The Warhorse of Balrok

Chapter 21: Talnerr's Arrival

Chapter 21
Talnerr's Arrival

Astrid

Astrid was scared. More than she'd been in years.

She'd never run into demons before this, and then suddenly she met them and their halfling offspring. Not that the twins were bad. Zand was so nice and could be a wonderful friend, and Talnerr...

She glanced out at Vithr while Akele and Kayrn checked the bandages on Willohshai's arm. The sun was getting lower and lower in the sky. Astrid felt a touch of fear creep into her mind. Night would be here soon.

Farther up the tree were the bedrooms they'd slept in last night, and would be occupying again tonight. Astrid always loved seeing the rooms nestled in the branches. She loved climbing the ladders, too. Unlike most people, Astrid loved heights. They made her feel free and unburdened. Sometimes, she could look at the sky and pretend she didn't have her curse. Unfortunately, those moments never lasted long.

Akele led Zand and Willohshai up the tree to where they'd be sleeping. Zand would be sharing a room with the fifteen year old Kayrn, while Willohshai would be with Emati, who was eighteen years old. Lunareclipse didn't sleep. It wasn't something her kind had to do.

Kayrn glared at Astrid as she put away the bandages and herbs her mother had been using, then climbed down to the room below them.

They'd never gotten along. Kayrn and Astrid had taken an immediate disliking to each other when they first met. Neither knew the reason why, but it had grown into a silent feud over the years. Astrid was happy she didn't have to see Kayrn very often.

Astrid sighed and followed Kayrn down the tree. She decided to walk around the city. Just to think, and so her legs wouldn't get cramped from sitting down too long. Around her, regular people carried on with their regular lives. At times, she was jealous of them. Other times, she pitied them. Either way, it was because of their ignorance.

Astrid glanced at the sunset. And thought of Talnerr. She was desperately hoping he was alive. She didn't know why, but for some reason, she had immediately grown an interest in the demon halfling she'd met in the forest. She wanted to know where that interest might take her.

"Astrid!" Someone yelled.

She twirled to face the sound. Akana and Kayrn were running up to her. Both were red-faced and panting.

"Astrid." Kayrn said again.

"What is it?" Astrid asked in concern. It would have to be pretty serious for Kayrn to come to Astrid for help.

"A...boy." Akana gasped, trying to catch her breath.

Astrid's eyebrows rose and she stared at them, wide eyed.

"A boy?"

Kayrn nodded. "Looks like...Zand...red eyes...black hair...scar under one eye." She panted.

Talnerr. "Where is he?"

The girls grabbed Astrid's arms and led her to a spot outside the city. The whole time Astrid moved as if running for her life. What if he was hurt? Or dead? How would she tell Zand?

Finally, Akana dashed ahead of them and stood beside a motionless figure. Astrid and Kayrn crouched by the person's side. It was Talnerr. She couldn't see him very well in the growing darkness, but she knew it was him. She grabbed his wrist and checked his pulse. She sighed in relief. He was alive.

He didn't look very good. He was covered in small cuts and bruises. Her breath caught in her throat. There was an arrow sticking out of his abdomen. Blood was still soaking through his shirt. In other places, too. His chest, his arm, his shoulder...whatever had happened to him, it hadn't been very fun.

Astrid glanced at the sun. She had a few minutes before nightfall. That was enough time to get him to safety.

"Look." Akana breathed. Astrid looked up at what she was pointing to. Kayrn's eyes widened.

"Wings." Astrid identified. Giant red and black bat wings, exactly like a demon's, had grown out of Talnerr's back. Apparently, Talnerr had inherited more than red eyes from his father.

"Go get your father to carry him to your mother." Astrid ordered Akana. "Your mother can heal him. Please. He's Zand's brother."

Akana dashed off. As soon as she was out of sight, Kayrn narrowed her eyes at Astrid. "What are those two?"

"What?"

"Don't look so shocked. Do you think I'm stupid? Any idiot would know that people with red eyes and wings aren't mythins. What are they?"

The sun had almost completely set. Astrid felt her mind begin to change.

"I can't tell you." She hurriedly said, getting up. "Ask Willohshai. Please. I...I have to go now."

"Where are you going?" Kayrn demanded. "Don't leave me alone!"

"Your father and sister will be back soon." Astrid began backing up. "I'm sorry, but I have to go."

Before I become dangerous. She added in her mind.

Kayrn bit her lip in frustration. Astrid ran off into the trees. Just in time, too.

Talnerr is back.

That was her last thought before she lost herself.