Chap. 18
The group walked days on end, helping each other when things got out of hand. Esmera had a hard time walking on the cliffs, as the rocks’ shapes were not meant to hold such a heavy creature. YoKo told Esmera to fly, instead, but the thick fog around the rocks was too thick to see through.
They ran into a problem on their third day. The fog was still hovering above the group, as they were so high up. Esmera took a step toward Serenity, and the rocks gave way. Esmera fell to a ledge below, but otherwise was okay. Esmera managed to fly herself back up to Serenity.
During mid-afternoon, Esmera found a flat edge near a small running stream and the group settled there after a near run-in of a lost member. YoKo caught a small bird that had landed near them and Serenity cooked it. After lunch, Serenity practiced her bow while Esmera talked to YoKo about how to defend herself. Serenity guessed that Esmera felt a little guilty that she wasn’t able to help Jason and Shinku on the day of the ambush.
Arabella had found herself a piece of wild grass and was chewing on it contently. Serenity fired a bow at a burnt down tree trunk, than looked up. “Is this place really the birthplace of Malks? At least, that was what Jason told me about the Kothari.”
Yes, that is what many people these days assume, and I know that what Jason told you was false, although many Malks live here, but they were not born here. They are born in swamps of some sorts.
“Oh, that’s interesting. But since they live here, are we in any danger?”
Well, most of the wild ones avoid other creatures at all costs, but Rellark’s Malks will attack if they see us.
“That’s pleasant.”
Yes, YoKo chuckled.
Serenity retrieved her arrow and walked to go sit down next to Esmera, fiddling with her arrow. She looked over at Arabella and saw that her ears had pricked up. Arabella’s head had turned around to watch the other side of the mountain. YoKo caught her looking at something and asked, Serenity, sweetie, what are you looking at?
“I thought that Arabella heard something. But I could have imagined it.”
No, interjected Esmera, I hear something, or at least I thought I did.
“I didn’t hear anything, why can’t I?”
Animals’ hearing is usually more sensitive than humans.
Wait, YoKo spoke quickly, everyone be quiet, I though I heard a stick snap, or something like that.
They stayed quiet for a few minutes, but neither Esmera or YoKo heard anything else. Even Arabella’s head went back to her wild grass. Everyone relaxed and went beck to their previous activities. Serenity tipped her head back and closed her eyes. When she opened them a few minutes later, a bright orange thing caught her eye. She thought she imagined it, until YoKo cried out, Fire!
Serenity’s head whipped back and saw that an orange flame was slowly engulfing a pile of wild grass near Arabella. Esmera flew up a few feet and looked for the cause of it. After a while, she exclaimed, Malks!
How many? YoKo asked, fearing for the worst.
Esmera squinted, counting the number. It looks about ten.
“Can we take them on?” Serenity asked, shivering.
Yes, I think so, maybe. YoKo answered shakily.
Another flame came and set the group’s tent on fire. Run! We cannot put out this fire and if we stay, then we will surly be killed! Yoko ordered. Esmera flew up higher in the air while Serenity went to Arabella and got up on her back. YoKo ran ahead and Serenity followed on Arabella while Esmera followed in the air. They ran ahead until YoKo ordered them to stop. They paused and gasped for air.
“Are we safe?” panted Serenity.
Yes, I think so, YoKo said as she came up behind her.
Esmera landed soon after. Sorry, I got a little lost in the fog, she explained.
They all huddled together and listened. A while after, YoKo spoke up. I think we lost them.
Serenity walked over edge of the cliff and sat down to think; she really didn’t want a rerun of what had happened to Jason. Just then, two strong and rough hands wrapped around Serenity’s mouth and pulled her to a standing position roughly. Serenity struggled against the grasp. She looked up to see who it was, and saw an ugly rough face with two horns on the side of its head. She guessed that it was a Malk. YoKo ran toward Serenity to see where she was, but another Malk stopped her.
“Do not move unless you want ‘dis precious girl dead,” the Malk snarled. Serenity nearly barfed at the smell of his breath. YoKo stopped dead in her tacks. “Good,” he continued. “Now, step back and stay there.” He put a sharp knife against Serenity’s neck. YoKo did what she was told.
Serenity, came YoKo’s voice inside Serenity’s head. Do not move, I will figure something out.
No, forget about me, you and Esmera go on without me, please. I don’t want to be responsible for your death.
Never!
Esmera arrived soon and as soon as her feet touched the ground, several other Malks rushed out of where they were hiding and threw a net over her, as they had done to Shinku. The Malk that was holding Serenity spoke again. “Go and save yourself and you will live. On the other hand, if you stay here, you will be killed. You make the choice.”
YoKo! Run while you can!
YoKo seemed torn. She closed her eyes and then opened them. She looked at Serenity with sadness in her eyes, then turned around and ran off into the shadows.
Traitor! Snarled Esmera.
No, Esmera, I am glad that she escaped. You can too, just use your tail and kill that Malk by your left leg and he will drop the net. Go and save Jason for me, Serenity told Esmera.
Serenity, I will never abandon you. We will get through this together.
The Malk holding Serenity raised his hand that was holding the knife and raised it for the killing blow. Esmera roared and tried to break free, but other Malks joined the one Malk that was holding Esmera and tightened the bind on her.
The Malk held the knife in the air, ready to kill Serenity. He lowered his hand, but an arrow struck him in the chest before the knife hit Serenity, and he staggered backwards and fell, never to rise again.
Another arrow came and killed all the Malks that were holding Esmera. Serenity fell down and looked up to see who her savior was. Out of the shadows stepped out a figure, and started walking toward Serenity.
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