Yuragwyn: Yours

---Chapter 18

∞Kaitra∞

I hold still, very still, as I stare at the unidentified figure facing away from us at the bottom of the small hill that sludges away below me. The being is covered in shaggy hair coated in muck just like the rest of us. When it turns around, though, the shape is unmistakably human. Slowly the person begins to move towards me. I take a step or two back before falling straight down into the mud. It soaks in up to my shoulders, and in seconds I am coated in the fast drying muck. The squish of the mud falling down my shirt pushes a scream from my lips.

Traugott takes my bow and an arrow before standing me up quickly. He aims down into the valley. "Who are you?"

The figure whirls around and raises its own bow. "Who is she?" He asks, arrow aimed at my heart.

Traugott steps in front of me, "Not of any consequence. Answer my question."

"You didn't answer mine," the figure retorts, moving towards us.

"Come no closer, and take off your mask," Traugott demands. He is strong, formidable. Every muscle is tense, trained on this mystery man before us. His ferocity scares me, and I lean my head against his back, both for warmth and protection.

Finally, the man obliges. A shock of sandy blonde hair frames his deep green eyes. He drags himself through the mud and reaches his arm up to Traugott, laughing. "I've never seen you so tense, Traugott."

Relief pours over the others, and I begin to relax. "Maxen!" Traugott cries. "We thought you were lost!" He climbs down the dead yet solid hill and grasps the man's arm tightly. "Why are you in Abyss?"

"Adventure, change," he offers grandly. "I wanted to get away for a while and liked Entel so much I decided to stay."

Briallen and Calanthe help me out of the mud and down the slope. Ice could not have been colder than that mud. Already my teeth chatter against the roof of my mouth, and my limbs shiver uncontrollably.

Maxen gives each of us a long, slow look over, and his observant gaze makes me uncomfortable. His eyes see right into one's soul. Can he tell I don't like this place or these people? Is he going to call me that Daughter too?

"These two," he tells Traugott, pointing at Calanthe and myself, "Need a bath as soon as possible. It is dangerous to walk around in Abyss covered in mud. One loses precious body heat."

"Are we near Entel?" Briallen asks wryly.

"We are about a day's walk out," Maxen replies. "There is a stream, though, just an hour or so from here. It's small, but it will suffice for such an emergency."

Calanthe coughs and stumbles forward as we begin to move. Traugott catches her and holds her close for a moment, ignoring the mud that smudges his own clothes. His eyes are laden with worry.

"Here," Maxen offers, "I'll trade packs with you."

He hands her his light one, and swings hers up on his broad back. After tying a small strap across his chest, he turns back to Traugott, "Where are you going? This pack is too heavy for even an experienced soldier." He turns to us girls, "How long have you been training?"

Briallen purses her ruby lips and bites out, "We haven't."

"We've been doing more on the trip training than anything else," Calanthe offers. She shares a quick look at me, pleading with me to back him up. I elect for the middle road and try to stay out of the situation. Briallen does have a point.