The Wolf, the Butterfly, and the Kraken

Chapter 44

Joann

Looking down at the battle lines something had changed. There were less forces on both sides, and the battle was raging further down the peninsula. Vam saw too, and was thoughtful. Neither of us said anything. The lift landed.

The aircaster in charge of the lift opened the door, "Please wait here. We will find out where you are supposed to report." Two of the six flyers zipped off. After a bit a dirty young man arrived and told us to follow him to the healers tent.

Lord Eureces was in a tub. The water was tinged pink with blood, and he was pale. Two healers were working on him. "Are you sure you are up to having visitors?" I asked him.

He took a slow, deep breath, and answered, "No, but it doesn't hurt. Can't say I will be able to say that much later though." He took another slow, deep breath. "As I'm sure you know the lines have moved. I'm not sure how long I will be in the area. Captain Harris will be here. I want you to make sure the Finton transition goes well." He took another slow, deep breath, as the healers glared daggers at us.

"We will do our best," I told him. How in the world were we supposed to do the transition of 300 warriors onto Lyngaran bound ships?

Lord Eureces smiled a bit, nodded, and passed out.

Vam looked at me, "What have you just done?"

I put my hand on my head. "We will figure this out. Come on, let's go check with Captain Harris."

We walked through the barely recognizable remains of the camp to the tree on a knoll. Not one member of the unit was there. We waited a bit, but no one came.

Vam looked towards the river, "Love, I think they are across the river, above Finton. We should go there."

I was tired of traveling. Crossing a river did not sound fun, but he was right. No one was there. It wasn't safe to pitch a lone tent. I wasn't sure where the battlelines were.

It took a while to find a boat. Once we did it was decided we would just go straight across to Finton, rather than walk up the hill, and then down the path of the mesa. We knew they were going to send us to Finton anyway.

The warrior on guard saw us and grew excited. He signaled others behind him. By the time we got to the dock three of the five council members were there. I was helped from the boat by my friend of the Black Mountain clan. "Greetings Garbaj. It is good to see you well."

"Greetings to you Joann. What news do you have?" He was looking towards my bag for scrolls.

Vam was offered hands to help him out of the wobbly boat. He frowned, not taking them, "No thank you, friends. I might make you sticky. I have tar in my fur."

They were confused, "Tar? Why?"

I smiled, "He was working on our home's roof when we were summoned." I had a feeling that we would just start to actually get the tar out of his fur when we would go home, and he would get tar in it again finishing the roof.

Vam climbed out, and tied off the boat. The last of the council arrived, looking between us. They wanted news.

Vam sighed, "Truly, we have very little news."

Kroser said, "Well, please share the news you do have."

"The battle is very fierce, and the lines seem to be moving." Vam told them.

Ears perked up all around, "Which way? North, or South?"

Vam tilted his head a bit in thought. "It seems more East and West, slightly South. There aren't as many forces of either side in the area."