The fox startled at the sight of her and growled, baring its sharp little teeth. It had a diamond-shaped patch in a deeper shade of blue on its forehead and vibrant aqua blue eyes. The fox’s fur expanded as it tried its best to appear fearsome, but it was only frightened.
“Shhh, I’ll set you free.” she cooed again. It snapped its teeth when she neared. “It’s all right.”
It fought harder, yowling as the thorns dug into its flesh with each tug. The little creature was barely a juvenile pup. If she didn’t free it, the fox would lose the use of its leg. Dyna inhaled a breath, then stuck out her hand. Those tiny, sharp teeth clamped on her fingers, and she held in a yelp. Quickly, she untangled the small creature’s hind leg from the thorns while it was preoccupied with her other hand. As soon as it was free, the fox scampered away, but it stumbled and rolled on its injured leg and flopped on the ground, sides caving in against its ribs with every heaving breath.
Dyna wrapped her hand in a cloth she took from her bag. As she approached the little fox, it gave her a weak growl. “You’re hurt, sweet one. Let me help.”
She slowly reached for its back leg, making soothing noises. Green light glowed within her palm at her call. The fox lowered its ears, but no longer growled. Dyna hovered her hand above its leg and sent her power forth, enveloping it around the fracture inside. Carefully, she mended the tiny bone, tendons, then wove its shredded flesh. A pink scar formed between its fur. Fully healed, the fox leaped to its feet. Dyna smiled and slumped as exhaustion settled over her. It was a minor wound compared to the others she’d healed on their journey. She wouldn’t faint this time.
The creature scampered away, but paused and peered at her with those vivid eyes. It cocked its head and sniffed the air.
“My name is Dynalya, though my friends call me Dyna.” She grinned, feeling a little silly to introduce herself, but perhaps it understood.
Holding out a hand, she beckoned the fox closer. But its long ears perked up and twitched as it peered into the forest, alerting to something.
“What’s wrong …” It dashed away into the bush. She frowned after the fox, not sure what spooked it. Then she noticed the quiet.
It was too quiet.
Nature’s symphony of birdsong and the chatter in the underbrush had fallen dreadfully silent. Dyna heard the ever-faint crunch of light feet on dry leaves that would have otherwise been muted. She turned and found two men in black cloaks watching her. Their faces were shadowed under hoods, black masks covering the bottom halves of their faces. One may have had dark eyes, but it was hard to tell. The other… removed his hood, revealing eyes the color of amber. From his crop of dark brown hair were two pointed ears. Zev had said that if not for Rawn, Tarn’s elf would have killed them at the Kazer Bluffs.
A sharp gasp caught in her throat, and her heart hammered in her chest. With a trembling hand, Dyna covertly reached for the knife at her waist. She couldn’t fight them both, but maybe stabbing one of them through the foot would give her time to run. Cassiel’s alarm washed through her when he sensed her fear, and she couldn’t help her overwhelming relief.
He was coming.
“Has anyone ever told you it’s not safe for a girl to be alone out in the woods,” the brown-eyed one said, his northern Azure accent muffled behind his mask.
“She’s not alone.” Lucenna appeared from the trees, her eyes glowing vivid purple. Her power filled the air, and static crawled along Dyna’s skin like a thousand ants. The sorceress pulled her up and shoved her towards Fair.
“Stay behind me,” Lucenna said, her narrowed glare fixed on the men who slid into defensive positions. “Should I even bother to ask who you are?”
The man withdrew two knives with serrated edges, and the elf unsheathed his sword.
The sorceress smiled coldly. “Men of few words. Perfect.”
A purple hue painted the forest as light spidered up Lucenna’s arms in response, and Fair released a loud neigh. The elf muttered an Elvish command, calling on a blue light that flared around his blade.
Dyna’s heart thundered in her ears as his power pressed into her, a forceful charge clashing with Lucenna’s. It was different from mage magic, as if it lived in the air.
Lucenna snapped open her arms, and the air exploded with a surge of electricity. The men dived away, scarcely dodging the attack. The knife-wielder spun away from another volt and threw his knives, one after the other. Lucenna tossed them aside with a wave of her hand. With a swipe of his blade, the elf cast a wave of blue rays. Lucenna thrust out her hands, and a curved shield formed in an instant before the blast hit. The concussive force threw Dyna against a tree and she fell in a heap, her vision spinning.
“Dyna!” Lucenna called, throwing more spells left and right to keep the men at bay.
“I’m fine!” Dyna pushed back on her feet, ignoring her body wincing in protest. She couldn’t simply stand around. Withdrawing her weapon, she lined up behind Lucenna. She could at least protect her back.
The elf motioned with two fingers, and the knife-wielder nodded. They moved into another formation.
“Ot’neiv.”The elf swept his hand, and a powerful gust of wind tossed Dyna across the clearing. He headed for Lucenna, chanting another spell.“Az’reuf ed erb’mul, et’neirroc ed auga, ojulf ed otneiv, esab ed arreit—ranib’moc neyurt’sed!”
Blue blazed in his eyes, and a swirl of Essence erupted from his palm, solidifying into a hexagonal light rimmed with symbols. Dyna recognized the Elvish runes for fire, water, wind, and earth, but not the spiky one in the center that flared the brightest. Lucenna gasped as her eyes widened. Dyna scrambled to her feet. Her heart thundered in her ears as his power filled the air, pressing into her with its weight.
“Run, Dyna!” Lucenna quickly formed a shield, layered it with another and another. “Go!”
An echo of her father’s shouting at her to run rang in her head.
Grinning, the knife-wielder backed away. “You’re dead now, witch.”
The elf raised his blazing hand. An arrow flew through the trees, piercing the hexagon, and it vanished in a puff of smoke. Zev bounded out with a vicious snarl and charged after the knife-wielder. Cassiel landed by Dyna. His wings snapped wide as he drewEsh Zayinfree. White flames burst to life along the blade, the roots a vivid blue. Her legs gave out from utter relief. Cassiel wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her close to his chest. He stayed with her instead of jumping in the fight, and she quickly saw why. Together, the others were more than enough of a match for the two men.
