The Waters Secret

Raven's Allies: Pt. 2

Raven and the others hid in the golden grass watching as the sun began to set. Huxley was encouraged to lay down, his antlers still reaching high above the tall grass. Hopefully in the dark, it wouldn't be so obvious he was hiding here, though this area seemed rarely traveled. A wheat variant Simon informed them as he inspected the golden blades, though not the kind used for eating. 

A large dome building dominated the landscape from this side as it sat in a small meadow near the river. Just on the other side of it, a bright and colorful market seemed to buzz with activity. This was clearly the edge of the town. Simon noticed a bridge that crossed the river and found a stable beside it. Possibly for travelers.

"That building there is the Tavern. Asir and I will go see if we can find some friends. You guys wait here, and you should be safe." Tristan told them as the others agreed. He got to his feet shaking himself out only to pause and scent the air. "It can't be." Tristan hissed as he crouched low. The others glanced around unsure as Tristan slunk away from the hideout.

He prowled down the little hill only to pause when something red attacked him from the side. Raven got to her feet to get a better view, only getting pulled back down by Simon. Tristan rolled away from the red mutt as she simply bounced around. Tristan darted back to the others; sure Simon could handle the demon hound as Ruby followed behind him.

"Ruby!" Diamond huffed as he ran up the hill after her. He hadn't believed his eyes when he saw the stone cat crawling out of the grass. Did they make it? Diamond stumbled into the grass pausing as he glanced at the unfamiliar faces in the small clearing. Ruby had apparently decided that Tristan was a friend, trying to engage him in play while the nervous cat hid behind Raven and Simon.

"He's so adorable!" the female closet to him giggled pulling Diamond into a squishy embrace.

"Whylomie! Diamond is a friend and older than everyone here except Simon." Raven told her as Whylomie released him. Diamond nodded brushing himself off. Grumbling when Raven hugged him too.

"I'm so glad you and Ruby are all right!" Raven said relieved as she released him. He blushed embarrassed noticing he was as tall as they were when they were sitting down. Sometimes he really hated being short.

"Wait, what are you doing here? What about the Hounds? I was told they were sent to kill you." Diamond asked nervously going over to Ruby as she kept trying to engage the cat in play. Tristan had been what caught her attention. 

Simon sighed deciding the dwarf was no longer a threat to them, though he wished Raven showed a bit more caution. He grunted when Huxley snorted and shook his head alerting Simon to the activity on his back. The blond dwarf wobbled around the deer and Simon caught his arm before he fell over.

"Opal?" Diamond choked making Simon pause as the blond dwarf quickly made his way to the smaller one, hugging him tightly. Diamond cried into his shoulder before leaning away and drying his tears. "The prince said he sent the Hounds! You haven't responded for days we thought you and Emerald were dead." Diamond told him as Opal pulled him into another hug.

"The Hounds left them for dead. We came across their campsite on our way here and rescued them. Opal is probably going to be a little weak as his body replaces the blood lost, but Emerald needs an actual doctor. I think his ribs are broken and he might have some eternal damage. We have been trying to help with the pain, but herbs can only do so much." Raven informed him as she petted Ruby's head. Diamond blushed embarrassed pulling away from his brother as Opal waved his hands at him. Diamond nodded waving his hands back as the girls sat intrigued.

"These are friends of yours?" Asir asked Simon quietly as they watched the dwarves.

"Not exactly. But they aren't looking to kill us either." Simon told him as he watched them talk back and forth.