FOREVER KNIGHTS: #9 Feral Breed

WhiteHall, Harridan Hamlet, Paladines (Lost for twenty-two years)

RAESE

Raese was dreaming of her again. Torn between fighting it and letting it be. He relented and let the images of deep Dread Country wash over him like a soothing pool.

It was late Fall, and cold weather could descend any day now. Having decided to go for an evening walk to check the Firoque traps, he urged Calisto to take her cloak. She grabbed them both. Making him shake his head.

The descending evening smelled of wet dirt and the natural molding of seed pods which had long since fallen from the trees. The layer of tangled grass covering the forest floor had yellowed and become dense with mud.

He and Calisto trudged over it. When they came upon a trap, Calisto plucked the pieces apart and tucked them into a cloth bag hung over her arm. Raese would rip them apart, shredding the thick metal.

Fair luck in repairing those, Cimmerii.

Calisto wore her cloak now, carrying his. He was at her side, the green-eyed black wolf, walking in step with her.

Easier to catch the Firoque scent. Allowing him to tell if injured animals were in the traps that he needed tend before she got there.

She struggles with putting the animals down. Raese was aware that regardless of her tough exterior, she’d a tender heart that couldn’t bare seeing creatures suffering.

He laughed at himself. No surprise she feels for animals, the way she loves her damnable trees.

A brisk wind kicked up, making her insist on him returning to human. As clothes began forming around his body, she handed him his cloak. They tugged up their hoods and walked closer. She playfully tossed a hip into him, causing him to stumble.

He laughingly shoved her back but caught her when her foot skid, apologizing profusely.

She giggled, flashing white teeth in the descending darkness. Spinning from his grip, she faced the trees. Wide blue eyes roving spined trees.

He stiffened as he too caught wind of the foul stench. Before he could shift, a black blur tore through the clearing toward them. Raese had only enough time to shove Calisto from its trajectory as it ripped through him. Searing pain tore his body as he realized he was being pulled apart.

A Sarabi had ran into him. Tearing at his throat and shoulder with voracious jaws.

He hadn’t had time to defend himself as it viciously descended. Landing on him to continue a brutal attack. He pushed at weakly but could already feel hot blood pooling under him and the digging front claws of the creature burrowing into his chest.

Calisto was shrieking wildly. Using the dagger from under her skirt to stab it repeatedly. But it was too starved to notice her attack.

He shouted brokenly. Closing his eyes, he tried to summon the magic to save his life but found himself too weak. I’m going to die.

He saw a blur of movement near Calisto and his eyes flew to her shocked face. He heard the thudding beat of running footfalls and saw a man with black hair pulled into a tether and wearing dual swords running up behind Calisto.

Chavias.

Just above him was a huge black crow flapping in a trajectory that would land it on Chavias’ shoulder.

Chavias shouted one word. A word she knew well. “Timebend!”

Calisto drew a steadying breath and looked Heavenward. Hands blooming with purple lightning she unleashed vibrating purple coils.

Everything slowly reversed for Raese. He felt the digging at his chest slowing and though the pain was still vivid, it was reducing. Next, he flew up to his feet.

The Sarabi slowed and moved backward away from him, eyes focused on him as it had when approaching. Its movements retreating back to crouch in the bushes. A dull noise drew his attention to a rush of water coming from the river, up through the brush and flooding through the trees.

A glance at Calisto verified her blue eyes turned neon, glowing in the darkness without a pupil.

She’s rewinding time...And simultaneously summoning the lake.

The bird flew backward at an angle as Chavias’ steps moved in reverse. Taking him back into the trees.

As things slowed nearly to a stop, Raese forced his hands toward the daggers he kept under his tunic.