The Wyvern's Gift

Chapter Thirteen

"Haelyn and I will slip into the cave while the rest of you keep an eye out. The parents are out hunting but they won't be for long so we need to be fast," Evanora said as she pointed to various objects scattered around a circle drawn in the dirt. She moved a leaf and a small orange pebble towards the backside of the circle. "Weylyn will lower us down and we'll scoop the flower into the vial and be gone before the stem even knows it's been cut."

"It's important we get the wyvern's gift into the vial as quickly as possible. Eva enchanted the opening to pull it in as soon as the cork is removed," Haelyn continued. The greenhand pulp in the basket at her side lessened as they all took turns dipping their hands in to apply it to themselves.

The group had been up since dawn to prepare for their intrusion on the beasts' territory. They'd carefully rewrapped and numbed Evander's leg while he showed Weylyn the proper knots he would need to lower the two women into the cave. Originally they'd planned to send him up with the rope but the slope would prove too difficult for his leg. Even with it numbed he ran the risk of reopening the wound.

Wren sighed and pushed a stick towards the cave's entrance. "I don't see why I can't just toss Haelyn over my shoulder and run in with her. I could easily clear bones along the front," he suggested for what seemed to be the tenth time. The front entrance of the cave was large enough for the wyverns to easily enter and exit and appeared to be the most logical way in. The problem came in the form of a five foot slope studded with the bones left from the wyverns' various hunts. It would be impossible to get back out if the parents made a sudden reappearance.

"As much as I love to play the part of a sack of potatoes, I don't see you jumping the five feet back out with as much ease," Haelyn countered. She pushed herself to her feet and dusted her knees off. "We're sticking to this plan and that is final."

Yophiel immediately followed her lead and moved their travel gear to a space they'd dug out from between two trees. With Isra's help he covered them so they would be safe until they could come back for them. The longsword he kept strapped to his back glinted in the sun as he straightened up.

The walk to the cave took close to an hour thanks to the sudden sharp incline. The area around the entrance was completely clear of trees thanks to the constant flights and fights. They could see straight to the other side where the clearing ended in a sharp cliff. Nothing moved in the sky and not a sound came from the direction of the cave.

"Looks good," Eva whispered. "Let's go." She and Haelyn stood to make their run to the back of the cave to climb up with Weylyn and they immediately dropped to the ground when an arrow whizzed over their heads.

"I was beginning to wonder when you lot would show up," Kris called, Cathian mercenaries fanning out behind him.

Another arrow hit the tree where Yophiel's head had been briefly before Wren pulled him back down. "What now?" Haelyn muttered.

"I can distract them with magic if I fly overhead with Isra," Eva offered. The mage fished out the small crystal vial from her small bag and pressed it into Haelyn's hand. "You'll have to handle this solo, princess."

"No, it has to be both of us," Haelyn argued. She reached to pull Evanora back and grabbed only air. The mage was in the air in seconds like a practiced rider setting off on a horse trail. Haelyn scrambled to pull Weylyn further towards the cave while she struggled to replan. "You'll have to come down with me, that's all there is to do. Yophiel can-" she was cut off from cementing the last member of their trio when she heard Yophiel shout as he ran towards one of the mercenaries with his sword drawn. Wren was nowhere to be found but the occasional arrow told them all they needed to know about his location.

"Looks like you're stuck with me. I'll hold the rope and lower the two of you in," Evander said. There was no room to argue the point. Even with one bad leg, Evander was still a better choice than trying to tie the rope to a tree.