The Winds of the Past [Rune Factory 4]

Chapter 13

As she faced the raccoon monster, her face white with anger, Avani crouched and leaped into the air. Shouting a battle cry as she flipped through the air, sword held high above her, she flew at the beast with her distinctive slashing attack. She struck the creature several times in rapid succession as she spiraled through the air before landing on her feet a short distance from him. The creature bellowed in rage or pain, then without warning, he transformed into a demon of gigantic proportions.

Dylas and I both sprang forward as Avani staggered back and fell under a backhanded blow from the creature's massive forearm. I rammed him in the belly with my spear, and although his densely matted fur blocked a mortal injury, nevertheless I was able to cause some damage. Dylas flanked him and punched him with his spiked gauntlets while I leaped aside to dodge a blow from the enraged monster and cast an Earth Spike spell.

Avani had recovered by this time and dove in with her most powerful attack. The demon flew back from the combined effect of my spell, a powerful flying kick from Dylas, and Avani's sword strike, landing on his back with enough force that the cave shook. He vanished in an explosion of light, then reappeared in his miniature form.

"You... you're a strong opponent," he said to her, gasping.

"What were you thinking?" she berated him angrily. "That's no way to find a mate!"

"I know," he sighed. "I'm sorry. Here, please accept this gift from me, as an apology." He held out a hand  to her, and a small pouch appeared on his palm.

"Well... all right, if you promise you'll behave from now on," she said, reluctantly accepting the proffered gift.

"I will," he assured her. "But... will you sometimes come to visit and play with me again? It gets so lonely here all by myself."

"I'll think about it," she replied. Then she straightened up, raised her hands, and with a shouted incantation, she cast an Escape spell. We found ourselves in the cave's entrance, the stairway down just ahead of us.

"A raccoon demon," I mused, glancing towards the stairs, and we exited into the brilliance of the spring afternoon.

************

We had a few minor skirmishes after leaving the raccoon demon's den, but before long, it became apparent that Avani had been injured at some point. After a brief discussion, Dylas and I agreed we should call it quits early that day, overriding Avani's protests that she was fine, really.

When we reached camp, Dylas scolded her soundly, reminding her that we didn't know what we'd be up against when we finally located the research facility, and that it was far better to rest now and be prepared for whatever tomorrow might bring than to foolishly rush into danger unwell and unprepared. It was perhaps the surest sign that she was not feeling like her usual self that she didn't argue any further with him, giving in almost immediately. I found her quick capitulation worrisome, and I could see that Dylas was concerned by it, too. I suggested he get her to bed as quickly as possible, offering to go fish for our supper while he assisted her. He mutely nodded acceptance, so I packed up and left, taking Baldur with me.

When I returned, she was lying on her sleep roll, her cloak draped over her and Dylas's cloak folded up under her head for a pillow. She appeared to be asleep, so I quietly brought Dylas the fish I'd caught. I went to Avani, and as gently as I could, I placed a hand on her head and cast a healing spell on her. She seemed better for a minute, but then she almost immediately began to worsen again. I watched her for a few minutes as she slept, then told Dylas I'd be back again in a little while.

I grabbed an empty bag on my way out, and went looking for a flock of schmoolies. I found one and easily defeated them, and gathered the wool that had been shorn from them during combat. Stuffing the wool into the bag I'd brought, I continued battling schmoolies until I'd gathered enough wool to fill the bag. Returning to camp, I tied the bag closed and, with Dylas's help, swapped it with his cloak for her to use as a pillow. She woke just enough to burrow down into her new cushion, then she was out again, looking sickly and feverish as she moaned and tossed restlessly in her sleep.