The Dragon Hunter

18

Minx winced as she adjusted her wing, pain shooting down her spine, before looking into the spluttering fire. Luna had her hat pulled down over her face (how she'd managed to hold onto it in the chaos Minx had no clue) as was breathing softly, her wet clothes still clinging to her body. Axel knelt by the flames, desperately trying to keep then alive with what little dry kindling he had. They hadn't dared search the forest, instead opting to scavenge for fuel by the river itself that now flowed a few meters away, gurgling softly above the chirping of the crickets. Jags sat beside her, fur still damp but near enough dry by now. He nudged her, leaning in close so as not to be over heard.

"How's your wing?"

She shrugged, but the very action made her wince. Luna had done her best to wrap it up, but without supplies the best she could do was wash the dried blood away and tie Axel's jacket around it. Minx would be lucky if she got away with just a scar. She'd have to walk the rest of the way to their destination. That's if you can even find it, she thought bitterly, staring ruefully at the tattered remains of the map in the mud, water lapping up the tiny, crumpled ball, threatening to destroy it completely. Not that she cared; it wasn't much use to them now.

"What now?" Luna suddenly chirped, her tone irritatingly upbeat. Minx could see the traces of a smile on her face. Axel must have seen it too, because he snapped to his feet, glaring at her.

"What are you so chipper about? Think this is funny, do you?" He growled.

"A little," Luna admitted. "I mean, this is what he wanted, right? Pasirima, I mean. He wants us afraid and huddled in a corner like scared children."

Axel rolled his eyes,"What do you suppose we do then?"

Luna pulled up her hat, winking to Minx before turning her gaze back to him, her smile replaced with a grim expression. "We leave at dusk. Those things won't wait, they'll see the fire and come get us. You saw what they did to Blueberry and August. And, according to this joker right in front of me..." She nodded at Axel. "It can happen to all of us. Which means the creation story we've been told is wrong, or..."

Jags shuffled nervously. "...or what?"

She shook her head. "It means Pasirima is now powerful enough to take control of Meden's creations. Either way, I'm going to slap Charlie as hard as I can next time we see her," she paused before adding, "James and Rai too."

Minx's ears perked up. "You think they're still alive?"

"They have to be, right? Otherwise Pasirima couldn't use them," once again her eyes settle on Axel. "You didn't answer me when we were running and I know why. That thing only had one arm. Am I right?"

Axel turned his face away. That was all the acknowledgement they needed. Minx caught on fast, but Jags was a little slow.

"Why is that important?" He asked, cocking his head to one side, ears twitching. Nobody spoke. Nobody wanted to.

"Luna's right," Axel finally sighed. "We need to retrace our steps until we find some kind of landmark. We can head to Penen, they'll have maps there we can...borrow."

Luna jumped to her feet, patting her thighs. "Let's not waste anytime then. Almost sundown. Maybe we'll be lucky and those things are afraid of the dark."

"Stop being so damn optimistic," Minx growled. "What makes you think that'll even work?"

"If you don't think it will, ask Ramsipia. He always knows what to do," She retorted, grabbing the surviving bag before starting to help Axel stamp out the fire.

"That's true."

Minx rolled her eyes. "You've been awfully quiet recently Ramsipia. Been anywhere nice."