Babylon 5 Crusade Book I Out of the Darkness, Come of the Light

-Chapter 2-Enter the Phoenix

Moss crunched under the four leathery paws. A rough tongue came out to flick across sharp teeth splattering Dureena's arm which twitched under the warmth.

The creature drew in closer with all four limbs on the ground. Its mouth oozing saliva with eyes filled with immense hunger. The moonlight caused the creatures weather-beaten skin to shimmer 8as it prowled forward, focused completely on the fresh food in front of it.

Its focus was distracted by the sound of roaring before it realized it was in pain. Orange flames flicked into its vision. It screamed as something burned it. It ran in panic into the water where its suffering ended as it drew its last breath.

The flames carried on flickering across the skin not submerged in the water gathering itself together and twisting into a form. It hopped off the corpse and moved towards the unconscious Dureena.

A fiery bird, feathers matched the raging fire from moments ago. Then it moved to watch Dureena, and touch her with its beak.

Slowly pressing its beak against her arm stroking softly over the tanned skin, it left no marks behind. It did not burn her. It slowed its movement when Dureena moved.

****

Amber eyes flickered open before closing again against the pain in her head. Slowly her surroundings started to filter through the pain. She realised she was not alone. Her muscles tensed as she slid her eyes open, ready to attack. A light in the dark caught her notice as she was drawn to it. The light soon made a shape, a bird? It was bigger than she was with violet eyes and a flaming body, that shone like a bright light in the darkness of the nights.

She rolled away from the bird careful to keep a dagger in easy reach, she swept gracefully into a crouch only to fall backwards as the pain and grinding of bone in her ankle made themselves know.

****
"I'm surprised you survived the fall, let alone the beast. It really was going to try to make a meal of you. If I had not been here to save you pretty thing..." Dureena took a moment to realise that the voice was coming from the bird, as its beak moved.

She blinked slowly and almost laughed at herself. Why was she so surprised? A bird having a voice and making sense? After knowing Galen she had really thought nothing was impossible. Even though actually seeing it still caused her brain to reach for plausible excuses, maybe she had hit her head too hard.

The giant bird's voice started up again, "Your right ankle is fractured and you have a mild concussion," it stated as the violet eyes roamed over her. It ruffled its own feathers. "Oh! How rude of me. I am Cassius , Familiar and AI of Technomage Winn-rei."

Dureena had to force herself not to move when the featherly wing stretched out to her as if to shake. The large head bowed in greeting. She slowly reached forwards and shook the wing carefully, but still her mouth could not form words. The Bird carried on as if she was not having any trouble.

"You're not from around here are you? My memory stats you're Zander. You're a long way from home aren't you?" the bird just kept chatting and looked around the clearing. "I've alerted Winn-rei. She's nearby dealing with the rest of the pack of Ravagers. Usually they work as a team but recently something has been upsetting them, making them act alone and far more dangerously."

Dureena tried to stand up as the bird seemed to be distracted by the dead creature in the water. She ducked quickly under the feathered wing held over her head. The bird turned to look at her again.

"Oh you should not be getting up on that ankel of yours. I'll stay with you until she comes to us. Do you have a name?" it cocked it head side to side at her.