“On the assumption they’ve found us, I think we should stick to our plan.Find shelter and reassess in the whitelight.Hopefully, the dragons will realize something is amiss and find a way to get us out.”
“Makes sense.Can we use those leafy plants over there to fashion a shelter and something to rest on?They’re not the hungry type?”Gweneth straightened from her lean against Ellard and winced at the combined pain of several bruises.Not for the first time, she wished she could shift to feline to help speed her recovery.
Ellard trotted over to investigate the plants.When he started tearing the large green-and-pink leaves free from the main plant, she joined him.
Once they had a pile, she grabbed an armful and followed Ellard.He plunged off the track again and into the trees until he neared a large rock formation.
“This will work.The rocks at our back and the trees are thick here.We can’t see the path, but we’re still close enough to get to it.”He dumped the leaves he carried.“Stay here.I’ll get the last of them.”
Despite the unrelenting aches and jabs of pain, Gweneth started to fashion a bed.If she stopped and sat down, she didn’t think she’d manage to start moving again.
Ellard returned with the last of the leaves.“I saw some sticks we can use to make a framework.The air feels wrong.It’s going to rain.”
“Delightful,” Gweneth muttered as he strode away.“Cold, wet, and sore.A triple treat.”
Ellard returned, and together, they constructed a rough frame.They draped the larger leaves over the top, layering them to make a roof.
Gweneth sank to the ground with a groan.
“Take off your tunic, and let me check your bruises.In this heat, infection will set in quickly.”
Gweneth opened her mouth to argue, then pressed her lips together.Getting naked with Ellard might spur him onward and give him a nudge in the right direction.She raised her arms and hissed.“You’ll have to help me.”
It took him longer with one arm, but their combined efforts finally worked.
“Phrull, that’s a big bruise on your ribs.”He traced the region with one gentle finger, and her breath caught at the scatter of sensations that darted from the point of contact.
“At least nothing appears broken.We were both lucky.”
A howl sounded in the distance, and they both lifted their heads, automatically scenting in the direction of the disturbance.
“Better grab a pile of stones and a stout stick.We possess one knife between us,” Gweneth said.
“The creature—whatever it is—isn’t close.Not yet.You stay there.I’ll collect a stash of sticks and stones.I want to check your wound while it’s still light enough to see.”
“My head isn’t too bad, not as painful as my ribs.”
“Yes.”
Ellard left, and Gweneth attempted to relax.While she hadn’t planned her cycle to end this way, at least she was with Ellard.
By the time he returned, blacklight had settled in, bringing the area to creepy life.Shadows loomed, spread by the faint starlight that pierced the trees.The sounds were different, although the creature hadn’t howled again.
“Do you want to put on your tunic?”
“It’s still muggy.I think I’ll sleep better without it.”While Ellard had been away, she’d rolled it up into a neat pillow.
“It’s started to rain.”
“I hadn’t noticed.”
Ellard sat down beside her.“Thank you for not panicking.”
“Panic won’t help us.”She rolled closer until she felt the heat coming off his body.“We’ll get out of this mess alive.Ransom will come for us.”
“It might take them a while.”
“The Incorporeals will come.”
