Ransom didn’t reply but kept humming.Weirdly, the sound helped his aching head, and the tension in his mind released.Ransom drifted, embracing the relaxation.
Flynt removed his clawed hands and ceased his chanting.
Ransom opened his eyes and blinked.Nut-brown eyes stared straight into his.He laughed and ran his hand over Flynt’s head before kissing his prominent nose.
“Thank you, buddy,” he said.
Ransom glanced to his left, searching for Scarlett.She no longer sat beside him.
“I’m here,” Scarlett said.“I had to get out of the pool because I was turning into a prune.You and Flynt went into a trance.You’ve been out for ages.I was starting to worry because it’s almost blacklight.My attempts to wake you failed.”
“A trance?It feels like I’ve been sitting here for a short time.”
“Ransom, I’m not doing well.I need help to get to our campsite.”
Ransom stood and placed Flynt on the edge of the pool.In two giant strides, he reached Scarlett.Her face was pale while her arm where the Trolleris had bitten her was an angry purplish-red.She’d partially dressed, but hadn’t donned her tunic.
Flynt scampered up to them, fast despite his size.He patted Scarlett’s arm and made a new noise—atut-tut.
“I’ll carry you to camp,” Ransom said.
Scarlett sighed.“Admit it.You’re as sick as I am.We’re in the middle of the mountains at the mercy of a despot prince.We’re fucked.”
Ransom ignored her burst of pity, although he didn’t blame her.Depression often stalked at his side, and probably would again, given what lay ahead.He scooped her up and glanced at Flynt.The Trolleris child scampered in front of Ransom.
“Okay, buddy.You walk by yourself, but I can carry you when you need me to.”
The kid appeared more self-sufficient than they’d realized since he led the way to the spot where they’d left their gear.
Ransom set Scarlett down and rifled through his pack for a foil blanket.He spread it out and lifted Scarlett to relocate her.
Flynt approached him and tapped Ransom on the leg.He cooed and patted his stomach.Ransom barked out a laugh.
“I’ll get you a biscuit while I light the fire and heat the shrink-meals.”
With Flynt eating his biscuit, Ransom started the fire.He heated a shrink-meal and discovered it was a meaty stew.He offered this to Flynt, and the kid seemed content.Some food ended up on his shaggy coat, but Ransom figured he’d wash.
Next, he heated water over the fire and added it to a meaty soup mix.He took this over to Scarlett.She was asleep, her face still much paler than usual.Worry slid through him.Should he wake her and get her to shift, or wait?
Ransom wavered about his course of action.He could use his com-circle and attempt to contact her brothers, or failing that, his brother.Gryffnn could get hold of Ry Coppersmith.Their friend would help without hesitation.
He tested Scarlett’s temperature, then checked her arm.The swelling extended from her biceps and down her forearm, and a mass of purple, red, and black colored her skin.Still dithering, Ransom retreated to the fire and sat beside Flynt.The Trolleris patted his tummy again and cooed with enthusiasm when Ransom handed him the cup of soup.
As Ransom heated another shrink-meal, he reached a decision.He required help from either Scarlett’s family or Ry Coppersmith.
Ransom gulped down his meal, not doing justice to the meaty goodness.Instead, he worried about Scarlett’s brothers.What if they became upset?Phrull, who was he kidding?Of course, they’d be angry, which meant Ry was his best bet for help.He couldn’t risk Scarlett’s brothers saving their sister and placing his people in greater danger.Scarlett was their sister.He understood family and loyalty.He finished his meal, checked on Scarlett, and found her still sleeping.
Flynt’s eyelids drooped with fatigue, so Ransom wiped his chestnut fur, cleaning him as best as he could before placing him on the blanket with Scarlett.
That done, he retrieved his com-circle, powered it up, and attempted to make a call.
9.A Visit From Insects
Ransomwokeinahot sweat.No, it wasn’t him, but the heat radiating from Scarlett.She was even worse this cycle, and he hadn’t thought this possible.He rose and headed straight for his pack and his com-circle.He thumbed in the code for Gryffnn and hit send, straining to hear a response.Nothing but crackle.About to disconnect, he heard a distorted voice carry through the static and electronic noise.He spoke fast, not bothering with polite niceties.
“It’s Ransom.I’m in trouble and need Ry’s help.Call the crew of theIndyand get them—” Halfway through the connection dropped.Frustrated, he made another attempt, but the link was even worse.He’d try again, higher in the mountains.
He added wood to the still-burning embers and checked on their water.They were running short.He’d need to restock this cycle.
