Kanik
The Moles had been a mess out there this time. I was pretty sure the dogs had a lot to do with that, and wasn't going to complain. But when the Moles began to retreat, I started looking for Ayla. Rymar was with her, and while I knew he could hold his own, the man was a walking target here in the forest.
Slowly, the Reapers and Dragons pulled back and closer together. A few Moles were still fighting here and there, but when the mass of us turned on them, they ran. That was not normal, but I certainly wasn't going to complain. Then there was what had been left behind on the forest floor.
Wounded were everywhere. Most were walking, some limping, but bodies? There weren't many. I saw a Mole over there, and I knew he wasn't the only one, but all the Dragons and Reapers were being attended to.
"Kanik, you need to sit," Zasen said, clasping my shoulder to drag me further away from the combat area.
"I'm fine!" I insisted, pulling away. "Shit, Zasen. It's been months! I'm healed, okay?"
He leaned in and growled, "You told Ayla you're still weak."
Instead of being intimidated by him, I simply sighed. "Look, I'm being careful. I'vebeencareful. I'm healed, but I'm aware my abs got cut in half and aren't as strong as they used to be. What's the opposite of strong, Zasen? That's weak. Not hurting, not incapable, not incapacitated. Weak."
Before me, he visibly relaxed. "Okay, good. We can't do that again. Fuck, I bawled my eyes out when I thought you were dead."
It was wrong, but that felt nice to hear. "I'mfine," I said again. "I'm more worried about Rymar being out here. And with Ayla?"
"She'll keep him alive," Zasen promised.
"And he'll do plenty of that too," I agreed. "But he's a walking flag."
"It's fall," Zasen reminded me. "You know, yellows, oranges, and reds? He doesn't stand out as bad right now. I think that's why he came." Then he pointed. "And it looks like the Reapers are headed this way. Let's see how bad the losses were."
Slowly, all the Reapers and Dragons moved together. When we stopped, I realized the rendezvous point was the carts that had carried us here. Wounded were being helped into the backs. Gear was piled up in others, but it didn't look like anyone was moving fast. More like we were taking a break to catch our breath and lick our wounds.
"Gather close!" Eriska called.
I shifted that way just as something rushed to my side. Looking down, I saw brindle fur first - and then recognized the face.
"Holly?" I asked.
Beside me, Zasen spun, then exhaled hard in relief. "Ayla! Rymar!" Lifting a hand, he waved them closer.
I couldn't see them over the people around us, but I knew they had to be who he was waving to. A moment later, Ayla'sother dog joined Holly. Rymar and my partner were right behind Pepper.
"Did you find him?" Zasen asked.
Rymar nodded first. "We did, and it's a mess."
"Eriska's calling everyone in," I told them, catching Ayla's eye and tilting my head at Zasen.
She gave me a little smile, then moved to him and wrapped her arm around his waist. When Zasen dropped his arm around her shoulders easily, I had to fight a smile. This was their thing. Those two were both out for revenge, and they understood that urge in each other. Right now, they needed each other, and seeing them embrace so easily? Watching Ayla's body soften against Zasen's side?
I would never understand the rage they were fueled by, but I could see it. For those two, it was a tie that bound them together, but I didn't think it was the revenge part. From what I could tell, it seemed to be the recovery. Those two had both felt pain few could understand. They'd both found a way to push through it by embracing their anger. They'd also both decided they would be the sacrifice if necessary.
And that? I now understood what it felt like. I'd faced it alone, and there had been so many things I'd regretted. Ayla had given me a second chance, and Holly too, but I wasn't ready yet. Them? I had a feeling they were - and together they were figuring out they didn't have to be.
"All right!" Eriska yelled now that everyone was close enough. "I need two scouts to keep an eye on the Moles. They should head home now, from what the Dragons say, but I don't want to risk it. Volunteers?"
A dozen hands shot into the air. Eriska picked two with dogs, and sent them to handle that. They were given more arrows and anything else they needed, then headed out. The pause had everyone talking again, so Eriska lifted her hands.
"Hey, hey!" she called. "Let's make some decisions so we can all head home. Where's Rymar?"
"Here!" he called, moving toward her. People shifted, letting him in, but halfway there, he looked back and crooked a finger at Ayla. "We're going to need you too."
"Girls, stay," Ayla said before following him.
