The Silver Crown

Chapter 8

Caleb

I was rather glad that Kylee had passed out as I unhinged the hellhound's jaw in order to release its death grip. It would have been a lot harder if she'd been struggling. I toss her pack over my shoulder, hoist her into my arms, and continue down the path. We have to be near the end of the pass. The name "Maze Pass" is only true if you try to change your course. As long as you keep moving forward, it's just a long, winding, somewhat haunted road.

Sure enough, the fog soon thins and I can see the green forests of Indalor extending out from the mountains feet. The stone column marking the end of the pass stands at the edge of the cliffs. I find a small grove of knee-high grass not too far from a stream and decide to make camp. I settle Kylee into the thick grass and clean and bandage her leg and arm. "Silly girl," I mutter, then clear an area for a fire. Taking the large bowl, I walk to the stream to fetch some water. The stream is crystal clear and cold. I wipe the dirt from my face and hands and fill my bowl. I put it to heat over the fire and begin adding flour, small bits of dried meat, and, with a glance at Kylee's battered form, a few choice herbs. While the soup cooks, I pull out my sword and dagger and start cleaning them off. Hellhound blood can easily rust almost any metal if left too long.

Kylee begins to stir as the soup comes to a boil. I spoon out a bowl of thick broth and help her sit up to drink. She takes a sip and presses her eye into her hand. "My head is killing me," she mumbles.

"You're in shock and the blood loss didn't help." I explain. "Some food will help." Kylee takes the proffered bowl and spoon and slowly begins eating. I lightly rub her back until the bowl is almost empty and then sit down with my own meal. Kylee sits shivering by the fire, absently rubbing her arms. She stands up slowly.

"Is there anywhere I can clean off?"

I toss her a spare piece of cloth. "You can wash up in the stream. I don't recommend getting in, too cold, but you can wash up."

"Thanks. I'll be back in a bit." Kylee walks off briskly, as much to think as to wash, no doubt.

I take my time eating, staring into the fire. I feel exhaustion slowly weighing me down. Heat waves from the fire begin to lull me to sleep. It's been a long day, what with the pass, and the hellhounds. Am I forgetting something? I don't know. Probably not. What is there to forget? We've made camp, eaten dinner. Kylee's washing at that nice clear stream...

The stream.

Freshwater, crystal clear, this close to the mountains. That means there's a spring nearby. If there's a spring nearby, then that means there's...

I leap to my feet and grab my bow. I hear a short scream, quickly cut off with a splash. Nocking my bow as I run, I sprint towards the stream. I skid onto the bank and see the water thrashing as Kylee struggles to escape a gang of nymphs. I quickly count three of the sleek water-based creatures. Translucent blue, they resemble women with long wavy hair to their waists, but instead of legs, their body fades at the waist giving the impression that they are extensions of the water. They have webbed hands, and wild turquoise eyes. One of them is covering Kylee's face, another trying to contain her thrashing legs, and the last, and smallest, is clinging to her uninjured arm, trying to pin it down.

I draw back my bow and fire, dissolving the first nymph instantly. Kylee surges up to the surface, catching a quick breath before being dragged down by the second nymph, who now has it's sinuous body wrapped around her legs and is pulling her arms back to keep her head beneath the surface. The smallest nymph, who hadn't done much till now, shoots forward and begins swimming in rapid circles in the water beneath the embankment I'm standing on.

A melodious hum fills the air and I watch Kylee relax. I force myself to stay alert and point my arrow at the singing nymph. It slows and allows its head and shoulders to break the surface. As it rises, the parts of its body above water take on human coloration, while the submerged sections retain their watery form. Its hair turns black, and its skin a soft pink. The creature blinks its large, still turquoise, eyes at me and keeps humming. Its features are soft and delicate and it's song peaceful, especially to my exhausted mind. It flips its long black hair and laughs.

I watch her spin around the fire, her feet skipping and her ebony hair swirling in the firelight. Her laugh rings through the air."

I fire my second arrow, catching the nymph in the throat, ending the music abruptly. It releases a gargling scream and dissolves into the stream. Kylee is struggling again, but not as strongly. I toss aside my bow and plunge into the stream, grabbing the last nymph by its throat and hair. It screams and unwraps from Kylee as I drag it clear of the water. It's smooth, slippery skin solidifies under my hand as it breaks the surface. I throw it clear of the water and grab Kylee tossing her onto the shore next to the nymph. The water spirit flails frantically on the ground and then with a surge, it turns to water and sinks into the ground.

I climb onto the shore next to Kylee's still form. She's not breathing and her pulse is weak. I pump her stomach a few times and get her to cough, but she doesn't start breathing. "Come on," I growl. "I'm not losing you too." I press my mouth to hers, exhaling deeply. I lift, then do it again.

As I breathe into her lungs the fourth time, she jerks to life. I jump back as she coughs and splutters up water. She sucks in a deep breath and rolls onto her side, her chest rising and falling rapidly. I sigh with relief and slowly drag myself to my feet. I take Kylee's hand and drape her arm around my shoulders. We slowly stumble back towards the camp, pausing only to grab my bow.

Kylee

Caleb gently wraps a blanket around my shoulders and sits down next to me. We had managed to dry off as the sun had set, but we were half frozen and it looked like it would be a cold spring night. I lean against him for warmth. Caleb shifts slightly, but doesn't move away.

"Nymphs drown anything that approaches their stretch of the stream. Never bathe within a mile of a spring." He warns. "And I didn't kill them, well, except the last one. The others will reform at the spring."

"I'll remember that."

We sit in silence for a few moments. "What about hellhounds?" I ask. Caleb turns to look at me.

"Hellhounds are Shadow-creatures. They aren't very big, but they're vicious and they travel in numbers. When they die their jaws lock in vice grip and their blood turns very mildly acidic. Not enough to hurt a person, but enough to make it dangerous to steel and incredibly useful to alchemists."

"What are Shadow-creatures?" I ask.

"A living manifestation of the balance. All things are born with one foot in darkness, and one in light. Some creatures have forms accordingly. For example there are normal, everyday wolves wandering these woods. Whether or not they'll attack," he shrugs. "Who knows? But there are also hellhounds, the dark form of wolves, and the white wolves of the north, the light form of wolves."

I pull my blanket tighter. "That makes sense." If everything has a dark form, then what about people? I decide not to ask. Orcs probably; or something I don't want to know about. "Have you ever seen a white wolf?" I ask instead.

Caleb's face softens, his expression breaking into a soft smile. He stares off into the distance. "Yes, once. They're amazing. They're bigger than most wolves, on account of hellhounds being smaller, and they are the picture of nobility. They have long, fluffy fur so white it shines and stand as tall as a person. They also live in packs, but they're a lot harder to find because they don't seek people out like hellhounds do. I hope you have a chance to meet one sometime. It's a wonderful experience."

"They sound nice," I comment sleepily. "I think I'm going to fall asleep now." Caleb smiles and stands up. I curl up in my bedroll and the last thing I see before I close my eyes is Caleb pull out the pouch Tyron had given him at the gate of Andrus.