker continued his course off the side of the cliff. Fenrit plunged into the frigid lake having resorted to a less than ideal escape plan.

  Fenrit let go of his satchel during his descent into the lake knowing that it was buoyant enough to float on the surface of the lake. He wasn’t about to end up with ruined blonde berries after all this effort. He penetrated the surface of the water while still managing to hold on to Scourge. The impact against the surface tension of the water and chilling temperature of the water was a shock to Fenrit’s body. Every part of him urged to take in a deep breath of air, but he overrode the impulse knowing that he needed to get back up to the surface first. He fought against his body that wanted to shut down all movement and all his gear that was weighing him down. It was the quintessential struggle of creature versus nature that would be decided in a matter of moments. Fenrit overcame the downward momentum after flailing his arms and legs with everything he had. He breeched the lake’s surface and inhaled with the deepest breath he had taken since being born. He bobbed up and down in the choppy water for a few moments trying to gain control of his muscles. He was not gaining back any strength, which meant it was time to move. He spotted the shore far off in the distance. He paddled over to his satchel floating a few arms lengths away and slung it over his shoulder. He grabbed Scourge with both hands and then began to perform a rowing motion using the arms of the bow to slowly propel him forward. He was headed back to land, but still a long ways away from a successful escape.

  ***

  Alejade squinted trying to force her eyes to adjust to the dark. The misty night wreaked havoc with her usually impeccable night vision. Tradok had headed into his torrid sleeper early in the evening claiming he would need to build up his heat reserve. Nevit was caught off guard when Alejade volunteered for the first watch. The Mortoptera only reconfirmed the offer once before quickly dozing off in front of another heating device simulated fire. It was definitely chillier than the previous night on the Jade Plains, but Alejade figured it was for the best to slowly build a tolerance for the assuredly cold nights ahead.

  Movements from the camp’s surroundings kept Alejade’s eyes constantly darting in all directions. Most of the motion was caused by the wind blowing around the local plant life. Occasionally, a creature would wander within the well-lit circumference of the heating device. Alejade would kindly reach out to them, but they were all quick to disperse at the movement of a larger being. It was always difficult to override instincts that had been instilled from generations of evolution.

  The movements were all Alejade had to keep her awake and partially entertained with her duty. She had concluded that the night watch was not an easy job, but she was determined to do her part on this quest. She figured that it probably didn’t help that she hadn’t been properly trained to keep on the lookout. Her ultimate goal was a little ambiguous. If something came was she to fend it off or simply warn Nevit so he could intervene? Was her mere presence and being awake enough to ward off any potential threats? Was there any more to the job than simply scanning the area? Her paranoia got the best of her which led to minor elevations in her stress level every time something moved in her peripheral vision. Alejade received her greatest startling when Jandra landed in the camp. The raptor had returned from her evening meal and decided to dive into the camp at a brisk pace.

  The watch was beginning to drain all of Alejade’s energy. The constant fear of investigating each movement had quickly taken its toll. The issue compounded when she added suspicious sounds to her worries. The wind again played a role creating a copious amount of whistling noises as it grazed, shook and bounced off of all the varying plants. Bugs and creatures also added to Alejade’s anxiety with their orchestra of novel sounds. After enough sensory overload, Alejade commanded Jandra to take over the sights and the Chafel could focus on the sounds.

  Alejade had just gotten used to the repetitive noises when a new one entered the mix. It was a crunching sound that almost made her think of a piece of brittle wood being cracked in multiple spots as it was being bent. She shook it off at first as non-threatening, but then it began to increase in intensity. Alejade closed her eyes and listened trying to determine the direction from which the sound was emanating. She put her arm out in front of her and spun her body until her arm was facing the direction of the sound. She opened her eyes and waited to see if the cause of the sound would reveal itself. She whistled at Jandra and signaled for her to take flight in the direction she was pointing. Alejade once again strained her eyes in the direction she was facing as the raptor took flight only to be immediately swallowed by the darkness.

  The sound had still not ceased and it had continued to grow in intensity. Alejade began to fret over whether she needed to wake Nevit. The thought of the sounds coming from the most non-threatening creature while it scampered out of the darkness made her abandon the thought of waking Nevit. Alejade patiently waited and then the sound stopped. She whistled out to Jandra for an update, but no reply. A moment later a thud came from the same direction as the crunching sound. Something out in the darkness had keeled over. Something that was meant to be standing upright. Jandra screeched from the same direction and Alejade ran over to the lighting device, picked it up and headed in the direction of all the commotion.

  Jandra repeatedly screeched, so that Alejade could track her position like a beacon. The light from the device eventually reached the raptor and after Alejade took a few more steps it revealed a body a few paces away from Jandra. Alejade bolted over to the body, which was clearly in need of aid if it was still alive. She closed in on the unfortunate being and was able to distinguish articles of clothing. The most prominent was a cloak, which featured a wolf. This wasn’t just a random stranger, it was Fenrit.

  Alejade rushed to Fenrit’s side and placed her hands on him in prepar
ation to roll him over on to this back. Her hands were met with ice cold water that had permeated all of his clothing. Parts of his fur had been matted together with clumps of ice. The quiver on Fenrit’s back contained no arrows, but he still had possession of his satchel and Scourge. He rolled over and his dreary eyes met those of Alejade’s eyes. She moved the lighting device close to Fenrit’s body so he could absorb its heat.

  “Should I help you up or do you just want to lay here for a moment?”, Alejade asked.

  Fenrit simply moaned a response. His muscles were involuntarily contracting in a desperate plight to fight off hypothermia. The lighting device was as warm as a fire and Alejade had no better ideas about how to thaw her brother. He could warm up here, but it was probably better to move him back to the safety of the camp when he had enough energy to stand. Alejade whistled to Jandra.

  “Go get Nevit, we’ll need his help”, she commanded of the raptor.

  Jandra took flight into the dark. It was a short trip back to the camp and fortunately Tradok’s torrid sleeper emitted a fair amount of light so that Jandra could see where she was going. She landed near Tradok’s torrid sleeper and then strained her vision trying to locate Nevit that should be nearby. She bounded about trying to get her bearings, so that she would not become disoriented and lose the direction she needed to lead Nevit once she found him. Jandra narrowly made out the image of the Mortoptera lying at the edge of light and darkness. She bounced over to the body and cawed using every bit of her vocal strength startling Nevit awake.

  “I can’t see”, Nevit said in a panic. “Who’s there?”

  Jandra cawed again at a lower volume. Once she got Nevit’s attention she would need to figure out how to deliver her message.

  “Ahhhh, Jandra”, Nevit exclaimed. “Where’s Alejade? Is Fenrit back yet?”

  Jandra continued to caw and bounce back and forth in front of Nevit. She needed to look distressed. He didn’t have to follow her very far, but he would need to follow her, which would prove difficult in the dark.

  “You seem out of sorts”, Nevit said. “Is everything ok? Where is Fenrit’s rock when you need it?”

  Jandra began to bounce a little farther away from Nevit towards Tradok’s torrid sleeper. This would hopefully allow Nevit to get a better glimpse of her and begin the process of leading the Mortoptera to Alejade and Fenrit. She continued cawing to show her irritation and hopefully allow him to follow the sound if nothing else.

  “Something is not right and I can’t imagine you’d have woken me if you didn’t need me”, Nevit finally concluded. “Where did our fake fire go? I can barely see you. I’d tell you that I’d follow you, but it’s so dark and you’re not exactly the easiest thing to follow given your size and dark feathers.”

  Jandra kept calling out and bouncing back in the direction of Alejade and Fenrit in an effort to pull Nevit. Nevit began to follow at a leisurely pace. Jandra knew he’d be more vigorous if he knew the situation, but she wasn’t sure how to get him to quicken his pace.

  Nevit followed the raptor for quite a ways until he was able to see the lighting device off in the distance. He wasn’t sure why it was well outside of the camp’s perimeter, but he hurried over to investigate. When he got closer he saw Alejade tending to Fenrit who was still lying on the ground. The ice had melted off his fur, but he was still shivering from his prolonged exposure to the icy cold water of Lake Ulea.

  “What happened?” Nevit asked. “He looks terrible.”

  “I think he’s fighting off hypothermia with everything he has”, Alejade said. “He hasn’t said a word since I found him. He was initially covered in ice and hopefully this device has enough heat to bring an end to his chills.”

  “I wonder if he fell into the lake while foraging”, Nevit speculated. “Either way, I have a better idea. Help me lift him back towards camp. I’ll carry the lighting device in my other hand.”

  “Do you think it’s safe to move him?” Alejade asked.

  “He’ll get worse if we don’t get him out of those wet clothes”, Nevit explained. “Since the camp isn’t far, let’s just get him back and begin treatment there.”

  Ignoring his chilled, wet clothing Alejade and Nevit each reached an arm around his chest to pull Fenrit up. Nevit grabbed the lighting device holding it close to Fenrit’s torso. Fenrit’s legs were wobbly as they continued to shiver from the cold. Fenrit’s arms had gotten him to the shore, but his legs hadn’t gotten him much farther than that. Fenrit began to minimally contribute with a lurch of his own after Nevit and Alejade pulled him forward a few paces. The three slowly returned to camp with Jandra tailing behind.

  Nevit pulled the group over to Tradok’s torrid sleeper. Alejade realized what Nevit had planned as they laid Fenrit down on the ground outside of the sleeper.

  “Start getting him out of the wet clothes”, Nevit directed. “I’ll take on the unpleasant task of waking our Sauronoid friend. I imagine he doesn’t want to wake up to find we shoved another body in his torrid sleeper alongside him.”

  Alejade began removing Fenrit’s light armor, gear and premalier garb. She started spreading the items out around the lighting device so that they could hopefully dry out by morning. Alejade noticed the wounds on Fenrit’s shoulder and foot as she removed his clothing. Fenrit was down to nothing but his fur and Alejade felt sorrow as she watched her brother curl up into the fetal position trying to contain what small amount of heat his body could generate.

  “Let me see him”, Tradok demanded not hiding his irritation from being woke up.

  Tradok was halfway out of his torrid sleeper when his booming voice caught Alejade’s attention. He stumbled getting out of the sleeper and then staggered over to where Alejade had laid Fenrit by the lighting device. Tradok looked down at Fenrit and gazed for a moment realizing how feeble and helpless he was at this very moment.

  “You’re right, Nevit”, Tradok finally said. “This lighting device may not be enough. Get him into the torrid sleeper. It’ll make my day more difficult tomorrow, but leaving him out here could cost him his life. Help me with him.”

  Nevit came over and assisted Tradok in lifting Fenrit. They carried the Loupiq the few additional steps over to Tradok’s torrid sleeper. They placed him inside and then sealed it up.

  “Any idea how he wound up like this?” Tradok asked.

  “No”, Alejade said solemnly.

  “Leave the lighting device right where it’s at”, Tradok said. “Between that and the torrid sleeper it should create a decent heat bubble for myself. If it’s too much for the both of you, then I suggest sleeping on the other end of the lighting device’s reach. I’m up for now and I’ll check on him periodically to make sure he at least gets over the shivering. We can get the full story out of him once he’s done fighting an internal battle.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to get back to sleep?” Alejade asked. “I doubt I can fall asleep until I know he’ll be ok.”

  “Rest assured that there’s nothing more you can do for him now”, Tradok said.

  Alejade moved over by Tradok and laid down. The Sauronoid was right about a more intense heat between the two devices, but that didn’t bother her for now. She started looking over Fenrit’s gear that was spread out around the lighting device. His empty quiver caught her attention. She hadn’t given it much thought from earlier when she initially found him. If he had fallen into the lake, he must have lost his inventory of arrows during the swim. Alejade turned her attention to Fenrit’s satchel and got up from her resting spot to retrieve it. She opened the satchel and began to review the contents. It was full of blonde berries. Fenrit once again had succeeded in foraging. His knives, the aft crystal and some seeds were also within the satchel. If there had been a struggle for him to stay afloat, the satchel had done an amazing job at holding its contents and keeping them safe. Alejade removed the metal knife and seeds from the satchel. She cut the first seed in half and then placed it up against the lighting device. After a while the s
eed began to form into sap just as it would have done if placed in front of a fire. Alejade stirred the substance and then distanced herself from the lighting device.

  “What’s that for?” Tradok asked noticing the sappy substance.

  “It’s used to coat arrows and help them hold their charge”, Alejade explained. “Fenrit will need it when he comes around and realizes he needs to refill his quiver.”

  Tradok realized the gesture was more about keeping her mind off her brother’s condition than actually helping with anything. He sat quietly allowing Alejade to collect her thoughts and go through whatever process helped her remain calm.

  Alejade stared into the fire and let her mind drift from the situation at hand. She would wait until her brother’s condition showed a more positive outlook, even if that meant a sleepless night.

  XIX.

  The decision had been made that Ruk, Arkiva and Virra would meet with Jalpa to discuss the captive. The elders had met the night of Ruk’s capture and spent considerable time deliberating on how to best handle the situation. Virra had expressed that time was of the essence, but Halden and Arkiva wanted to lay out the best course of action. The elders had made arrangements through Baon to get an audience with Jalpa. The complication was that it wouldn’t occur until the very night that Ruk was to rendezvous with the cymutt. The plan was to be open and honest with the Ipta leader except for the exclusion about the missed opportunity for Ruk to feed false information through the cymutt rendezvous.

  Ruk followed in between Arkiva and Virra as the three entered Jalpa’s rotunda. Jalpa waited in the dark while his guests seated themselves just as he had done with Alejade. He was not accustomed to the traditional greeting and he felt his emergence from the dark gave him a slight edge of power and control of the conversation. If nothing else, the tactic was a boost to his confidence, which some may have argued was to the detriment of the Ipta.