The Lefko Trilogy

Chapter 3

The young Xokito dipped a thin cloth into warm water.   In the center of her camp a blaze warmed a kettle on the stove.  She wrung out the fabric and pressed it to the girl’s shoulder.  Dirt and gore released pale skin to cling to the damp material.  Still unconscious, the girl lay face down on the cot, clad only in her linen shift.  Her golden dress was in a pile on the ground.  The Xokito had removed it to examine the girl’s injuries. Abrasions decorated her side.  The cloth pressed against raw tissue again.

*       *       *

Questyn shook her head, trying to clear the static collecting in her thoughts.  She blinked against the sharp light.  Silver clouds encased her sore body.  Hesitantly, she took a step forward, mist caressing her bare feet.  The scent of vanilla filled her nose, warming her.  She smiled happily, letting the friendly smell envelop her.  Cool air kissed her skin and she reveled in the sensation.

An excited laugh filled the air and Questyn snapped her head toward the sound.  A small foot disappeared between the shifting fog.  Curious, she followed.  The small figure danced away and hid from her.  “You’re it!” A large grin spread across her face at the boy’s declaration.  She chased after him. 

The air swirled around her as she ran with the toddler. She shamelessly enjoyed the childish game.  Suddenly, pain seared through her shoulder.  Invisible needles pricked her arm and the feeling threatened to leave it.  She paused for a moment, crying out against the throbbing limb, but the boy goaded her further. “You can’t catch me!”  He giggled happily, his grey eyes peering out from a cloud. 

As she reached her hand out to tag him, he twirled away and scurried off.  Delighted, Questyn took large strides, wincing when she scooped the boy into her arms.  Her ribs ached, then pain lanced through her leg.  She grimaced.  The boy’s white hair fell into the stormy eyes.

“I got you!” she crooned, cradling the young child close to her.

He beamed and clung to her dress. “Now it’s my turn to catch you!” he squealed. “You just need to wake up…”

Wake up.

“…wake up.” 

Questyn shot straight up, gasping in pain.  Her body burned with a fever as a cold sweat dripped from her temples.  Each muscle in her body trembled weakly as the effort to remain upright fed off her energy.  She collapsed back onto to cot.  Dots swam before her blurred vision and her eyelids felt heavy.  Darkness began to engulf her again.

A firm hand gripped her shoulders.  “Stay with me.” The urgent voice cut through the buzzing in Questyn’s ears.  She forced her eyes open again, searching the blurry landscape.  Light peered through the cool leaves above her.  She squinted angrily against the sun. 

The soft voice spoke again. “Keep your eyes open.”  Someone leaned over Questyn, blocking out the sunlight.  A Xokito scrutinized her face as her long, auburn braid fell over her shoulder.  Groaning, the princess turned her head away from the deep green eyes studying her.  The Xokito had high cheekbones and a creamy complexion that was wrinkled with concern.  A warm cloth pressed against Questyn’s forehead.  She shuddered angrily at the contact, fading out of consciousness again.

The Xokito whispered, cutting through her dream.  “…none of your concern.  She is my property, not yours.” 

A violent hiss answered.

Questyn carefully turned her head toward the source of the argument.  The afternoon sun stabbed her eyesight, causing her head to pound.  She closed her eyes again and listened. 

“Get off my land, Drakan.”  The Xokito snarled. Questyn flinched inwardly at the threatening tone and weakly curled up.  A shadow fell over her.  Warily, she glanced up and saw the concerned features of the Xokito.  She knelt beside the princess and smiled.  “Feeling better?”