Dead Hand of the Past

Final Preparations Before the Mist

32

Kodora had been working on making a blowgun and darts she was not accurate with them yet, but she was getting better. She knew she needed to talk to Lilla, about what they could find in the way of poisons to put on the tips of the darts.

Ichiro, decided they would only take one more day to bring themselves up to the task of the mist. He knew that they would face unseen challenges. He also knew that they would need the help of the gods to get through it without one of them getting hurt or worse dying. He was not anxious to enter the void but the longer they waited, the worse it was for Lantea. He told them after dinner that they would only spend one more day camping before they moved on and into the mist.

The next morning Kodora went to Lilla to talk about poisons. She was hoping she had a solution to her last obstacle. "Why not the poison from a Phyllobates terribilis it is the most toxic amphibian, and it's referred to as a poisonous dart frog?"

Kodora was impressed but unconvinced.

"Are they native to this area? Do we have to hurt the frog to get the poison?"

Lilla laughed.

"No, we don't have to hurt the frog, and it doesn't have to be indigenous to the area we have Parla."

The girls went to find Parla to see if she would consent to become a frog for poison. Parla had a few reservations but when Lilla explained all they had to do was rub the tip of the dart on the frog's back to get enough poison to coat the tip of the arrows she agreed. Lilla told them about the effects of the poison.

"It shuts down the central nervous and repertory system. It well killing whatever was poisoned. Parla agreed to this. But she was not sure just because she could change into the thing she could secrete the poison that they needed for the darts. But it was worth a try.

Lilla explained what the frog looked like to Parla and she instantly changed into the frog. Kodora began to rub the poison off the back of the frog, and Lilla sealed the tips so no one could be hurt.

Parla sat on the stump letting Kodora and Lilla gather the poison they needed. Parla was finding it hard to keep her mind from wandering from the insect buzzing around her head. She noticed she seemed to have more control over this form than she had been able to muster in the past. But it was a fight. Parla didn't know if she didn't find eating an insect utterly repulsive that she wouldn't give in to the frog's instinct. This was something she would have to figure out before she transformed anymore. The memory of what had happened when she was a hawk would always come back to haunt her.

Jaden was out in the meadow by herself reflecting on what she had learned in the Amber Temple. Being Alana what did that make her was she still human? What was Apollo doing in this world? Would he tell Dr. G. where she was? Was he even worried? She had been consumed in thought she didn't hear Ichiro, come up behind her.

He pulled her to his body and held her there.

"We need to talk."

She stood there enjoying the warmth of his body next to hers. Knowing this was wrong but it felt so right, and she didn't want to ruin the moment, after all, they may all die in the mist so why deny herself this one little moment in time.

"What do you want to know?"

"That man in the temple what was he to you?"

"You could be here kissing me before we go to our death and you want to know about Apollo? He is someone from my home I was seeing. Before you ask yes, I was interested in him, he made me feel alive."

He began to kiss her neck as they both stood out looking beyond the field.

"More alive than I make you feel?"

She laughed, she didn't want to answer anyone made her feel as alive as he did, but she wanted to be honest.

"No, he doesn't make me feel like you do, but he is free, he doesn't belong to anyone he is willing to only be with me. Well, I think he is willing only to be with me. He does seem a bit of a player. We sang in Greece together and won a contest. That is all that has ever been between us a moonlight kiss and the one you saw in the temple. Why do you need to know?"

He laughed.

"You know why I ask; I don't want you to be with anyone. It drives me crazy when I see you with my brother, and he saw you first."

"I cannot promise I will stay alone for the rest of my life. Your kisses can't be that good your highness."

He turned her towards him and was about to kiss her when he heard Kazuki calling for him.

"I swear if he ruins any more romantic moments, I will have to kill my cousin."

He pushed her away.

"We are over here."

Kazuki came over and joined the couple.

"Saphira heard a noise coming from the mist."