Utter Devotion

Weapons of Gold

"What do we know about Neloxs? Do they have any weaknesses?"

Sagira asked plainly once they had retreated a safe distance from the cave.

Gathered together in a loose circle, they each looked up at the sun already moving towards the west, the shadows from the trees starting to grow longer.

"Day light would be best to fight them in, in the dark they are nearly impossible to see without the light, and night is when they eat their prey."

Ciannait spoke quickly and methodically, already picturing different scenarios in her mind, weighing the options of how to save Thor and get them all out alive, with what she knew.

"What do you need?"

She looked up at Loki, her jaw was taut with worry but her eyes only held determination.

"A sword."

With a wave of her hand, a golden sword appeared in Loki's hand, giving the blade a test swing, she nodded and held the blade out to her satisfied with it.

Suddenly Ciannait's heart started beating out of her chest, when a cold voice full of anger spoke to her.

Ciannait you are in a world of trouble.
Do not try to run.

"We have to go now. Njord is coming."

Somehow she had dropped to her knees, as Njord released his hold on her, Loki offered her hand and helped her to her feet.

"Our best chance is for Sagira and I to distract them, and Loki and Ratana to grab Thor and get him out and we'll cover your escape."

"I don't like leaving you behind."

She looked up at Loki, and tried to give him a reassuring smile.

"We'll be right behind you. Thor doesn't have much time and Njord won't waste soldiers going back for him. We have to go now, or there won't be time."

Loki opened her mouth, readying to argue when Ciannait cut her off.

"Look we don't have time to argue this. Let's go."

Without waiting for any replies she headed back into the forrest and back to the Neloxs cave.

When they returned, they could now see that the Neloxs had dragged Thor out of the cave and he did not look well.

There were several fang marks on his arms and neck, and even from far away Ciannait could see the sweat on his brow, Neloxs seemed to be chattering back and forth in excitement.

Silently motioning with her hands, she pointed to Loki and Ratana and motioned to them to go around the otherwise of the bushes up closest to the entrance of the cave and closest to Thor.

Gesturing for them to go, Loki paused only for a moment, her brow furrowed with worry, bitting her lip for a moment, Ratana rolled her eyes and started silently backing up to go around her, when she clenched her jaw and pulled Ciannait to her.

Ciannait nearly made a startled noise before Loki covered her lips with her own.

Locking her hands around Lokis neck, she kissed her for everything she was worth, promising with that kiss that she would do everything she could to get them out alive.

As they broke apart she looked down, rather than meet Loki's eyes, as she started to crawl away, a pale hand shot out and grabbed her arm pulling her back, Lokis face loomed close to hers, and she put her lips up close to her ear.

"Don't you dare do anything stupid."

Without another word, Loki released her and disappeared in the direction Ratana had gone.