Between The Crystals

Ch 34 Helping Hands

I sat on the ground beside the Orange Flower crystal, letting the four hunters act as sentries while we waited for the others to arrive. Two groups down, one to go. The porting strain was catching up to me, but it was the exhaustion that was hammering away at my dwindling energy.

Even if the last four hunters misjudged the distance on their way back and were an hour late, I didn't mind. I doubted they'd be much longer though; they'd be eager to bring their findings back and go home.

I stared absently at the forest, fighting off the desire for a nap. A glimpse of dark brown appeared between distant shrubs, stopping just long enough for the Saursune to look at me for several seconds. I watched her tiredly, and just like every other time, she disappeared. The hunters hadn't noticed her, further proof of how good the Saursunes were at sneaking around.

The remaining hunters arrived about thirty minutes later, and I wearily shifted to my knees as everyone gathered around me. I rested a hand on the small crystal while waiting for everyone to organize themselves.

Bracing myself and preparing to bounce if needed, I said, "Guard Station."

The air hazed around us and cleared to reveal the cliffside scanning location. Still kneeling, I rolled my shoulders and stretched my arms as I tried to relieve the deep ache in my chest. After a few seconds, I gave up. I was just too tired.

The guard with the scanner was already circling us. The lights were green, although we now knew that wasn't a guarantee.

"You came from the same location?" he asked. When I nodded, he told my companions, "Spread your carry nets in a wide circle. We had a second intermittent tracker appear while you were gone."

"Who had the other tracker?" I asked. "And do you know where they might have been?"

"A group from Briar Village. They were at a jungle location."

The jungle? Was it just coincidence that I took the tracker to such a place, or had the Saursunes been stalking them beforehand? No one had been at that sandbar, which I was grateful for.

"You might want to move to the hides or the bench," another guard said. "More groups will be coming."

I glanced at the shadows to gauge the sun's location. "I thought I'd be one of the last groups in."

"More groups are staying out until sundown."

Other villages must also be struggling to find sufficient food. With a quiet sigh, I struggled to my feet. A hunter immediately appeared by my side to lend a hand. I thanked him as I sat on the tattered furs. As tempting as it was to lie down, I knew I'd fall asleep.

The guard with the scanner continued staring intently at it. For a lack of anything better to do, and being too tired to have any ambition or even get bored, I simply watched him. The device remained green.

One of the hunters came over to me and held out a small object. I blinked at the pale brown lump as I took it, finally noticing the hexagon patterns. It was a piece of honeycomb.

"I figured you needed the energy," the hunter quietly said. "The aunts and grannies can't complain if they don't know it existed in the first place."

I grinned tiredly at him and took a small bite. Sweetness exploded on my tongue. I closed my eyes and savored the rare treat. The comb was chewy and clumped together, and bits of honey kept emerging as I chewed.

The rest of the comb disappeared in three small nibbles, reduced to a clump of wax. I chewed it until not even the faintest trace of sweetness could be found, then stuck the wax clump in my pocket and licked a few spots of honey off my fingers. The rare delicacy had definitely improved my mood, even if my energy levels remained oblivious to the bit of liquid sugar I'd just enjoyed.