The Dungeons of Savant

Chapter Seven: Lael

I stood in the shadows of the trees while Sirella wrestled with the boy. I knew that he was the boy we had beaten before, and the girl he was with was the same girl who was with him last time. Judging by the Venidi with them, I would have guessed they were looking for revenge and it wasn't going too well.

I crept towards the girl, an arrow set in my bow. I hardly heard Isel behind me, he sneaked around despite knowing that the three knew we were there. The girl saw me coming towards her and backed up, letting her hands glow with heat. I pulled my bow string back, aiming at the girl's chest. Before I got the chance to let the arrow fly, I heard the Venidi growl and bark. I saw a grey blur heading towards me, but Isel ran out from behind me and lunged at the mano.

I got stuck staring at Isel attacking the mano, I didn't notice the girl running at me. She grabbed the arrow and the wood burst into flames. I gave her a smirk and let go of the arrow. It sailed past her, but not before grazing her arm. She let out a cry and fell to the floor, wheezing slightly. I grabbed another arrow and pointed at the girl again.

"Don't move," I ordered.

She gave me a dirty look and turned her head to the boy. He was still wrestling with Sirella, and from what I could see he was losing. I quickly looked to check on Isel, he seemed to be struggling with the beast.

I sighed and turned back to the girl. "Who are you?"

"I just want to find the Tulava." She was one step short of strangling her arm. She didn't break eye contact, and she didn't show fear.

I couldn't understand what she said. Why would she, a Sari, be looking for Ariadne, and with a Laminar nonetheless? We only broke out Ariadne to make a statement, but what could they want?

I put on a condescending smirk. "I'm afraid that's not in the cards for you."

Her gaze didn't shift, she still didn't look away when the Laminar screamed. I didn't bother looking away, I knew Sirella could handle anything that boy could throw. I heard the Venidi cry out, and I let myself relax. Options were running low for these three.

Sirella, and Isel dragged the boy and the venidi, who had turned back from a mano, over by the girl. I didn't move my bow while we debated what to do with them.

"We should just kill them. It's not worth it," Sirella said, brandishing her daggers with a blank face.

I scoffed. "Don't you want to figure out-"

"We know how they found us, they paid a veni-"

"I was going for why, but whatever you say."

She gave me a dirty look, but turned back to the prisoners.

Isel looked to both of us and sighed. "Does it matter why? We just need to get them off out trail."

"And what better way to do that, then to ask them who else is looking for us." I let a smile pull at my lips.

Sirella rolled her eyes and knelt next to the girl, pushing a knife to her throat. "Who are you?"

The girl didn't answer, so I moved my bow from her chest to the boy's. The girl's eyes followed the arrow, widened, and then she sighed. Apparently collateral damage wasn't something she was looking forward to.

"I am Vivetta the Sari."

Sirella laughed. "So, we have a Miliki, don't we?"

Isel kicked dirt up impatiently. "Who are you really?"