Cloaks

Chapter 10: Waiting on a Miracle

Malakos was up and dressed before the sun rose, impatiently pacing the cabin until the others finished getting ready.

"Okay, we're good now? Ready to go? Let's go, let's go–Ruby, what are you doing?"

The blue Dragonborn had picked up the Holy Mace off the mantle. "This isn't as heavy as it looks," she said. "Feels good, actually. Think I'll take it as my spoils."

"The sacred weapon of a dead hero? That's...I mean, isn't that a little–"

"You're carrying his bones. Don't preach to me."

"Fair point. Okay, can we go now? Please?"

"Yes, Mal, we can go. Geez, what are you so hyped up fo–did anyone else hear that?"

Everyone fell silent, listening.

"There it is again!" Ruby cried out. "It sounds like an animal in distress!"

"No, Ruby–!" Malakos groaned. Were they ever going to get back to Shettleport?

"You guys go on ahead," she called back as she dashed out the door. "I'll catch up in a minute."

"Call us if you need help!" Malakos called after her as she disappeared into the forest.

Ruby pounded through the overgrowth again, pulse racing in her ears. The yowling she'd heard–sounded like a big cat in pain. Were there other monsters in the forest? Maybe she should have gotten the others to come... but too late for that–there was an animal in trouble.

She heard it thrashing before she saw it. In a patch of leafy foliage, a large tiger flailed desperately.

"She's...beautiful," she breathed. Then, she caught sight of the problem–a rusted metal trap clamped down on the tiger's hind leg. The creature thrashed painfully against it, trying to get free.

"Calm down, calm down," she spoke soothingly to it as she stepped forward. "I'm going to help you."

The tiger, though it understood the words she spoke, eyed her warily, baring its long fangs. Ruby stepped forward carefully. She disabled the trap with swift, practiced movements, and soon had its victim free. Next, she bandaged up the wounded paw, splinting the breakage.

"That will have to do for now," she said. "But if you'll come with me, I know some guys that can finish the job. Hey!" The tiger was licking her gratefully, its large, sandpaper tongue caressing her face repeatedly. "Okay, you're welcome! Come on, now, let's get you all healed up."

The rest of the team had just about reached the boat where Samuel and Lorenzo were waiting, when a cracking of sticks and leaves behind them announced Ruby's return.

"Oh, that was qui–AUGH! What's that?!" Bardy cried out.

"This is my new friend!" Ruby chirped. "She's hurt, though–Bardy, could you...?"

"Uh, sure..." the bard pulled out his lute and started strumming while Malakos grumbled about being a healer too, if anyone would give him half a chance to actually do his job and heal others. What he'd formally trained to do. For years, by the way.

The paw healed and the tiger tentatively tried it out, putting some weight on it, before happily pouncing around like an eager kitten.

"Aw, look how happy and cute she is!" Ruby exclaimed.

"Yeah, that's great, Ruby, now get in the boat," Malakos said.

"Such a cutie."

"Ruby. In. The. Boat."

"I think I'll call her Kiki."

"Ruby, NO! No more pets!" Malakos cried, as Patch climbed up on his shoulder.