The Tempest of Eerikki - Book One - THE PANACEA QUEST

Chapter 14

The Sword Master and the search party had been following the tracks of the great warhorse. The horses' gate had been wide and steady but now it had almost disappeared and he was more than frustrated and annoyed at Batair for his recklessness. The noise of an approaching animal had William retrieving his blade Enigma ready to strike when Blaz burst into the clearing they now found themselves in.

"Averta!" William rushed to her side as she slid from the beast's back. Her relief clear she went straight into his arms, seeking comfort. Taking her all in at once he found her beautiful hair was a tangled mess of twigs and debris, her gown had been torn and the blood on one side had him catching his breath.

"My love," his words a soft sigh of torment.

Seeing where his eyes had focused she reassured. "I am all right my love, it's not my blood." her voice a soft whisper, "you are needed Blaz will show you where they are." After a sip of water, she continued, "Batair and Tempie face many please hurry," The last a weak gasp as she succumbed to exhaustion.

William placed a gentle kiss to Averta's forehead and passed her still form to Bailey.

"With your life, Warrior." His eyes bored into Bailey.

"I vow, my Master," Bailey promised.

The Sword Master barked orders for someone to bring a stretcher for Averta he then stepped up to Blaz patted its main.

"Take me to them," he commanded.

With that, the beast and Sword Master were off, followed by all but Bailey and Boé.

***

Was late afternoon when they came upon a scene of utter devastation. Before the cave entrance laid the bodies of the flagitious that had infested this pit of Arawn's perverted. In the middle of the carnage sat the tiny naked body of Tempie cradling Batair's head in her lap. The only sound was Tempie's soft sobs.

Batair's massive form was still, his skin ashen, but to everyone's relief and dismay his breath was raspy and shallow.

"Tempie?" William approached as if nearing a wounded animal for in her right hand she still gripped a blood-drenched blade she held protectively across Batair's body. "Tempie, release him my child, we have him," Tempie looked at the Sword Master through unseeing eyes, cautiously he touched her chin lifting her face to his.

"Release him my child." At that whisper, Tempie fell away from Batair into Albern's arms.

It was Valiant who brought forward a cape, bundling up an exhausted Tempie into his arms. She drew herself tight against his chest, her skin was icy and her beautiful green eyes swollen from tears. "Tempie may we tend you?" Valiant waited for her to nod.

He drew the cape aside. She was battered with deep bruising all over. Fists obviously caused some but what made Valiant curse under his breath was that teeth had caused her other injuries. The bite marks marred her breasts, hips and thighs. He had to hold steady. The thoughts of what had happened to their little warrior ripped at him as nothing else ever had. It was as though one of his treasured sisters had been violated and with stark realisation she had. For Tempie was as dear to him as any of his flowers.

He tended the sword strike across her belly and the ones on her arms. None were deep enough to need stitching but would be sore and take time to heal. She sat quiet in Valiant's arms allowing him to tend her. Looking occasionally to where Batair now lay on a stretcher being tended by the Sword Master and Jain. Her eyes filled again.

Albern was now mopping up and securing the area searching the bodies and dragging them to a makeshift funeral pyre.

He caught a slight movement that caused Albern to reach down with one massive hand and clasp a head, dragging the being to its feet. Albern roared with malicious delight, "you bescumber sporn, I should have stomped your head in, the day Tempie defeated you on the training ground." Albern held him up for all to see.

It was Chadd, his sword arm was missing and he held the bloody stump trying to stem the flow. Showing his utter stupidity, he taunted Albern. "I've had her, the little bitch will never have better." Chadd's tirade was abruptly ceased as Albern crushed his throat with a massive blow that also caused him to fall back.

Blaz shot forward, the enraged roan ploughing at the ground. Chadd was trying to scramble away from the beast as it reared up and came down its front hoof showing perfect aim as it crushed Chadd's balls and shaft.

His cries of agony were greatly satisfying to Tempie's ears.

She looked again to where Batair lay her rage welling. Finding she could no longer just sit by her hand dropped to the dagger she knew Valiant wore at his hip. Her fingers clasping tight to its jeweled hilt. Drawing the dagger, she rose. The cloak fell away as she walked towards the screaming Chadd. Looming up over him she proclaimed for all to hear. "I protect mine as they protect me." She then bent down close to him and whispered the last words Chadd was ever to hear. "Scream for me. Scream for me." Tempie then embedded Valiant's blade into his heart to the hilt.

Witheconomy of motion, Tempie retrieved the dagger cleaning it on Chadd's dead bodyreturning to the protective arms of Valiant and softly sobbed.